The US based automobile manufacturer, Ford has announced that it will be tripling the production capacity of EcoBoost equipped Ford vehicles in 2012. Ford’s EcoBoost technology helps in achieving 20% more fuel economy than the conventional gasoline engines of similar power outputs. The EcoBoost achieves this better mileage by using a combination of smaller engine size, a turbocharger and gasoline direct injection technology. Last year, Ford Motor Company was offering only 7 vehicles in its entire product portfolio with EcoBoost engines. But with rising fuel costs and the demand for more fuel efficient engines, Ford will be increasing it to 11 vehicles. The India bound EcoSport will use a 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine which produces 120 PS of power and 170 Nm of torque. This is the smallest EcoBoost engine in the Ford line-up and delivers power of a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated motor.

The company noted that by the end of 2012, 9 Ford models, from EcoBoost to hybrids and from plug-in hybrids to full electric vehicles – will deliver or are anticipated to deliver an EPA-certified 40 mpg highway or higher. Ford’s Group Vice President of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering Sue Cischke commented on this stating that the expansion of EcoBoost and availability of this engine in high volume sellers like the Escape and the Fusion will be taking this affordable, fuel saving technology deeper into the market. The full size sedan, Ford Taurus will be the company’s first vehicle to offer a choice between 2 EcoBoost engines; a 2.0 litre EcoBoost 4 cylinder engine or a 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine.

The 2.0 litre EcoBoost delivers a power output of 237 BHP and returns a fuel economy of 31 mpg while the 3.5 litre V6 delivers 365 BHP delivering 25 mpg of fuel economy. Ford will also fit the 1.6 litre engine in its Escape and Fusion models. With such expansion plans, Ford is aiming to triple its production capacity of cars, utility vehicles and trucks using this fuel efficient technology in 2012 in comparison to sales of 127,883 EcoBoost-equipped vehicles in 2011.

Source – NASDAQ

With the aim of disseminating knowledge about safe, economic and eco-friendly driving, Ford India had launched a special program in India called “Driving Skills For Life” (DSFL) in 2009. It has successfully completed one more year of this highly beneficial program and till date has trained over 2500 drivers alone in the year 2011. The total number of drivers trained through this program till date is over 4300. The Ford DSFL program is mainly a regional program that focuses on helping to combat road fatalities. Ford decided to launch such a program in India since India has the highest motor vehicle injury and fatality rate in the world. The program includes a module on economical driving behavior such as anticipating road conditions, applying fuel-efficient driving techniques, avoiding overspeeding and keeping a vehicle properly maintained for optimal fuel economy.

“It is indeed great to see the expansion of a program all of us at Ford believe in. DSFL is our wholehearted attempt to engage, involve and contribute to spread awareness about the on ground realities of road safety and help communities drive safely. We are all delighted to see such a great response to the program and hope to take it further in the coming year.” Nigel Wark, executive director, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford India, said.

Ford’s DSFL program has become a very popular program and in 2011, as a part of company’s strong commitment to a better society, it was extended to its dealers, customers, fleet partners, influencers and supplier partners. The DSFL program was also taken to customers beyond Chennai to places like Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Chandigarh. Involvement with the dealers and customers also helped the company to foster strong relationship with them in the long run. Major fleet operators like Orix, Arval and Venus Cabs got their drivers trained from Ford’s DSFL program. It also trained a group of drivers of the Indian Army in 2011. Driving Skills for Life is offered free of charge to licensed drivers. The programme, which has been customized to reflect driving and road conditions in India, mixes classroom learning and practical training in a vehicle. For more information on this and how to get into the program, head here.

Ford India’s return to the Auto Expo after a 4-year absence was impressive. The company left no stone unturned to ensure a well laid out show with the EcoSport taking center stage. The 2012 Auto Expo was havoc and mayhem, with kids and their aunties all jumping across vehicles. Amidst all this, Ford was clever to design their exhibits in such a way that bystanders got the best possible view of the Ford vehicles on display. The Ford studio at the 2012 Auto Expo was designed by none other than J Mays who is the Group Vice President of Design and the Chief Creative Officer at Ford globally.

