Chennai, Aug 7 (IANS) The US-based Federal-Mogul Corp announced Thursday that it will set up a new facility near Chennai for manufacturing friction components for original equipment and after-market segments. The plant is scheduled to begin production of light vehicle brake and friction components, commercial vehicle and railway friction products by September 2009.

Federal-Mogul’s Ferodo brand friction products have been manufactured in India since 1995, although the new friction facility will be the first in the Chennai region.

The company will cross swords with two other Deming award-winning brake-lining manufacturers in Chennai - Rane Brake Lining and Sundaram Brakelinings.

Federal-Mogul’s wholly-owned subsidiary in India recently signed a memorandum of understanding with New Chennai Township Pvt Ltd to buy 10 acres on which it will build the 6,000-square meter facility. The plant will be built in three phases and is expected to create nearly 500 jobs.

“Products manufactured at the new facility will be for both local vehicle manufacturers and for exports,” said Federal-Mogul president and CEO Jose Maria Alapont.