Ford Fiesta Futuristic Collection by Swapnil Shinde

- Eminent fashion designer Swapnil Shinde, displays his 'Ford Fiesta Futuristic Collection' inspired by the all-new Fiesta sedan in New Delhi

- The trendy clothing line has a strong international design cues inspired by the all-new premium Ford Fiesta

- The fashion event draws celebrated models and fans alike, with live streaming witnessed by many more

Known for his simple yet elegant creations, illustrious fashion designer Swapnil Shinde presented the 'Ford Fiesta Futuristic Collection' at the Fiesta Café in Select Citywalk Mall, New Delhi today. Exuding 'Energy in Motion', the collection is inspired by Ford's Kinetic Design philosophy which exemplifies the bold and futuristic styling of its premium and global all-new Fiesta sedan.

Trendy and chic in style and form, the line of clothing displayed an international touch that matched the Ford Fiesta's global DNA. With a clever use of cues inspired by the car's underlying design theme, Swapnil's creativity was stimulated by the aspects of the car –flowing lines from the kinetic design, bold colour palette with the vivid shades, and smart cuts from the car's dynamic yet aesthetic spirit.

Starting the show with a collection that drapes the futuristic, yet elegant and bold look of the Ford Fiesta, Swapnil brought alive the striking features of this iconic machine. His creation showcased innovative designs that electrified the ramp. Inspired by the intuitive and impressively modern styling of the Fiesta, the collection was simply a treat to watch.

Talking about the collection, designer Swapnil Shinde said "The new Fiesta brings with it a refreshing and energetic touch to design and style. The thought of translating the car's bold kinetic design theme into my creations was a true inspiration. It is great to have designed a collection that's a tribute to the stylish and innovative Fiesta which has already gained high interest even before its official launch."

At the occasion Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India said, "The thought of being associated with the fast-paced and scintillating fashion industry was exciting for us. Swapnil Shinde's Fiesta Futuristic Collection aptly brings out the smart substance that we see appealing our target customer Ajay. I am happy to see the Fiesta Café become a hot-spot for all mall visitors and we will continue to engage with our customers here."

The glitzy and glamorous event saw celebrated models such as Carol Gracias and Lakshmi Rana walk the ramp exhibiting Swapnil's Ford Fiesta Futuristic Collection. The fashion show was a well-defined act choreographed by Achala Sachdev that transformed Fiesta Café into a style hot-spot. The show was live streamed on the Ford Fiesta Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/fordfiesta) drawing fans and fashion enthusiasts to the event.

The Fiesta Café is high-tech zone to connect to the new generation of young, urban achievers in India whom Ford targets as customers of the all-new global Fiesta – the latest B-segment premium sedan unveiled by Ford at the Café on April 14. The Digital Café plans to do so in many interesting ways. The display area in itself is unique – with technology aiding the effort through iPads, interactive touch-screens and a human-gesture-controlled 'fanwall'. The Café has and will continue to host other lifestyle and fashion events and video-conferencing with Ford technology experts.

Source: Ford India

Top Used Cars: Best 10 Used Cars for You

Since car sales have been on a high in the past year, moving up briskly since the 2008 economic downturn, it has directly affected the used car market. Now, more cars are ending up for resale at a much faster pace, which is why it's the right time to haggle for the best bargains.

With car prices set to soar in the new year, it's a good time to scrounge around for discounts and deals. If, however, you are driven by the desire for higher savings, you can opt for a pre-owned car. You will not only have the satisfaction of owning a vehicle but, more importantly, at a much lesser price.

Since car sales have been on a high in the past year, moving up briskly since the 2008 economic downturn, it has directly affected the used car market. Now, more cars are ending up for resale at a much faster pace, which is why it's the right time to haggle for the best bargains. Here's a look at cars in different segments, all under Rs. 10 lakh, to help you decide which one to pick. You can get an even lower price depending on the mileage and car's condition.

1. Hyundai Santro

The best small car not to sport a Maruti badge. A perfect combination of fuel efficiency, reliability and enough torque for driving around the city.

Why should I buy? Because everyone has a Maruti and you don't want one. It has a better build and features than other cars in this price segment and the Korean manufacturer has proved itself on reliability over the past decade.

Is it fuel-efficient? In one word, yes. It gives a mileage of about 14 km per litre (kmpl) in the city. The Hyundai service network is second only to Maruti's and the spare parts are cheap too.

How is the ride? The ride quality isn't the best, but is par for the course. It has ample headroom, though the rear seat isn't very comfortable.

Will it break the bank? Prices are on the lower side and you can easily find a two-year old model in good condition.

2. Hyundai i10

The second hatchback option also comes from Hyundai's stable. It was launched as Santro's replacement and is made in India for global usage.

Why should I buy? Because Santro is too old and the i10 looks sleeker. It also has a more powerful engine and comes loaded with accessories.

Is it fuel-efficient? Yes, again. The Kappa model will run about 16 km per litre, while the older 1.1 iRDE model will give you 14 km.

How is the ride? It has a good suspension, which ensures a smooth ride on bumpy roads. For a small car, it's also quite stable at high speeds.

Will it break the bank? It's a well-built car and offers value for money. The launch of the latest version of the 1.2 Kappa model means you might get the older one for even less.

