The Ford Motor Company recently announced that full-year retail sales for 2013 in Malaysia jumped a whopping 50% from the previous year to 10,660 units. This represents the company’s best performance in 20 years and making Ford one of the fastest growing automotive brands in the country.
Ford’s exceptional year was driven by the continued popularity of the all-new Ranger and technology-packed all-new Focus, as well as the continued expansion of Ford’s Malaysia showroom with the launch of the all-new Kuga and significantly refreshed new Fiesta.
“The success of our on-going product-led transformation is continuing to drive our momentum in Malaysia, as we introduce segment-leading global Ford vehicles that offer a best-in-class combination of smart technologies, safety, fuel economy, quality, performance and value for money,” said David Westerman, managing director, Malaysia and Asia Pacific Emerging Markets, Ford Motor Company.
Product-led transformation
The all-new Ranger was Ford’s best-selling nameplate in Malaysia in 2013 with retail sales increasing 164 per cent year-over-year to 5,761 units. The all-new Ranger has redefined the market with its multi-class appeal as both a hard-working, rugged truck and a family-friendly passenger vehicle.
The all-new Focus also delivered an exceptional full-year performance with overall sales rising 151 percent from the previous year to 1,605 units. The all-new Focus significantly raises the bar in the mid-sized car segment by delivering a class-leading combination of smart technologies, innovative design and safety, and fuel efficiency.
Globally, the Ford Focus was the best-selling nameplate through the first half of 2013 and on track to remain the best-selling nameplate for the full year, based on Ford analysis of Polk global vehicle registration data. The class-leading Ford Fiesta finished the year with overall retail sales of 2,510 units, and was given a boost in the fourth quarter with the launch of a significantly refreshed model featuring Ford’s global 1.5L Ti-VCT engine.
The new Fiesta featuring Ford’s internationally-acclaimed 1.0L EcoBoost engine will be launched in the first quarter, adding further excitement to this popular car that is one of the clear leaders of the B-segment. Ford’s outstanding year was also supported by the introduction of the all-new Kuga SUV, featuring a 1.6L EcoBoost engine. Elevating what is possible in a SUV, the all-new Kuga is distinguished by an unmatched combination of smart and safe technologies, as well as segment-leading power and performance capabilities.
Ford will further expand its showroom in Malaysia this year with the launch the all-new EcoSport urban SUV. With B-segment practicality and the flexibility, spaciousness and agility of an SUV, the all-new EcoSport delivers a segment-leading package of quality, safety, value and fuel economy that benefits from a contemporary design, which is not only stylish, but aerodynamically efficient.
“With each all-new global Ford vehicle that we introduce, we are connecting with new customers in Malaysia in so many exciting and meaningful ways, which is helping to further drive the strength and appeal of our brand,” said Westerman.
Transit Local Assembly
Ford will kick-off local assembly of the Transit in the first quarter, which will be sold domestically to meet customer demands for high-quality, reliable and affordable light commercial vehicles in Malaysia. “Local assembly of the Transit will help build on our strategic growth plan for Malaysia and allow us to introduce another global Ford product to serve customers with vehicles they want and value,” added Westerman.
Introduction of the Transit will allow Ford to enter another new vehicle segment in the thriving Malaysian market. Offering an impressive carrying capacity, an array of versatile applications and particularly low running costs, the Transit aims to be the most efficient vehicle in its class.
Network Expansion and Customer Service Enhancement
Ford plans to further build on customer convenience, aftersales service and an unmatched customer and ownership experience in 2014. This includes the expansion of its nationwide dealer network to a total of 50 locations, and the launch eight Quick Lane service centres to support growing demand for Ford vehicles and services in Malaysia.
Ford Quick Lane facilities are dedicated service operations equipped to handle routine vehicle maintenance and minor-repair needs quickly – including oil and filter changes, brake systems, tyres, minor exhaust systems rectifications, tune-ups and alignments. “The aggressive expansion of our nationwide dealer network, including the launch of the Quick Lane facilities, will help us continue to serve our customers with a world-class aftersales service offering,” said Westerman.
Text & Images courtesy of Ford.
