Ford To Launch New Entry Level Cars

Updated: Monday, October 1, 2012, 17:48 [IST]

Ford is planning to launch new entry level cars in India in a bid to capture more market share and boost its sales. According to reports, the American carmaker is also keen to launch a premium car above the its best selling hatchback, the Figo.

Ford has seen its sales come down in the recent months owing to increasing competition from companies such as Hyundai, Toyota and Volkswagen. Ford has stated that India being a predominantly hatchback driven market, it plans to have more models in the segment. The Figo is the only hatchback from Ford now.

Ford has identified that the entry level price segment can bring in the volumes it is looking for. Ford's Asia Pacific and Africa Head, Joe Hinrichs has stated that Ford has the capability to build such cars and was studying the segment. He has also said Ford would have more hatchbacks along with the Figo.

The possible new small cars from Ford can include the Ka which is sold as a city car in Europe and South America. Mr Hinrichs has stated that Ford was looking at using its tried and tested global car platforms to build new cars in India. Ford's B platform on which the new Fiesta and the EcoSport Compact SUV is built is also used to build the Fiesta hatchback in Europe.

Mr Hinricks has said Ford was also interested in building a premium hatchback above the Figo. The Fiesta hatchback that has already been launched in several international markets would be the closest model in Ford's existing line-up.

Ford which currently has a plant near Chennai, Tamil Nadu is building its second plant in Gujarat.. All the new products that Ford is currently considering could roll out from Ford's Gujarat plant. The Gujarat plant is expected to have a production capacity of 2.4 lakh cars and 2.7 lakh engines allowing Ford to launch as many as six new cars in the next five years.