Kochi: With the aim of tapping the large 'used car' market in Kerala, car major, Ford India, on May 28 launched its 16th 'Ford Assured' outlet at Kochi, where customers can buy quality second hand re-conditioned cars of different Indian makes.

The used car business in India was largely disorganised and it was in this area, Ford Assured would set benchmarks in the automobile industry and redefine practices that currently govern the Indian used car markets, Ford India New Business Development general manger Partha Barua told reporters.

He said that stringent guidelines would be followed for purchasing a used car to ensure high quality standards to the customer. The used cars must meet the scoring criteria under Ford Assured’s unique vehicle inspection scoring parameters in order to be accepted. The entire buying process would involve evaluation of cars on a 120- point checklist.

The cars would then go through a 50-point mandatory re-conditioning. Encouraged by customer response and the success of the initiative, Ford India is in the process of expanding the service nationally, he said.

Additional launches are planned this year at Kolkatta, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Ghazaibad.

PTI