3. Maruti Swift

The best big hatchback. It's fun to drive, good to look at and fuel-efficient. Though it has been five years since its launch, there's still a waiting period for the car.

Why should I buy? A good option if you want a spacious hatchback while sticking to the Maruti family.

Is it fuel-efficient? The petrol model offers a mileage of 12 kmpl, while for the diesel one, it is almost 16 kmpl. The Maruti service network is the most widespread and is known for the easily available, cheap spare parts.

How is the ride? It's a sporty car and comfortable to drive. Rear passengers may find the space a little constricted. Avoid buying a tuned or modified car as it could be rife with problems.

Will it break the bank? Maruti's star performer will give you good value for your money.

4. Maruti Alto

If words like 'fuel efficiency' and 'no frills' appear on your priority list, it's the car to go for.

Why should I buy? Because you want a reliable, timetested vehicle without straining your wallet.

Is it fuel-efficient? The puny engine's fuel requirement is lower compared with other cars and you can extract as much as 18 kmpl from it. Maintenance is Maruti's forte and the after-sales service is good.

How is the ride? The Alto isn't very spacious and its seats are not the most supportive. However, the small size is a boon in metros where parking hassles are aplenty.

Will it break the bank? Not at all. However, make sure you don't buy one which has clocked too many miles.

5. Chevrolet Spark

In 2007, Chevrolet resurrected the Daewoo Matiz as the Spark, retaining the same lines. The latter's USP has been its reasonable price.

Why should I buy? Because it's cheap, and if you buy a recent model, you could avail of the threeyear free maintenance package that Chevrolet offers on new cars.

Is it fuel-efficient? The Spark can run 15 km on a litre of petrol and the 'no maintenance charge' offer is also financially attractive. Spare parts are affordable too.

How is the ride? The peppy engine makes it easy to handle the car. However, the seats are cramped and can comfortably seat only four passengers.

Will it break the bank? Not if you buy a relatively new model. However, make sure that the car hasn't been abused by the previous owner. There is a tendency to drive a car hard and carelessly because it's cheap to buy and run.

6. Tata Indica

The first hatchback from Tata Motors captivated the audience when it was first shown at the 1998 Auto Expo and has witnessed a number of upgrades.

Why should I buy? Because you need a diesel vehicle for highways and don't have the money for a Swift. The Turbo has a turbocharged diesel engine, which provides more power.

Is it fuel-efficient? The Xeta petrol gives a mileage of almost 12 kmpl, the diesel version gives 14 kmpl, and for the Turbo, it is about 13 kmpl.

How is the ride? Opt for the diesel car if you can live with the cheap plastic and engine noise. It is very comfortable and the ride quality is good.

Will it break the bank? The diesel version won't.

7. Honda City

The best petrol-powered sedan in India, it's three generations old but shows no sign of slackening. The second generation car was launched in 2004 and is now easily available as a pre-owned vehicle.

Why should I buy? Because the Honda brand commands respect internationally. The second generation sedan is one of the most comfortable.

Is it fuel-efficient? The engine is powerful and frugal, giving about 12 kmpl in the city and 17 kmpl on the highway.

How is the ride? It is spacious, with a 500-litre boot, and the quality of plastic is very good.

Will it break the bank? If you drive more than 100 km a day, a diesel car would be a better buy.

8. Skoda Octavia

Skoda's first offering in India was launched in 2001 and gave it the luxury image and brand loyalty which rival that of a Honda.

Why should I buy? Because it leads the pack when it comes to smooth ride and handling.

Is it fuel-efficient? The 90 bhp, 1.9-litre TDI diesel engine is very efficient and gives a mileage of about 13 kmpl.

How is the ride? The build quality is one of the best and the ride and handling are smooth. It's very spacious with a 560-litre boot.

Will it break the bank? The diesel model offers more value than the petrol version due to the lower running cost. However, this version is more likely to have run a fair bit too.

9. Mahindra Scorpio

The first modern SUV from Mahindra was launched in 2002 and has been upgraded regularly.

Why should I buy? Because it's bigger than a sedan and seats more people in comfort than a three-box. The butch design has been selling well, even in the used car market.

Is it fuel-efficient? Diesel cost means that even a low efficiency of 7 kmpl with the old engine won't pinch. The mHawk is only a little more efficient at 8 kmpl. Buy a relatively recent model, if possible, and preferably the mHawk, which has an updated cabin.

How is the ride? The extra room is a boon, especially for long trips. There is also an automatic gearbox that you can install, but finding one is difficult.

Will it break the bank? Not if you opt for an older model, though even the oldest mHawk model costs more than the newer other versions.

10. Ford Endeavour

The XXXL SUV is among the few luxury diesel SUVs available in India. Its extra wide tyres make it one of the best vehicles for off-road driving.

Why should I buy? Opt for it only if you plan to go dune bashing or exploring jungles. Or if you want to intimidate others on the road.

Is it fuel-efficient? Again, the low cost of diesel helps to curb running costs. However, the 2.5-litre diesel version will barely run 8 kmpl, while the 3-litre one will give 7 kmpl.

How is the ride? The large proportions mean there is no dearth of space and seven people can fit in easily.

