Car News - Latest Indian Car News & Views | CarWalehttp://www.carwale.com/news/Latest news updates on Indian car industry, expert views and interviews exclusively on CarWale.Copyright 2012 CarWaleCarWale RSS Generator7425<![CDATA[Ford Rolls out its 100000th Engine in India]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/7425-ford-rolls-out-its-100000th-engine-in-india.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/7425-ford-rolls-out-its-100000th-engine-in-india.htmlCarWale Team3/30/2011 11:33:00 AM2227http://img.carwale.com/ec/7425/img/m/7425_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/7425/img/m/7425_lFord India's Maraimalainagar Nagar engine facility rolled out its 100,000th engine this month. The company achieved this milestone was achieved just 14 months after the engine plant opened for operations in January 2010. The plant has the capacity to produce 250,000 engines per year.

]]>Ford India's Maraimalainagar Nagar engine facility rolled out its 100,000th engine this month. The company achieved this milestone was achieved just 14 months after the engine plant opened for operations in January 2010. The plant has the capacity to produce 250,000 engines per year.

Commenting on the achievement, Michael Boneham, president and managing director of Ford India said "We are thrilled and proud to celebrate the 100,000 production milestone in such a short space of time - my congratulations to all plant employees for a job well done! This world-class manufacturing facility reinforces our intent and commitment to compete with great products and powertrains in all segments."

Part of Ford's USD 500-million investment at the Maraimalai Nagar site is designed to meet the growing needs of the Indian vehicle market and export opportunities. The plant is the first Ford facility to feature a flexible production line manufacturing petrol and diesel engines. The plant produces five Duratec petrol engine variants and one Duratorq diesel engine variant for Ford vehicles. The plant has also exported more than one-third of the engines produced to South Africa and Thailand so far.

]]>7199<![CDATA[Ford India records 184 percent growth this year]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/7199-ford-india-records-184-percent-growth-this-year.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/7199-ford-india-records-184-percent-growth-this-year.htmlCarWale Team1/3/2011 5:14:24 PM1718http://img.carwale.com/ec/7199/img/m/7199_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/7199/img/m/7199_lFord recorded an annual sales increase of 184 percent this year. From January to December 2010, the Company sold 83, 887 units and nearly tripled it salesvolume against a total of 29,488 cars sold in 2009.Ford India's year-on-year December sales were up 172 per cent compared to December 2009. This December Ford Figo was selected the `Indian Car of the Year 2011' by a leading jury ofautomobile journalists after comprehensive testing.

]]>Ford recorded an annual sales increase of 184 percent this year. From January to December 2010, the Company sold 83, 887 units and nearly tripled it salesvolume against a total of 29,488 cars sold in 2009.Ford India's year-on-year December sales were up 172 per cent compared to December 2009. This December Ford Figo was selected the `Indian Car of the Year 2011' by a leading jury ofautomobile journalists after comprehensive testing.

Sales of the Ford Figo continued to be strong with more than 60,000 units sold in India since itslaunch in March this year. Ford India saw a favourable month across nameplates with the Fiesta, Ikon and the Endeavour faring well in their respective segments.To further strengthen its service support, Ford India has been expanding its sales and servicenetwork across the country. The company's dealer network has increased to more than 170 across over 100 cities in India.

]]>7018<![CDATA[Ford India registers a 198 percent increase in sales]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/7018-ford-india-registers-198-percent-increase-in-sales.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/7018-ford-india-registers-198-percent-increase-in-sales.htmlCarWale Team12/2/2010 1:37:28 PM1631http://img.carwale.com/ec/7018/img/m/7018_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/7018/img/m/7018_lFord India sold a total of 7,504 units in November versus 2,520 units sold in November last year thus registering a 198% per cent increase compared to November 2009. From January to November 2010, the company sold 79,586 units, an increase of 185%, compared to a total of 27,906 units for the same period last year.

]]>Ford India sold a total of 7,504 units in November versus 2,520 units sold in November last year thus registering a 198% per cent increase compared to November 2009. From January to November 2010, the company sold 79,586 units, an increase of 185%, compared to a total of 27,906 units for the same period last year.

