US automotive giant Ford Motor plans to draw from the low-cost techniques mastered in India to maintain its competitive edge in other markets.
This is set to be an emulation of the strategy used by its Asian rivals reportedly outshining automobile major in that country, a Reuters report said. Indian market is dominated by Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor.
Ford's B-car program in Asia Pacific head John Lonsdale said: "We are being challenged to find engineering solutions at lower costs than we have traditionally been able to do... This market, probably even more than Brazil, is demanding cost strategies and cost structures that are lower than anywhere else."
Ford managed to sell 75,000 cars in India last fiscal, a figure stated to be too small when compared to that of Maruti Suzuki. It reportedly has 3% market in overall passenger vehicle segment.
Ford eyes raising market share with its India-specific Figo Aspire, riding high with its fuel-efficient engine, in Africa and Southeast Asia.
Ford remain tightlipped about the cost of Aspire, with executives divulging that 80% of car had been made locally to keep the price at a lower range.
