Ford to withdraw Ford Ikon from South Africa

Ford to withdraw Ford Ikon from South Africa

US based automotive giants Ford has announced their decision to withdraw the hugely popular Ford Ikon model from the South African market in a phased manner. This model is primarily manufactured and sold in the Indian market and was specially designed by the company for sales in developing countries.

Ford would however continue to sell the pickup version of the car in this market. They also export Ford Ikon to other world markets like China and Mexico. Arvind Mathew, Ford India’s president and managing director said in a statement on this news event: “In South Africa, one of the key export markets for Ford India, we are seeing a clear shift towards the C class segment. I think Ikon will be phased out gradually. However, we will continue to export the pick-up version of the cars to the country. Last year, we exported about 20,000 kits of Ikon. But in the longer term I do not think Ikon is going to continue at this rate because the export markets have their own product plans”.

He further said: “All these countries have different growth patterns, they move from small cars to mid-sized segment and then into large vehicles. Ikon is a three-box car. We chop the Ikon right at the middle near the B pillar and export to South Africa. You can attach a pick-up bed at the back and use it as pick-up trucks. There is a huge demand for small pick-up trucks based on the car platform in that country.”