Ford India’s sales performance this year reinforces its decision to invest approximately USD 1 billion to build a new integrated manufacturing facility in Gujarat.
Ford India, which just launched the All-New Fiesta, sold 71,347 wholesale and export vehicles from January to July 2011, compared to 49,131 units sold during the same period last year – a 45 percent increase year-over-year.
In July 2011, the company had combined wholesales and exports of 10,706 units, compared to 9,666 units in July 2010.
As part of its aggressive global expansion, Ford India and the State of Gujarat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Gandhinagar on July 28 to build a state-of-the-art vehicle manufacturing plant and an engine plant on a 460-acre site in Sanand.
“These are exciting times for Ford in India,” said Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India. “We are investing in the future and reinforcing our long-term commitment to India by building two new plants in Gujarat and by adding the All-New Fiesta to our portfolio. The All-New Fiesta is the first of eight new vehicles we will bring to India by mid-decade.”
Fuel-efficient diesel variants of Ford vehicles have been in high demand, due to rising fuel prices, creating a customer waiting list. Ford India is expanding its engine plant in Chennai and working with diesel engine part suppliers in order to better meet the strong demand.
“We appreciate our customers’ patience as we work with our suppliers to remove capacity constraints, and ensure we can meet the ever increasing demand for Ford products,” added Boneham. “The All-New Fiesta is a great addition to our portfolio and has had a tremendous reaction from customers so far. We are pleased to have sold over 70,000 vehicles to local and international markets this year.”
The All-New Fiesta, which went on sale July 14, brings many segment-leading technological firsts, such as a voice-controlled in-car entertainment and climate system and Cruise Control, in a stylish, fuel-efficient package.
Led by a surging demand for the compact Ford Figo, Ford India exported more than 3,200 cars to 26 markets, including seven new ones, in July. “It is great to see that in addition to selling over 100,000 units here in India, overseas demand for Figo is high and consistently boosting our exports,” Boneham concluded.