Ford Motor Company renews focus on the Sri Lanka market
View(s):US-based Ford Motor Company is making a renewed focus in the growing Sri Lanka market with the opening recently of the new showroom, sales and service facility all under one roof in Battaramulla.
The 6,000 square feet showroom has the capacity to display 12 vehicles, while the full-service facility has a 14 vehicle capacity to meet the full-range of customer needs, an official of the company said.
US Ambassador in Sri Lanka Michele J Sison; Ashok Pathirage; Chairman, Future Automobiles and Ford Motor Company officials at the Ford show room opening. Pix by Ranjith Perera
“Together with our partner, Future Automobiles, we will be able to provide world-class service to our growing number of Ford customers in Sri Lanka,” said David Westerman, managing director, Ford Asia Pacific Emerging Markets, Ford Motor Company. “Every aspect of this facility has been designed to help provide an unmatched customer and ownership experience, with convenience, efficiency and comfort, he added.”
The opening of this modern facility will help strengthen Ford’s presence in the Sri Lanka market as the company continues with its product-led transformation by launching more global Ford vehicles and focusing on providing after-sales services as well, he revealed at the inauguration ceremony of the Ford Centre.
Ford plans to expand its service network island-wide with four additional service points that will further enhance its ownership experience for customers throughout the country, he said.
Additionally, Ford is currently experiencing its largest industrial expansion in more than 50 years and anticipates that between 60-70 percent of its global growth by 2020 will occur in the Asia Pacific region.
“The Sri Lanka 3S facility opening represents another step in Ford Motor Company’s aggressive expansion in Asia Pacific, and will help us to more fully realize the growth opportunity across the region,” said Mr. Westerman.
The grand opening event showcased Ford’s current line-up in Sri Lanka, which includes a full range of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs.
The recently launched all-new Ford Kuga and all-new Ford Eco Sport SUVs further expanded the Ford showroom in Sri Lanka, which also includes the Figo, Fiesta, and all-new Focus passenger cars, Everest family SUV, all-new Ranger pickup truck and Transit van.
The new Colombo showroom also displays Sri Lanka’s unique motorsports culture, including a retrospective wall on Ford’s heritage of innovation and racing history. Suminda De Silva, CEO, Future Automobiles said.
The most iconic speedster, without a doubt, is the Ford Mustang, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. To commemorate this, Ford has confirmed that the iconic Mustang will come to Sri Lanka next year.
The most advanced Mustang, with a sleek new design for the fastback and convertible, the car is backed by world-class performance and state-of-the-art connectivity technologies.
“The Mustang is the perfect fit for Sri Lanka and we can’t wait to launch this iconic vehicle in this market,” said Mr. Westerman.
Since starting operations in Sri Lanka in 2010, Ford has continued its commitment to contributing to the local communities through meaningful CSR activities, such as its annual Conservation and Environmental Grants programme.
The programme has become an annual event in Sri Lanka, with last year’s funds awarded to the Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation and the Wanasarana Thurulatha, Volunteer Society.