More than just a display of its award-winning and segment-leading vehicles, Ford’s stand at the 12th New Delhi Auto Expo 2014 helps to illustrate how Ford India is solidifying its position in the Indian market.
Alongside the global unveiling of the Ford Figo Concept, which is aimed at redefining customer expectations in the B segment, Ford is showcasing its 2014 line-up of the latest models to be available for India, including the new Ford Fiesta. The display reflects Ford’s single-minded focus on meeting the needs of Indian consumers and the company’s commitment to establishing itself as a significant player in the Indian market.
Ford’s commitment to India is clearly shown in the two headline vehicles on the Ford stand. The Ford Figo Concept represents a vision of premium design and segment-redefining smart and safety technologies in a global compact car, without compromising on value or performance. The new Ford Fiesta, with a rejuvenated, stylish and bold design, and more advanced technologies, will continue to appeal to enthusiasts looking for sophisticated design and performance.
“We are absolutely committed to going further to serve our customers in India with a full family of global vehicles,” said Jim Farley, executive vice president, Global Marketing, Sales & Service. “In India and in all of our markets, we are doing this by remaining absolutely focused on the One Ford plan, and offering more segment-leading global vehicles with the utmost in quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value, to serve the needs and desire of our customers.”
The Ford Figo Concept and new Ford Fiesta are accompanied on the stage by the 2014 Ford Endeavour, an SUV built to empower customers with unmatched road presence with its true blue SUV characteristics. Standing for ruggedness, safety and reliability, the 2014 Ford Endeavour sports a fresh new look, with a bold grille and headlamps, and a refreshed interior.
Also on display at the New Delhi Auto Expo, the award-winning Ford EcoSport further shows how Ford has successfully combined global reach with local focus in India. Following its launch in 2013, the EcoSport dominated end-of-year vehicle awards, taking home close to 20 accolades in India alone.
Going further for consumers in India
As it highlights its vehicles’ capabilities, Ford is also working hard to make them more accessible to consumers by reducing total cost of vehicle ownership.
With its new “Happy Pocket Service,” the first service of its kind in India, Ford dealerships across the nation will offer competitive and transparent pricing on scheduled service costs. Happy Pocket Service will give owners incredible value for money and peace of mind, and will be offered through the company’s fast-expanding dealership network, which reaches 274 outlets in 146 cities across India.
Ford is supporting the expanding Indian and global market for small cars with a similarly rapid expansion of its manufacturing presence. Ford has invested $1 billion to establish a new integrated manufacturing facility in Sanand, Gujarat to complement its facility in Chennai, positioning India as a major global hub for the production of small cars. The new facility will more than double Ford India’s annual capacity to 440,000 vehicles and 610,000 engines, helping to drive Ford’s most aggressive industrial expansion in half a century.
“We’re building the factories of the future in India and across the Asia Pacific region to set the stage for turbocharged growth in the coming years,” said Dave Schoch, president, Ford Asia Pacific. “We see India as a pillar of our company’s growth in Asia Pacific, which as a region will account for nearly 50 percent of global vehicle sales by 2020. As we prepare to launch 23 vehicles globally in 2014 – the most in more than a century – we see huge opportunity in India, both as a market and as centre of excellence of manufacturing.”
Set to become operational in 2014, with production beginning in 2015, the Sanand plant is already beginning to ramp up local employment and activities. Last year, Ford India began the first phase of its cohesive community outreach programme in Sanand, to improve access to safe drinking water for children in government-sponsored kindergartens across 70 villages.
“The lasting investments we are making in Chennai and Sanand represent investments in our communities, suppliers and local workforces. We are committed to building on our success in India and continuing to serve our customers, partners and neighbours across the country,” said Ford India President Nigel Harris.
Interactive displays of Ford technologies
Ford’s stand at the New Delhi Auto Expo has been designed to engage visitors with lively and interactive activities demonstrating Ford’s green, safe and smart technologies.
Ford’s leadership as a provider of fuel-efficient, fun-to-drive cars is highlighted with the multi-award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, available in the Ford EcoSport. While it is the smallest engine in its class, Ford’s EcoBoost technology means it produces power equivalent to a traditional 1.6-litre petrol engine, while using 20 percent less fuel and producing just 126g of CO2 per kilometre.
The EcoBoost Touch Table gives visitors a visceral sensation of the power of a turbocharged engine. Featuring two high-powered fans to simulate forced induction, visitors have the chance to take and share souvenir photos showing them being quite literally blown away.
A virtual-reality cricket game also showcases the power and performance of Ford’s EcoBoost engine, while allowing visitors to enjoy the passion and spirit of a game of cricket. Players can hit an “EcoBoost ball” using a virtual “Power and Performance bat” to show off their cricketing skills while learning more about the capabilities of EcoBoost engines.
Accessing your digital world with just the sound of your voice is at the core of Ford’s SYNC® in-car connectivity system. Visitors to Ford’s display can experience this power through a SYNC Driving Game. Using nothing more than SYNC voice commands, visitors can compete against their friends, driving digital racing cars and sharing their scores through email and social media.
Illustrating the flexibility and personalisation possible with SYNC, which allows users to control some of their favourite smartphone apps with voice commands, the Ford display includes a SYNC DJ Booth. Using their mobile phones, visitors can interact with the DJ and request songs.
In Ford’s Safety Zone, visitors have the opportunity to learn about Ford’s advanced safety technologies, including Emergency Assist, which uses SYNC to automatically connect drivers with emergency operators following a serious accident. Visitors can also learn tips on how to be smarter, safer and greener drivers from Ford’s Driving Skills for Life programme.
Other interactive displays at the Ford stand include:
> Blue Oval Card – A digital passport offering a focused, personalised experience you can share with family and friends. Use the card to access relevant content throughout your time on the Ford stand
> Quality Calculator – Use a total-cost-of-ownership calculator to see how Ford technologies such as fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines can save you money in the long run
> “Smart Car” Automoblox – Build your own smart vehicle with specially marked Automoblox
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New fiesta could have a better headlight designs but thats only my thought.
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