Ford India rolls out second-gen Figo hatchback; kicks off exports to Mexico, Middle East, Africa

Ford India has just rolled out its second-generation Figo hatchback which becomes the next model to be manufactured at the company’s new Sanand facility in Gujarat.

Launched in both petrol and diesel variants, the Figo carries an introductory price ranging from Rs 429,900 for the base 1.2-litre Ti-VCT petrol version to Rs 691,960 for the 1.5-litre Ti-VCT petrol trim (AT) while the 1.5-litre TDCi diesel ranges from Rs 529,900 to Rs 740,600 (ex-showroom  Delhi).

Interestingly, even before its commercial rollout in India, exports of the second-generation Figo hatchback have kicked off a couple of weeks ago. Nigel Harris, president and managing director of Ford India, confirmed to Autocar Professional that the first vehicles of both the four-door and five-door Figo hatchback in petrol and diesel have been shipped to Mexico, Middle East and Africa. “Over the next 12 months we will ramp up further, when the second shift comes up early next year. At present we are recruiting for the second shift for the Gujarat plant.”

He expects the numbers of the Figo to come up strongly in the Indian market as well as he says that with a brand new car and brand new plant, new workforce with bright people in the Gujarat facility Ford India is sitting in a pretty strong position.

The carmaker has already sold 5,500 units of the Figo Aspire that it launched last month and with two new models coming before the festive season, Harris is bullish of rising footfalls at Ford dealerships.  “The festival season normally gives a boost of about 20 percent. The key is that the customers have actually loved the Aspire car and with the new Figo we expect a very big jump in volumes.”

Available in six trims, Base, Ambiente, Trend, Trend Plus, Titanium and Titanium Plus, customers will have the choice of a new improved 1.2-litre petrol delivering a mileage of 18.16kpl and the 1.5 TDCi diesel delivering 25.83kpl. The Figo will also come with a six-speed powershift automatic transmission paired with a 1.5 Ti-VCT petrol delivering a mileage of 17kpl.

The model is equipped with a driver airbag as standard. From the second variant onwards, the Figo will offer standard dual front airbags across the entire line-up and with up to 6 airbags including curtain and side airbags for the top end. 

Some first in the segment features will be connectivity solutions like My Ford dock and Sync with Ford Applink to keep drivers connected.

Recently Ford India had announced its plan to invest further in Chennai in enhancing its manufacturing capability as well as growing its engineering and technology centre. Harris said, “We are still in discussions on key items of the memorandum with the Tamil Nadu government. Chennai is an important market for us and we plan to grow our business and technology services all over the world. Early next year the investment in the project will be announced.”