Ford plans to launch small car in India

By Our Corporate Bureau | 08 Sep 2007

Mumbai: Ford India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, said it was looking into options to launch a small car for the Indian market.

Besides, the company has also planned to strengthen its dealership network by opening 20 more outlets across the country this year. The company will increase the number of Ford brand retail outlets from 115 at present to 135.

"The small car is quite an important segment as it accounts for half of the total sales of cars in India," Scott McCormack, vice president (marketing, sales, service) Ford India, said.

"We would have to have a proper platform, and develop a marketing strategy for India in respect of the small car segment," he said. "This year, we do not have any new launches for India," he said.

The company's models in India currently include Ikon, Fusion, Endeavour and Fiesta. Last year, Ford India sold 42,060 cars in 2006 in the country posting a growth of whopping 87 per cent.