The Hindu : Business : Ford launches Fusion diesel variant

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 18, 2007
ePaper

Business

Business

Ford launches Fusion diesel variant

Special Correspondent

Carries a price tag of Rs. 6.59 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

— PHOTO: S. SUBRAMANIUM

STRENGTHENING PORTFOLIO: The Managing Director and President of Ford India, Arvind Mathew, with the Ford Fusion diesel variant in New Delhi on Tuesday.

NEW DELHI: Ford India on Tuesday came out with a diesel variant of its premium hatchback Ford Fusion carrying a price tag of Rs. 6.59 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and gave indications that it is open to the idea of a compact car for the local market. The new diesel variant is powered with a 1.4 litre duratorq engine which qualifies for a six per cent rebate in excise duty on small cars.

“Our customers were demanding a diesel variant of Fusion. Based on their feedback, we are launching the new product,” company Managing Director and President, Arvind Mathew, told reporters here on the occasion of the launch.

The company at present sells a petrol variant of Fusion priced at Rs. 6.41 lakh (on road Delhi).

According to him, the company intends to further enhance its share in the mid-size segment with this new launch.

“At the moment, we are not looking at that price point, we are just looking at a small car. Ford does not have any product in that price range,” Mr. Mathew responded when asked about plans for a small car. He, however, said that the company might consider such a low-cost car coming at $3,000 as announced by Renault-Nissan if “customers demanded for it”. “We are always focused on what our consumers want... if our consumer comes back and says here are the trade-offs, I am willing to make ($3,000 car) and this is what I will accept and live with,” he added.

Tata Motors is planning to roll out a compact car priced at Rs. 1 lakh by the middle of next year. However, he preferred to remain non-committal on the company’s plans if such a scenario were to happen. “At the moment, I am not being categorical, I am very curious to see how this car looks like,” Mr. Mathew added.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Business