SCOOP !! Ford's new small car for India (with Spy Pics) - Page 6 - Team-BHP

amit · 20th November 2007, 13:55

Ford showed off it's global small car plans at Auto Guangzhou. After the Verve hatch it's the Verve notchback that was showcased. Based on the Ford Verve, Ford says it's the successor to the Fiesta.

Quote:

Phil Spender, Chief Operation Officer of Ford Motor (China) Ltd. said, “Our future small car is being developed as a global car. It will be designed in Europe, engineered in Germany and manufactured globally.

I think if it's good enough to be shown to Chinese consumers then it should be good enough for Indian consumers too.

Could this be the all new Ford Fiesta for us maybe in 2010?

Souce: Global Auto Index.

indivic · 20th November 2007, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizardofid

The Ikon 1.3 pushrod or the 1.4 from the current Indian Fiesta?

The 1.3 pushrod went out 4 years ago, we then got the scaled down Rocam and as Autocar India put it with less Josh than the 1.6

I guess Ford should try a scaled down 1.2 from the 1.4,1.5 Duratec series with about 70 horses

amtak · 20th November 2007, 14:22

So if Verve is the facelifted FIESTA to be launched in 2009/10, then probably the pics posted and the car spotted by Ben and John are indeed the "new" FUSION for India? I may be completely wrong here but this is what it looks like to me

esteem_lover · 20th November 2007, 14:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by grvanand

Its indeed a Ford Fiesta sold in Europe. Just hope that it comes with the 1.6L engine and if that happens, its going to take the throne of Indian Hot Hatch replacing the long ruler Palio 1.6.

But Palio would still be the tank-like-car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amtak

So if Verve is the facelifted FIESTA to be launched in 2009/10, then probably the pics posted and the car spotted by Ben and John are indeed the "new" FUSION for India? I may be completely wrong here but this is what it looks like to me

But we did see the 'FIESTA' badging in one of those cars.

MaserQ · 20th November 2007, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

This gets confusing when Ford plan to import Mazda kits for small cars. More here

Ford have always been reluctant to bring in a small car. In that case, why not look at introducing the young and zesty Mazda 2 hatch? This would create a clear demarcation within the Ford stable. They run no risk of 'diluting' the Ford brand by selling small cars. (ask Hyundai) An earlier Mazda 2 thread..http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/intern...a-2-demio.html (The New Mazda 2/Demio)

This would also give Ford the chance to establish Mazda as a youthful, energetic brand..remember the josh machine..?! They need a small capacity petrol from Mazda, the 1.4 TDCi is already here.

The Mazda 2 sedan was recently showcased in China. The whole package looks 'cool'. The interiors are more than a match for the Hyundai i10.The sedan could also be a replacement for the now aging Ikon.

Pics and story here.. Mazda 2 Sedan World Debut at Guangzhou Motor Show

Quote:

Originally Posted by amtak

So if Verve is the facelifted FIESTA to be launched in 2009/10, then probably the pics posted and the car spotted by Ben and John are indeed the "new" FUSION for India? I may be completely wrong here but this is what it looks like to me

Firstly, the Verve notch looks gorgeous doesnt she?! Lets beg Ford to replace the Fiesta sedan with this stunner!

The car in ben's pic is the Fiesta hatch in europe, no doubts about that, yours truly was lucky enough to drive it. But, amtak might have a point. They might just re-badge this car as the next 'Fusion' in India, bring the price down and share engine, parts and a whole lot else with the Fiesta sedan.

Disclaimer: the above was written after ingesting a huge pinch of salt.

amtak · 20th November 2007, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

But we did see the 'FIESTA' badging in one of those cars.

I agree but how difficult it is to "rename" a car with a fresh set of stickers??? Zen is Alto somewhere so is Santro (Atos)!

esteem_lover · 20th November 2007, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by amtak

I agree but how difficult it is to "rename" a car with a fresh set of stickers??? Zen is Alto somewhere so is Santro (Atos)!

You certainly don't have to go to a church, i know that.

benbsb29 · 21st November 2007, 09:12

The Verve looks a tad too futuristic for the Indian market, IMO.
I seriously doubt they would lauch the Verve here, atleast not for the next 3 years.

The hatch we clicked replacing the Fusion? Hmm, that would make the 'Fusion' an even more confused car/vehicle.

