Ford to Export 10,000 Figos

The very successful launch of the Figo model has long changed the plans American manufacturer Ford had for the model. Soon after the Figo entered the Indian market, the carmaker announced its plans to export the model to no less than 50 countries, including some not traditionally associated with such low-cost models, like the US and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Now, the carmaker announced its export target. According to the Business Standard, the carmaker plans to ship abroad 10,000 units of the Figo by the end of the fiscal year, with the first units already reaching the South African market.

“We have already exported the Ford Figo to South Africa. We expect that it will show similar results in the other markets as well,” Michael Boneham, president and managing director of Ford India was quoted as saying by the source.

The Figo comes equipped with Ford's 1.4l Duratorq common rail diesel engine and a 1.2l petrol SEFI one purpose-built for the Figo. The diesel outputs 69 PS at 4,000 rpm, while the petrol engine develops 71 PS at 6,250 rpm. Both come paired with a 5 speed manual transmission. The model is priced at Rs. 3,49,900 (approx. $7,695) in India.

Last week, Ford announced it is considering a second facility in India, to handle both the production of the Figo and the flood of at least eight models to be launched by 2015 (no details on the new models released yet).

Back in May, the high selling Figo made Ford add a second shift to the Maraimalainagar facility, where the car is built.