Ford focuses on growth in automatics

The company is also revving up construction of its B-car production plant in order to launch the new Fiesta on schedule next year.

Saroch Kiatfuangfoo, senior vice president of Ford Thailand, said Ford sold a total of 2,473 vehicles in the first quarter of this year, which is lower than it did during the same period last year.

This is due to slow delivery of the Focus passenger car to dealerships, he said.

"By the time the Focus arrived at dealerships, it was already February so we missed a good chunk of January sales. However, sales are expected to expand in the second quarter," he said.

Saroch said the Ranger Wild Trak model is gaining popularity from the upper market while competition in the Bt500,000 neighbourhood pickup market has grown intense.

"And although auto sales in the first quarter appear to have grown, with total sales increasing by 16.3 per cent and passenger car sales increasing by 39 per cent, there is a slide in the last two months of 2007 since consumers held back purchases for E20 models which enjoyed excise tax cuts due to government promotion," he said.

Saroch said there were still many negative factors affecting the auto market, such as high fuel prices and strict financial measures by finance companies.

"However, the market should still grow in the second quarter but the growth will not be as high as in the first quarter. Total auto sales in 2008 should grow only 5 per cent," Saroch said.

He said the automatic Focus diesel would cost Bt50,000 more than the manual version, adding that Ford's B-car project is progressing according to plans.

"Right now construction of the new plant is taking place and is expected to be completed in time. When we had decided to produce this model, the fuel price had not shot up this much, but anyway we still see that a large number of consumers want vehicles which are fuel-efficient, and the Fiesta will also be E20-compatible," he said.

Saroch said the government should come up with a clear energy plan so that manufacturers are able to adapt their business plans accordingly.

The new Fiesta will be available with both petrol and diesel engine choices.

Ford is developing an automatic gearbox for the Fiesta to woo Thai customers, since the European version will feature diesel engines with manual transmissions.

      At a glance

n Ford expects auto sales in the Thai market to grow 5 per cent this year.

n The carmaker is developing a Fiesta with automatic gearbox to woo Thai customers, since the European version will feature a diesel engine with manual

transmission.

n Ford is also revving up

construction of its secret B-car production plant.

Ultimate in Luxury

The Luxury LS 460 is a wonderfully comfaortable car fitted with all mod cons, althoough not necessarily the most fun vehicle to drive.