Reference Auto

In a period of slump, even big car firms are going small by slashing prices, and now, Ford’s entry-level sedan the Classic comes in a new Titanium variant and will be priced Rs 70,000 lower. The American car major pruned prices of the top-end variant by introducing new petrol and diesel options.

“The new Titanium version of the Ford Classic sedan will replace the previously existing top-end version SXi. The new variant has nine new features,” Ford India vice-president (marketing) Anurag Mehrotra said.

“While the diesel variant of the Titanium offers 32.38 km per litre under Automotive Research Association of India or ARAI test conditions (ideal test conditions that is), the petrol variant belts out a fuel efficiency of 21.27 km per litre,” the company said.

The price of the new petrol variant begins from Rs 6.86 lakh, while the diesel one starts from Rs 7.82 lakh (ex-showroom prices, Delhi).

Earlier, the Classic SXi was priced at Rs 7.56 lakh (petrol) and the diesel variant came for Rs 8.5 lakh.

Ford India indeed offers features that could be best in its class, mainly in comfort and convenience. Ford Titanium Classic is the first car in the Rs 7 lakh-Rs 9 lakh bracket to be fitted with a stereo system with Bluetooth that will offer a hands-free operation. Incredible! It will also have automatic volume adjustment.

The Titanium Classic will additionally have safety locks which pave the way for locking of doors even if they are left open while the vehicle is moving.

So far as the interior goes, there are luxurious upholstered seats that will pave the way for a cabin with a spacious and well-ventilated look. The Titanium Classic comes fitted with new alloy wheels along with a new black front grille.

The car will come in six new colours, including Paprika Red, Panther Black, Diamond White, Chill Metallic, Moon Dust Silver and Sea Grey.

Ford India had managed to sell only 3,675 sedans (of the Classic, Fiesta) in April to June quarter of the current financial year, which is a surge of 6% compared to the 3,435 cars it sold in the same period during the previous year.

Ford is banking on the new Classic Titanium to push numbers like never before, and by whittling down the price and increasing the fuel economy, the new Titanium could make a dent into the Rs 7 lakh-9 lakh car market.

Mehrotra added that Ford reduced prices only after it ramped up localisation to a whopping 85 per cent and also owing to common add-ons with its Figo like the Bluetooth feature.

The petrol variant of the Classic is powered by a 1.6-litre engine and a 1.4-litre engine propels the diesel version.

Ford India president and managing director Michael Boneham averred, “We have been getting feedback from our customers to come up with a value proposition with smarter technologies and high-end features. Introduction of the Titanium version in our Ford Classic range fulfils this need.”

With prices lowered by Rs 70,000, added safety and comfort and of course a diesel option, Ford Titanium Classic could help rev up sales of the Classic brand, and with a proper awareness campaign (about the new variant), the figure could almost double in a year’s time.