Ford joins the growing club of global carmakers using India as a small car export hub. From April, it will start shipping its Figo to Mexico and 50 other global locations including West Asia, North Africa and the Caribbean from India.

The first batch of 1,500 Figos will be shipped out of the Chennai port to Mexico in two weeks' time, said Mr Michael Boneham, President and Managing Director, Ford India.

“We have no plans to manufacture and assemble Figo anywhere else in the world except India,” he said.

The US car major started exporting Figo to Nepal and South Africa in 2010. Last year, the company exported more than 12,000 units, majority of which were the Figo and around 1,200 were the Fiesta.

Going forward, the company is open to exporting other models from India as well. Ford has announced the launch of eight new models by 2015, including the new Fiesta and a significant number will fall in the small car category, he said.

Even as the company aims to grow its exports from India, the domestic market will continue to be the growth driver, he said.

It is operating double shifts at essentially full capacity at its plant in Chennai to keep up with the growing domestic and overseas demand.

“Currently, we are producing 2,800 units per week in double shift. If need be, we can do a third shift that will make the plant reach its full capacity of 200,000 units per annum. But as of now we have not taken any decision on starting a third shift,” he said.

Ford has a retail presence in 170 outlets in 100 cities in India and employs 10,000 persons.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW