The importance of the Indian car market was highlighted by Ford’s decision to open a second plant in the country.
Around 3m vehicles were sold here last year and, although growth has slowed, it is expected to more than double to 7m annually by 2020.
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Ford already builds more than 200,000 cars a year at its factory in Chennai; this will grow to 440,000 with the opening this year of its new plant in Sanand in the Gujarat region. The company will also be turning out more than 600,000 engines a year.
By far the biggest sector is the B-segment where Ford plays with the Fiesta – old and new style, the Figo – which is based on the same platform – and the Ecosport, all of which it makes in India.
Vinay Piparsania, executive director of sales and marketing for Ford India, said: “Our second plant will give us a lot more flexibility to switch between models according to demand and will also increase our position as an export hub.”
Ford used the Delhi show to unveil its Figo concept, the next stage in the development of the model. Piparsania said: “Figo has been a game changer for Ford in India and the concept shows how we are moving forward in this market with greater levels of technology and, particularly, connectivity. It is what the market is demanding.
“The B segment accounts for two thirds of all car sales and in particular it attracts young, first time buyers and they are the people we want to bring into the Ford brand.”
The new Ecosport, he said, has been a big hit in India. “We have already sold 30,000 since launch and we have double that number in our order bank right now. Along with the Fiesta and Figo we plan to be a serious player in the country.”
