"We will begin exports of completely knocked down (CKD) and semi-knocked down (SKD) kits of the Ikon from the third quarter of this year," Ford Motor India vice-president (external affairs) BS Rathor said here.

He, however, declined to reveal details about the export destinations or the number of cars that would be exported saying, "We are at present working on the details".

The localisation content of the Ikon would also be increased, within a period of one to two years, to a "high" level from the current level of 70 per cent, he said.

"We are concentrating on indigenising the power train of the car," Rathor said adding that the company has also initiated steps to increase the production of the Ikon to 100 units per day from the current level of 80 units.

Since its launch in November 1999, Ford India has delivered over 6,287 Ikons and in the month of March 2000, the car had emerged as the top selling model in the mid-size segment with a sales of 2134 units. Asked about the target for the current year, Rathor said Ford expected to sell about 25,000 to 30,000 Ikons in the current calendar year.

The company at present has a plant in Tamil Nadu with an installed capacity of about one lakh cars annually.

The car is at present available in five models, namely the 1.3 CLXi (petrol), the 1.6 Rally Sport, the 1.6 CLXi (petrol), the 1.6 ZXi (petrol) and the 1.8 ZXi (diesel).

Asked whether the increase in domestic sales and exports would incur fresh investments, he said "Ford has invested about Rs 1,700 crore in the country with Rs 800 crore as equity and the rest through external borrowings".

"Fresh investments would be needed only when the annual sales touch the 60,000 mark," Rathor said. About the introduction of small cars, he said "the company does not have any concrete plans to enter the crowded small car segment at present, but any decision would be taken only after carefully studying the Indian market".