Team-BHP - Ford to start export of cars made at Sanand to Europe

Ford has revealed that it will start exporting cars produced at its manufacturing facility at Sanand in Gujarat to Europe. The company builds the Figo Aspire and Figo hatchback at the Sanand plant.

Ford started export of the Figo in August this year. The first batch of cars contained 1,300 units.

The Sanand facility is Ford's second plant in India. The company has invested $ 1 billion in it. The facility is spread over an area of 460 acres and has an annual production capacity of 2.4 lakh vehicles and 2.7 lakh engines. At present, cars made here are exported to Mexico, the middle-east and South Africa.

The Sanand plant initially churned out 250 units per day. Now, this number has been increased to 400 units per day. The plant is operating on a single shift, is capable of expand if needed.

At present, Ford exports cars to 40 countries from India. The Sanand plant is expected to enable the manufacturer to triple its exports from India in the next five years.

Source: ET Auto

Ford has commenced exporting the "Made in India" Figo to Europe from it's Sanand plant.

A search on Zauba reveals multiple export consignments of the Ford Figo (to be rebadged as the Ka+ for Europe) to various destinations in Spain, Belgium and Germany. All models are equipped with the 1.2L petrol engine under the hood.

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This is in line with Ford's goal to triple exports from India in the next five years.

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Quote:

The Ka+’s prices start from 9,990 euros (Rs 7.46 lakh) in Germany, Spain and Belgium, while the UK prices start at 8,990 pounds sterling (Rs 7.96 lakh), where the official launch is slated in October.

The Ka+ to be sold in Europe is the third Ford model to sport the Ka badge but it is quite different from the first two following a comprehensive change in Ford’s thinking about how to make money from small cars.

The latest-generation Ka+ is all Ford, but it achieves economies of scale because it is already a volume-selling model in India and South America.

Unlike the model sold in India, the Ka+ for Europe has been heavily revised, with standard equipment which includes six airbags, Ford’s Sync voice-activated phone and audio system, a smartphone docking station, a speed limiter and hill start assist.

The car is being offered with one five-door hatchback bodystyle, in two trim levels, Style and Zetec. It is powered by the 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine, which is closely related to the 1.25-litre engine found in the Fiesta, but is cheaper to make. The Ti-VCT petrol engine is available with two outputs of 70hp and 85hp, respectively.

Zauba

Autocar Professional

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenAvi (Post 4027301)

The prices appear comparable to Indian Figo prices. However, as usual, Indian customers are given short shrift as the best is reserved for the European (and other like) customers. Look at the standard equipment mentioned. Why do car companies do this? Is the Indian's money of less consequence or less attractive?:Frustrati

It's always nice to see cars exported from our country. Hope the new Ka is a success in EU.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilful (Post 4027312)

However, as usual, Indian customers are given short shrift as the best is reserved for the European (and other like) customers. Look at the standard equipment mentioned. Why do car companies do this?

The eventual price paid for a car by the end customer over here constitutes of roughly 50% tax, both direct and indirect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deetjohn (Post 4027443)

It's always nice to see cars exported from our country. Hope the new Ka is a success in EU.

The eventual price paid for a car by the end customer over here constitutes of roughly 50% tax, both direct and indirect.

Ok - so that means even at the same price, the nett realisation of companies would be lower in India?
I wonder what the tax element would be in Europe & UK. Would be interesting to know what the extra realisation would be - esp in this case where the customer pays virtually the same.