Ford not to make India specific models in future

Recently, Ford asserted that it will no longer manufacture car models that are explicitly made for India. Its future releases will be based on international platforms and will be tuned to suit the Indian conditions. Mr. Nigel E. Wark, the director of marketing and sales service for Ford India stated that earlier the company had followed the path and manufactured cars exclusively made for Indian car market, but sadly now Ford India doesn’t want to make cars specifically for one market. About Rs. 3200 crore were invested by Toyota Motors to develop and manufacture its compact car, Etios, which was made specifically for the Indian car market. The car was rolled out in late 2010 and would be sold abroad to other countries from the month of March this year.

Mr. Nigel E. Wark also stated that the international platforms not only permit the firm to roll out cars or their variants in numerous countries but also proffer more choice to the consumers. Once the localization is done, the cars become more reasonable and country-specific. Ford India was never a part of the small car market and therefore didn’t take part in that particular segment, which attracts huge sales in India. Apparently, Ford India will be launching about 8 new models during next 5 years and in the last fifteen years, Ford India has launched just five to six models in the country. However, at the moment, Mr. Wark didn’t reveal as to which segments will the new cars target, but he did mention that around 40% of the sales of Ford cars come from tier 2 and 3 cities. Also the company is building up its 2nd plant in Gujarat and is amplifying its engine plant, which is located in Chennai. The engine plant in Chennai is a part of a $1 billion investment in India. With this massive investment, Ford has invested a whopping $2 billion in the country.