• Ford and its partner, Future Automobiles, open new Ford dealership facility, highlighting Ford’s commitment to offering a world-class vehicle ownership experience
• New dealership facility signals enhanced focus on Sri Lanka market, offering a one-stop shop for Ford customers with showroom, sales and service
• Ford launches all-new Kuga to add to full line-up of class-leading cars, trucks and SUVs in Sri Lanka, confirms arrival of the all-new Mustang in 2015
• Company continues support of local communities by renewing its 2014 Conservation and Environmental Grants Program

Ford Motor Company today celebrated the grand opening of its new, world-class facility in Colombo and a renewed focus on the Sri Lanka market. Housing showroom, sales and service under one roof, the new location strengthens the global automaker’s presence in the country.

The new facility includes a 12-vehicle, 6,000-square-foot showroom, and 14-vehicle service capacity to meet the full-range of customer needs. The full-service facility is built with the customer in mind and signifies the company’s enhanced focus on the growing Sri Lanka market.

The Ford Colombo showroom is located at Hector Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Battaramulla.

“Together with our partner, Future Automobiles, we are so proud of this new facility that will help us provide world-class service to our growing number of Ford customers in Sri Lanka,” said David Westerman, managing director, Asia Pacific Emerging Markets, Ford Motor Company.

“Every aspect of this facility has been designed to help provide an unmatched customer and ownership experience, with convenience, efficiency and comfort.”

The opening of this modern facility will help strengthen Ford’s presence in the Sri Lanka market as the company continues with its product-led transformation by launching more global Ford vehicles and focusing on providing an unmatched after-sales experience.

Ford plans to expand its service network island-wide with four additional service points that will further enhance the Ford ownership experience for customers throughout the country.

Additionally, Ford is currently experiencing its largest industrial expansion in more than 50 years and anticipates that between 60-70 percent of its global growth by 2020 will occur in the Asia Pacific region.

“The Sri Lanka 3S facility opening represents another step in Ford Motor Company’s aggressive expansion in Asia Pacific, and will help us to more fully realize the growth opportunity across the region,” said Westerman.

Class-Leading SUVs Define the Segment in Sri Lanka

The grand opening event showcased Ford’s current line-up in Sri Lanka, which includes a full range of Ford cars, trucks, and SUVs.

The recently launched all-new Kuga and all-new EcoSport SUVs further expanded the Ford showroom in Sri Lanka, which also includes the Figo, Fiesta, and all-new Focus passenger cars, Everest family SUV, all-new Ranger pickup truck and Transit van.

The all-new Kuga SUV features attractive new styling and design and is available in Titanium and Titanium Plus models, both equipped with Ford’s 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine that delivers power and fuel efficiency. The Kuga is also equipped with a segment-leading safety package, and offers a comprehensive array of features and smart technologies, including:

• Ford’s ‘intelligent’ All-Wheel Drive system, including exclusive Torque Vectoring Control for more precise handling
• Segment-first voice-activated Ford SYNC connectivity
• Standard EcoBoost petrol engine
• Keyless Entry with push-button start

The all-new EcoSport combines the agility, affordability and fuel efficiency of a compact car with the versatility and spaciousness of an SUV for an urban lifestyle. A perfect match for the Sri Lanka market, the urban SUV is an aspirational choice, and spacious enough for five adults and their gear.

With a high driving position, rugged capability, superior fuel economy, easy manoeuvrability and smart features, the well-rounded EcoSport is the right vehicle for both city streets and rough roads. It’s as comfortable wading through flooded areas as it is entertaining the driver with hands-free music selection and phone calls.

Gearing up for the Mustang

The new Colombo showroom also showcases Sri Lanka’s unique motorsports culture, including a retrospective wall on Ford’s heritage of innovation and racing history.

With a 113 year racing pedigree that dates back to before the founding of the company, Ford boasts more than 1,000 NASCAR and 176 F1 victories.

The most iconic speedster, without a doubt, is the Ford Mustang – which is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year. To commemorate this, Ford today confirmed that the iconic Ford Mustang will come to Sri Lanka next year.

The most advanced Mustang yet, with a sleek new design for the fastback and convertible, the car is backed by world-class performance and state-of-the-art connectivity technologies.

“The Mustang is the perfect fit for Sri Lanka and we can’t wait to launch this iconic vehicle in this market,” said Westerman.

Commitment to the Community

Since starting operations in Sri Lanka in 2010, Ford has continued its commitment to contributing to the local communities through meaningful CSR activities, such as its annual Conservation and Environmental Grants programme.

The programme has become an annual event in Sri Lanka, with last year’s funds awarded to the Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) and the Wanasarana Thurulatha, Swechcha Society.

Ford is currently in the process of reviewing the applicants for this year’s grants and will announce winners over the coming months.

Since launching the global grants program, Ford has awarded more than US$5 million in grants to hundreds of environmental projects in Asia Pacific, the Caribbean, Central America, the Middle East and Puerto Rico.

“This program is one of the many ways Ford goes further to preserve the environment and help improve the lives of people in our communities. Environmental conservation, protection and education are integral to what we do, both as product innovators and members of the communities we do business in,” explained Westerman.