Sales of the Ford Figo continued to be strong with more than 58,000 units sold since its launch in March this year. Ford India saw a favourable month across nameplates with the Fiesta, Ikon and the Endeavour faring well in their respective segments. Michael Boneham, President and Managing Director of Ford India said, "This has been an outstanding year for Ford in India. It is also extremely encouraging to see the Figo resonating with so many Indian customers and gratifying to see them on India's roads."

]]>6853<![CDATA[Ford Records Highest ever Sales in India]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/6853-ford-records-highest-ever-sales-in-india.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6853-ford-records-highest-ever-sales-in-india.htmlCarWale Team11/1/2010 6:11:46 PM1857http://img.carwale.com/ec/6853/img/m/6853_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6853/img/m/6853_lFord India registered its second highest sales month this year, selling 9,026 units an increase of 161% from October 2009. Ford India had sold 3458 units the same month last year. From January to October 2010 the company sold 72,078 units, an increase of 183% over the 25,386 units sold during the same period in 2009.

]]>Ford India registered its second highest sales month this year, selling 9,026 units an increase of 161% from October 2009. Ford India had sold 3458 units the same month last year. From January to October 2010 the company sold 72,078 units, an increase of 183% over the 25,386 units sold during the same period in 2009.

Figo crossed a significant milestone by selling 52,644 units. Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India, said, ''It is a proud moment for us to have recorded our second highest-ever monthly domestic sales this year. In addition, we exported more than 650 Figos to South Africa this month. Our October sales performance reflects the confidence our customers have in our products. We will continue to boost this morale further as we move forward."

]]>6416<![CDATA[Ford India Triples Sales in August ]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/6416-ford-india-triples-sales-in-august.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6416-ford-india-triples-sales-in-august.htmlCarWale Team9/1/2010 3:41:51 PM2196http://img.carwale.com/ec/6416/img/m/6416_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6416/img/m/6416_lFord India tripled sales in August. It sold 7,925 vehicles this month, a 220 percent increase compared to August 2009. Ford India has sold 54,676 vehicles in India so far this year, a 195 % increase compared to January – August in 2009. The Ford Figo remains at the top of the sales charts with more than 34,000 bookings recorded in the 25 weeks since it was introduced. As well as its domestic success, the Figo is also in demand overseas.

]]>Ford India tripled sales in August. It sold 7,925 vehicles this month, a 220 percent increase compared to August 2009. Ford India has sold 54,676 vehicles in India so far this year, a 195 % increase compared to January – August in 2009. The Ford Figo remains at the top of the sales charts with more than 34,000 bookings recorded in the 25 weeks since it was introduced. As well as its domestic success, the Figo is also in demand overseas.

Following the first shipment of India-built Figos to South Africa in May, the hot-selling compact car will be exported to 50 new markets including Mexico, North Africa and the Middle East from next year. "The Figo phenomenon continues, and in addition to strong sales in India, we are excited about the opportunity to export this success to other markets around the world," said Michael Boneham, Ford India’s President and Managing Director.

To support the sustained sales growth, Ford India is ramping up efforts to not only provide new after sales services but also increase its network of world-class sales service centers and outlets. With Fords recent announcement of them planning to get 8 new cars in the Indian Market in the middle of the decade, one would certainly look forward to what the company has to offer.

]]>6388<![CDATA[Ford India will Export Locally Produced Ford Figo, to 50 New Markets Worldwide]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/6388-ford-india-will-export-locally-produced-ford-figo-to-50-new-markets-worldwide.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6388-ford-india-will-export-locally-produced-ford-figo-to-50-new-markets-worldwide.htmlCarWale Team8/27/2010 5:57:10 PM2095http://img.carwale.com/ec/6388/img/m/6388_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6388/img/m/6388_lSales of Ford vehicles in India have grown at an average annual rate of 17 percent over the past five years, and an estimated 10 million to 11 million people will migrate from two-wheeled forms of transport to small cars in the next few years. Ford India launched the Ford Figo subcompact in the first quarter of this year, selling more than 30,000 units in 25 weeks.

