[johannskaria]

Wasan Ford which is located in Chembur and Marine lines regions of Mumbai and one of the first dealers of Ford is winding down their operations. 'It is a management decision, we frankly don't know anything more.' is the official explanation given to customers . But an anonymous source quoted low dealer margins and high investment targets as the reason for the management decision. Their sales outlet is no more taking new bookings/enquiries and only handful bookings remains to be fulfilled. The service outlet though will be open till July.The employees of the Ford dealerships is on the process of being shifted to both Wasan Toyota and Wasan Tata respectively .

From their webpage :-

Wasan Ford is a Authorized Dealer for Ford India Pvt. Ltd., since 1996 and is the First Dealer in Mumbai.

Our Achievements
Distinction in highest number of Ford Escort bookings.
Award for 1st dealer to complete sale of 1000 Escort cars in india in the year of 1997.
Award for 1st dealer to complete sale of 2000 Escort cars in india in the year of 1998.
Appreciation certificate for being 2nd highest dealer in selling 3000 Ford Ikon cars in the year 2001.
First Dealer in Mumbai to achieve Quality Care Accreditation as per Ford Asia Pacific Standards and benchmarks in January 2003 & 2011
First dealer in Western region to achieve certificate for selling 5000 Ford Ikon cars in India in August 2003.
Dealer to achieve certificate for selling 10000 Ikons.
Winner of All India National Skill Competition Award in 2007 & 2009.
Best Workshop Award March 2012.
Best Service Advisor West Zone March 2012.
Best CVP performance Tier 1 , year 2013.
'A'Grade in the Quality Care assessment for the year 2013

They've put up their brand new 2015-2016 model year entire demo vehicles up for sale. And have already sold the Figo 1.2 Manual (P) and Figo 1.5 Auto (P).
2015 Figo Diesel 3000km Titanium is being quoted 5.5lacs
2011-12 Figo Diesel 66000km 2.5Lac
The picture list of unsold demo vehicles are as below :-

[lamborghini]

And there goes Ford's only presence in South Mumbai.

Shaman Ford, Wasan Ford, etc. were amongst the better Ford dealers in Mumbai, and it is sad to see them shutting shop.
In fact, was very happy with them during one of the last services of our Classic Fiesta. Their response and mannerism's were far better than many premium dealerships.

Small details such as sending a formal apology letter for a part that was not in stock, coupled with feedback calls & timely updates set them apart from some of the other dealers.

In hindsight, happy that we didn't book the new Fiesta. Would have been a pain sending it for a service nearly 2 hours away from home, to a dealership with unknown service levels - especially given some poor experiences faced by BHPians and friends recently.

[johannskaria]

Originally Posted by lamborghini

In fact, was very happy with them during one of the last services of our Classic Fiesta. Their response and mannerism's were far better than many premium dealerships.

Would have been a pain sending it for a service nearly 2 hours away from home, to a dealership with unknown service levels - especially given some poor experiences faced by BHPians and friends recently.

Have same positive experience with them for the past 3 years. And that was one of the primary reason that led to a new Figo for my grandparents. Sad to see such people go from Ford dealership network.

[GTO]

I'm surprised Wasan is letting go of Ford and not Tata. The EcoSport (after the price cut) has lots of potential, while the Endeavour is a pretty hot item. In fact, Wasan had even gone on record stating that its Tata dealership is loss making (related article).

It's definitely Ford's loss. I'm surprised they didn't give Wasan enough carrots to stick around. Mumbai is a huge market and Ford now doesn't have any dealers in central & south Mumbai. Ford's only retail locations are in Goregaon & Malad (far suburbs).

Once you lose a dealer in proper Mumbai, it's very difficult to get new ones onboard. The real estate costs make it a prohibitively expensive investment.

Sad state of affairs. No different for Nissan, Fiat & some other brands too. In a market as fierce as this, the big keep getting bigger and the small....smaller.

[arnabchak]

Originally Posted by GTO

Ford's only retail locations are in Goregaon & Malad (far suburbs).

Ford has also started a small outlet in Thane on GB Road.

Satyam Ford is on one of the service lanes in Manpada and occupies a blink and you miss showroom.

Sad state of affairs as Wasan was presumably one of the better dealers of Ford.

