Ford may bring in models from global portfolio

Ford India will be filling in the price gaps in its offering from its global portfolio.

David Friedman, managing director and president of Ford India, said the company would bring in models from its global portfolio but, they would create a segment of their own.

"We would look at segments in the market where Ford is not participating at present in India" he said.

On whether the company would enter the small car segment, Friedman said, the market was very large and the company would look at it. But, he clarified that the new models would different from offerings in the market currently.

Friedman explained that there were 60 different cars in India and, hence, the need to bring in differentiated products.

Ford India has set a target of selling 27,000 cars in the domestic market and 24,000 cars for the export market. The company exports to South Africa, Mexico and Brazil.

Friedman said higher volumes would make the company profitable this year. Despite rising steel prices, Ford had revamped its cost structure and, hence, would register profits.

Ford India recently commenced a second production shift for the Ikon and Endeavour. More than 700 new employees were recruited and trained by Ford at its manufacturing facility at Maraimalai Nagar near Chennai to support the growing volumes and introduction of the new model line-up.

Ford India today launched the new line-up in Kolkata. An all-new Ford Ikon Lxi and Exi have been added to the model range along with a new and enhanced version of the Ford Ikon Zxi and Flair.

Friedman said with prices of the all-new Ford Ikon starting from Rs 4.56 lakh, Ford is offering consumers in the east an exciting opportunity to upgrade to a full-featured mid size sedan at prices normally associated with smaller cars.