How many Ford dealerships are there in India?
There are currently no official Ford dealerships operating in India. Ford Motor Company has exited the Indian market, halting local vehicle sales and manufacturing, and the brand’s formal retail network in the country has effectively disappeared. This article explains what happened, the current status, and what it means for owners and potential buyers.
Timeline of Ford’s Exit from India
To understand the current landscape, it helps to review the key milestones that led to Ford’s withdrawal from the Indian market:
- September 2021: Ford announces it will cease manufacturing and selling vehicles in India, signaling a shift in its regional strategy.
- 2022: Ford completes the wind-down of its local operations, winding down manufacturing and scaling back local sales activities.
- Post-exit: The company reduces its visible presence in India, with after-sales support and spare-parts logistics transitioning to a much smaller footprint or external arrangements.
In short, the formal Ford dealer network that once sold and serviced Ford vehicles in India no longer operates as of 2024.
Current Dealership Status
There are no official Ford showrooms or dealerships for new car sales in India today. The brand’s formal sales and manufacturing presence in the country has ended, and the remaining footprint is not a branded, full-service dealer network.
Overview of the current landscape:
- No authorized Ford sales or service dealerships operate in India.
- Any remaining after-sales support for Ford owners is limited and may be provided through non-brand partners or independent service centers, with variable access to parts.
- For prospective buyers, Ford-branded new car options are no longer available in the Indian market; alternatives from other manufacturers dominate the landscape.
For current Ford owners, the lack of a branded dealership network means relying on non-brand service options and carefully sourcing parts where possible. Prospective buyers should consider other brands that have active local networks.
What owners should know
If you already own a Ford vehicle, verify service capabilities and parts availability with local workshops and independent suppliers. For new purchases, explore current options from other automakers that maintain an active presence in India and offer local service and parts support.
What this means for the Indian auto market
Ford’s exit reflects broader shifts in the Indian automotive sector, where global automakers continually reassess presence amid competitive pressure, regulatory dynamics, and supply chains. The departure leaves room for other brands to expand and potentially fill gaps in mid-range segments, while Ford owners navigate a more fragmented post-sale ecosystem.
Summary
As of 2024, Ford does not operate official dealerships in India. The company ceased local manufacturing and sales in recent years, resulting in a non-branded or minimal-aftercare footprint rather than a traditional Ford dealership network. Owners and buyers in India should rely on non-brand service options and consider alternative brands for new-car purchases, while staying informed about any changes in parts availability or support for existing Ford vehicles.
How many Ford cars are there in India?
Ford's facilities in Chennai, Tamil Nadu and Sanand, Gujarat have a combined manufacturing capacity of 6.1 lakh engines and 4.4 lakh vehicles.
Is there a Ford company in India?
Today, Ford India's integrated manufacturing facility at Maraimalai Nagar, near Chennai, produces award-winning range of products including the Ford EcoSport and Ford Endeavour. The world-class manufacturing plant in Sanand manufactures Ford Figo, Ford Aspire and Ford Freestyle.
Why did Ford leave India?
Ford left India due to chronic losses, with the company accumulating over $2 billion in losses in a decade, which was driven by a persistently low market share and a failure to compete effectively. Key factors included a misreading of the Indian market, a lack of competitive products that appealed to price-sensitive buyers, and an inadequate focus on mileage and features compared to rivals.
Financial and market-related issues
- Persistent losses: Ford lost over $2 billion in India over 10 years, making the operation unsustainable.
- Low market share: The company's market share had dropped to a mere 1.75% by 2021, a significant decline from its previous peak.
- Lack of expected growth: The Indian car market did not grow as projected, and was dominated by low-cost vehicles from competitors like Suzuki and Hyundai.
- High cost of ownership: Ford vehicles were perceived as having a high cost of ownership due to expensive maintenance and repairs, which hurt resale value.
Product and strategy missteps
- Uncompetitive product lineup: Ford failed to produce models that resonated with Indian consumers, such as being late to market with entry-level cars.
- Poor feature and pricing strategy: While focusing on safety and build quality, Ford was perceived as "penny-pinching" by removing features that competitors offered. For example, higher taxes on engines over 1.2 liters made automatic versions prohibitively expensive, as shown in the case of the Figo.
- Lack of marketing support: Key product launches were often overshadowed by competitors, indicating a failure to build marketing buzz around their vehicles.
- Failed joint venture: A planned joint venture with Mahindra & Mahindra was canceled in 2020, ending a potential path to a more competitive future.
Strategic shift by Ford
- Focus on profitability: Ford's exit reflects a broader global strategy to shift focus from market share and volume growth to profitability, even if it means shrinking its international presence.
- Prioritizing core markets: The company is now prioritizing its most profitable markets, like North America, where it focuses on high-margin products like SUVs and trucks.
Does Ford have showrooms in India?
Ford has 374 authorized showrooms across India. Here is a list of dealer showrooms in various states and cities.