[Sheel]

With a new dealership in a small place like mine, it is surprising to note a dealer of repute turning away from Ford. In my books, Ford has decent sales and are doing the nos [for profits] All of its cars are doing good, might be some other reason or a conflict of ego [my guess, between management & Ford]

[ghodlur]

I had some sweet memories when I had bought my Fiesta from Wasan Ford when they were operating in Thane. The SA was all the way helping during the buying process. Even the Ford workshop was very cordial in their attitude during my service visits. Its sad to to know Wasan is exiting in Ford business. With so much firsts to their credit, Ford is going to find it tough to find an equal service provider for the Central suburbs.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Sheel

All of its cars are doing good, might be some other reason or a conflict of ego [my guess, between management & Ford]

Nope. The new Figo & Aspire are sliding down a slippery slope. Unless Ford puts in corrective measures (discounts have already begun), the two are officially flops. It's only the EcoSport & Endeavour that have potential.

I agree with you; it's definitely a dispute on another topic. Future investments in the dealership perhaps? Or Wasan must have just gotten another brand's dealership which will give him more volume.

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by GTO

The EcoSport (after the price cut) has lots of potential, while the Endeavour is a pretty hot item.

It's definitely Ford's loss.

The EcoSport has been a winner and even though it faces stiff competition now, the price cut is a great move by Ford to combat the new cars in this segment.
The Endeavour too is a great product that is decently priced. The previous endeavour had a great fan following, we bought 4 in our family over the years right from the first day the Endeavour was launched in India. All of them were bought from Wasan Ford which offered great customer support. Have fond memories of taking delivery of the second Endeavour to be sold in Mumbai.
The new Endeavour would have a similar fan following and contribute a much higher margin to the dealers given the high price tag.

[johannskaria]

Originally Posted by GTO

I'm surprised Wasan is letting go of Ford and not Tata. In fact, Wasan had even gone on record stating that its Tata dealership is loss making

It's definitely Ford's loss. I'm surprised they didn't give Wasan enough carrots to stick around.

Originally Posted by GTO

Nope. The new Figo & Aspire are sliding down a slippery slope. It's only the EcoSport & Endeavour that have potential.

I agree with you; it's definitely a dispute on another topic. Future investments in the dealership perhaps? Or Wasan must have just gotten another brand's dealership which will give him more volume.

It seems Wasan Tata was successful in reducing its losses to a large extend and has made the business a sustainable one. And its not the new launches of Tata which is doing the job rather its the old work horses like the Indica and Indigo which are keeping the wheels turning. The big growth of new age taxi business has helped them to sell and service them in huge numbers. The sprawling Tata service centre took me totally by surprise.

A total loss for Ford, considering the no of positive response I've seen on the thread.

It seems Ford was happy with the number of Figo and Ecosport sales at Wasan. And the targets were consistently met. Wish Ford could've done a little more to keep them around.

The investments are being diverted to a new Toyota dealership at Chembur with an eye on upcoming Innova and Fortuner. The said dealership will be located at Wasan House,Sindhi Society, CST Road, Near Chagan Mitha Petrol Pump, Chembur(East) where Spectra motors (Maruti Suzuki) is currently residing. The Spectra motors is moving to a new location nearby.

[gishu]

No other way of putting this... i felt myself sinking into the ground when I heard it from the reception @ wasan. They're operational till July. Parts have to be explicitly fetched as well (sans the usual ones used in service)

I was booking my fourth annual service for my beloved 2012 new fiesta - it's my first car and have pampered it so far.. the car has been a dream as well. I drove every year from Thane to Deonar for Wasan because of their professionalism.

I cancelled my appointment.. looked for options.. but again changed my mind -going back to wasan tomorrow. I have no info on Satyam Ford Thane - the new one on the block - wary of handing her over.

Will hope/pray something changes in the coming year... or Ford patches up with Wasan again (please god or ford fix this!!!). It's horrible how good cars are being run into the ground like this - what happens to all the Ecosports out there.. Deeply saddened.

[krishtk]

Hi

I find gaps in the pricelist of spares in their website and the one that they quote in their showroom. Also they sell the sony audio system xav w4650bt for Rs 29000 while the same is available in the market for Rs 16000. Am I missing something ?