Ford Group Philippines will compete in the compact and mid-range auto segments in the market with the introduction of Ford Fiesta and Mazda on hopes of duplicating its 6 percent growth in 2009.

FGP President Rick Baker said that the compact auto segment or the B segment is the fastest growing and the biggest auto segment in the domestic market today.

The group grew over 6 percent last year with sales hitting 6,142 units over 5,730 units in 2008.

“A six percent growth is possible this year for us,” said FGP president Rick Baker noting the company grew about 7 percent last year.

He said that Ford Fiesta and Mazda 2 will boost its product line as they have no entries yet in these two vehicle segments.

“These two models are a pretty good booster in our product lineup,” Baker said.

Ford Fiesta to be launched late this year and would be competing against the likes of Honda City. It will be imported from Thailand as completely built up units.

On the other hand, Mazda 2 with a formal market introduction in March this year would be competing against Honda Civic, Mitsubishi Galant and Toyota Altis. Mazda 2 will have a price tag of P795,000 per unit.

“Mazda 2 is a fully-equipped 1.5 liter five-door hatchback,” Baker said.

Baker noted that despite the global financial crisis in 2009, the domestic automotive industry posted a commendable 6 percent growth in overall sales.

“The industry closed 2009 with 132,400 units sold or 6 percent higher than 2008 and that is partly because of typhoon Ondoy,” Baker pointed out.

Typhoon Ondoy had brought in heavy rains causing huge floods that wrought havoc to properties including thousands of cars in the National Capital Region.