Riding high on the success story of Ford Figo, the American car maker Ford is now planning to introduce at least eight new models in the country by 2015. Ford's renewed strategy has now listed India among the "two most-important" markets globally, the other one being China. The announcement came from Joe Hinrichs, president of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa (APA), speaking at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Conference in New Delhi.
“We have big plans for India and for this region. As we have seen from the spectacular early success of the Ford Figo, more and more Indian consumers appreciate the fuel efficient, economical, high quality, safe, and fun-to-drive vehicles that Ford offers. By the middle of this decade we will introduce eight new vehicles to India from our global platforms, in segments appropriate for this market. This is part of our ‘better plan’ to bring more and more vehicles from our vast global portfolio to India and other markets in Asia Pacific and Africa,” Hinrichs said.
Looking at Ford’s success, Hinrichs declined to comment whether Ford is mulling setting up a second plant in India but stated that the company will continue to explore and all options are open. The new models may include a Fiesta hatchback or even re-introducing next generation Ford Focus.
