Ford India to increase the level of local content in its products

Ford India, which is enjoying an overwhelming response for its recently launched compact hatchback Ford Figo in the country, is mulling to use a high percentage of local contact in the production of its cars in India, as stated by a senior company official on Friday.

The company currently manufactures about four of its Indian portfolio cars at its Maraimalai Nagar plant which has an annual production capacity of about two lakh units. The cars which have been manufactured at this plant include Ford's latest hatchback Figo, entry level sedans Ford Ikon and Ford Fiesta, and premium SUV Ford Endeavour.

While inaugurating the ninth edition auto component manufacturing exhibition (ACMEE 2010) at Chennai, Ford Motor India Managing Director Michael Boneham said that the recently introduced Ford Figo has a high localisation level of about 85 per cent. The engines Ford is exporting have 65 per cent localisation level and that demonstrates the potential of manufacturing sector in India, he added.

Ford Ikon and Ford Fiesta, two popular Ford sedans in India have been manufactured with about 90 per cent and 85 per cent localized contents, respectively.

Ford India had recently initiated the exports of its 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines to Thailand from its Maraimalai Nagar facility. The first lot of Ford engines has been dispatched to company's Thailand based sister concern Auto Alliance.