Ford India Sells Over 7,200 Cars in February, Exports up 16%
- Ford India sold over 7,200 cars in combined domestic wholesales and exports in February 2013 amid continued challenging market conditions
- Exports grew more than 16 percent year on year to 2,763 vehicles
- Ford India launches new ‘alterrain’ Edition of Endeavour SUV; inauguration of two new outlets expands Ford’s footprint to 260 cities
NEW DELHI, India, 1 March, 2013 – Ford India sold 7,253 vehicles in February in combined domestic sales and exports amid persistently difficult domestic market conditions. At the same time, thanks to an improving external environment and strong demand for the award-winning Ford Figo, Ford India regained its growth momentum in overseas markets. Exports rose 16 percent in February to 2,763 units, up from 2,389 units a year earlier. The domestic wholesales numbers stood at 4,490 in February as compared to 8,035 in February 2012.
“In the domestic market, we continue to witness some tough and challenging conditions. While we are generating consumer interest in our great products, policy uncertainty and resulting lowered consumer confidence is impacting our business,” said Vinay Piparsania, executive director, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford India.
“We are happy that our exports are continuing to grow strongly in line with our strategy of aggressively expanding in overseas markets to position India as a regional export hub for small cars,” he added.
Ford also continued to deliver on its plan to expand the showroom lineup for Indian consumers with the introduction in February of a newly refreshed “alterrain” model of the rugged and capable Endeavour SUV.
The Endeavour alterrain Edition features enhancements including attractive alloy wheels, a sharp front grille crowned with a bold nameplate badge, a front nudge bar, a roof tray and rear spoiler, chrome exhaust trim, and a fifth door mirror. To celebrate its introduction, Ford India and the National Geographic Channel launched “MyEndeavour alterrain,” an all-new adventure driving series that features five celebrities driving the Endeavour alterrain Edition on thrilling journeys in search of their own personal endeavours.
As Ford broadens its model lineup, it is also expanding its footprint across India to enhance customer convenience. In February, Ford India opened its first-ever dealership in Sikkim at Gangtok, followed by another opening at Himmatnagar in Gujarat. With a dealership presence that now spans 260 outlets across 138 cities, Ford remains committed to creating 500 sales and service touch points – and at least two service outlets per sales outlet – across India by the middle of the decade.
About Ford in India
Established in 1995, Ford India is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader. Ford India manufactures and distributes automobiles and engines made at its modern integrated manufacturing facilities at Maraimalai Nagar, near Chennai. The company’s models include the Figo, Ford Classic, Endeavour and the All-New global Fiesta.Ford’s operations in the country also include Global Business Services, comprised of Ford Business Services Center and Ford Technology Services India. Located in Chennai, New Delhi and Coimbatore, these units support Ford globally in the areas of IT, accounting and finance, financial services and automotive operations support, global analytics and engineering services. Ford’s businesses in India employ 10,000 hard-working, dedicated men and women.For more information, visit www.india.ford.com