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Ford India bets big on ‘Freestyle’ to boost sales, exports
Kolkata, April 30 (IANS) Ford India is betting big on the new compact utility vehicle, Freestyle, and also looking at new launches, locally developed products to boost sales, a company official said on Monday.
“We came out with Ford EcoSport back in 2012 and it happens to be in the mini-utility vehicle (segment). There was no car in the segment when we launched it.
“After this success, we have launched this compact utility vehicle… we are betting big on that to boost domestic sales as well as exports,” said Antony Cherian Kurian, General Manager, Centre of Excellence (Sales, Production and Capacity Planning System), Ford India.
According to him, the compact utility vehicle, which is the “potential area of development”, is in between the mini-utility and high-end hatchback cars segment.
“We are also working on localisation of our products to make them more economical for markets,” he said, adding that two of its plants located at Chennai and at Sanad in Gujarat were not only catering to domestic market but also to overseas.
The carmaker exports its vehicles to Europe and some countries in North America, Middle East and Africa, he said.
Its combined domestic wholesales and exports in March recorded 27,580 vehicles from 24,832 vehicles in the same month last year.
In March, domestic wholesales stood at 9,016 vehicles, up from 8,700 vehicles in the same month last year. Exports in the past month grew to 18,564 vehicles from 16,132 vehicles in March 2017.
Asked about plans for rolling out of facelift versions of its cars, Kurian said: “Some announcements could come by late this year or next year. In terms of (rolling out) facelift, we would be working on Aspire and Figo.
“Our strategy has been to come out with something new and we are working on innovation.”
In the first quarter (January-March) of 2018, the combined domestic wholesale and exports grew by 17 per cent to 74,080 vehicles compared to 63,117 in the first quarter of 2017.
Its combined domestic sales and exports in 2017 stood at 262,784 vehicles compared to 238,098 units in 2016.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.