Brakes on Figo & Figo Aspire sales over software worry

Probe to determine future of these Ford models that make up half of its domestic share

American carmaker Ford has told its dealerships to stop sales of its Figo and Figo Aspire models, on concerns related to the software used in the car.

The order came last week and could be followed by a recall. The two products, launched in the second half of 2015, accounted for close to half of its domestic sales volume last year.

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“We have issued a dealer demonstration and delivery hold notice as we investigate a software concern related to the Restraints Control Module with the Figo and Figo Aspire. Ford remains committed to delivering world-class quality vehicles to our customers...dealer demonstration and delivery holds are common practice in the industry while a company investigates a concern,” said a Ford India spokesperson, in response to Business Standard’s queries.

BUMP AHEAD

• Sales of Figo and Figo Aspire completely stopped at dealerships
   
• Ford investigating software concern in these
   
• 38,000 units of Figo, Figo Aspire sold in domestic market, another 27,000 exported in FY16
   
• The Figo Aspire was its first compact sedan in India and launched in Aug, and the new Figo was launched in Sept

In October last year, German carmaker Volkswagen had asked its Indian dealerships to stop deliveries of its Polo hatchback for technical reasons.

The Ford spokesperson said the investigation’s findings would determine the next course of action. The company did not specify the number of vehicles that could be impacted due to the software issue and whether the issue concerned only domestic sales. Both models are being made at the company’s second plant at Sanand (Gujarat), which became operational last year. Its two utility vehicles, EcoSport and Endeavour, are manufactured at its Chennai factory.

The Figo Aspire was its first compact sedan in India and launched in August 2015. The new Figo, replacing the earlier model, was launched in September. Both cars offer advanced features such as the Ford Sync, a factory-fitted and integrated in-vehicle communication and entertainment system. Sync has an emergency assistance facility, too.

With a market share of close to three per cent, Ford is seventh in the home car market. Domestic sales in the year ended March 2016 grew a little over six per cent, to 79,944 units. Exports grew 36 per cent, to 110,840 units.