Ford India Private Limited (FIPL), a completely owned subsidiary of American multinational auto major, has recorded sales of just 7,115 units, including domestic passenger cars sales and exports during January 2013. As per reports, domestic sales recorded by the company went down-hill last month and stood at 6,062 units, as compared to 9,137 units sold in the correspondingperiod last year. Further, Ford India exported just 1,053 units in January 2013, as against 1,652 units shipped overseas in the same month last year.
Expressing his views and underlining company's stance on the eye-popping decline in sales this year, Vinay Piparsania, Executive Director, Marketing, Sales and Service departments, Ford India, was quoted as saying, “Despite a tough business environment with hike in fuel prices and ongoing high interest rates, consumer interest in Ford vehicles continues to hold steady. Our commitment and long term expansion strategy for India continue to progress according to our plan. We are committed to bringing the best of Ford products and technology to India and will be introducing several new vehicles from the ONE Ford stable to India over the next few years.”
Piparsania has affirmed that adverse market conditions and government's firm stance on repo rates, led to the slowdown witnessed by Ford India's in domestic sales and exports. Commenting on the future plans and latest cutback in repo rate, Piparsania said, “To offset the prevailing tough conditions and introduce buoyancy into the market we hope the government will introduce regulatory policies that are conducive to the growth of the automotive industry. We believe that the reduction in the differential between diesel and petrol prices and recent RBI’s decision to cut repo rate are progressive steps and should continue.”
Ford India introduced ‘Steal the Deal’ offer last month, in order to lure domestic buyers to its retail outlets during the festivities of Pongal and Makar Sankranti. The American auto major offered cash benefits and offers up to Rs. 81,000 on various Ford models at its dealerships based in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
At present, Ford India is working towards expanding its pan-India sales and service network, which recorded a 25 per cent spurt during the 2012 calendar year. At present, the American auto major has a strong sales and service network with 250 outlets in 130 cities across length and breadth of the country. Ford India has plans of increasing its number of sales and service touch points to more than 500 on domestic turf by the end of 2015.
