John Parker, executive vice president, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa made an impassioned speech as he went down memory lane to the time he started Ford in India 12 years ago . He spoke of the significance of the Figo in India and worldwide. “Figo is the foundation stone for the right products that are going to drive our India business forward. So next time we come back, there will be 10,000 people sitting in this room.” And then he challenged us: “When the car rolls out, I want your friends and neighbours who buy it to say, what a great car it is, not just to look at, but what a great car to drive!”
President and CEO Alan Mulally thrilled us when he said, “When you walk into a Ford showroom, you will be able to get every vehicle from there you can dream of,” at the Chennai town hall. “We are going to be best-in-class for every vehicle we make,” he added as 5000 of us from Ford operations in India hung on to every word. And the loud applause resonated with his inspiring assertion, “We are creating a viable Ford together.”
We hope you enjoy the video as much as we enjoyed hearing Mr. Mulally speak!
The Figo reveal has created ripples in the Indian auto industry and the news media. We bring you snippets from the press coverage.
Economic Times leads the way with the headline “India will build Ford’s Figo”, while The Hindu Business Line declares that “Everything about it [Figo] says it is a Ford”. Mintfeatures an in-depth interview with president and CEO Alan Mulally.
Indian news channels covered the unveiling event and interviewed Mr. Mulally. NDTV interviewed Mr. Mulally; so did CNBC TV 18. Mr. Mulally spoke about the small car strategy, his plans for India and Ford being the right vehicle for the Indian customer. ET Now has an on-ground interview with Mr. Mulally on Ford’s multiple global platforms and the role of small cars in our family of vehicles.
The Figo also made it to the international press, with Business Week dubbing the Figo a small car “made in – and for – India”. We couldn’t agree more.
Here are the best moments of our unveiling event yesterday. Watch the Ford Figo drive out for the first time and what president and CEO Alan Mulally had to say about Ford and the new car.
It was an historic moment for Ford today as president and CEO Alan Mulally unveiled our new car in India – the Figo – at a press conference in Delhi. The Figo is Ford’s substantial offering to Indian car buyers, and is scheduled for launch in early 2010.
The excitement among our team grew as journalists from around the world poured into the conference hall. The theme – One Ford, One Vision, One Team, One Moment – became apparent as the events unfolded.
Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India, kicked off the press conference with an insightful introduction to Ford’s $500 million investment in India. “This strategic investment is transforming our India business – into a volume manufacturing and export hub…and a regional center of excellence for Ford small car development and production.”
Mr Boneham called the Figo a game-changer for the India operations. “It will give us competitive muscle in the heart of the India market. And it marks the beginning of a series of new products for customers here,” he envisioned.
Taking over the stage from Mr Boneham, president and CEO Alan Mulally explained the One Ford strategy to the transfixed audience. “The centre of our One Ford plan is developing a full line-up of Ford vehicles across all global markets, in all segments- small, medium and large; cars, utilities and trucks, each of them best-in-class for fuel efficiency, quality, safety and value. Around the world and, particularly here in India, our plan includes accelerating development of fuel efficient, small cars,” he said.
“We know the high importance Indian consumers place on value for money. We know you want quality, fuel efficiency, technology, and safety. And Ford is going to give it to you,” Mr Mulally stated emphatically.
As the new Ford Figo rolled on to stage, Mr Mulally highlighted its important features: “It combines Ford's kinetic design, class-leading interior space, several technology firsts and modern comforts and conveniences that make this car a game-changer.”
Mr Mulally invited senior executives on stage for a photo op with the new Ford Figo- Michael Boneham, John Parker, Sandip Sayal, Tom Chakalakal and Nigel Wark.
As the media steps forward to get a better view of the car, we’d like you to take a closer look as well. Keep reading this blog to get all the dope on the newest member of the Ford family in India- the Ford Figo.
