Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Friday, Dec 05, 2003
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Friday, Dec 05, 2003 |
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Cars Corporate - Announcements Ford Endeavour launch delayed Vipin V Nair
New Delhi , Dec 4 FORD India has encountered a delay in the launch of its Endeavour sports utility vehicle (SUV), as the company is yet to receive approval from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). Ford had originally scheduled to roll out Endeavour to dealerships by October-end and start selling the vehicle in November. It is yet to do so. ARAI, a non-profit organisation formed by the automotive industry, is authorised by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway to certify vehicles as fit to be used in the country. According to Mr Vinay K. Piparsania, Vice-President - External Affairs and Director - Sales at Ford India, the homologation at the association is taking "a bit longer than we anticipated". Mr Piparsania said he expected the approval to come in the next one week and sales to start soon thereafter. "We had given the vehicle around July-August for the homologation. We understand it has been in queue at ARAI," he said. The research association Director, Mr B. Bhanot, could not be contacted to get his version on why the delay occurred. An official said a delay could occur if a specification of the vehicle needs to be changed to suit Indian road conditions or if the manufacturer is required to furnish more information on the vehicle. He did not cite any reason for the delay with regard to Endeavour. Ford is importing kits of Endeavour from its plant in Thailand and assembling them at its facility near Chennai. The SUV will have 20 per cent local components. The vehicle, powered by a 2.5-litre diesel engine, is priced Rs 12.90 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The company aims to sell 150 units of the new SUV a month.
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