Ford India all set to ramp up its Chennai unit

Ford India MD and president Michael Boneham told that the fully-owned subsidiary of the US auto major Ford Motors, Ford India Motors will be one of the major production hubs for the parent company’s operations in the Asia-African region.

Ford India is all set to invest $500 million to ramp up its Chennai plant’s production capacity to 2-lakh vehicles by 2010.

The US-based Ford Motors, which has not taken any financial rescue from the US government like its peers GM and Chrysler, is developing China, Thailand and South Africa, as the other major manufacturing hub

Ford showcases small cars this week

US company, Ford is now eying on India to offset tough business conditions in other global markets. The company that survived the downturn without a government help, Ford Motor is planning to integrate car designs globally and develop compact and mid-sized cars as part of a strategy to improve profitability and productivity.

Ford has focussed on economies of scale and implementing ‘One Ford’ strategy across markets. Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Ford Motor, is also making a lightning visit to India to showcase its small car in the middle of this week. He joined Ford in 2006 after divesting brands like Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin.This moment will be exciting and worth watching. Ford India has not had a new product launch, but continues to upgrade its existing product line since 2005.

Ford India will launch its small car, code named B517 in March 2010, which is expected to compete with the Hyundai i20 and the Maruti Swift, that were also showcased to its dealers in Chennai recently. The small car will be a four-door hatchback, powered by an indigenous diesel and petrol engine manufactured at its Chennai plant. Ford India has invested around $500 million (Rs 2,400 crore) to double the current capacity by one lakh cars and 2.5 lakh engines, company officials said.

Ford Figo showcased in India

Ford Motor showcased its compact car, Ford Figo, in India on Wednesday. However, this small car will be launched in India by early 2010. The compact car, Ford Figo, will be available in petrol and diesel versions.

This four-door hatchback will be manufactured in Ford Chennai plant. Apart from this, the company reveled about its exteriors but specific details about engine capacity, price and other data is under cover. Ford Figo is believed to compete with the Hyundai i20 and the Maruti Swift. The recent global trend is to switch over to small cars that are fuel efficient but Ford India's products present here in mid-sized cars and SUV class. The company is aiming to grab the most in small car segment in India and China.

India to make Ford Figo

Ford Motor has plans to make India its manufacturing hub for its small car Ford Figo. Ford Figo will be launched in the first quarter of 2010 and come in both petrol and diesel variants. No prices have been officially announced by Ford India but the car is expected to cost at Rs.4 lakh and upwards for the base variant and will compete against an array of cars like Maruti Swift and Maruti Ritz, Fiat Grande Punto, Chevrolet U-VA and Hyundai i20 that are already present in the market.

After unveiling the Ford Figo in Delhi, Ford’s president and CEO, Alan Mulally said: “The global market is shifting towards smaller cars and India has a predominant advantage with a 70% market for compact cars." The company also has plans to export a significant number of the Ford Figo to Asia Pacific and African countries in 2010.

Ford to increase market share by new car launches

Michael Boneham, president and MD of Ford India here on Thursday indicated that the US car maker, Ford has decided to launch a new car every 12 to 18 months in India to enhance its market share. However, he did not indicate what sort of market share the company aims to achieven the long run. Talking to newsmen at the inauguration of Ford’s new dealership, Victoria Ford, Mr. Boneham said: "We now have a marketshare of nearly 2% and we want to grow it significantly in coming years. Launching of new cars from the Ford stable, will play a crucial role in growing our market share in India."

For 2009, Ford India aims to achieve sales of 30,000 cars compared to 29,000 cars sold in calendar 2008. "In September ‘09, we have been able to sell 3,500 cars which is a 50% increase year-on-year basis," said Nigel Wark, executive director (marketing, sales and services). By investing $500 million, company will expand production at its Chennai plant from 1 lakh to 2 lakh vehicles, apart from producing 2.5 lakh engines, both in petrol and diesel.

Special edition of Ford Fiesta launched

The best selling product of Ford, US auto manufacturer, Ford Fiesta now will be available with a couple of new features in India. The mid-sized sedan Ford Fiesta is having the price tag of Rs 6.44 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Nevertheless, the new Ford Fiesta 1.6 ZXI comes with petrol engine only. According to a company statement, the car saw impressive sales during the festival period in India.

Ford plans to launch series of small cars in Asia

Ford Motor,the second largest car maker in Detroit, is all set to push its sales in Asia,particularly in China through introduction of a family of new small cars which will the focus of the company's product profile.In its pursuit towards small cars.Ford displayed a new version of Focus,its top most selling car in Detroit this week According to Alan Mully,Ford's chief executive,the company's strategy would be to move quickly to invest in one of the fastest growing economy China.The company is now converging on manufacturing a series of small and mid sized cars built on the platform,"One Ford" strategy something that is followed by the company on a global basis. The fundamental structure of the revamped Ford Fiesta will be common around the world except for the changes that will be required at the top of the car to meet with the local standards,rules and regulations.Around 10 models will be manufactured using the new platform,resulting in the production of 2m units annually by the year 2012.

