The Hindu Business Line : Ford India to break even this year

Mr Vinay Piparsania, Vice-President, Marketing, Ford India, at a preview of the Ford Fusion, to be be launched in December, in the Capital on Tuesday. - Kamal Narang

New Delhi , Oct. 19

FORD India today said it is on course to achieve operational break-even later this calendar year and would be making "some" profits in the year in view of the high growth seen in the sales of the Ikon.

According to a senior company official, the sales of the Ikon have been good this year and Ford has upped its growth forecast for the model to 40 per cent from 20 per cent.

"We expect to sell 27,000 units of the Ikon in the domestic market," the Ford India Vice-President (Marketing, Service and Sales), Mr Vinay Piparsania, said.

The exports of the Ikon would, however, remain flat at last year's level of 24,000 units. Ford currently exports the Ikon to countries such as South Africa, Mexico and Brazil. The Ikon has sold over 190,000 units since launch in 1999.

Meanwhile, Ford in addition to the Fusion also intends to roll out a new look Mondeo in December. The new Mondeo would be brought in through the CBU route. Currently, Ford sells about 10-20 units of the Mondeo per month.

Meanwhile, speaking on the urban activity vehicle Fusion, Mr Piparsania said the car would create a new segment in the market, and the company is aiming to sell about 500-1,000 units of the car in the initial months. The Fusion is expected to be priced in the Rs 6,00,000-7,00,00 range. Though the Fusion is available with a 1.6 litre petrol engine, the company is also evaluating diesel options for the car.

Ford would be hiking production at its plant as demand for its cars grow. "We have a capacity of 1,00,000 units on a three-shift basis. We are currently producing 60,000 units," Mr Piparsania said.