We'll launch 3 products in India in 12-18 months: Mark Fields

Interview with President and CEO, Ford Motor Company

Mark Fields, the president and chief executive of Ford Motor Company, was at Sanand, Gujarat, to inaugurate the firm’s second plant in India. He tells Sohini Das that free trade agreements (FTAs) with key nations can help boost exports from India. Excerpts:

Your take on Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s Make-in-India campaign?

We compliment the strategy. Our vision is in five years, we will triple our exports to 50 countries.

Did you discuss FTAs when you had met the PM in June? FTAs with which countries are  crucial?

We have not had a discussion with the PM on FTAs. But as a company, we are always for free trade. Now that we are setting up India as an export hub, we would encourage India to move along FTAs. That would be good for the Indian economy and the Indian consumers. We are willing to do our part. India is having discussions with Europe, which is a large market. If India has free trade with it, it would be better for the country and for us, too, because we have an export hub here. It would help boost our exports from India.

Export target?

We are not giving a number, as the markets go up and down. We export from the Chennai plant to 37 countries.

Are you planning to develop India as an export hub for small cars?

We want to create a centre of excellence in India for small cars.

When you look at our exports going forward, we think India is a good source for low-cost, high-quality products that we can offer to the world.

Has the downturn forced a change in the launch strategy?

You have to look at market trends and how the economy is doing. So, we changed and adjusted our plan. In 12 to 18 months, we’re going to offer three products. We will continue to study things and constantly look at the market place, adjusting our plans and making sure we introduce only focused products that would be successful.