Will it break the bank? The older models will be cheaper, while the 4WD 3-litre SUV will be expensive.

Courtesy: Auto Build

Source: Money Today

Ford Figo Achieves One Lakh Mark

Ford Figo becomes a good selling car for Ford Motors in India as it crosses 1 lakh sales mark with domestic and export sales. Ford Figo hatchback car comes with good fuel efficiency. In Indian auto market hatchback cars have good selling. Ford Figo small car already made its impact in Indian market.

Ford Figo has most advanced features and fuel economical power plant which makes the car more popular in the small car segment. Ford Figo gives good competition to other hatchback small cars like Volkswagen Polo, Chevrolet Beat, Hyundai i10 and Maruti Swift.

Ford Figo is available in petrol and diesel variants in India.

All-New Ford Fiesta Mid-Size Sedan Car Launched in India

Ford unveiled the new version of its mid-size sedan Fiesta, the U.S. carmaker's first among eight products that it will be launching by 2015. The premium sedan that comes with latest safety, comfort and entertainment features will be launched in July this year, according to reports.

Ford India President and Managing Director Michael Boneham was quoted as saying "The new Fiesta will be a segment-leading product in India with intuitive first-in-class smart features and fuel economy that raises the bar in every way." The sedan will be produced at the company's Chennai facility, which has a production capacity of 2-lakh cars on three shift basis and 2.5-lakh engines every year.

Powered by new top-of-the-line Ti-VCT petrol and TDCi diesel powertrains developed for India, the new sedan delivers excellent handling in city as well as highway conditions, without sacrificing its essentially sporty character, reports stated.

It also comes with 'cruise control' that adds to ease of driving and is a first for its segment, he added. To build the excitement before its launch, Ford has established unique 'Fiesta Café' at Select Citywalk Mall in Saket in South Delhi where it has created digital ambience and is holding various activities inviting visitors to see, touch and experience the car that has clocked over 10-lakh sales worldwide, added reports.

Source: Ford

2011 Ford Fiesta Classic Price Starts @ Rs. 5.49 Lakh Launched in India

Legends are known to reinvent themselves for a new innings. After establishing a strong foothold in the Indian market by winning over 100,000 customers, Ford Fiesta - the legendary sedan from Ford is set to better its success story in the B segment with the new 'Fiesta Classic'.

The Ford Fiesta Classic will address a much broader customer base with two new trims - LXI and CLXI. With this the Classic becomes more attractive and affordable with the petrol variants starting at Rs. 549,030 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and diesel variants at Rs. 648,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). In its new form, the much acclaimed sedan will be available to more customers who now can experience the Fiesta Classic’s superior drivability, aesthetic styling and best-in-class fuel efficiency with an all new interior package.

“With a proud and loyal customer base, the Fiesta has been one of the main stays of our product brand portfolio in India. With the elegant Fiesta Classic’s thrilling on-road dynamics, refreshingly classy new interiors and proven frugality we invite more customers to experience and benefit from the additional new variants we are offering with our classy product.” said Michael Boneham, managing director and president, Ford India.

Spirited performance and proven drivability

The new Fiesta Classic retains its core characteristics of surefooted balance on the road, responsive steering and compliant suspension. Its reputation as a driver’s car is enhanced by its refined, trusty and proven 1.6 Duratec and 1.4 Duratorq powertrains, which deliver on the optimum mix of gripping performance and frugal fuel consumption.

Class and style within customers’ reach

The elegant new Fiesta Classic gets a refreshingly classy new interior with Ebony and Jasper Blue coloured instrument panel, a new centre and floor console finished in Graphic Metallic, new seats with soft feel fabric and enhanced dual-tone door trims. In addition, all the product variants will display the ‘Classic’ moniker and will be available in a striking new body colour – Colorado Red. It is offered in both petrol and diesel engine options across three variants – LXI, CLXI and SXI to suit growing customer requirements.

Reliable as well as frugal

Thrilling performance and fuel efficiency are signature attributes of the Fiesta Classic, which customers have been experiencing and enjoying throughout their ownership. This was proven once again by delivering 30 kmpl with the diesel and 20 kmpl with the petrol, as per a cross-country drive undertaken by a leading automotive magazine.

Recently, Fiesta was ranked highest by TNS for Customer Satisfaction in the `Midsize Segment', in their latest Automotive 2010 India Total Customer Satisfaction (TCS) study.

In addition to the new Colorado Red, customers can choose from the existing six colour options –Moondust Silver, Diamond White, Panther Black, Sea Grey, Morello, and Chill.

Encouraged by the existing Fiesta Classic, Endeavour and The Figo's remarkable success and popularity, Ford India plans to bring the all-new global premium sedan Fiesta into India later this year. This is part of its strategy to bolster Ford India's portfolio with eight new models by middle of the decade.

Ford Fiesta Classic Price in India:
With this the Classic becomes more attractive and affordable with the petrol variants starting at Rs. 549,030 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and diesel variants at Rs. 648,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Source: Ford India

Ford Fiesta Classic Launch Soon in India

Ford India is ready to launch a new variant of Ford Fiesta in India on April 7th, 2011. New Ford Fiesta will be launch in Chennai in presence of Ford's senior personal and media people. Ford Fiesta is best selling car for Ford India. So, Ford is launching special version of Ford Fiesta.

