Ford to phase out Fusion

PUNE: Ford India will phase out the Fusion sedan in India.
“We will eventually phase it out due to poor sales,” Michael Boneham, president and MD, said on Wednesday.

He, however, did not specify the timeframe. “The model is selling, but the response is not as expected... But we do not have a fixed schedule by when that would happen,” he said.

Bonheman reiterated there is no change in the company’s plans to invest $500 million for expansion in India, despite the slowdown. “We are committed to our investment plans which have been announced for India and there is no slowdown in this regard, “ he said.

This year, Ford India had announced a capex of $500 million to double its assembly line capacity from 1 lakh units to 2 lakh units and to set up an engine manufacturing facility for 2.5 lakh units by 2010 in Chennai.

With regard to the launch of the proposed small car for the Indian market, Bonheman said the company is committed to bringing out a small car by 2010.

It is also planning to increase its dealership network in the country, in the wake of the launch, and could add up to 20 dealerships by the end of this year. It currently has a network of 137 dealerships.

Also on Wednesday, Ford India unveiled the new Ikon range in Pune, offering the advanced DuraTorq TDCi engine, which is more fuel efficient.

c_nilanjana@dnaindia.net