Ford awaits chance to offer electric cars here
Ford Motor Co is looking at the appropriate timing to introduce eco-friendly vehicles such as hybrids and electric cars in Thailand and the Asean region.
"But we must also have the required infrastructure. In order for electrification to take off, we need easy access to plug-ins as well as a power grid system that produces electricity with cleaner methods than dirty coal," Bill Ford, executive chairman of the US-based auto-maker, told journalists in Bangkok yesterday.
The Focus Electric Vehicle was recently offered as a fleet demonstration in China, but has not yet been offered commercially, as in the United States and Europe.
"I’m optimistic about this technology, but it’s also frustrating with the [lack of] infrastructure," he said.
Ford has been able to raise its market share dramatically during the past two years thanks to the introduction of "One Ford" models such as the Fiesta, Focus and Ranger, said Matt Bradley, president of Ford Asean.
"In 2010, Ford’s market share in Thailand was just 1.6 per cent but this year it has more than doubled to 4 per cent. In Asean, our share rose from 1.9 per cent in 2010 to slightly more than 3 per cent in 2012," Bradley said.
In Thailand, Ford enjoyed six months of record sales during the first 10 months of this year, and is looking forward to record annual sales, thanks to the high popularity of the Fiesta subcompact that qualifies for the government’s first-car-buyer programme.
The next major product that Ford plans to add to its regional portfolio is the EcoSport, which is a small sport utility vehicle. The EcoSport is planned for launch in Thailand in 2013 or 2014. Ford’s award-winning Ecoboost engines will also be offered in future models in this region.
"Our strength as a global company allows us to pull away any product from around the world and offer it here," Bill Ford said. "We’re happy with sales and production in Thailand and Asean."