Ford focus on Indian roads!!

[GTO]

After the Ikon, Mondeo and the Endeavour - Ford India is gearing up to launch the Focus. Known as a true drivers car in Europe and enjoying a rich rallying history, the Ford Focus' chassis is going to be one to watch out for. I think that its a little bigger than the Ikon, but smaller than the Octavia/Corolla/Optra class.

Cant wait to see how Ford positions it..and with what engines on offer!


MUMBAI: Ford India, the local arm of the US-based automobile giant, is getting set to roll out its fourth offering - after Ikon, Mondeo and sports utility vehicle Endeavour - in a bid to scale up its volumes in the domestic market.Ford Focus Company officials are tightlipped about the new car. All they are ready to reveal at this juncture is that the new model - developed globally with India-specific inputs - should draw similar volumes as the Ikon, its flagship model in India. "We would want the new model to make its debut here with a localisation of around 70%. We hope it brings in volumes in line with the domestic sales of Ikon," Ford India vice president (marketing and external affairs) Vinay K Piparsania told The Economic Times.

Ford, market observers feel, could zero in on its best selling model, Focus, in the Indian market to bridge the gap between the Ikon and the Mondeo. "Our new model will be positioned a notch below the Ikon, or between the Ikon and the Mondeo. At this juncture we won't be able to comment on its exact positioning," Piparsania said.

Ford India, which aggregated domestic sales of 18,600 units in the last calender year, sold 1,903 units of the Ikon in January `04 and 2,028 units last month. Exports of the Ikon during January-February `04 stood at 3,498 units.

Company officials however rule out the introduction of a small car in the already crowded B segment saying that it may not be "feasible" cost-wise. While the various versions of the Ford Ikon carry a price tag of Rs 5-8 lakh, the top-end Mondeo, which is imported as completely built units, costs around Rs 17 lakh. Ford India, which has an installed capacity of 50,000 units at its manufacturing facility near Chennai, is meanwhile beefing up its distribution network on the eve of rolling out its new model. "This year our target is to increase the number of distribution outlets to 105 (90 last year) in 85 locations," Piparsania said. Ford India is also aggressively hawking its sports utility vehicle Endeavour, which has sold 501 units late last year. The company is targeting to sell 170-180 units of the SUV every month in the current calender year.

"Overall, we expect our domestic volumes to increase to 20,000 units in the current year, as against 18,600 units last year. Exports will however remain flat at around 24,000 units," Piparsania said.

Article sourced from Indiacar.com

[v12]

Actually Ford shud have launched the Focus long back. But then its better late than never. Also i hope they get the European Focus. Its undergone/undergoing a facelift.

[GTO]

Hey,

Isnt this focus significantly bigger than the current gen? Space is a huge priority with manufacturers these days. Cant really tell under all that camouflage, but it does look more german than Ford

GTO

[Dippy]

Its great to heat that Ford is finally getting the Focus to India. Its a great hot hatch and should be one to watch out for. I wonder what engines would be on offer to us

Cheers

[ajmat]

It is the same size as an Escort - the saloon version is pretty ugly. I have used hatches as hire cars and they really handle well. Build quality is okay - better than an Ikon but a notch below an Astra

[Revvmaster]

I guess they'll get the 2.0 130 bhp here. Basically the same architecture like the Mondeo's 2.0. And it would be the sedan, cuz the hatchback wouldnt sell here at that price. But frankly i am interested in something more....another hatchback....

..... Ford India, how about the Focus RS too please. Ok, u won't sell much, but i think u still have a market for around 50 of thos each year. And finding 50 of them isn't all that tough eh!

Think Ford think

Revv

[RJK]

is it just me or the tailgate of the focus in the pic above is similar to X5!!

Anyway its good that the focus is more german & less american...germans r way better handlers than americans..the hatch looks really good but the sedan's rear end is not the prettiest sight....anyway as revv said they'll launch only the sedan version....thanks to the indian obsession with the boot for the 'badi gaadi' feel

M3

[ajmat]

They have stopped making the RS

[Revvmaster]

.... yea ajmat... but the new RS will be out when the new look Focus arrives next year in Europe.

Revvmaster

[nishantgandhi]

Note from Mod

You have asked the same question in four different threads. This is akin to spammnig

[aaggoswami]

We need a diesel in this car. Ford has 1.6 diesel and also 2.0 diesel. If they come out with two diesels, then good bye Honda, Maruti and Hyundai. Because of Ikon Ford enjoys a great fan following. If pitted against City, SX4 and Verna with those wonderful diesels, success is sure to follow.

[karanraheja]

Originally Posted by aaggoswami

We need a diesel in this car. Ford has 1.6 diesel and also 2.0 diesel. If they come out with two diesels, then good bye Honda, Maruti and Hyundai. Because of Ikon Ford enjoys a great fan following. If pitted against City, SX4 and Verna with those wonderful diesels, success is sure to follow.

I doubt you can say goodbye to Honda & Maruti. Honda is not launching diesel in City because its quite happy selling Petrol version. Ford has to improve its ***. Ikon and Fiesta are both great cars. But Ford still has some homework to do. Fiesta should get the 1.6 l diesel soon.

[srishiva]

Ford Focus is in Civic and Corolla class. How will it affect City ?

[tsk1979]

This is a 2004 Discussion and article guys.
Ford has launched the Fiesta which slots between the mondeo and Ikon

[nishantgandhi]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

This is a 2004 Discussion and article guys.
Ford has launched the Fiesta which slots between the mondeo and Ikon

Yes but the original question still remains unanswered. Why not Focus? It is a runaway hit throughout the globe. IMHO, Fiesta doesnt match up to the Focus at all.