Ford CEO Alan Mulally expects the new vehicle market worldwide to grow by 5% annually for the next two years, headed by China and India.

“The global automobile market is expected to grow by 5% in the next two years and most of it will come from the Asia Pacific region,” Mulally told Reuters after unveiling the new EcoSport compact SUV to media ahead of the public opening of the Auto Expo in New Delhi.

“There is some slowdown in Asia Pacific but it is a very good market with a huge potential. In the Asia Pacific market, China and India will drive the growth,” he said.

Ford, which sold just under 100,000 cars in India in 2011, up 15% year on year, has said it expects Asian sales volumes to double to account for a third of the carmaker’s global sales by 2020.

“The Indian market will be the third largest by the end of the decade behind the US and China,” Joe Hinrichs, group vice-president and Asia Pacific and Africa president, told Reuters.

“We are still bullish on India and we expect significant growth as per capita income rises in tier-II and -III cities.”

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Ford will spend US$142m at its 200,000 units-a-year factory in Chennai on equipment to manufacture the EcoSport alongside the Fiesta and Figo, Michael Boneham, managing director of Ford India, told the news agency.

Just Auto Excellence Awards - Have you nominated?

Nominations are now open for the prestigious Just Auto Excellence Awards - one of the industry's most recognised programmes celebrating innovation, leadership, and impact. This is your chance to showcase your achievements, highlight industry advancements, and gain global recognition. Don't miss the opportunity to be honoured among the best - submit your nomination today!

Nominate Now