Ford lines up more after Figo fillip
A smaller car, codenamed B156, is likely to hit the roads next year.
The success of Figo has given a further fillip to Ford’s India plans.
The US major has not only revved up plans to launch a car smaller than the Figo in India, it may also be working on developing a compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) on the Figo platform as well as a hatchback version of the Fiesta.Sources said the small car project is code named ‘B156’ and the vehicle would be in the market by 2011.
Ford’s anxiety over launching more products in the small car space is understandable. Within just three month of launch, Figo, the company’s only small car, has sold over 16,000 units, and there are bookings for another 21,000.
Even its proposed entry into compact SUV segment appears well-timed.
Already, SUV king Mahindra & Mahindra is believed to be developing a vehicle in this segment and other automakers are also keenly watching this space.
A Ford spokesperson merely said, “We will be launching a new product every 12-18 months and would not like to speculate on our future product strategy. We are focussed on meeting the growing demands of the Figo and starting our export program soon. We will continue to explore opportunities across segments to bring products in India that consumers want and desire.”
But Ford India managing director Michael Boneham had earlier told DNA that after having seen economies of scale with the Figo, his company has already working on another small car.
“As a policy, we do not develop any car for a single market so this is being developed on a global platform….we need to have multiple products in the small car space,” Boneham had said.Will Figo and the impending launch of other small cars turn Ford into a mainstream player in the Indian passenger car market, where its overall share remains at an insignificant 2.5-3%, even behind compatriot General Motors?
Along with China, India has been identified as the most important growth market for Ford.
Its multiple small cars’ strategy for India is crucial not just to make headway in the domestic market but also supply these fuel efficient and less expensive vehicles to other Asian markets by converting India into a small car export hub.