Date:25/11/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/11/25/stories/2004112501760300.htm

Back Ford considering diesel version of Fusion — To expand dealer network

Our Bureau

Mr Vinay Piparsania, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, Ford India Ltd, at a press conference in Hyderabad on Wednesday. — A. Roy Chowdhury

Hyderabad , Nov. 24

CONTINUING the roll-out of the Ford Fusion crossover, the recently unveiled Urban Activity Vehicle, Ford India is exploring the possibility of launch of a diesel variant of this vehicle sometime next year and plans to produce 500 more recently unveiled Ikon Anniversary sedans.

The Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, Ford India, Mr Vinay Piparsania, said, "We have not yet finalised any plans to produce diesel variants, since the focus now is on reaching out petrol versions across the country. We could possibly consider this sometime next year.

"In a phased manner, we are introducing Fusion and bookings have commenced. We expect deliveries to take place in December. Initially, we plan to produce about 500 Fusions a month and gradually increase it to about 1,000 a month next year. Depending upon the demand, this could possibly go up to 1,500 a month."

After announcing the simultaneous launch of yet another dealership, Fortune Ford, here today Mr Piparsania told presspersons that, "we are continuing to expand our presence across the country with more dealers. We have 90 now in 70 cities and towns across the country and expect to take this number to 105 in 85 cities by first quarter next year."

"Running in two shifts, we expect to produce 60,000 vehicles and out of this 30,000 Ikon's would be for the domestic market and about 24,000 for export market including to South Africa and other countries. We produce about 200 Endeavours a month. In all, this would mean an increase of about 20 per cent in overall production over last year. With expanded range, we are currently commanding about 15 to 18 per cent market share in the `C' segment cars out of overall market size of about 150,000 cars," he said.

"Within the high-end sports utility vehicles (SUVs), we have garnered a big share and thus far have marketed about 2,050 Endeavours in the country.

"With the launch of Fusion, we have created a new segment in itself through a crossover between a sedan and SUV, and we expect this would be an ideal foil for the urban busy commuter. Fusion variants are priced at Rs 6.2 lakh and Rs 6.95 lakh respectively (ex-showroom) in Hyderabad," Mr Piparsania explained.

With regard to the Ford Anniversary Ikon model currently on offer, Mr Piparsania said, "We had planned to produce about 500 cars coinciding with the fifth anniversary of Ford in India. The response has been encouraging and we expect to produce them in December as well to cater to the demand for the model."