Saturday, February 18, 2012
By Pawan Rana
Ford to focus on global platform, Ford cars will be localized in countries
American car maker Ford India will not be producing India specific models and instead will be building global platform based models of its cars. With this Ford will be able to tweak a little with the platform and launch it anywhere across globe. This is said to be part of the international strategy adopted by Ford. Currently Ford India builds India specific models as well and its line up prominently includes, Ford Figo hatch, Ford Fiesta sedan and Ford Endeavour SUV besides others. Five new models are slated to be launched in India in the next five years.
Ford India Executive Director for Marketing, Sales and Service, Mr Nigel E. Wark has reportedly said that as per the new policy, Ford will have one platform and not specific platform for one country anymore. Thus as per the new move there will be no India “unique” model and the international platform based models will be adapted to Indian conditions. This will where lessen expenses on developing an exclusive platform for a country as adapting a car platform is less expensive than it.
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Though the same pattern is followed by few other car makers including Toyota which is said to have spent Rs 32,00 crore to develop the Etios sedan and hatchback exclusively for India. Developed in India the Toyota Etios will be exported to other countries from here. Mr Wark also reportedly said that with this new arrangement in, there will be more scope for Ford to launch the same model in multiple markets. Besides, this will also make cars affordable than the international version.
Notably, during the 15 years of presence in India, Ford India has launched just six models and is setting up a plant in Gujarat and has also decided to set up a new unit at its Chennai plant. Recently as well, Ford India had started 45 new dealerships in India in a single day.
