[Warwithwheels]

Originally Posted by romeomidhun

The fact that 'this car is lhd' is written on the rear windshield So the steering should be there on the lhs itself.

I did notice that. But as we all know these manufacturers play pranks like crazzy. That got me thining.

Ford has been caught testing several LHD model cars on our Indian soil but none of them carry such a conspicuos banner shouting LHD. Hence my quest!

[Pyrotek]

Folks, I spotted the blue Fusion sedan and blue Fiesta hatch last evening at the Sony World junction in Koramangala, Bangalore. I don't know about the Fusion, but the Fiesta hatch definitely seemed like a right-hand drive.

Unfortunately, no pics! :( But there seems to be a lot of models that Ford is evaluating for India. Could the Fusion be Ford's D-segment contestant? Maybe a shot at glory after the miserable failure of the Mondeo?

[vb-saan]

^^I believe the new Ford Fusion in the US is same as the Mondeo in Europe (with the Aston Martin-like face).

[zenren]

Ford could be evaluating anything that has significant parts/platform sharing with the Ecosport to gain advantage on the localization levels they are focusing on for Ecosport. It could be a long way from the launch but would help Ford in expanding their service network in the long run if they have a much more diversified portfolio of successful products, and not just dependent on success of Figo alone.

Ecosport could bring the waves that they need very badly but it wouldn't be so easy to sustain it once the fresh look factor disappears and it becomes just another car on the road. The reason Maruti, Hyundai and Mahindra are much more successful than others is due to the fact that they atleast 4-5 products in their range that have respectable sales numbers and road presence.

Fiesta hatch could be a good proposition to challenge the i20, Punto, Polo et al if they can price it right but that could mean they need to correct the Fiesta sedan as well.

[9thsphinx]

I absolutely love the hatchback! Imagine the mods that can go with this little Ford - Ken Block style

Ford, please bring this to India.

[deetjohn]

Very Nice! Hope they are not testing the LHD versions for the international markets alone. I really love the Fiesta hatch. Hope we get it here soon after the EcoSport.

[pulsarmaniac]

I have seen the Fiesta hatch here in Philippines many times. It looks bigger than the Honda Jazz for sure. I have seen the fiesta hatch and Jazz along side too. Looks much better than Jazz for me anyday. I am just hoping this car gets launched in India soon in a justifiable price bracket. It would be a great buy for sure.

[theMAG]

Originally Posted by vikram_d

Interesting to see a FFV being tested in India.

Hadnt the automotive standards in India been updated to have a vehicle capable of running on ethanol as well sometime last year? I remember some discussions on ECU and other related upgrades.

[zwift1819]

I had seen the fiesta hatch in dubai one year ago and it looked just superb. I feel it has the killing looks of a hatch and if launched here will give a major competition to the new gen swift. The car looks very modern, wonder what is taking ford to think so much to launch this car here! Maybe they are worried that Figo sales might take a hit but as it is the car does not seem to have high sales.

[vineethvazhayil]

Originally Posted by zwift1819

I had seen the fiesta hatch in dubai one year ago and it looked just superb. I feel it has the killing looks of a hatch and if launched here will give a major competition to the new gen swift. The car looks very modern, wonder what is taking ford to think so much to launch this car here! Maybe they are worried that Figo sales might take a hit but as it is the car does not seem to have high sales.

Ford cannot price it at the same level as the Swift, period. Doesn't make any sense in India to launch 10 lakh hatchbacks, people would rather go for "sedans".

[oxyzen]

Originally Posted by vineethvazhayil

Ford cannot price it at the same level as the Swift, period. Doesn't make any sense in India to launch 10 lakh hatchbacks, people would rather go for "sedans".

A 10L hatchback will find some customers for sure. But the 1.5L Petrol and diesel engines will nor be worth it. If the Fiesta hatch came with 1.4L eco boost Engine and at 10Lakh I would buy it. Period.

[vineethvazhayil]

Originally Posted by oxyzen

A 10L hatchback will find some customers for sure. But the 1.5L Petrol and diesel engines will nor be worth it. If the Fiesta hatch came with 1.4L eco boost Engine and at 10Lakh I would buy it. Period.

The problem for Ford and a lot of other manufacturers is that the volume of such people is too low. I would be happy to buy, for eg. A vw gti for 15 lakhs. But that would never happen in India

Btw, there is no 1.4 ecoboost.

[anachronix]

Its definitely confusing to the see old generation Fusion from the Americas being tested here. I only hope its not another case of getting the Escorts, Ikons, Fiesta and the Figo where they bring the old used technology dumped here at a cheaper price.

I would really love to the see the current generation Fusion and the Fiesta hatch here. Ford really needs to buckle up and expand their portfolio and do more than just selling the entry level hatch, Figo. The time taken to bring the global cars to India has been painfully long too. Case in point, the EcoSport! I understand, the push for localisation but they cant be taking forever to bring the product to the road.

Renault-Nissan & Chevrolet have done a fantastic job of bringing in more cars in the last 3 years than Ford ever did from the time they started selling cars in India.

[prmd_cochin]

Originally Posted by anachronix

Its definitely confusing to the see old generation Fusion from the Americas being tested here. I only hope its not another case of getting the Escorts, Ikons, Fiesta and the Figo where they bring the old used technology dumped here at a cheaper price.

I would really love to the see the current generation Fusion and the Fiesta hatch here. Ford really needs to buckle up and expand their portfolio and do more than just selling the entry level hatch, Figo. The time taken to bring the global cars to India has been painfully long too. Case in point, the EcoSport! I understand, the push for localisation but they cant be taking forever to bring the product to the road.

Renault-Nissan & Chevrolet have done a fantastic job of bringing in more cars in the last 3 years than Ford ever did from the time they started selling cars in India.

That fusion is the current model being sold here in the middle east. Its not outdated as you say.

[Vid6639]

Originally Posted by prmd_cochin

That fusion is the current model being sold here in the middle east. Its not outdated as you say.

It is outdated when the new model has been announced internationally. It may still be selling in middle east as current model but it will soon be replaced by this:



http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/24/2...-review-video/