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Ford India Pvt Ltd will be exporting completely built units of its Fiesta model to South Africa from its Maraimalainagar plant near Chennai.
The company will export about 5,000 units in the next 12 months.
However, the exports will not add sufficient numbers to boost the company's one-lakh units per annum plant's capacity utilisation. 'The capacity utilisation is around 65 per cent now,' Arvind Mathew, president, Ford India, told the media here on Thursday.
Ford India's Fiesta was first showcased in South Africa during the 2006 Auto Africa exhibition, where it was well received by motor enthusiasts. The South African arm of the US company Ford Motor Company will market Fiesta under the Ikon brand.
The export model has been customised to meet the needs of the South African market. The modifications include trailer tow capability and H-rated tyres.
Ford India will ship out three variants of Fiesta to South Africa - 1.4 L and 1.6 L petrol and 1.4 L diesel.