Chennai: Ford India’s Chennai plant is all set to ship EcoSport to North American markets from next year.
“The Chennai plant is doing great. Plans to export EcoSport are well on track from next year to the US. Though we are unable to share the numbers (now), the larger efforts in India demonstrate that both our plants in India (Chennai and Sanand in Gujarat) are churning out quality products. Our strategy - what we call growth 2.0, has been based at the back of strong products,” said Rahul Gautam, vice president, Marketing, Ford India.
Little over one-and-a-half years ago the US auto major had introduced five new products – Figo, Aspire, Mustang, Endeavour and EcoSport. “All our products are very much fun to drive, exciting, design, great to look at, great to sit in and excellent to drive,” Rahul said on Monday.
Last year between export and domestic markets, the company did 2,40,000 odd units. “It was about a growth of well over 30 per cent in 2016. This year too, the numbers are significant,” he said reacting to auto major’s performance.
Ford Motor’s local unit has emerged as the largest exporter of cars from India positioning the company to the first position. Asked about this, he replied, “It’s not a number game for us. We are not fighting a race. It is just the product we are sending from India. They are well received. The going has been good and it is definitely a plus point. In India, we are doing some transformation work,” he said adding that exports and domestic sales show signs of consumer acceptance across markets.
Ford India’s combined domestic sales and exports in June this year reached 20,828 vehicles from 19,754 vehicles in the corresponding month last year. June domestic sales came down to 6,149 vehicles, as against 9,469 units, while exports grew to 14,679 vehicles compared to 10,285 units in June of last year.
“Markets in Europe are very conscious about quality and our products are well accepted, especially Figo, and are doing well,” he told DC on Monday.
