Bangalore: Ford India on June 19 said the automotive market in India was showing "healthy signs" of growth across the board and the company was looking to see increase in its sales figures over the previous year's.

The "general economic conditions", plus the excise duty cuts and the low interest would help generate growth, Ford India managing director and president David Friedman told reporters.

"We intend to grow business," he said.

Friedman said the NXT version of Ikon in the mid-size segment was also helping to generate "some growth" for the company ever since its launch in January 2003.

Ford India has sold over 130,000 units of Ikon from its Rs 1,700 crore Chennai facility since its launch, including export of 50,000 units to countries including South Africa, Mexico, Brazil and China, he said.

Some 150 components were also being shipped to China for the company's operations there.

As part of Ford Motor Company's centennial celebrations, Friedman said, Ford India in association with Autocar India, a leading automotive journal, and Karnataka Vintage and Classic Car Club would hold "Ford Centenary Celebration Rally" in Bangalore on June 29.

The rally would showcase – Model A Fords, Vintage Fords (1932-1939), Classic Fords (1940-1959), WWII Classics (jeeps and special vehicles), Modern Classics (1960-1989) and the modern day Indian Fords (Ikon, Mondeo and Escort), he said.

PTI