Ford to Start used car business in India

Ford India, a fully owned subsidiary of US based Ford Motors is planning to bring its used car business named as 'Ford Assured' in India again. The Ford Assured was introduced in India by the company few years back but due to recession and lowering sales the company discontinued its used car business at that time. But now as the used car business is growing once again and many major car makers are planning to enter in this segment, Ford India is also interested in capitalizing the opportunity.

Company is planning to launch this business through its dealership spread across India, where these dealers will buy used cars and then sell them again in the market. According to the Ford India's spokesman, the plans of entering in the used car business are in process but company hasn't finalized the time and format of the business.

Ford India recently enhanced its dealership base in India by opening 28 new sales and service facilities in 24 cities of India including 13 tier-3 cities. Company is planning to increase number of its dealerships to 185 by the end of 2010. Company is also expecting that by the end of this year 30 percent of its sales will come from tier-3 cities.

Besides used car business the company is aggressively planning to increase its market share in new car segment. Company has recently launched its long awaited small car model Ford Figo India with plans of making it company's flagship small car model in coming years. Ford India is also planning to launch 5 to 6 models from its global product portfolio in India.