Ford India to export Figo to Asia-Pacific markets

Ford India, the Indian arm of American car maker Ford Motor Company, will be shipping out its new small car Figo to markets in the Asia-Pacific region in addition to South Africa, a top company official said Monday. “We will be exporting to markets in the Asia Pacific region from India, which is the global hub for Figo. Currently, we have confirmed orders for 5,000 Figos and new overseas markets will be announced soon,” Michael Boneham, president and managing director, told reporters here. Ford India also exports another model Fiesta and engines from its Maraimalai Nagar plant near here. “We will be exporting around 3,000 Fiestas this year. We will be shipping out around 2,500 engines per month to Thailand,” Boneham added after flagging off a consignment of 1,200 Figos to South Africa. He said the 1.4 litre petrol and diesel engine Figos will be sold through 123 dealerships in South Africa. On the domestic front owing to the increased demand for its Figo launched four months ago (orders booked 24,000 units) Ford India has started second shift at its plant thereby getting a production capacity of 140,000 vehicles. He said during the first quarter of the current fiscal the company has sold 22,858 units and last month Ford India sold 7,269 units. According to him, the company sells around 300 Ikon models per month in semi-urban and rural areas and 1,000 Fiestas nationwide. Asked about the ensuing competition from Nissan Motor India’s Micra model, he said: “We did compare the features – size, interior space and other things- and found Figo is better. The Micra threat depends on its pricing.” The Ford India’s plant near here has a capacity to roll out 200,000 cars and 250,000 engines per year.