Ford launches another variant of Ford Ikon

US based car manufacturer Ford has introduced a new variant of its popular entry level sedan Ford Ikon in India. The new variant has been launched on the basis of the responses the company has witnessed from the users of Ikon iKool. The new Ford Ikon model has been priced in the range of Rs 5.17-5.77 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi). The New Ford Ikon Plus model will be available in both Diesel and petrol versions. The price difference between the previous Ford Ikon and the new Ford Ikon Plus is about Rs 33,800. The new model has been launched with stylish exteriors as well as modified interiors.

Ford to launch next version of Explorer SUV

US based automobile manufacturer Ford Motors has announced that it will invest $400 million in its production facilities to manufacturer next version of, its Explorer SUV by the end of year 2010. According to company this move is expected to create 1,200 jobs at its Chicago assembly plant. The USD 400 million includes the investment of USD 180 million in manufacturing facilities at the Chicago sites and investment of about USD 220 million for launch and engineering costs.

Decorative Arts through history: Mosaic Tiles

 

Irano-Roman floor mosaic detail from the palace of Shapur I at Bishapur.

Mosaic designs have long been a staple of the decorative arts and as an art form, are held in high regard.  Mosaics are made of small, usually square, pieces of glass, stone, shells or other material that are placed in such a way as to create and pattern or a picture. Dating back to Roman times and before, mosaics have been used the world over to cover everything from walls, to ceilings and floors.

Floor pavement representing female dancers. Marble mosaic, ca. 260 AD (Sasanian Era). From the iwan of the so-called palace of Shapur at Bishapur, Iran.

Roman mosaic of Ulysseys from Carthage. 

Mosaic ceiling inside Baptistry of St. John, Florence

Mosaic tiles are still a staple in the decorative arts, from floors to walls and ceilings and fine art.

"Starry Night" wall mosaic made from glass tiles by Brett Campbell Mosaics

Mosaic tile floor by Stephanie Marsh Fillbrandt for the 2009 San Francisco Decorator showhouse

 

Floor rug from Sicis Tiles via Trendir

Ellen Blakeley Studio - contemporary mosaics from recycled tempered glass

 

Ellen Blakeley mosaic wall via Mosaic Art Source

Mosaic tile bar in the movie "Mamma Mia"

And I'm loving these lines from Erin Adams "Facet" collection for Ann Sachs Tile

 

 

From New Ravenna mosaics

 Subscribe to ::Surroundings::

Decorative Arts through history: Mosaic Tiles

 

Irano-Roman floor mosaic detail from the palace of Shapur I at Bishapur.

Mosaic designs have long been a staple of the decorative arts and as an art form, are held in high regard.  Mosaics are made of small, usually square, pieces of glass, stone, shells or other material that are placed in such a way as to create and pattern or a picture. Dating back to Roman times and before, mosaics have been used the world over to cover everything from walls, to ceilings and floors.

Floor pavement representing female dancers. Marble mosaic, ca. 260 AD (Sasanian Era). From the iwan of the so-called palace of Shapur at Bishapur, Iran.

Roman mosaic of Ulysseys from Carthage. 

Mosaic ceiling inside Baptistry of St. John, Florence

Mosaic tiles are still a staple in the decorative arts, from floors to walls and ceilings and fine art.

"Starry Night" wall mosaic made from glass tiles by Brett Campbell Mosaics

Mosaic tile floor by Stephanie Marsh Fillbrandt for the 2009 San Francisco Decorator showhouse

 

Floor rug from Sicis Tiles via Trendir

Ellen Blakeley Studio - contemporary mosaics from recycled tempered glass

 

Ellen Blakeley mosaic wall via Mosaic Art Source

Mosaic tile bar in the movie "Mamma Mia"

And I'm loving these lines from Erin Adams "Facet" collection for Ann Sachs Tile

 

 

From New Ravenna mosaics

 Subscribe to ::Surroundings::

Hyundai i20 diesel stylish new model

Hyundai i20 diesel model will be launched in India in just few days. Interiors of the i20 are almost same as the previous Hyundai i20 petrol model but this time the whole gear system is same as the Hyundai Verna model. What makes the Hyundai i20 diesel different from the other models is its smooth driving experience and its silent engine.

Besides this the Hyundai i20 diesel model has a good mileage as the company is claiming. Good pick up ,attractive dashboard and comfortable seating are its other good features.

