Ford India reports a positive sales growth in 2009

Exciting product and low cost of ownership efforts delivered robust growth particularly in the last two quarters

Ford India closed the year on a positive sales trend with strong sales contributions witnessed in both quarter three and four of the year which were significantly up by 23%  (selling 8, 025 units) and 22% ( sold 7065 units) respectively year-on-year.

Ford India registered a 3% overall annual growth in 2009 on year-on- year sales performance, selling a total of 29,488 units in this year compared to 28,563 units sold during the previous year.

Nigel Wark, executive director, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford India said, ''It has been an exciting year with stronger sales reported in the second half of the year. Continued product actions of Fiesta and Ikon and the launch of the new Ford Endeavour saw unprecedented interest evinced by customers, making the second half of the year eventful, riding at the back of improved market and customer sentiments.''

Another significant highlight of the year was the noteworthy recognition by actual users of Ford vehicles' quality & performance. While Ford Endeavour was ranked highest for the second consecutive year in the J.D Power Vehicle Dependability in the SUV segment, the Ford Ikon was ranked highest in the J D Power's Vehicle Dependability in entry sedan segment. In addition the Ikon was at the top position by J.D Power's New Vehicle Initial Quality 2009 study.

Ikon showed up in sales performance and did exceedingly well by achieving phenomenal sales growth of 196% over last year.

Together with the new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, enhanced and awarded quality of its vehicles, host of cost of ownership efforts as competitive parts' pricing and customer-friendly after-sales-support initiatives like Roadside Assistance (RSA), Quick Service Process, and increasing sales & service networks, Ford India is marching into 2010 with great confidence and rapidly growing base of delighted customers.

''We are going into the new year with great excitement with these results and will see growing our business significantly in this dynamic market with our new Ford Figo to be launched in early 2010 and making us a significant volume player in India,” concluded Wark.

Editor's Notes:
Established in 1995, Ford India is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader. Ford India manufactures and distributes automobiles made at its modern integrated manufacturing facility, at Maraimalai Nagar, near Chennai. With more than 2300 employees, the company's models include the Ikon, Endeavour and the Fiesta. Ford India is in its twelfth year of operations in the country.

For more information, visit www.india.ford.com