Backed by the success of its mid-size Fiesta sedan, Ford Motor India — a 100 per cent subsidiary of US car manufacturer Ford Motor Corporation — has introduced a cheaper version of the sedan in the Indian market dubbed ‘Fiesta Classic’.
“Fiesta Classic represents the appropriate product in the mid-size segment,” the company Managing Director, Mr Michael Boneham, told reporters here today after unveiling the car.
He reiterated that the new Fiesta Classic would not clash with the Global Fiesta, which is expected to be out soon during the middle of this year.
The new Fiesta is available in both petrol and diesel versions. The petrol variant with a 1.6-litre engine would be immediately available at Rs 5.58 lakh, while the diesel variant with a 1.4-litre engine would be available at Rs 6.05 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai).
The Ford Fiesta Classic would be available in three variants — the LXI, CLXI and SXI. The company introduced the Fiesta, produced from its manufacturing facility at Maraimalai Nagar, near Chennai, in 2005.
Mr Michael Boneham said the plant would attain full capacity soon with the double shift operating at 1.5 lakh units.
The Ford India Executive Director, Mr Nigel E. Wark, told PTI later that they have not “stripped off” any features from the present Fiesta. “This product is focused on (car) boot lovers,” he said.
On the company’s growth plans, he said between March 2010 and March 2011, it witnessed a growth of 15 per cent last year.
On exports, Mr Boneham said the company would target 50 different markets this year. Figo, the hatchback model, was already exported to South Africa. “This year it will also be exported to Mexico, North Africa and the Carribbean region,” he said.