Ford India to add 1,000 employees this year, ramp up small car project

21 February 2009

Ford India plans to add 1,000 more employees to its India operations this year despite the current auto market slump. The company also said its small car project is well on course and is expected to be launched in 2010.

"We will be continuing with our strategy to enter the small car market by early 2010," Michael Boneham, president and managing director of Ford India, said. "This definitely is a period of slowdown and the double digit growth witnessed over the past few years will not be seen for at least a year," he added.

"This will help Ford India to enter the segment, which accounts for more than 70 per cent of the passenger vehicle market in India," said Boneham.

He said the Ford small car would have more than 80 per cent indigenisation.

For Ford India, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, USA, the move is part of the the plan to attract best talents in the industry.

Ford India already employs around 6,000 staff at various levels across the country.