]]>Sales of Ford vehicles in India have grown at an average annual rate of 17 percent over the past five years, and an estimated 10 million to 11 million people will migrate from two-wheeled forms of transport to small cars in the next few years. Ford India launched the Ford Figo subcompact in the first quarter of this year, selling more than 30,000 units in 25 weeks.

Michael Boneham, President and Managing Director, Ford India said, "Although the vast majority of vehicles we produce in India will help satisfy growing local demand, we also continue to pursue export opportunities." He went ahead to say that Ford India will export the locally-produced, Ford Figo to 50 new markets, including Mexico, North Africa and the Middle East starting next year.

Ford has been exporting the Figo to South Africa since May 2010. Ford India also exports the Ford Fiesta (branded as the “Ikon”) and diesel powertrains to South Africa, as well as the 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol engines to Thailand. Ford sells the Endeavour, Ikon, Fiesta and Figo in India, all locally-produced.

The launch and export of both Figo and the engines are the result of a USD 500-million investment in India to expand manufacturing and set up an engine plant there.  Ford encompasses markets on three continents, including Australia, China, India, Thailand and South Africa. Industry sales in the region will increase from 16 million units in 2009, to an estimated 35 million units by 2018. The region is expected to account for nearly 70 percent of Ford’s worldwide growth in the next decade.

]]>4361<![CDATA[Ford Joins the Hatchback Race; Prices Figo at Rs 3.6lakh]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/4361-ford-joins-the-hatchback-race-prices-figo-at-rs-36lakh.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/4361-ford-joins-the-hatchback-race-prices-figo-at-rs-36lakh.htmlSreehari Nair3/10/2010 4:17:45 PM6630http://img.carwale.com/ec/4361/img/m/4361_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/4361/img/m/4361_lThe much awaited Ford Figo was launched in Mumbai today. We had reported about the Delhi launch yesterday but today Ford announced the prices of its car in Mumbai. At Rs 3,66,886 the entry level Figo (1.2litre LXI) would surely make the difference in the B-segment category.

]]>The much awaited Ford Figo was launched in Mumbai today. We had reported about the Delhi launch yesterday but today Ford announced the prices of its car in Mumbai. At Rs 3,66,886 the entry level Figo (1.2litre LXI) would surely make the difference in the B-segment category.

Pricing for the EXI model will start at Rs 4,00,439 for petrol and Rs 4,95,857 for diesel variant. The ZXI models are priced at Rs 4,19,313 for petrol and Rs 5,21,022 for diesel and the top-of-the-line Titanium at Rs 4,64,401 for petrol and Rs 5,55,624 for the diesel version. The standard engine for all models is the 1.2litre Duratec petrol engine and for diesel the 1.4litre Duratec engine. All prices are ex-showroom Mumbai.

Speaking during the launch, Joe Hinrichs, president – Ford Asia Pacific and Africa said, “Figo is completely made in India for India. The fact that we have been able to price the car so competitively is because we have 85% localisation on the product, so we have been able to cut costs drastically. Figo is an important product for us as it is our first entry into the B-segment category and its success will give road to other products lined up for the Indian market.”

‘Figo’ which means ‘cool’ in Italian has a 5-speed transmission and is said to have very low cost of ownership. “The cost of ownership is an important factor and we have worked very hard towards it and Figo will deliver to the expectations of the Indian audience,” Hinrichs added.

Ford has been on a global restructuring offlate and the company has plans to export the Figo to South Africa first and then to other countries.

Hinrichs said that since the sedans (Fiesta and Ikon) are doing good sales, Ford will now concentrate on tapping the growing hatchback category, which according to him ‘is where all the action is’. Apart from India, other Asian countries are also on the growth radar of the company.

On the learning from Fusion, he said, “We understood a lot of factors from the Fusion that – pricing, packaging, quality and cost of ownership are all important factors to survive in the Indian market. We have worked on all the four aspects and that is where Figo comes from. With Figo (minimal cost of ownership) we are set to change the image of Ford in Indian mindsets.”

“To tackle the issue of after sales service too, we are opening up around 200 dealerships in India by the end of this year,” informed Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India.

Ford is planning to have at least one product launch in every 12 to 18 months.

