Ford shows strong quarterly growth in India
(April 1, 2011) New Delhi, India — Ford India recorded a strong sales figures of 29,804 units during the quarter of January to March, 2011 marking a strong growth of 97 percent year-on-year as compared to 15,154 units in the same period last year.
With this accomplishment, production at Ford India has crossed 100,000 units in a single financial year (April 2010-March 2011), an achievement reached by very few Indian automobile manufacturers.
Driven by strong sales of Figo which has already crossed 85,000 units, Ford India also ended a strong financial year with strong sales in March. The company reportedly sold a total of 10,485 vehicles this March compared to 9,478 in the same period last year. This month also saw the Figo, celebrating a very successful first anniversary in India, recording its highest-ever sales in a month.
"We are delighted to see our sales figures reaching 10,000 plus twice in the last three months — in January as well as in March 2011 — making this our best-selling financial year ever. The production of 100,000 vehicles in a single financial year has placed us right at the forefront among leading manufacturers in India, and we thank all our customers, employees, dealers and suppliers on this achievement." said Michael Boneham, president and managing director of Ford India.
Ford India saw its exports growing by over 15 times to 4,092 vehicles in Q1 2011 as against 280 vehicles in the same quarter last year. The Figo, which has the unique distinction of being India's most awarded car, also commences exports with 1,000 cars to Mexico — its third export market, in April. The car has already become popular in South Africa and Nepal, where it is being exported since 2010.
Encouraged by the success of its existing models, Ford India plans to bring the all-new global premium sedan Fiesta into India later this year. The new globally acclaimed Fiesta's arrival marks the first in a series of eight new global products that Ford plans to introduce in India by the middle of this decade.
To further strengthen its service support, Ford India has been expanding its sales and service network across the country. The company's dealer network has increased to more than 170 outlets in 100 cities across India.