New Ford Fiesta will come with some new features and impressive specifications. New Ford Fiesta will give competition to sedan like Toyota Etios, Tata Manza, Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Mahindra Logan. The company will announce price on the launch day.

Currently Ford Fiesta is available in two variants. Ford Fiesta petrol variant is powered by a 1596cc engine & gives 10.5 kmpl mileage in urban areas and 15.3 kmpl on highways. Ford Fiesta diesel engine variant 1399 cc provides average mileage of 14.9 kmpl in city and 17.8 kmpl on Highway.

Ford India Rolls Out 100000th Engine

Ford India's Maraimalainagar Nagar engine facility rolled out its 100,000th engine this month. This significant milestone was achieved just 14 months after the engine plant opened for operations in January 2010.

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."

"We are proud of the milestone which was achieved thanks to the great team spirit of our highly motivated and dedicated employees. We are confident that the next 100,000 engines will be produced at an even faster pace," said Radhakrishnan Balasundaram, vice-president, Powertrain Operations (PTO) who heads the India Engine Plant.

Part of Ford's USD 500-million investment at the Maraimalai Nagar site, the India Engine Plant is designed to meet the growing needs of the Indian vehicle market and export opportunities. The plant achieved the 100,000 milestone amongst multiple variant launches for domestic and international markets.

The plant is the first Ford facility to feature a flexible production line manufacturing petrol and diesel engines. Today, 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.

Covering more than 40,000 square metres, the facility is an advanced manufacturing centre that has been created with the global best practices for engine manufacturing and has the capacity to produce 250,000 engines per year.

In addition to state-of-the-art facilities, the plant runs a number of innovative eco-friendly production strategies including a "cold test process" using advanced electronics and sensing mechanisms to evaluate the engine performance and (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) NVH parametres. In this process, no fuel is burnt.

"The cold test process helps to reduce our carbon footprint as well as test-cycle times and allows better NVH control," Balasundaram added.

In recognition of its leading best practices, the plant was awarded the Total Maturity Model (TMM) quality award by Ford Global Powertrain Manufacturing Engineering in 2010. With this milestone, India seems to be emerging as a low-displacement engine manufacturing hub for Ford in the Asia Pacific and Africa region.

Source: Ford India

Ford Figo Goes Abroad on First Anniversary

Like many proud parents on the subcontinent who hope their children gain international experience, Ford India is sending its over-achieving baby abroad now that it has come of age. The phenomenal Ford Figo, which celebrates the first anniversary of an extraordinary year today, will be exported to Mexico and more than 50 other international markets this year.

"Happy birthday Figo!" said Alan Mulally, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company, in a specially taped video message broadcast at events in Delhi and Chennai. "Since launching the phenomenal Figo last year, we've sold almost 80,000 vehicles and it has earned more than 20 awards, making the Figo one of the fastest selling and most awarded vehicles in the Indian auto industry. We are now delighted to export it to more than 50 markets internationally from our world class manufacturing facility in Chennai. I was honored to help unveil it in 2009 and am sending my very best birthday wishes to our customers, employees, dealers and suppliers."

The Figo was developed with a focus on value, quality and driving enjoyment for the subcompact segment in India and other international markets. It has dramatically transformed Ford India, reinforcing Ford's commitment to India and its future plans here.

"The Figo and its success are symbolic of Ford's ambitious expansion plans in India and throughout Asia Pacific," said Joe Hinrichs, president, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa. "We invested USD 500 mn in our Chennai assembly plant to double its capacity to 200,000 units and to build a new, state-of-the-art engine plant. Today, both plants are humming along as we continue moving forward with plans to bring eight new vehicles to India by the middle of the decade."

Since the Figo launch, Ford has continued to expand its dealer network and today has a retail presence in more than 170 outlets in more than 100 cities. Ford India is holding a celebration today in Delhi and with its employees at its manufacturing facility in Chennai to mark the Figo anniversary and to recognise the 50 markets where it will be sold this year.

Ford India's Chennai assembly plant has increased its output in order to keep up with domestic and international demand for the Figo. It can now produce up to 200,000 units annually, and in addition to making Figos and other vehicles, it is in the process of preparing to launch the allnew global Fiesta. The Chennai plant is a state-of-the-art facility equipped with Ford's environmentally friendly and energy-efficient three wet paint technology. Ford's Chennai engine plant can produce 250,000 gasoline and diesel engines per year.For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and video.

"The phenomenal Figo has taken Ford to a new level in India," said Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India. "Our manufacturing operations have grown so much that we've doubled our workforce in the last two years. Overall, Ford's businesses in India now have 10,000 passionate employees. Today, on this auspicious anniversary, we are thankful to every one of them, and especially our customers, dealers, and suppliers for making this possible."

The Figo went on sale in South Africa and Nepal in July 2010 and October 2010, respectively. So far, almost 10,000 Figos have been exported from Chennai. The vehicle will be shipped to various international markets, including Mexico, Middle East, North Africa and Caribbean markets beginning April 2011, and will be on sale by mid-year.

The Figo has been one of the most successful launches for Ford India – it sold 25,000 vehicles in 100 days, and 50,000 in just six months. Customers and industry experts have been unanimous in saying that it is the best ‘value for money' product in its class.

As part of a recent "Discover Smart Drive" campaign across 10 cities in India in which four newlyweds drove and blogged about their experiences in the Figo, Ford dealers raised USD 44,000 (Rs 20 lakh) to renovate two schools in underdeveloped communities.

Between December and January, Figo and Ford India together earned 20 Indian auto industry honours for 2010, making Figo the most awarded passenger car in India.

The Ford Figo was voted Indian Car of the Year 2011 – the most prestigious auto award in India – by a jury panel of leading automotive magazine editors. It also won four 'Car of the Year' awards, as well as Small Car of The Year, Compact Car of the Year, Design of the Year, Viewers' Choice and Readers' Choice from various other media organizations.

It was named among the leaders in customer satisfaction in the Upper Premium Compact segment according to the latest 2010 Total Customer Satisfaction (TCS) study by TNS, a leading market-research agency.

Source: Ford

Ford Fiesta Tops Consumer Satisfaction for Midsize Segment: TNS Automotive Study

Ford Fiesta has been ranked highest in the 'Midsize Segment' in the latest TNS Automotive 2010 India Total Customer Satisfaction (TCS) study.

Ford's other flagship product the Figo, which has sold 76,000 units since its launch and has the honour of being the most-awarded car in India, has moved quickly to be among the leaders in the `Upper Premium Compact' category of the study.

This is the second consecutive year when Fiesta has been ranked highest in its segment. Last year, it came top in the `Diesel Midsize Segment' by the TNS Automotive TCS Study.

The 2010 four-wheeler Total Customer Satisfaction (TCS) study conducted by TNS specialist division, TNS Automotive, is the largest syndicated automotive study in India, representing the responses of around 9,300 new car buyers. This comprehensive study covers 56 models with customer evaluations taken in the key areas of sales satisfaction, product quality, vehicle performance and design, after sales service, brand image, and cost-of-ownership.

Commenting on this milestone achievement, Michael Boneham, Ford India president and managing director said, "Ford Fiesta is a winning product in our portfolio as demonstrated by its leadership in the Midsize category in the TNS Automotive 2010 India Total Customer Satisfaction (TCS) study for two consecutive years. We are proud to see the Fiesta receive the recognition and resonate so well with our customers.”

The Ford Fiesta has been Ford’s midsize-sedan that has enthralled audiences in India ever since its launch. Designed specifically for India, it has been the most sought after sedan in its segment for delivering high on attributes such as drivability, styling and fuel efficiency.

Encouraged by the Fiesta and Figo's remarkable success and popularity, Ford India is all set to bolster its portfolio with eight new models by middle of the decade which will begin with entry of the global premium sedan Fiesta later this year.

Source: Ford

Ford Fiesta Global Award-Winning Car Comes to India in 2011

- The new, global Fiesta, which is available in more than 100 markets throughout the world, has sold more than one million units worldwide.

Ford's all-new, award-winning Fiesta is coming to India this year. This marks the first in a series of eight new global products that Ford plans to introduce in India by the middle of this decade.

Announcing the new Fiesta's eagerly awaited arrival, Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India said, "We are delighted the new Fiesta is coming to India. It will provide Indian customers a premium sedan that reflects their personality in terms of style, technology and performance, and will add a new level of diversity and dynamism to our showrooms."

The new Ford Fiesta will be built at Ford's state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Chennai and the Indian consumers can look forward to a hi-end sedan that will provide sporty design, great ride, dynamic performance and array of smart technologies.

"The new Fiesta will augment the current range of Fiesta vehicles in India, which remain an integral part of our product line-up," Boneham added. "Our stepped-up launch plan builds on the incredible consumer response to the Ford Figo, which in 12 months has transformed our presence in India and attracted many new customers to the Ford brand."

The new, global Fiesta, which is available in more than 100 markets throughout the world, has sold more than one million units worldwide.

Ford India to Launch 8 New Cars in India by 2015

The Indian unit of US based leading car maker Ford Motors, which has been registering whopping growth figures in the country since last one year, is now planning to roll-out eight more new car models in the country in next four years, as per a statement given by senior company official on Wednesday. The decision has been taken in the view of overwhelming response received by its cars like Figo and Endeavour in the Indian market.

Mr. Anurag Mehrotra, Vice-President (Marketing) at Ford India, said in a statement given to the reporters in Rajkot that company is concentrating to introduce eight more car models in the next four years.

Ford India registered its highest ever monthly sales in the Indian market in the month of January 2011. The company sold over 10,000 units during the month as against 2,453 units sold in the same month last year. In calendar year 2010, Ford India sold a total of 83,887 units of its cars in the Indian market as compared to mere 29,488 cars sold in calendar year 2009.

Moreover, the company is also enhancing its dealership network in the Indian market to 200 dealers from existing number of 170 dealers.

Source: CarTradeIndia.com

Ford Figo in India; Ford Figo Most Awarded Car in India

Between December and January, Ford India and its popular sub-compact car Figo, together lifted 20 Indian auto industry honours in 2010, making Figo the most awarded passenger car in the country.

Ford topped up the three 'Car of the Year' titles with the prestigious 'Manufacturer of the Year', from a leading, jointly held broadcast and print media house. The definitively popular compact car's laurel journey began with the 'Indian Car of the Year 2011' award – considered the most revered auto industry award in India.

