Ford Figo though a good car, lacks after sales support

Sold the car- but now it is a half job done by the car makers in this price sensitive Indian auto market.

Ford Figo, the hot selling cake from the US auto giant has also been honoured with the prestigious 'Car of the Year' award from India's top journalists. Ford Figo is a well established car thanks to its great features, latest technology and above all the right pricing. But the industry experts are to be reckoned, the hatchback may lose against Fiat Punto. Reason being that the American giant lags behind in after sales service which plays an important role for the Indian consumers to buy a new car.

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If looking at the Fiat's after sale service, the Italian car brand that has ventured with Tata Motors which operates with 800 service points in India is second biggest in terms of number of service stations after Maruti while Ford has only 165.

As per the experts, the international car brand has faced the problem of after sales service because it is dearer and takes a lot of time. If the car breaks down the owner can't leave the car for days in the garage, and wait for the parts to be imported and then changed. It is a big discouragement before the cars are purchased.

See More Ford Figo Pictures                                                                                                                  Read More on Ford Figo

Hyundai, the South Korean auto giant is one among the few international car companies that has spread wide across its service network with 625 service stations across India, standing next to Maruti. The South Korean auto giant mostly uses Indian made components competing with the Indian auto giant, Maruti. If looking at the growth of Hyundai, it is fast paced. Hyundai i10 is equivalent to Maruti Swift 1.2 litre hatchback; the company owns 32 per cent stake in the domestic car market which is second in position in just 12 years time to Maruti which enjoys 55 per cent.

See More Ford Figo Pictures                                                                                                                  Read More on Ford Figo

Looking at other international auto players Chevrolet, another American company. It offers free after sales service and also a maintenance contract for three years. Skoda offers guarantee and service even at the roadside breakdown. Volkswagen enjoys a different status here, as it affixed with German technology and experts believe it does not require any after sales services.

But Ford seems to cover up this dilemma as it plans to widely expand its after sales network. The auto makers are gradually realizing the importance of after sales service in the Indian mar.