Ford EcoSport to be exported to over 60 countries by 2017

Ford is aiming to export the EcoSport to over 60 countries by 2017. The EcoSport has been a major success for Ford in most of the markets that it currently being sold in. The compact crossover is a part of the American automaker’s global line up that comprises vehicles like the Fiesta and the Focus hatchbacks.  Its development is believed to be a part of CEO Alan Mually’s bid to replace or accordingly redesign many of the companies larger SUVs that have dominated its lineup since the early 1990s. 

According to Jim Farley, chief marketing officer, there has been a surge in demand for crossovers mainly due to their image of being bigger than their sedan or hatchback counterparts as well as the versatility that they offer over the other two body styles. 

He has said that while American’s traditionally known to have a love for large gas guzzlers, have now become more conscious of the vehicles they drive and have begun switching to smaller vehicles like the Kuga crossover. In contrast markets like India and China (currently one of the largest car markets in the world) has been seeing a trend where people have begun to jump ship from hatchback and sedans into crossovers, making the EcoSport all the more important for Ford, Farley added. 

Such trends spell big business for Ford India due to the fact that the EcoSport crossover will exported from the Chennai facility to at least 32 of the 60 markets by 2017. The company has already said that it will use the exports as leverage to price the car competitively in the Indian market. 

The Blue oval is expected to launch the EcoSport in Indian within the next weeks and believes that it will replicate the success of the Ikon sedan and Figo hatchback. We have already driven the car and know the variants, features and engine line up and are just waiting for Ford to announce the launch date and obviously the prices.  

 Read our first drive of the Ford EcoSport

Read our preview of the Ford EcoSport

Watch our video on the Ford EcoSport

Source:autonews

Edit: The Ford EcoSport has been launched for Rs 5.59 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)
Edit: Here is our live coverage of the launch for the Ford EcoSport