Figo has the largest boot in its segment but is not proving large enough to hold all the trophies that the car has recently won. These treasured honours have come from across the automotive media industry which runs across print, broadcast and web-based mediums.

They soon became infectious and garnered tremendous popularity for the brand, building serious recognition and acknowledgement of the Figo's class leading attributes such as space and aesthetic design, best-in-class technology features, fuel efficient powertrains and value for money substantial package - all incorporated to address discerning customers' practical as well as lifestyle needs.

Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India said, "We always believed that Figo would be our game changer but this car has performed beyond expectations. We appreciate that our customers had a wide choice in the market but they chose to buy the Figo. It is they who have immensely contributed for us to win these honours."

Figo attracted thousand of customers, 40% of them, were in fact, first time buyers. Figo saw support and gained tremendous popularity in social networks. Many well-known automotive blogs and websites conducted their independent polls and visitors and customers voted Figo as 'Car of the Year'.

More than 60,000 Figos have been sold since March and Ford India recorded an impressive annual sales increase of 184 percent as compared to 2009.

Ford India saw a favourable growth across nameplates with the Fiesta, Ikon and the Endeavour faring well in their respective segments in the year 2010, the company sold 83,887 units and nearly tripled it sales volume against a total of 29,488 cars sold in 2009.

"It gives us great pleasure to imagine those who bought the Figo would be proud to have made the purchase decision. With such a massive boost in morale, we are confident of crossing more significant milestones in 2011 – something that we are already known for", concluded Boneham.

Ford India and Figo won the following awards:

- All magazine Editor Jury - ' Indian Car of the Year 2011 '

- Bloomberg UTV-Autocar India - 'Car of the Year 2010'

- Bloomberg UTV-Autocar India – 'Value for Money Car 2011'

- Bloomberg UTV-Autocar India – 'Premium Compact Car of the Year 2011'

- Bloomberg UTV-Autocar India – 'Viewer's Choice - Car of the Year 2011'

- Bloomberg UTV-Autocar India – 'Ford India - Manufacturer of the year 2011'

- 2010 ET Zig Wheels 'Car of the Year'

- 2010 ET Zig Wheels 'Premium Hatchback of the Year'

- 2010 ET Now 'Viewers Choice Award'

- BBC Top Gear – 'Small Car of the Year'

- CNBC TV18-Overdrive – 'Compact Car of the Year'

- CNBC TV18-Overdrive – 'Viewers Choice Award'

- NDTV Car & Bike 2011 – 'Small Car of the Year'

- NDTV Car & Bike 2011 – 'Design of the Year'

- Business Standard Motoring – 'Special Jury Award 2011'

- CAR India - 'Readers' Choice Car of the Year 2010'

- Motor Vikatan – 'Best Car of the Year'

- Motor Vikatan – 'Manufacturer of the Year'

- Motorbeam.com - '2010 Car of the Year'

- TeamBHP.com - 'Car of the Year 2010'

Source: Ford

Small Car Ford Figo Becomes Indian Car Of The Year

JK Tyre, in association with the top auto magazines in India, today presented the most prestigious awards in the automotive industry - the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) 2011 and the Indian Motorcycle of the Year 2011 (IMOTY). In line with the American Car of the Year, European Car of the Year and Japanese Car of the Year, these awards are at par with international standards and are the most prestigious auto awards of the country.

The nominees were judged by a panel of senior automobile experts who got together to vote for the most impressive car and motorcycle of the year. Using their analytic skills and competence, the expert jury evaluated and tested the cars and motorcycles nominated. The voting system is very fair and transparent which makes the ICOTY and IMOTY amongst the most credible and coveted awards.

Ford Figo was conferred with the Indian Car of the Year 2011 and Honda CB Twister bagged the Indian Motorcycle of the Year 2011.

Congratulating the winners of ICOTY & IMOTY, Dr. Raghupati Singhania, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. said, "We are here to celebrate the achievements of the Indian automobile industry and to honour the focused and rigorous efforts made by auto makers in the areas of Design excellence and innovation and R&D. The 'Indian Car of the Year' and 'Indian Motorcycle of the Year' awards recognize the auto manufacturer with the highest level of performance in terms of product development, quality, timely delivery, competitive pricing, project management and customer service."

The cars and motorcycles nominated were judged on various parameters such as price, fuel efficiency, design, comfort, safety, manoeuvrability, performance, functionality, environmental responsibility and driver/rider satisfaction among others. In addition, technical innovation and value for money were particularly important factors while deciding on the winner.

Cars and motorcycles that have had cosmetic facelifts or small mechanical changes like different power or drive trains, do not qualify for these awards. The country of origin does not matter, but they have to be sold in showrooms in India before 30th November of the previous year and should have been homologated for Indian type approval.

"The Indian Car of the Year award reflects India's standing in the global automotive market. It recognizes the efforts made by manufacturers to give us Indians the cars that have been engineered with us in mind. Over six years, the ICOTY award has grown in stature and today, it's something that all car manufacturers in India aspire for," said Srinivas Krishnan, Editor, Business Standard Motoring and Chairman, ICOTY 2011.

