Car India is shown round the pithampur plant of Force motors as prasan Firodia, mD, explains the various stages through which the Force One goes before taking its final shape
1 The sheet metal comes straight from the suppliers, ready to be welded
2 The panels are welded together to make the basic structure of the body
3 The complete body shell is seen here, welded together and ready to be sent to the paint shop
4 Once painted, the shell is brought out on a trolley and kept ready for the chassis and drivetrain to be placed into it
5 While the body shell is undergoing the manufacturing processes, the ladder chassis is welded together
6 The suspension is then mounted onto the chassis, but before the drivetrain
7 Meanwhile, the engine is manufactured elsewhere. Seen here are the aluminium four-valve cylinder head on the right (notice the central mounting for injectors for even burning) and cast-iron block on the left
8 The G-32 five-speed gearbox is manufactured by Force Motors under a licence from Daimler AG
9 The engine and transmission are seen here together, ready to go onto the chassis
10 The drivetrain is then mounted on the chassis
11 After mounting the drivetrain, the rolling chassis along with the wheels is finalised
12 While the drivetrain and the chassis get ready, the painted body gets its interior and fittings done
13 The final step of the manufacturing process takes place as the body is mated with the chassis and drivetrain
14 A post-manufacturing test is done by checking all the electronics and electricals. The Force One is finally ready to be rolled out of the plant
Words and Photography: Adhish Alawani