]]>3810<![CDATA[Ford Prices to Increase Next Year]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/3810-ford-prices-to-increase-next-year.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/3810-ford-prices-to-increase-next-year.htmlCarWale Team12/31/2009 9:14:25 AM2891http://img.carwale.com/ec/3810/img/m/3810_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/3810/img/m/3810_lAll Fords available in India will see an increase in their asking price in 2010. Ford has cited fluctuating exchange rates and rising input costs as the reasons.

]]>All Fords available in India will see an increase in their asking price in 2010. Ford has cited fluctuating exchange rates and rising input costs as the reasons.The price changes range from Rs 6000 to Rs 40,000, depending on the model and variant. Refer to the table below for specific details.

New prices effective January 1, 2010:























































Model & Variant



New Prices* (INR)




Ford Endeavour 4x2




1,599,000




Ford Endeavour 4x4




1,839,000




Ford Fiesta 1.6 EXI (P)




613,000




Ford Fiesta 1.6 ZXI (P)




646,000




Ford Fiesta 1.6 SXI (P)




706,000




Ford Fiesta 1.6 S (P)




706,000




Ford Fiesta 1.4 EXI (D)




699,000




Ford Fiesta 1.4 ZXI (D)




745,000




Ford Fiesta 1.4 SXI (D)




807,000




Ford Ikon (P)




483,000




Ford Ikon (D)




543,000




*Ex-showroom, New Delhi


]]>3650<![CDATA[Ford Novermber 2009 Sales Figures and Plans to Hike The Price]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/3650-ford-novermber-2009-sales-figures-and-plans-to-hike-the-price.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/3650-ford-novermber-2009-sales-figures-and-plans-to-hike-the-price.htmlCarWale Team12/3/2009 11:57:55 AM1867http://img.carwale.com/ec/3650/img/m/3650_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/3650/img/m/3650_lFord India registered a 13.5% growth in year on year sales in November 2009 as compared to the corresponding period last year. It sold 2,520 units in November 2009 as against 2,219 units during November 2008.

]]>Ford India registered a 13.5% growth in year on year sales in November 2009 as compared to the corresponding period last year. It sold 2,520 units in November 2009 as against 2,219 units during November 2008.

Ford India will be hiking prices of all models across board in January. The upward price revision is due to steady rise in input cost and exchange rate fluctuations. Earlier this year, both Ikon and Endeavour ranked highest in the 2009 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability in the entry mid-size and SUV segments respectively.

]]>2882<![CDATA[The new Ford Ikon iKool]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/2882-the-new-ford-ikon-ikool.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/2882-the-new-ford-ikon-ikool.htmlCarWale Team8/10/2009 3:29:06 PM16277http://img.carwale.com/ec/2882/img/m/2882_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/2882/img/m/2882_lFord India introduces the new Ford Ikon iKool. The iKool comes loaded, the exterior features iKool badging, chrome deck lid appliqué, Black BSPM and spoiler that define the exterior with crisp, sculpted lines and a confident stance for an overall stylish look. 

]]>Ford India introduces the new Ford Ikon iKool. The iKool comes loaded, the exterior features iKool badging, chrome deck lid appliqué, Black BSPM and spoiler that define the exterior with crisp, sculpted lines and a confident stance for an overall stylish look. 

The highlight of the interior is the iPod compatible Mp3 audio system which, along with the remote keyless entry anti-theft system and matching seat covers enhances the comfort and safety.

Starting 12th August the Ikon iKool will be available at Ford dealerships across India at an aggressive price of Rs. 4.82 lakhs (petrol) and Rs. 5.42 lakhs (diesel) (Ex-showroom, New Delhi).

The Ikon iKool comes with the advanced and efficient Duratorq TDCi 1.4 diesel and ROCAM 1.3 petrol engine. Ford Ikon comes with a 2 year / 1, 00,000 kilometers warranty and an option to purchase ‘Extended Warranty’ that covers the car against all electrical and mechanical failures for an additional period. Along with the new Scheduled Service Plan (SSP), first in the country Roadside Assistance (RSA) and other Ford Service initiatives, add on to make owning a Ford Ikon a delightful experience.

]]>