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Automaker Ford India to exit Indian market? Read here

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3 years ago

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The Ford India spokesperson sounded quite optimistic when we asked if the company is indeed planning to wind up its operation. The response we got was “We don’t comment on speculations and remain committed to serving our customers in India.”, but there is a possibility that the reality might be different. In order to sustain in a cut-throat market like ours, manufacturers need to up their game significantly. Either you play on the price side wherein the margins are lower but the buying populace perceives the product as quite economical or keep introducing new and feature-loaded cars in the market. Ideally a combination of both works wonders. With the current situation, these seem a bit bleak for Ford India. While the Figo automatic might be launched by the beginning of next month in India, it might be a bit late to the segment which already has the Hyundai i20, Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Volkswagen Polo.
Ford’s two plants – Marimalai and Sanand – are said to be underutilised at the moment. There is speculation that the fast-growing Ola electric branch might want to acquire these and start with their highly ambitious manufacturing plans. Fresh investments will also be a big question for Ford India as globally the Blue Oval has been downsizing and has shut plants in multiple locations. While we did see Ford Ranger Raptor lifestyle vehicles with India-specific temporary number plates on our roads, the launch plans of the same are relatively unclear.

Is Ford India going the GM way? Quite possibly. In early 2015, GM did showcase the India-bound new Cruze globally but shortly thereafter the company had to wind up its sales operations in our country. This is despite Mary Barra, the then CEO assuring that GM is all set to invest in India. Without any new products, investment, or path-breaking technology in its Indian products, Ford India might be looking at the writing on the wall.

Turnaround? Only if Ford gets into a joint venture with some other company wherein the other party brings in investments and optimises the existing production lines. The Mahindra bit could have pulled Ford out of the brinks in India, however as they say “there is no use crying over spilt milk.” It is also rumoured that Ford India was in talks with many other players for a JV but the conversations seem to have had no concrete conclusion. We also appreciate the fact that the Blue Oval has continued with its diesel engines post the BS6 implementation, something that biggies like Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Renault couldn’t.

We, at Express Drives, sincerely hope that Ford India quells these rumours and comes out strong. Maybe the boffins sitting at the Detroit office will see merit to invest in our market as well as infuse interest and the only way to do that is by launching products developed for Indian consumers on a regular basis. Resting on the success of a single model at any given time has brought Ford India this far but that strategy might not work any longer.

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Improved version of Hyundai Creta launched in Indian market: Check it out here

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3 years ago

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May 4, 2022

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Hyundai India launched the much-awaited Creta Knight Edition in the country at a starting price of Rs 13.51 lakh (ex-showroom, all-India). This new variant is available in both petrol and diesel engine options and can be had either with a manual or an automatic transmission unit. To read more about the Creta Knight Edition, click here. In addition to this, the company has also introduced a model-year update for the Hyundai Creta with new feature additions.

The 2022 Hyundai Creta is now available in a new Denim Blue colour option and the Highline TPMS is now standard across all variants. The SX (O) trim now also gets a glossy black centre console. Furthermore, the company will offer the iMT option on the 1.5-litre petrol ‘S’ variant to further expand choices for the customers. The new S+ variant powered by a 1.4-litre T-GDi petrol engine with 7DCT now gets an additional set of features, such as –

– Smart panoramic sunroof

– 16-inch black alloy wheels

– Smartphone wireless charger

– Rear Disc Brakes

– Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

– Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)

– Hill start assist control (HAC)

– Paddle shifters

– Metal pedals

– Electric and auto-folding ORVMs

– Power window auto up/down

Mechanically, the SUV continues to be powered by the existing petrol and diesel engine options.

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