Car Review, Car Sales | Ford India makes two powertrains: Engine energiser | Ford India said it would start making two new powertrains — the heart of a car comprising engines, transmission and other components that power a car — at its Chennai facility to be used in some of its new models, including the latest Ford Fiesta that was launched here at a muted function in the aftermath of the blasts.
The new Ford Fiesta marks the beginning of Ford’s plan to introduce eight global models in the country by 2015.
Ford has invested $72 million in the Chennai engine plant, which will make the powertrains — the 1.5-litre TiVCT (petrol) and the 1.5-litre Duratorq TDCi (diesel). The capacity of the plant has been raised to 3,30,000 units from 2,50,000 units.“It’s a flexi engine plant with the capability to produce both petrol and diesel engines,” said Michael Boneham, president and managing director of Ford India. The current ratio between diesel and petrol engine stands at 60:40.
“We can adjust our production capacity according to the demand. If it’s more petrol engines that the market demands, our plant is geared to handle that,” he said.The two powertrains will be used in the Ford Fiesta, EcoSport and Focus, which are among the wight launches planned by 2015.
“We will be launching a product every 12 to 18 months now. It’s an aggressive policy and we will have to do that if we are to survive in a market that will see 15 million vehicles by 2015,” Boneham added.
Talking on the new product line, Boneham said, “It will be a mix of volume generating products as well as others to cater to a whole cross-section of customers.”
Boneham said Ford was able to gain a foothold with the Figo. “It is obvious that the volumes will be generated in this segment (Figo’s). And it is interesting to note that many of our Figo customers were first-time buyers. It shows that the Indian consumer has matured and is looking for better products with better technology.” - Car Review, Car Sales