Ford, as per recent reports, has declared widespread expansion plans for 2014 in order to get a strong foothold in the global auto market. These expansion plans are also likely to be applied to the auto company's operations in India. According to the information available for different sources, Ford is eyeing large scale expansion with a plan to launch a total of 23 new models during 2014. Apart from this, there are three new plants in the development stage across Asia Pacific and South America regions. Furthermore, the auto company will also hire new workers globally to meet production targets.
Experts feel that 2014 is going to be highly crucial for Ford. The auto company is ready to strive for higher growth in the global market and thus, its efforts would be far more aggressive than before. According to a press release, “Ford to drive growth in 2014 with additional jobs, three new worldwide plants and 23 global product launches.” The auto company will be adding more than 5000 new jobs in the United States of America. Sources close to this development claim that recruitment will be done to get the momentum going. Also, two new fuel-efficient EcoBoost units will be added to the company's engine family next year.
The announcement of this global expansion plan came after a strong performance in 2013. So far, the current year has been good for the company with fresh products getting popular among customers in various global markets. As a result, Ford has been able to add more jobs and would like to carry on the same in 2014 as well. The auto company is currently going at a brisk pace to meet it target of producing 6 million vehicles in 2013. Major support to this big fierce leap is led by Ford Focus that is on track to clock sales of 1.1 million units in 2013. Contributions are also coming from the compact utility vehicle segment, which is most likely to proliferate in coming years.
Ford has seen great success in United States as, for the third straight year, it has emerged as the best-selling utility brand. Ford Escape is the leading utility vehicle with total sales of over 271,000 units. Sales of Ford F-Series trucks have remained strong as the auto company is hopping to part with over 730000 units. Ford Fusion is also selling at record levels this year, contributing majorly to the firm's market share in USA. Joe Hinrichs, Ford President of The Americas, said, “We saw unprecedented growth in the United States this year, especially in the mid-size and utility segments. With the addition of 16 new products to our showroom, including Ford Mustang, our momentum continues.”
In Asia Pacific and Africa regions, Ford has already sold over 1 million vehicles so far in 2013. The auto company has performed well in China with models like Kuga, EcoSport and Focus registering excellent figures. In fact, the auto company has seen a record growth of 4.3 per cent in the third quarter. Dave Schoch, Group Vice-President and President, Ford Asia Pacific, reportedly said, “Our strategy in Asia Pacific is to serve our customers with even more One Ford products, and to increase our capacity to provide these great products with manufacturing hubs in China, India and ASEAN. With more products, plants and people, in 2014 we will take another significant step in the implementation of our Asia Pacific growth plan.”
