Ford India capped a successful year in which the Figo became the country's most awarded car ever to deliver 15 percent full-year sales growth, topping the single-digit industry growth.
From January to December 2011, the company sold 96,270 domestic wholesale units, providing further evidence that Ford's fuel-efficient and best-in-class vehicles continue to attract large numbers of new-to-Ford customers despite difficult industry and economic conditions.
Ford India also posted its best-ever December sales, with 5,979 vehicles sold, a sharp jump from 4,301 in the same month of 2010.
“It's incredibly gratifying to see that our domestic sales have grown at such a steady pace, particularly given the challenging market environment. Overall, 2011 was a strong and positive year where we crossed many milestones," said Ford India President and Managing Director Michael Boneham.
He said that India also became an increasingly important exporter of Ford vehicles last year, with shipments reaching 22,521 vehicles, almost three times the number exported in 2010. From January to December, Ford's combined sales including domestic wholesale and exports are up 29 percent compared to the same period in 2010.
During 2011, Ford India expanded its export footprint for the popular Figo to 32 countries, with Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast added in December. With Chennai fast emerging as a hub for manufacturing small cars and low displacement powertrains for Ford, the Chennai-built cars and engines have reached several new foreign shores in 2011.
"With work commencing on our second plant in Sanand, expansion of the powertrain facility in Chennai, the launch of the All-New global Fiesta, and Figo's growing popularity in 2011 gave us many proud moments to cherish," said Boneham.
He said Ford India is eagerly looking forward to an exciting 2012, beginning with the Delhi Auto Show, where customers will discover new class-leading Ford products and technologies. Ford India will use the 7-11 January show to preview the second of eight new vehicles that Ford plans to bring to India by mid-decade.
"In 2012, starting with a global vehicle debut at the Delhi Auto Show, we will continue working hard to offer our customers exceptional service, and more fuel-efficient, stylish, affordable vehicles with advanced technologies that they expect from Ford. We look forward to another banner year."
About Ford in India
Established in 1995, Ford India is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader. Ford India manufactures and distributes automobiles and engines made at its modern integrated manufacturing facilities at Maraimalai Nagar, near Chennai. The company’s models include the Figo, Ford Classic, Endeavour and the recently launched All-New global Fiesta.
Ford’s operations in the country also include Global Business Services, comprised of Ford Business Services Center and Ford Technology Services India. Located in Chennai and Coimbatore, these units support Ford globally in the areas of IT, accounting and finance, financial services and automotive operations support, global analytics and engineering services. Ford’s businesses in India employ 10,000 hard-working, dedicated men and women.
For more information, visit www.india.ford.com