Present at the Ford stand was the Figo, new Fiesta and Endeavour. A interesting wall art of the new Fiesta and Figo caught the eyes of many showgoers. Safe driving games were also a part of the Ford stand as part of Ford’s Driving Skills For Life programme. The Ford EcoSport was unveiled and Ford CEO, Alan Mulally was there to reiterate Ford’s commitment to the Indian market. The unveil video and the note given by Ford executives can be seen and heard in the video below.

Ford had also displayed the body shell of the Fiesta hatchback. The Fiesta is constructed of boron steel and uses ultra-high strength steel to maximize robustness. The Fiesta hatchback is one of the 8 products which Ford will be launching in India by 2015. 2 of these 8 products we are already aware of, one being the new Fiesta, while the other is the EcoSport compact SUV.

Ford has revealed its plans for the 2012 Auto Expo. The American automobile giant plans to make visitors experience at the Ford stand a memorable one by engaging the audience. Taking center stage will be the Ford EcoSport, which will make its global debut at the 1400 square meter Ford stand. The EcoSport is the second of the eight vehicles that Ford India has lined up for market entry by 2015. Based largely on the Fiesta platform, the EcoSport is expected to be priced between Rs. 7-9 lakhs and will rival the Renault Duster. The complete line-up from Ford India will be on display, including the Figo, Classic, new Fiesta and Endeavour.

There will be a large LED screen which will help the audience virtually take control of a vehicle. This will actively involve them to lean on turns to move in the direction of the road. Ford will be taking pictures, which they will add to their Facebook gallery and visitors can tag themselves. A Figo theater will enlighten customers about the Figo’s features. A Quality Touch Table will help people to understand the quality of the materials used in Ford cars, while a Green Touch Table will demonstrate the green technologies used by the company. A Fiesta body shell will be on display too and a local magician will perform to communicate the safety of a Ford vehicle in a engaging manner.

The year 2011 has really been a very tough time for all the auto makers in the Indian market due to a varied range of problems. Very recently we had brought you news about Toyota planning on increasing its car prices by as much as up to 3% due to depreciating value of rupee in the face of yen. Now, other car makers are also feeling the heat of the devaluation of the rupee and taking steps to increase their car prices. Ford India recently made a statement in which it declared that the company is going to increase its car prices by up to 3% from the next month due to the on going devaluation of rupee. Even Hyundai made an announcement of a 1-2% hike in price of its cars due to similar reasons. Both the companies are going to hike its prices from 1st of January, 2012.

“The price increase will come into effect in January, 2012. We are in the process of working out the specific increase on the various models. Broadly, the increase will be 1.5 to 2 per cent across all models. All these factors have now made it very difficult for us to absorb the rising costs,” Arvind Saxena, Director (Marketing and Sales) Hyundai India, said.

Mr. Wark went on to clarify the reason behind the necessity of such a price rise. He stated that though the models like Figo has a high degree of local components yet the suppliers of such components import technology and raw materials from abroad and they are feeling the heat. Also, the overall operating costs of the company have risen in recent months. Ford sells its hactchback, the Figo, the premium sedan the new Fiesta, the Fiesta Classic and the SUV Endeavour. The Figo is priced at Rs. 3.71 to Rs. 5.73 lakhs while the new Fiesta costs at Rs. 8.25 lakhs to Rs. 10.44 lakhs and the SUV Endeavour is priced at Rs. 17.07 to 20.13 lakhs, all prices ex-showroom, Delhi. The company has already increased its prices 3 times in the current year. Other big car makers like Hyundai has already announced to hike prices by 1.5 to 2% from next month. General Motors is also going to increase its prices by 1 to 2% from January while Maruti Suzuki is still considering on the option of a likely price rise.

Ford is holding a special “Midnight Sale” on the 4th of December, 2011. On this day, the company’s dealers will open the showrooms at 8 AM and will only close it at midnight. Ford will offer special discounts along with reduced interest rates to customers. Buyers will also get surprise gifts and have a chance at winning gifts worth upto Rs. 2.5 core. These gifts include BlackBerry phones, LED TVs, DVD players and digital cameras. Some activities which will take place at the showrooms include magic shows, Mehndi and fun games. The activities are being done to actively involve the complete family in the car buying process.

