Ford India Pvt Ltd has for the first time started exporting cars in a large number from Chennai. It has just exported 158 units through Chennai port to Durban in South Africa and is planning to export more models, especially its proposed small cars.
According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers' (Siam's) data, Ford India between April and June produced 6,752 cars, of which 219 units were exported, through containers in different shipments.
Initially the company is looking at exporting small cars from the middle of next year to countries in the Asia-Pacific and Africa, Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India, told Business Standard. "We are having discussions and intend to export more in the future, provided the infrastructure is set up at the port."
The company's focus markets would be Asia-Pacific and Africa, where the demand is high for small cars. "Europe and the US markets will not be included at this point of time," he added.
"We are looking at increasing the share of exports (from India) once the capacity is expanded. Plus, we will export the small car in the region, apart from petrol and diesel engines," Nigel E Wark, executive director, marketing, sales and service, recently told Business Standard.
