Ford to launch three new cars in India over the next two years

Back in 2010, when India’s auto industry was growing at 30 per cent, Ford had announced that it will launch up to eight new models here over the next few years. But now, it has been revealed that Ford has cut down on its product launches in India, owing to the slowdown its sales have been facing. While three models have gone on sale since 2010, the American manufacturer will be launching only three more models over the next two years. 

Ford has managed to show a positive growth since the past few months, though the credit entirely goes to its compact SUV, the EcoSport. While the demand for the rest of its line-up has been pretty decent, it seems that the numbers are not good enough to convince Ford to introduce more vehicles in the Indian car market. 

Speaking about the issue, a Ford spokesperson said: “The pace of product introductions has to be in tune with market needs and business conditions. Over the last 18 months, the Indian automobile industry has continued to see challenging times. In relation, we have also been adjusting our plans to review the pace of our product introduction to ensure more focused products get introduced in India at an appropriate time.”

Earlier this year, after its international reveal, rumours had suggested that the new Ford Mustang would go on sale in India soon. But now according to sources, the launch has been pushed back by two years. 

At the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, Ford had unveiled the Figo concept sedan, a sub-four metre sedan. The Figo sedan will be positioned in the lucrative compact sedan segment, which has seen an unprecedented growth over the past few months. Besides the Figo sedan, Ford will also launch the new Figo hatchback and the new Endeavour over the course of the next two years. Ford will be pinning its hopes on these products to help boost its volumes in the country. Success of these three cars will be critical for Ford as their performance will dictate the company’s future plans for India. 

“As business conditions improve in the long term, we are simultaneously studying the feasibility of a couple of more projects beyond 2015, in line with the emergence of new segments and consumer trends. It’s, however, too early to discuss specifics about the product introduction strategy,” the Ford spokesperson added.