Ford looking at multiple platforms for small car in India

Carmaker Ford India has said it is looking at multiple platforms, including its existing models in Europe, to foray into Indian small car market.

"We are looking at various options for our proposed small car in India. The company may look at a car built on Ford Europe's existing platforms, but nothing has been finalised yet," Scott McCormack, vice-president (marketing, sales and service) of Ford India, told journalists at the 9th Auto Expo.

He said that apart from its global platforms, Ford may also look at bringing in a small car model of its group company Mazda. "Bringing in a small car built on Mazda's existing platforms is also a possibility," he said.

Ford India recently announced an investment of $500 million (about Rs 2,000 crore) to expand its operations in India, which includes rolling out a small car by 2010.

The company is also looking at setting up an engine manufacturing facility and doubling its manufacturing capacity in India to two lakh units a year by 2010.