The
only Ford in India that shook the market like the Ikon is expected to stay away
from Europe for a little bit longer. In March 2013, Ford declared that the
EcoSport would be available across Europe by the end of the year. However, it
seems the American car maker will be going with a very conservative approach at
first. Ford plan to offer only 500 units in Q1-2014, 120 of which have been
allocated to Britain. They will supply the small SUV in entirety, around Q2-2014.
The EcoSport has worked wonders for Ford in the Indian market and seeing how
European nations pose a good market for compact cars, Ford is hoping to see a
similar response.
With
great demand comes a great need for added productivity. Due to the overwhelming
reaction the EcoSport received, Ford is working hard to keep up with the demand
as its plant in Chennai has been struggling to lower waiting periods. In
August, bookings for the car had been temporarily put on hold as the backlog
had resulted in customers having to wait for as much as eight months with
variant availability differing from dealership to dealership. Ford showrooms
have since resumed regular bookings, but demand for the Renault Duster’s arch
rival continues to be optimistic. This positive response could be the cause for
the EcoSport’s delayed debut in Europe.
Both
LHD and RHD EcoSports will be sourced from Ford’s plant in Chennai. Currently
the car is manufactured in China, Brazil, Russia, and India, is expected to
begin local production in Thailand before 2014. The EcoSport will most likely
be offered with a 1.0-litre petrol Ecoboost, 1.5-litre diesel and petrol
engines as well in the European Union. The 500 limited edition EcoSports that
will be sold in the first quarter of 2014 could serve as a “beta testing”
exercise for Ford, although with the response it has received thus far it might
be safe to say Ford will be pleasantly un-surprised.
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