John Fink, a Ford employee of 21 years, comes to launch Ford's India-specific car after serving as global business planning manager for marketing, sales and service at Ford's commercial vehicle centre in Detroit (United States).

Announcing Fink's name, Ford India managing director Phil Spender said: "While the manufacturing team is perfecting the product, our marketing team is gearing up to introduce the car in the market. With his knowledge and experience, Fink will add value to our strategies."

Emphasising that expanding the dealer network to reach small and medium cities was a priority, Fink said, "We will provide customers the best product in its class, the best purchasing experience and the best service experience."

Ford is conducting exhaustive trials on its new car and is slated to launch it in November.

Thecompany, which has invested Rs 1,700 crore to set up a manufacturing facility near here, would launch the Ikon with 70 per cent local content.