Hyundai i20 1.4 Asta AT (O) with Sunroof Price Rs 772,609*

Hyundai i20 1.4 Asta AT (O) with Sunroof Price Rs 772,609*

Hyundai i20 Price Rs 480,508* - Rs 772,609*

In the hatchback category of cars Hyundai i20 is a new generation car with large headlamps and fog lamps. This new Hyundai i20 is even more spacious, stylish having amazing eye catching features. Equipped with standard safety features it has ABS, seat belts with pre-tensioner, dual air-bags for the driver and front passanger, auto-unlocking doors Hyundai i20 is one of the best car. Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) and suspension systems in the car are such that they provide maximum ease while driving the vehicle. This latest version of Hyundai i20 is best featured with many important special equipments that co-ordinates best with the activity of the diver.

Hyundai i20 Price Rs 480,508* - Rs 772,609*

Wednesday This and That

A big thank you to Gwen Driscoll of Ragland Hill Social for featuring me in her ongoing series It's A Small Blogworld today.  I am so flattered to be included with other bloggers such as Brooke Gianetti of Velvet & Linen and Laurie Schroeder of My Domicile Style, two of her past features. Gwen is relatively new to blogging, but has taken to it like a duck to water, so to speak, and is coming up with new and unique features all the time - something not easy with all the design blogs out there! Her latest projects FDO (Friends of Design Obsession) and Week in White are just two examples of Gwen's creativity. So, if you haven't visited her blog yet, go take a look!

                                                         

New England Home magazine is sponsoring a new initiative called 5 Under 40. Nominations are currently being taken for the best New England designers and architects under the age of forty. (Sadly, I'm no longer qualified!!)  The 5 Under 40 awards spotlight the hottest emerging talent in residential design in New England, including architecture, interiors, furniture, and home-design products and accessories. Selected by an all-star committee of regional design leaders, 5 Under 40 winners are the people to watch, producing some of the most beautiful and innovative work available today.

Nominations for 2010 are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on January 31, 2010. Winners will be honored at a festive celebration on June 10, 2010.  Each winner will have the opportunity to design a custom rug that will be produced by presenting sponsor Landry & Arcari. Rugs will be auctioned off at the June 10 event.

My friends at New England Home have been hard at work on the launch of their new magazine Connecticut. The state of Connecticut is part metro New York and part New England has it's own unique style. This new glossy magazine is sure to highlight some of the best design and architecture of the area.

I'd also like to thank Laura Newman of Laura Newman PR & Marketing for including me in her post What Thriving Design Business Will Look Like and How To Get There on her blog Publicity Wit. I was flattered that my views on the design industry were included with others such as designer Irwin Feld, Alexandra Gibson of Gibson Design Management and fellow blogger Jamie Derringer of Design Milk.




 Subscribe to ::Surroundings::

Wednesday This and That

A big thank you to Gwen Driscoll of Ragland Hill Social for featuring me in her ongoing series It's A Small Blogworld today.  I am so flattered to be included with other bloggers such as Brooke Gianetti of Velvet & Linen and Laurie Schroeder of My Domicile Style, two of her past features. Gwen is relatively new to blogging, but has taken to it like a duck to water, so to speak, and is coming up with new and unique features all the time - something not easy with all the design blogs out there! Her latest projects FDO (Friends of Design Obsession) and Week in White are just two examples of Gwen's creativity. So, if you haven't visited her blog yet, go take a look!

                                                         

New England Home magazine is sponsoring a new initiative called 5 Under 40. Nominations are currently being taken for the best New England designers and architects under the age of forty. (Sadly, I'm no longer qualified!!)  The 5 Under 40 awards spotlight the hottest emerging talent in residential design in New England, including architecture, interiors, furniture, and home-design products and accessories. Selected by an all-star committee of regional design leaders, 5 Under 40 winners are the people to watch, producing some of the most beautiful and innovative work available today.

Nominations for 2010 are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on January 31, 2010. Winners will be honored at a festive celebration on June 10, 2010.  Each winner will have the opportunity to design a custom rug that will be produced by presenting sponsor Landry & Arcari. Rugs will be auctioned off at the June 10 event.

My friends at New England Home have been hard at work on the launch of their new magazine Connecticut. The state of Connecticut is part metro New York and part New England has it's own unique style. This new glossy magazine is sure to highlight some of the best design and architecture of the area.

I'd also like to thank Laura Newman of Laura Newman PR & Marketing for including me in her post What Thriving Design Business Will Look Like and How To Get There on her blog Publicity Wit. I was flattered that my views on the design industry were included with others such as designer Irwin Feld, Alexandra Gibson of Gibson Design Management and fellow blogger Jamie Derringer of Design Milk.




 Subscribe to ::Surroundings::