On winning the ICOTY award Michael Boneham, President& MD, Ford India said, "Coming close on the heels of the Figo's immense popularity with over 58,000 units sold in past eight months, this industry-wide recognition truly establishes it as a performance car. The critical acclaim from the experts reinforces the faith in Figo as one of the best products in its class available today."

The esteemed jury for ICOTY comprised Bob Rupani and Gautam Sen from Auto India, Sirish Chandran and Bertrand D'Souza from Overdrive, Girish Karkera and Sriram Narayanan from Top Gear, Aspi Bhathena from Car India, Srinivas Krishnan and Pablo Chaterji from Business Standard Motoring and Yogendra Pratap and Vikrant Singh from Auto Bild.

The jury of IMOTY included Bertrand D'Souza and Shubhabrata Marmar from Overdrive, Girish Karkera and Debabrata Sarkar from Top Gear, Aspi Bhathena from Bike India, Pablo Chaterji from Business Standard Motoring and Vikrant Singh from Auto Bild. This 13-member specialist jury consisting of senior Indian automotive journalists is the best from the industry and together they have over 300 years of experience.

In the ICOTY Category, while Ford Figo emerged as the clear winner with 83 points, Volkswagen Vento came second with 57 points. There was a tie for the third spot between Volkswagen polo and Skoda Yeti with 37 points.

There was a close clash between the top three motorcycles in the IMOTY category. Honda CB Twister won with 66 points while giving close competition was Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS with 63 points. TVS Jive was in third position with 48 points.

The finalists for the ICOTY category this year were Chevrolet Beat, Ford Figo, Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Nissan Micra, Skoda Yeti, Tata Aria, Volkswagen Polo and Volkswagen Vento. The finalists for the IMOTY category were Bajaj Pulsar 135LS, Bajaj Discover 150, Honda CB Twister, Mahindra Stallio, TVS Jive and TVS Max4R.

India's youngest F1 driver Karun Chandhok and India's youngest karting champion Jehan Daruvala were also present at the award ceremony. Famous celebrity, Sophie Chowdhury added glitz and glamour to the award ceremony and enthralled the audiences with her mind-blowing performance.

Ford India's New Dealership in Bengaluru

Ford India extended its customer sales and service footprint in the state of Karnataka with the opening of Cauvery Ford, a brand new 3S (showroom, sales and service) dealership facility in the city of Bengaluru. Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India inaugurated the dealership along with Cauvery Ford's dealer principal M.P Shyam.

Ford India's 4th authorized Brand@Retail showroom in the city, Cauvery Ford is built in accordance to Ford's global standards. It will guarantee a memorable and pleasant motoring and ownership experience to all customers ensuring a long-term association with the Ford Blue Oval. With this dealership, Ford now has expanded its reach in Bangalore with a total of 4 showrooms and 6 service outlets.

The spaciously built dealership covers an area of 50,000 square feet and is located in the heart of the city at Binnyston Garden on Magadi Road. The dealership will serve sales and service needs of customers in the city. With this new facility, Ford India will have 169 dealership outlets in 98 cities. At the inauguration, Michael Boneham, said, “Our third dealership in Bengaluru reiterates our eagerness in strengthening our presence across key markets through an aggressive focus on expanding our footprint by moving closer to our customers and to meet the growing demand."

The new facility will house Ford India’s entire product portfolio including its debut compact car Figo which has crossed the 50,000 production milestone in a short span of 7 months since its launch in March this year. Cauvery Ford has a strong workforce of 85 personnel divided into sales and service staff. The service center has an impressive capacity to service 80 cars in a day and is run by a team of people trained by Ford personnel.

The facility also offers 2 dedicated Quick Service bays providing an express 90-minute scheduled servicing option for its customers. M.P Shyam, dealer principal of Cauvery Ford, said, ''With an infrastructure that is at par with global standards, we will be able to offer our local customers best in class sales and service experience combined with products that would prove to be a value for the customer’s money.''

The dealership has partnered with the State Bank of India to offer easy finance options to customers. Cauvery Ford is the second dealership which is being inaugurated this month, the first was Bhagat Ford in Pathankot in the state of Punjab. The inaugurations of these dealerships are in line with Ford’s strategy to introduce quality products and reach out to a newer markets and customers.

Source: Ford India

Eight New Ford Models to be Launch in India

Ford Motor Company will launch eight new vehicles in India by the middle of the decade as it moves to rapidly expand its presence in the fast growing market.

Joe Hinrichs, president of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa (APA), made the announcement today during a keynote speech titled "Managing Growth – Evolving Market Dynamics" at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Conference in New Delhi.

"We have big plans for India and for this region," Hinrichs said. "As we have seen from the spectacular early success of the Ford Figo, more and more Indian consumers appreciate the fuel efficient, economical, high quality, safe, and fun-to-drive vehicles that Ford offers. By the middle of this decade we will introduce eight new vehicles to India from our global platforms, in segments appropriate for this market. This is part of our ‘better plan' to bring more and more vehicles from our vast global portfolio to India and other markets in Asia Pacific and Africa."

Ford India launched the Ford Figo subcompact in the first quarter of this year, selling more than 30,000 units in 25 weeks.

