Ford India pipped Hyundai Motor in August this year when it exported more cars than its Korean rival, but slipped the next month, enabling Hyundai to maintain its lead over the Indian arm of the American subsidiary during the September quarter. Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) was ahead of the two companies, though the carmaker's exports declined 6.3 percent on a year-on-year basis.
In August, Ford India exported 17,860 cars from India in comparison to 16,506 cars shipped out of the country by Hyundai Motor India. But the Indian subsidiary of the Korean automobile maker was ahead of Ford in July and September.
Ford India exported 13,572 cars in September, 17,860 in August and 10,666 in July, taking its total exports during the September 2016 quarter to 42,098 units.
Hyundai Motor India shipped 16,606 cars in September, while exports in August and July stood at 16,506 and 14,606 cars, respectively, resulting in quarterly exports rise to 47,718 cars.
MSIL exported 61,543 cars during the September 2016 quarter, a decline of 6.3 percent from 65,701 units shipped out of the country in the year-ago period.
The cumulative domestic sales and exports of MSIL stood at 7.05 lakh units, while Hyundai and Ford India sold 1.75 lakh and 66,740 units, respectively during the September quarter.
Ford Motors entered India in 1995 and claims to have invested about $2 billion in the country in manufacturing facilities.
It started operations from an integrated manufacturing facility at Maraimalai Nagar, near Chennai, where the company produces the Ford EcoSport and Ford Endeavour, besides the other models. Its second unit came up in Sanand, Gujarat, in March 2015. The sub-four-metre compact sedan, Ford Figo Aspire, became the first car to roll out from the new Ford Sanand plant where the new Figo hatchback is also manufactured.
In September 2016, production of vehicles rose 11.92 percent to 1,34,21,500 units, while domestic sales grew 16.33 percent to 1,16,52,160 units and exports dropped 10.68 percent to 17,57,281 units, according to data released by industry body, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam).
