Ford unveils new 'Fusion', aims at jump in sales

New Delhi, Aug 9: Ford India, wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, today launched the all new premium mid-sized 'Fusion' in India, and said it would unveil a CNG kit of the Ikon by the end of the year.

The company, which sold 25,000 units across all segments in 2005, is also aiming to double that number, with a 100 per cent increase in sales this year.

''We have already reached that number of sales as of June this year, and are looking at a 100 per cent year-on-year growth to 50,000 units, primarily attributed to the impressive performance of the sedan Fiesta,'' Ford Marketing, Sales and Service Vice President Scott McCormack told reporters here.

The company is also planning to come out with a CNG kit for the Ikon by the fourth quarter of FY07.

''We will launch the CNG kit for the Ikon by the end of this year. We havent yet decided as to whether the kits will be made in India itself or exported. Discussions are on,'' Mr McCormack said.

The new Fusion, with a 1.6 litre duratec aluminium alloy engine launched today is targetted at modern urban India.

''It will completely phase out the old model. Although the engine remains the same, the new 'Fusion' comes with a compact, bold and global exterior complemented by spacious and preium new interiors,'' Ford India President and MD Arvind Mathew said.

The car is priced at Rs 5.69 lakh (ex showroom Delhi).

The company has a 350-acre manufacturing facility at Maraimalai Nagar, near Chennai with a 1,00,000 unit capacity, out of which 60,000 units cater to the domestic market, while the remaining is used to export assembled kits to South America, South Africa France and other overseas markets.

Ford India commands an 18 per cent market share from the premium mid-size segment including the Ikon, Fiesta and Fusion, and competition in this area comes from Hyundai's Accent, the Honda City and Chevrolet's Aveo.

''A majority of the 18 per cent is attributed to the impressive performance of the Fiesta, launched in October last year, which averages monthly sales of around 2,500-3,000 units,'' Mr Mathew said.

Among the features in the new Fusion are intelligent drive-by-wire technology offering high low-end torque, faster acceleration and superior fuel efficiency, tilt adjustable variable power assist steering, height adjustable front and rear head rests and height adjustable front seat bealts.

Other models sold by Ford in India are Escort, Ikon, Mondeo, Endeavour, Fiesta and the Fusion. The company has 115 dealerships in 79 cities, across the country.

UNI