Thursday, July 14, 2011
Car Review, Car Sales | Ford India makes two powertrains: Engine energiser | Ford India said it would start making two new powertrains � the heart of a car comprising engines, transmission and other components that power a car � at its Chennai facility to be used in some of its new models, including the latest Ford Fiesta that was launched here at a muted function in the aftermath of the blasts.
The new Ford Fiesta marks the beginning of Ford�s plan to introduce eight global models in the country by 2015.
Ford has invested $72 million in the Chennai engine plant, which will make the powertrains � the 1.5-litre TiVCT (petrol) and the 1.5-litre Duratorq TDCi (diesel). The capacity of the plant has been raised to 3,30,000 units from 2,50,000 units.�It�s a flexi engine plant with the capability to produce both petrol and diesel engines,� said Michael Boneham, president and managing director of Ford India. The current ratio between diesel and petrol engine stands at 60:40.
�We can adjust our production capacity according to the demand. If it�s more petrol engines that the market demands, our plant is geared to handle that,� he said.The two powertrains will be used in the Ford Fiesta, EcoSport and Focus, which are among the wight launches planned by 2015.
�We will be launching a product every 12 to 18 months now. It�s an aggressive policy and we will have to do that if we are to survive in a market that will see 15 million vehicles by 2015,� Boneham added.
Talking on the new product line, Boneham said, �It will be a mix of volume generating products as well as others to cater to a whole cross-section of customers.�
Boneham said Ford was able to gain a foothold with the Figo. �It is obvious that the volumes will be generated in this segment (Figo�s). And it is interesting to note that many of our Figo customers were first-time buyers. It shows that the Indian consumer has matured and is looking for better products with better technology.� - Car Review, Car Sales
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