The Hindu : New Ikon variant

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 17, 2003

Business

Business

New Ikon variant

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI JULY 16. Ford India today unveiled a fully loaded luxurious car, Ford Ikon NXT SXi. It will have two power train options — the 1.6 petrol and 1.8 diesel engines. The Ford Ikon NXT SXi model, it is claimed, will have several enhanced exterior features.

The Ford Ikon NXT SXi 1.6 SXi petrol will be available at Rs. 6.46 lakhs in Chennai, Rs. 6.44 lakhs in Bangalore, Rs. 6.46 lakhs in Delhi and at Rs. 6.77 lakhs in Mumbai.

The Ford Ikon NXT 1.8 SXi diesel will be available at Rs. 7.06 lakhs in Chennai, Rs. 7.04 lakhs in Bangalore, Rs. 7.06 lakhs in Delhi and at Rs. 7.40 lakhs in Mumbai. Ford Ikon NXT SXi will be available in three colours — oyster, panther black and silverstone.

Addressing a press conference here today, David Friedman, Managing Director and President of the company, said the localisation of gearbox and engine would result in cost savings that would bring benefits to customers.

Quizzed if Ford India would drop prices of varied Ikon models now that the localisation of gearbox and engines had gone up to about 90 per cent, Mr. Friedman said customers would definitely get enhanced value proposition.

"This will enable us to offer greater value at specific price points," Vinay Piparsania, Vice-President (External Affairs), and Director (Sales Operations), explained.

To a question, Mr. Piparsania said Ford India had thus for shipped out 77,000 units since it commenced exports in October 2000. Last year, it exported 27,500 vehicles.

Till June this calendar year, Ford, he claimed, had exported 14,500 numbers. Mr. Piparsania hoped that Ford India's sales would grow about 10 per cent this year.

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