Ford India Private Limited, a completely owned subsidiary of the American auto maker, is believed to be set for the launch of its much awaited EcoSport model in the domestic car market next month. As per industry sources, the company could be introducing its new compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) on June 11, 2013 in the country. Pegged as one of the biggest new model launches for this year, the Ford EcoSport would become the first car in India to come fitted with Ford's patented 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine technology.
According to top industry experts, the EcoSport compact SUV is an extremely vital model for Ford India and is part of company's strategic plans for the Indian auto market. The American auto major is set to enter the immensely lucrative compact SUV segment soon, which at the moment is led by Renault Duster in the country. Apart from the top selling Duster model, Mahindra Quanto and Premier Rio would be challenging the soon to be launched Ford EcoSport in the domestic auto market.
Expressing his views on the new EcoSport, Joginder Singh, President and Managing Director (MD), Ford India Private Limited, was quoted as saying, “We’re bringing the best of Ford to India. The all-new Ford EcoSport is a global product with world-class quality, and we are excited to produce this at our Chennai facility to meet both domestic and international demand.” He further added, “The Ford EcoSport will enable our customers in India to experience a right-sized vehicle that has been developed with India’s traffic and road conditions in mind, redefining the segment and creating its own space.”
Under its hood, the India-spec Ford EcoSport would be offered in three engine options, including a 1.5 litre petrol, 1.5 litre diesel and the much fawned upon 1.0 litre EcoBoost motors. This pint sized EcoBoost power-mill has won the prestigious '2012 International Engine of the Year' and produces top power and torque outputs of 123 bhp and 170 Nm, respectively. The 1.0 litre Ford EcoBoost petrol engine boasts of an impressive mileage figure of 18.9 kmpl and produces just 126 g/km of carbon dioxide emissions.
On the Ford's cutting edge EcoBoost engine technology, Kumar Galhotra, Vice President (VP), Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific, said, “We believe our customers will be delighted by how the junior member of the EcoBoost engine family punches above its weight. When they start and drive the Ford EcoSport, they will notice how quiet the engine is, how quickly the SUV accelerates, and how little fuel it needs.”
Galhotra further added, “We tested the all-new Ford EcoSport to the extreme so that customers know they can depend and rely on the SUV to take them to places. With its high ground clearance and superior water-wading capability, the Ford EcoSport is well-suited for exploring.”
Ford India carried out several brand development campaigns for its new model, such as the 'EcoSport Urban Discoveries' that offered domestic buyers a chance to win the compact SUV. Further, the American auto major carried out various soft launches of its EcoSport in popular city malls across the country. Over the last two months, the stylish model was showcased in New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Pune and other Indian cities. The company is aiming to capitalise on the modish looks of its EcoSport and has devised a special youth-oriented marketing strategy for the Indian auto market.
Speaking his mind on the Ford EcoSport, Dave Schoch, President, Ford Asia Pacific has been quoted as saying, “Stylish, robust and dynamic, the all-new Ford EcoSport fuses ample versatility and a ‘can do’ attitude to appeal to a new generation of customers around the world.”
