Which was the first Ford car in India?
The Ford Model T is widely regarded as the first Ford car to reach India, arriving in the early 20th century as an imported vehicle. This article traces that moment and follows Ford's evolving footprint in India—from colonial-era imports to a later era of local assembly and, more recently, a significant market withdrawal.
Ford's early entry into India
Ford made its first appearances on Indian roads long before any local manufacturing took root. The Model T, Ford’s pioneering mass-produced car, was shipped to various ports in British India and seen in major cities, signaling Ford’s global reach at a time when automobile ownership was just beginning to take hold in the subcontinent.
The Model T in the subcontinent
Historians and automotive archives commonly point to the Model T as the first Ford model to reach India. It arrived as an imported vehicle, with limited sales and distribution compared with later decades. This period established Ford as part of India’s widening exposure to Western automobiles, even though it would be many decades before a local manufacturing base would be built.
From imports to assembly: Ford's local footprint
After years of importing vehicles for Indian customers, Ford began laying the groundwork for local manufacturing in the country, marking a turning point in its presence in India. This shift reflected a broader industry trend toward local assembly and production to better serve the Indian market and its growing middle class.
Key milestones in Ford's journey in India include:
- Early 20th century: The Model T arrives in India as an imported car, signaling Ford’s initial presence on Indian roads.
- Mid- to late 20th century: Ford maintains a niche presence through imports and distributors, as India’s automotive market evolves.
- 1995: Ford India Private Limited is established in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) to manufacture vehicles for the Indian market.
- Late 1990s to early 2000s: Ford begins locally assembling models built on global platforms, with the Ikon (a Fiesta-based sedan) becoming a notable example of Ford’s local manufacturing push.
- 2021–2022: Ford announces withdrawal from the Indian market and halts manufacturing, marking a significant reorientation of its global strategy. Service and parts support for existing customers continued to some extent after the shutdown of local production.
These milestones chart a long arc—from the earliest Model T sightings on Indian shores to the era of domestic manufacturing, and finally to Ford’s decision to scale back its Indian operations in the early 2020s. The company’s legacy in India remains a notable chapter in the country’s automotive history.
Ford in India today and what happened in recent years
Ford’s entry into India in the 1990s culminated in a manufacturing base in Chennai, enabling locally produced models and a broader market presence. However, in 2021 the company announced a realignment that included stopping local manufacturing and withdrawing from the Indian market as part of a global restructuring. As a result, new-car sales effectively ceased, though the brand’s after-sales support and parts network continued to some extent to serve existing customers and vehicles still on the road.
What this means for buyers and fans
For prospective buyers, the immediate implication was a narrowing of Ford’s new-car options in India. For enthusiasts and owners, the focus shifted to maintenance, spare parts availability, and the ongoing support of existing Ford vehicles through dealerships and authorized service centers until full market withdrawal was completed.
Summary
The first Ford car in India is widely regarded as the Ford Model T, which arrived as an imported vehicle in the early 20th century and marked Ford’s initial presence on Indian roads. Decades later, Ford established a local manufacturing base in Chennai in the 1990s and introduced locally assembled models like the Ikon. In 2021, Ford announced withdrawal from the Indian market, signaling a major shift in its strategy, though the company’s after-sales network aimed to continue serving existing customers for a time. This history highlights a long arc from early imports to domestic production and, ultimately, to market realignment, reflecting broader changes in India’s automotive landscape.
Which year did Ford come back in India?
October 1995
The initial Ford India company was liquidated in May 1953 as a result of severe import restrictions having been enacted. Ford re-entered the Indian market in October 1995 as Mahindra Ford India Limited (MFIL), a 50-50 joint venture with Mahindra & Mahindra Limited.
Which was the first car of Ford in India?
Ford Escort
Ford Escort 1995 to 2001
In 1995, Ford entered the Indian market, with a 51-49% joint venture with Mahindra & Mahindra. This was the time Ford, in collaboration with M&M, launched their first product, the Ford Escort.
Is Ford car available in India?
Ford's product portfolio in India included the Figo, Aspire, Freestyle, EcoSport, Endeavour, and the Mustang.
Is the Tata and Ford story true?
However, behind the success is a story of humiliation that Ratan Tata faced when he went to Detroit for a meeting with the then chairperson of Ford, Bill Ford. Ten years later, Tata would go on to have his own sweet revenge, acquiring Jaguar and Land Rover for $2.3 billion. The year was 1998.
