Auto Expo 2012: Ford to launch eight products, employ 5,000
Ford unveiled its new car, a compact sport utility vehicle for Indian markets at the Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi. It’s President and Global CEO, Alan Mullaly told NDTV Profit that small SUVs of this size make up 60 per cent of vehicles sales in this categ
In the first half of this decade, Ford Motors, the world’s first car company, is planning to launch 8 products across different segments in the Indian market. The American car maker plans to start a new plant in Gujarat and employ 5000 people.
Ford unveiled its new car, a compact sport utility vehicle for Indian markets at the Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi. Ford’s President and Global CEO, Alan Mullaly told NDTV Profit that small SUVs of this size make up 60 per cent of vehicles sales in this category around the world.
“It has been designed especially for emerging markets where compact, fuel efficiency and volume are prominent factors,” he said.
The auto major will be making Ecosport in three locations, one being Chennai, India, said the Global CEO.
“It will be exported to 30 countries from these three locations,” Mullaly told NDTV Profit.
The new vehicle launch is also set to create employment opportunities in India. The company also has plans to expand its production capacity in India. Currently, it has a plant in Chennai, which will be expanded. This will be followed by another new plant in Sanand, Gujarat.
“Ford has the right products and we will continue growing the Indian Market,” Mulally said.
“We have 10,000 employees here and we will be adding 5000 more employees,” he added.
He was upbeat about prospects for growth in India.
“Ford has the right products and we will continue growing the Indian Market,” Mulally said.
Mullaly also explained Ford’s strategy.
“We want to provide all kinds of engines – petrol as well as diesel. But, we see that overtime, there will be more electric and plug-in hybrid variants in the market,” said the Global head of the first automotive company in the world.
Keeping with the ideology, Ford recently announced an electric version of its Focus sedan variant.
Last year, a month long unrest at a Maruti Suzuki plant had put the company’s production off gear. Mullaly said that people respect Ford in India for providing great job and careers. “I don't see that changing,” he said.
On macro-economic concerns, Mullaly reiterated that the sovereign debt crisis is a concern for all everyone. But Ford had a strategy to a balanced global company with presence in various markets.