Ford Motor Co.’s Indin devision is expected to launch its subcompact car, the Ford Figo next month. With India and China being the primary markets with the highest year on year growth, all manufacturers are ramping up their efforts to profit on the boom.
Why a subcompact car? The statistics show that almost three quarters of all cars currently sold in India are in the subcompact category, which means they measure less than 4000mm in length.
The biggest player in the market is Suzuki which has dominated the Indian market for the last few years with cars such as the Alto, Swift, Ritz and A-Star.
The Indian car market is expected to be about twice the size of the Australian one by the end of 2010, however unlike the Australian market Ford currently only has about a 2 percent market share having sold 24,186 cars during April-January.
That may all change with the launch of the Figo, which we first saw in September last year. The tiny vehicle will be built for the Indian market at Ford’s $500 million facility in the southern city of Chennai.
As part of the process to gain more market share with the Figo, Ford India opened 28 more dealerships on Tuesday, now totalling 164 dealerships across 97 cities.
Nonetheless the race is on with General Motors having already launched the Beat in India, while the Volkswagen Polo will go on sale in June and Toyota will launch the Etios towards the end of the year.
Wasn’t this 2nd life Fiesta re-designed by Ford Australia working with Ford of India?
Funnily enough I think I prefer the FIesta! The updated model before the current one though.
Clearly just a last gen Fiesta.
Funnily enough this would probably be a very competive car if sold in the states in the last couple of years.
and still better looking than a getz
What’s an “Indin devision” ?
its a prototype division. yeah im sorry that joke sucked.
Lates hope with so many manufacturers cashing in on the car market boom that it doesnt end up like the insulation boom.
At least the car makers used to make cars before the boom I suppose………That will be the difference
Be ok for $5k, ie a bit more than a Tata Nano….
i bought a star and 2 be very frank this is my fist car ….even i learnt to drive by this car only ….And believe me i feel very confident in handling the car…its so energetic and the prompt response of the engine is really great.
Ford Figo is good overall, excpet for the below mentioned factors:
AC Compressor right behind the front grill – very prone to damage even in a minor bump
Sluggish pickup in 1st & 2nd Gear – alomost to the point of engine stalling, very frightening in Indian Cirty Driving & Traffic conditions
Shifting Gears is not so smooth
Low mileage on Highway – only 12 Kms approximately
Low Road Clerance for driving over Bangalore Road Humps – scrapes the Hump very easily if not taken over the hump very very carefully at dead slow speeds
Headlight – not so bright as required
Windscreen reflects the Dash Board that superimposes the image of the Vehicles in front causing co-ordination and distance confusion when maneuvering traffic
I have personally taken up the issue with Ford and the Dealer directly, and they have assure dme to look into the matter and “try” to “rectify” the issue after due testing – hoping they do, if not I have to opt for a change in Car again
Thank you & Regards,
Sudhakar G k
destiny.karmic@gmail.com