India-made Figo to be exported to 50 intl mkts by yr end

Ford India, subsidiary of US carmaker Ford, today said it aims to accelerate export of India made-Figo to 50 international markets by this year end, from current 34. Figo continues to be a favourite in export markets.

The company has exported 2,389 units this month including to a new market Lebanon, an official said, on the sidelines of foundation stone-laying ceremony of Ford's integrated manufacturing facility here. "We are exporting Figo to Mexico, Caribbean, UAE, and parts of North Africa. The vast majority goes to similar markets like India, as they too need small cars like India does," President and Managing Director, Ford India, Michael Boneham said.

In addition to South Africa and Nepal, Figo is being shipped to countries like Angola, Bermuda, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. "We have already gone to 34 different countries and aim to export to 50 nations by end of this year, many of them being similar countries," Boneham said.

Ford is undergoing the largest growth in manufacturing capacity such as witnessed in last 40-50 years. "Most of it is occurring in the Asia Pacific region, as new manufacturing lines are coming up in China, Taiwan, Thailand and at Sanand," Boneham said, adding that the facility in Sanand will play a critical role in growth.

Foundation stone for USD one billion manufacturing facility, expected to go on stream in early 2014 and to create 5,000 jobs, was laid here today. Sanand facility, spread across 460 acres, has capacity of producing 2.40 lakh cars and 2.70 lakh engines a year. It has attracted 19 world class suppliers so far at the vendor park, coming up on a separate 150 acres of land.