The American car manufacturer Ford has plans of introducing eight new compact models in the Indian car market by 2015. The Indian subsidiary of this Detroit based company is aiming at becoming the pioneer car manufacturing company in India. The company has already started with the launch of its new global Ford Fiesta, a mid-size sedan, earlier this year.
Michael Boneham, President and MD of Ford India commented, 'The small car segment will account for higher number of the upcoming new launches'. He further added that the new global Ford Fiesta sedan has received rave reviews and is already attracting a large number of customers. This mid-size sedan has received about 1000 bookings over the past couple of months. The increasing popularity of Ford vehicles in India has helped Ford emerge as one of the best car makers in the country. The company is expecting to reign over the small cars segment with so many launches lined up till 2015. This year has already seen Ford India achieving total annual car sales of more than one lac units. Moreover, with the festive season coming up the company is aiming to double the figures.
The company is not only expected to meet the high demands of domestic consumers but overseas customers as well. Ford India President, Boneham also mentioned that the demand for the diesel variant of Ford Figo has increased drastically. Given the current conditions of raging fuel prices and increasing bank interest rates, the popularity of Figo diesel variant has increased to 75 percent and is expected to surpass 80 percent soon.
Furthermore, Ford has started its work on developing a global small car that will be manufactured in the Sanand plant in Gujarat. This new small car will be competing with various models in the segment, like the Hyundai i10 and Maruti Suzuki A-Star. The small car is expected to be introduced in the Indian market during the first half of 2014. The expected price range of the car will be between Rs. 3 lacs and Rs. 4 lacs. This car will be among the eight news cars that the company plans to launch by 2015. The company has not divulged specific details about this model; however, it has hinted that this car is based on an entirely new platform and will be equipped with a 1 litre EcoBoost engine.
Various other small car manufacturers in India are also gearing up with their small car models as well. Companies like Maruti and Hyundai as well as the global automobile giants like Renault Nissan and Volkswagen are investing in the small cars market in India. However, with the eight new launches, Ford India is all set to face the challenge and emerge as a winner.