“After last year’s runaway success, we decided to bring back the ‘Midnight-Sale’ considering the needs of those consumers who have been looking at purchasing a car but are hard-pressed for time. The uniquely designed event will make it convenient for them to buy a car besides offering an opportunity to avail great offers and win surprise gifts. This makes it the best day ever to buy a Ford car. One of the many things that make Ford stand apart from others is the driving experience and we will encourage all prospects to take a test drive to experience the joy in driving a Ford car,” Nigel E. Wark, executive director (Marketing, Sales and Service), Ford India, said.

Ford India has expanded its export base by adding three more markets – Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone and Ethiopia. The company now has 30 countries where it exports it’s cars from India. In November, Ford India exported 1769 cars. The company also rolled out four new mobile service cans across four dealerships in Kochi, Madurai, Mysore and Rajkot. Ford is also planning a few surprises at the 2012 Auto Expo, but has not divulged any details regarding the same. Could the launch of EcoSport take center stage at the Ford stall?

“We are nearing the end of a positive year where we continue to see strong customer acceptance of our brands and we are selling more despite challenging market conditions. It is great to see the Figo exported to 30 international markets. We are eagerly looking forward to the Delhi Auto Show in January where there will be many surprises awaiting our customers,” Michael Boneham, President and Managing Director, Ford India, said.

Ford India has not been actively participating in Auto Expos. The American automaker had chosen to remain absent at the 2008 and 2010 Auto Expo but has now confirmed its participation for the 2012 Auto Expo, which will be held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Ford has not disclosed anything about its exhibits at the Biennial event but says the vehicles which they plan to showcase are very relevant to India. Ford plans to launch the cars which they will showcase at the upcoming event, so we know what products to expect from the company within a couple of months.

Ford India had disclosed an onslaught of eight new products by 2015. Since one of the products is already here (the all new Fiesta), it is quite certain the Expo will give us a glimpse of atleast some of the other seven cars. We expect Ford to showcase the Fiesta hatchback and EcoSport SUV to garner interest in the people of India. We also expect Ford to showcase the Mustang (for eye candy) and Ecotech engines (which is the future technology that could power some of the upcoming cars). Could Ford also showcase the Ka, S-Max, Focus and Mondeo at the Expo?

Ford India recently conducted an innovative marketing campaign, which has seen immense success. The Swap Your Drive saw consumer exchange their competitive-make vehicle for a Ford car for a weeks time. This marketing campaign helped Ford in catching surprising real time responses from consumers. The Ford cars used for this campaign were the Figo, Fiesta Classic and the Endeavour. There is nothing better than giving first hand experience to prospective buyers to make their buying decision so much easier.

“Swap your Drive truly justifies Ford India’s attempt to bring consumers to the core of our marketing campaigns to drive real, credible and honest experiences. We aim to usher in a new era of marketing communications where we are co-creating content and building advocates. We’ve felt that challenging people’s perceptions head-on is the best way to transform opinions. Nothing influences a customer’s notions about a car as much as an extensive test-drive and ownership experience and we exactly did that to educate people about Ford products. We’re tapping real people, allowing them to experience our vehicles for themselves and then capturing their enthusiasm for the products. We’re telling the Ford story through the eyes of the people who matter most – real consumers,” Nigel E Wark, executive director, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford India, said.

Ford India broke ground for their new manufacturing facility at Sanand, Gujarat. The company has invested around USD 1 billion for this facility which will manufacture both cars and engines. First batch of cars are expected to be ready by 2014 this facility will initially produce 240,000 vehicles and 2,70,000 engines per year. This facility will also give employment to round about 5,000 people.

“This is an investment in the future of Ford globally. These new state-of-the-art facilities will help us reach the goal of increasing worldwide sales by nearly 50 percent by mid-decade to 8 million vehicles per year. We are aggressively expanding in markets around the world that have the most growth potential, in order to offer more of the fuel-efficient, high-quality vehicles from our global portfolio that customers in markets like India want and value,” Joe Hinrichs, president, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa, said.

Ford which is slowly picking up pace in the market again looks all ready to expand and aims 200 outlets by the end of this year. Thanks to the Figo which has inspired confidence back in the company to expand more. Ironically Ford just has four cars in their portfolio which is the Figo, Fiesta Classic, Fiesta and Endeavour and has planned another 7 cars for the Indian market which is expected to include the Ford Focus and the Fiesta hatchback.