RacingForIndia · 21st November 2007, 10:54

Happened to meet someone from Ford (a couple of days back)and here the inside take.
1. The small car in the pics is not the one which they plan to launch in India. Its just a test mule. They plan to launch a new Hatch sometime in 2009. It wont be called the Fiesta for sure.
2. They are planning to launch the new Focus and the Mondeo before they launch the hatch. These are slated for a 2008 Q3 launch.

They are planning to make India as the hub of their manufacturing for South East Asia and plans are already afloat to transfer technology from Australia to a Indian development center.

amtak · 21st November 2007, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacingForIndia

.
1. The small car in the pics is not the one which they plan to launch in India. Its just a test mule. They plan to launch a new Hatch sometime in 2009. It wont be called the Fiesta for sure.
.

You broke my heart by saying that! I was hoping to buy that car in the near future.

RacingForIndia · 21st November 2007, 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by amtak

You broke my heart by saying that! I was hoping to buy that car in the near future.

Believe me, I was chest fallen when I heard that myself.

benbsb29 · 21st November 2007, 11:29

Pics of the Focus has been posted by LandCruiser on the forum. so, it does look possible they would launch it.

RacingForIndia · 21st November 2007, 11:37

I have seen those pics but I hope they bring the 2008 Focus and not the dated one to India. A dated product would also mean that the India operations will be a version behind than then rest of the world and I doubt if Ford can afford that kind of image in India.

LandCruiser · 26th November 2007, 14:55

I saw these cars near Tambaram, Chennai. Actually 3 cars passed by followed by a Santro and a Swift in similar RED number plates meaning they are test cars. Some kind of comparison is happening I suppose.

amtak · 26th November 2007, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandCruiser

I saw these cars near Tambaram, Chennai. Actually 3 cars passed by followed by a Santro and a Swift in similar RED number plates meaning they are test cars. Some kind of comparison is happening I suppose.

Where was your cam phone then?? The more we see these test mules, the near could be their launch date!

20th November 2007, 14:22	#78 (permalink)
amtak BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fulltime Mumbaikar...Yippie!!!! Posts: 867 View My Garage	So if Verve is the facelifted FIESTA to be launched in 2009/10, then probably the pics posted and the car spotted by Ben and John are indeed the "new" FUSION for India? I may be completely wrong here but this is what it looks like to me __________________ E V O L V E D!

21st November 2007, 09:12	#83 (permalink)
benbsb29 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bans-galore Posts: 2,381 View My Garage	The Verve looks a tad too futuristic for the Indian market, IMO. I seriously doubt they would lauch the Verve here, atleast not for the next 3 years. The hatch we clicked replacing the Fusion? Hmm, that would make the 'Fusion' an even more confused car/vehicle. __________________ "You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you." - Eric Hoffer

21st November 2007, 10:54	#84 (permalink)
RacingForIndia BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 322 View My Garage	Happened to meet someone from Ford (a couple of days back)and here the inside take. 1. The small car in the pics is not the one which they plan to launch in India. Its just a test mule. They plan to launch a new Hatch sometime in 2009. It wont be called the Fiesta for sure. 2. They are planning to launch the new Focus and the Mondeo before they launch the hatch. These are slated for a 2008 Q3 launch. They are planning to make India as the hub of their manufacturing for South East Asia and plans are already afloat to transfer technology from Australia to a Indian development center. __________________ "Racing is life. Everything else that happens before or after is just waiting." ~Steve McQueen [Le Mans -1970] Last edited by RacingForIndia : 21st November 2007 at 10:55. Reason: Spellings

21st November 2007, 11:29	#87 (permalink)
benbsb29 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bans-galore Posts: 2,381 View My Garage	Pics of the Focus has been posted by LandCruiser on the forum. so, it does look possible they would launch it. __________________ "You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you." - Eric Hoffer

21st November 2007, 11:37	#88 (permalink)
RacingForIndia BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 322 View My Garage	I have seen those pics but I hope they bring the 2008 Focus and not the dated one to India. A dated product would also mean that the India operations will be a version behind than then rest of the world and I doubt if Ford can afford that kind of image in India. __________________ "Racing is life. Everything else that happens before or after is just waiting." ~Steve McQueen [Le Mans -1970]

26th November 2007, 14:55	#89 (permalink)
LandCruiser BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 435 View My Garage	I saw these cars near Tambaram, Chennai. Actually 3 cars passed by followed by a Santro and a Swift in similar RED number plates meaning they are test cars. Some kind of comparison is happening I suppose.

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