"Although the vast majority of vehicles we produce in India will help satisfy growing local demand, we also continue to pursue export opportunities," said Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India. "We are pleased to announce that Ford India will export our locally-produced, hot-selling 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 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol engines to Thailand. Ford sells the Endeavor, 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's APA region 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.

Sales of 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.

Hinrichs' remarks at the SIAM conference focused on strategies for managing change, specifically the impact of rising demand and increasing capacity on the value chain.

"Introducing eight new vehicles by the middle of the decade is an ambitious plan that will have tremendous impact on our manufacturing operations, supply chain, dealers and employees. As part of our better plan for India, we are working today to make sure the value chain is ready for the demands we will place on it in the years to come," Hinrichs said.

Expanding capacity creates particular challenges for suppliers, which are responsible for a large part of a vehicle, and requires new approaches.

"In India and in the rest of the world, we are simplifying the way we work with suppliers by reducing complexity and expanding part commonality," Hinrichs said. "By 2012, more than 70 percent of the vehicles sold under the Ford brand globally will be built off 15 core platforms. By bringing suppliers into the development process earlier we can ultimately generate more profit for the supply chain."

This leads to lower development cost and greater economies of scale for our suppliers, and ultimately a higher quality and more economical vehicle for consumers, he said.

"To succeed in a place as unique and fascinating as India, we have learned to listen more closely to our customers, dealers and suppliers," Hinrichs said. "Our ONE Ford plan says to adapt and to localise. It has made us a better company here in India and around the world."

Source: Ford India

Upcoming Cars in India in 2010: New Car Launches in India

Automobile industry in India has gained great momentum last few years. Upcoming Cars in India in 2010: New Cars to be Launched or Schedule Launch are as under. Find the list of upcoming cars in India this year 2010. Upcoming cars in 2010 will include a wide range of cars and the powerful and stylish ones that entice young drivers.

Here is the list of Upcoming Cars in India with their names, expected launch date and price.

Volkswagen Phaeton 3.6

Expected launch date : Sep-2010

Estimated Price : N/A

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

Expected launch date : Sep-2010

Estimated Price : Rs. 21 to 24 lacs.

Maruti Kizashi

Expected launch date : Oct-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 10 to 12 lacs.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Expected launch date : Oct-2010

Estimated Price : Rs. 23 to 25 lacs.

Skoda Yeti

Expected launch date : Oct-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 17 to 18 lacs.

Tata Aria

Expected launch date : Oct-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 12 to 14 lacs.

Fiat Linea T Jet

Expected launch date : Oct-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 6,41,523 to Rs 8,68,416 (approx)

Maruti SX4 Diesel

Expected launch date : Nov-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 6,46,126 to Rs 8,67,227 (approx)

Chevrolet Sail

Expected launch date : Nov-2010

Estimated Price : N/A

Toyota Etios

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 7 to 9 lacs range

Maruti Grand Vitara Diesel

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 16,94,382 to Rs 18,26,660 (approx)

Hyundai Avante

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : N/A

Honda Jazz 1.5

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 7,11,000 to Rs 7,56,455 (approx)

Volkswagen Golf

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 30 to 35 lacs.

Volvo S60

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : N/A

BMW X1

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : N/A

Chevrolet Camaro

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 20 to 25 lacs.

Chevrolet Corvette

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : N/A

Fiat Grande Punto Evo

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 4,29,282 to Rs 6,79,128 (approx)

Ford Mondeo

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 13 to 17 lacs.

Hyundai Genesis

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 6 to 9 lacs.

Nissan GTR

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 65 to 70 lacs

Nissan Pixo

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 3 to 4 lacs.

Tata Prima

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 12 to 15 lacs.

Toyota Avanza

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 6 to 9 lacs.

Volkswagen Polo Petrol Highline 1.6L

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 4,34,000 to Rs 6,70,000 (approx)

Volvo XC60

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : N/A

Volkswagen Rocktan

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : N/A

Audi S5

Expected launch date : Dec-2010

Estimated Price : Rs 40 to 45 lacs.

Detailed Information: cardekho.com

Ford India sales Up 307% in July

Ford India has reported a 307% jump in July sales compared to last year, with total sales of 8,739 units, four times the 2,146 sales made in July 2009. The sales performance also represents an increase of 20 percent compared to June 2010 figures.

The July numbers continue a strong 2010 growth surge that has enabled Ford India to achieve total vehicle sales of 46,751 units in the January to July period.

Commenting on the robust and consistent sales growth, Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India said, "We are delighted with our results to date. Sales from January to July 2010 were greater than any annual sales figures reported by Ford India during the past five years."This success is driven by a number of factors including an improved economic environment as well as new releases and the opening of new dealerships and service centres across the country."

Boneham added, "The Ford Figo is one of the major catalysts behind these terrific total sales numbers. Figo has transformed our business and presence in India and we recently introduced a second production shift to keep up with demand."

Since its launch in March, the Figo has been truly embraced by Indian consumers with more than 29,000 sales bookings registered so far.

Ford India is expanding its service and dealer network to provide world-class support to its fast growing customer base. The recently launched 3S Brand@Retail* dealership in Meerut (Uttar Pradesh province) is the 167th outlet. With this, Ford India now has a presence in 97 cities nationwide.

Source: Ford India