Ford India emerges as largest exporter of cars in February

Ford India, the seventh largest player in the domestic passenger vehicle market, has emerged as the largest exporter in the month of February. The company shipped more cars than Hyundai and Maruti, the two top exporters in the April-February period.

With its low single-digit growth and expanded capacity following the commencement of Gujarat plant last year, exports have become critical for Ford. The American car maker shipped 11,823 vehicles to more than 50 destinations last month.

Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest car maker shipped 9,336 units while its nearest competitor Hyundai exported 9,013 vehicles.

Hyundai has remained the largest exporter for the past few years. In the April to February period of the current financial year, the Korean car maker has exported 151,970 units, way ahead of Maruti's 113,447 units and Ford's 97,202 units.

Unlike Hyundai and Maruti, Ford exports significantly higher units compared to its domestic sales. The car maker is focusing on export to have a reasonable capacity utilisation and bring greater economies of scale.

Both Hyundai and Maruti have seen a high double digit domestic sales growth this year and have accorded a greater priority to local demand.

Ford India Limited