Ford India to invest $500 million for expansion

Bangalore, Mar 19: Ford India will invest 500 million Dollars by 2010 for expansion of its Chennai plant, Company Vice President (Marketing, Sales and Service) Scott McCormack said today.

Speaking to newsmen here, he said that the expansion included production of the yet unnamed small car. After expansion the production capacity would touch 2.5 cars from the present one lakh. The company had also taken up upgrading of both petrol and diesel engines used in its cars, he said. Declining to give details about proposed Small car, he said, "I cannot give you any detail about our small car or its likely price line. However it will be released by 2010 as promised earlier".

Replying to a question, he said due to sluggish global market the sales this year may not be as expected but it will not be lower than last year.

"Due to global trend, increase in interest rates, turmoil in stock market and other factors, the sales may be lower this year, but it is not alarming as we are confident of maintaining the level," he said.

He said Ford's presence in South and Western parts of the country was good and it was making all out efforts to 'conquer' Northern market by improving service support.

He said Ford India was working towards integration of all the stakeholders to avoid traffic congestion during peak hours by suggesting alternative methods. This involved City transport system, IT companies and other parties concerned so that traffic congestion can be avoided, he said.

Earlier, Mr McCormack claimed that Ford Fiesta diesel model had proved that it can give 33.4 km per litre under real road conditions. This has been achieved by covering 996.7 km from Bangalore to Mumbai in less than 24 hours using only 29.8 litres of diesel and without any modification in the engine.

Autocar India, Auto Magazine, Editor Hormazd Sorabjee said that the purpose of this exercise was taken up not just to create a record but to demonstrate that using the correct driving techniques and a highly fuel efficient car like the Fiesta. Anyone could stretch that litre of precious fuel.

"We had already set a record with Ford Fiesta Duratorq last year," he said.

UNI