Ford India will start the commercial production of its small car, Figo, at its Sriperumbudur plant near Chennai on February 05, 2010. The company had earlier signed an MoU with the Government of Tamil Nadu to invest Rs 1,500 crore in the expansion of the Sriperumbudur plant and use the additional capacity to produce the Figo, along with new engines. A company official said that the plant would be inaugurated this week by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and Deputy Chief Minister Stalin.

The US-based Ford Motor did not have any small car offerings in India for a long time, having maintained till sometime back that the country’s growing middle-class would ensure consistently high sales numbers for mid-size and entry level sedans. However, the company has now changed its strategy and is looking to cash in on the rapidly growing small-car segment here. It is confident that the Figo will do well in India with its competitive pricing, interior space, technology and safety. Ford India will be launching a new car every 12-18 months in the next few years. Small cars will account for the bulk of these new launches.

Courtesy: http://www.driveinside.com