[roy_libran]

Originally Posted by RSimonS

It is becoming more or less evident that 'Ford does not care much' about things in the outside world.

Very pertinent observation!

It does seem that they are incredibly inward focussed, and don't really care/understand about wider perceptions.

As an owner of a Ford vehicle, and having directly experienced a high quality product, backed with a reasonably acceptable level of service at a very acceptable cost, it disappoints me when Ford loses out because of:
- bad customer perception management
- it's engagement with the community
- almost reluctant publicity of it's products
- poorly thought through product configurations (e.g. Endy 2.4 or Freestyle AT) etc.

Totally out of touch with the customer. :(

[sgiitk]

Has anyone considered that the EcoSport is due for a major revamp, and Ford does not want the world to know. Maybe the engine is going to be redone, with BS-VI just over a year away.

[selfdrive]

That's odd from Ford.
Seeing this thread I am almost tempted to go and book a S. My pocket unfortunately reminds me otherwise
I do know of a bhpian in Pune who bought an ecosport recently. I will check with him if it is the S and if it's a yes from him to spare it for a few days. He can have my car as backup during this time.

[ferrarirules]

Originally Posted by GTO

A THIRD EcoSport S has become available to us for TWO DAYS. The owner wishes to remain anonymous, but a sincere thank you !

We will pick the car based on the location nearest to us & dates that are mutually convenient.

Three cars within 3 hours of creating this thread. Something was not achieved in 3 months that is amazing. That is the power of crowd sourcing for you.

For Ford India- A big goof up from your team in current age of social media. It should not have come down to this level of GTO creating a thread for it. I can understand that there can be logistics or other troubles but being transparent and open about things and trying to find innovative solutions can go a mile in such situations. Trying to address the situation after it became public is more a reactive approach than a proactive one.

Please note: Neither do I own a Ford or plan to buy one yet. This is my unbiased thought on what has happened.

[Rahul Bhalgat]

Originally Posted by Sheel

Who controls Ford India? Is there a South Asian/Asian HQ or the center is at US itself? Are they made aware of this? Are they made aware that Ford didn't/couldn't answer about the missing chassis components?

The Asian HQ (if any) as well as the Ford global HQ will be certainly aware of the chassis components eliminated (by design) in Indian Endeavor. It shall not be possible without approval of HQ.

In the matter of not sending a review car to Team-BHP, the HQ may not be interfering. It will left to Ford India totally.

I am disappointed by the intent of Ford India and their approach of not saying directly that they won't send one.

[sureshkishore]

As a student I had the opportunity to visit the Ford Plant in Chennai. Was amazed at how open an courteous they were to us. We had an interaction with the Product Development team too, I was impressed by how composed they were while answering to some sharp and nasty questions from my peers.

I have since carried a high regard for the company, and the same was reinforced by their products and several ownership experiences of close friends.

However, this entire episode does not fall inline with what I feel FORD would stand for. I am of the opinion that an individuals hefty ego could have been at play and could have caused this issue.

I am sure that, that certain individual would learn his lesson very soon and Ford would arrange the car for the review.

[kanishka88]

Sorry I am in a rush and won't be able to go through all the posts but you can definitely have my EcoSport titanium+ AT for review. I bought my car in July but my car was manufactured in March, so this one comes with TPMS. I am based out of Bangalore.

[Sheel]

Originally Posted by chaudh2s

I feel the reason could be the Endeavour Chassis thread. I personally felt, many Bhpians acted like a mob (with no face) to defame Ford. It's not that other manufacturers are not resorting to cost cutting, but the way Ford was singled out and waylaid, many Ford owners felt bad(me included), but we couldn't do anything to stop the carnage (mob cannot be controlled).

Are you serious? All we wanted, was an answer from Ford, nothing more.

Why could they not come up with an answer can be any one's guess [at least now] and defame Ford? With the kind of guys working with Ford, no one needs to defame them, they are competent enough to do that act themselves.

Guys supporting Ford don't look into the bigger picture. What happens if one fine day your ASC or manufacturer refuses to cooperate/provide assistance on your valid/genuine concerns?

Worse, you sell your Ford and will you still be loyal, why is there a need to be so? Car brands will come and go, friends are for life, support for a good, unbiased cause which is going to benefit one and all.

[comfortablynumb]

Originally Posted by RSimonS

This thread is a bigger PR disaster for Ford than the chassis thread.

True. If this episode is an outcome of the chassis thread, they really need to stop being petty and get rid of the paranoia that Team-BHP is targeting or bashing them in any way.

Originally Posted by RSimonS

It is becoming more or less evident that 'Ford does not care much' about things in the outside world. Unfortunate, to say the least.

Maybe in their parallel universe, they've forgotten that in addition to the traditional 3 Ps, another P - Promotion, plays an equally important role, and a genuine & transparent review on this forum would have fetched them more showroom footfalls than all the agency driven promo drives in the world.

Oh well, they've made their bed, now they must lie in it.

Cheers,
Vikram

[SCORPION]

Ford did not give a vehicle for a test drive. Fine. Its not difficult to source an Ecosport S for a review. Get one, do a review and move on. Why make a hue and cry about it and embarass ourselves in the social media. Why blow our own trumpet?

Many times automobile magazines do not get a vehicle for a review or a comparo. They make a subtle remark in the beginning that a vehicle was not made available by the manufacturer, and go ahead with a borrowed car or carry on with the comparo with the cars available, or just ignore the car completely. Let's be a forum with mature members rather than a bunch of keyboard warriors making embarrassing statements.

In the interest of the forum, I sincerely feel this thread should be closed.

[W.A.G.7]

I have recently bought a new Ecosport, around a month ago. But mine is a 1.5l petrol with manual transmission. Still, I am willing to lend mine for a comparison(with the S or Ecoboost) if you need. You can PM if required.

[avdhesh15]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

Has anyone considered that the EcoSport is due for a major revamp, and Ford does not want the world to know. Maybe the engine is going to be redone, with BS-VI just over a year away.

Or maybe, just maybe, they have skimped on a chassis part in this avatar also!

[GTO]

Originally Posted by SCORPION

Ford did not give a vehicle for a test drive.

If an official review has ever helped you, you will realise the value of our having access to new cars. Most readers of Team-BHP will agree that nothing matches our official reviews for detail or unbiased observations.

I understand that you are a Ford owner, but please keep your opinion neutral. On the other hand, if it is, I apologise.

Its not difficult to source an Ecosport S for a review

To me, this thread was the most logical way to source one and it has been successful. Team-BHP now has FIVE cars to choose from.

Many times automobile magazines do not get a vehicle for a review or a comparo. They make a subtle remark in the beginning that a vehicle was not made available by the manufacturer

In India? Please share an example. I know there are some examples internationally, but the focus here is on the Indian Car Scene.

In the interest of the forum, I sincerely feel this thread should be closed.

Noted. However, we prefer to let the discussion continue.

[Jaggu]

I guess people are taking offence with the wording of the thread title more than anything. Instead of "Ford doesnt have..." title, if it was "Any volunteers to lend an Ecopotty, sorry Ecosport" things would have been fine?

Anyways i think the intent of the thread which i assume was to get a car for review has been done with. So i guess we can move on now. Also if i remember we were helped by members earlier also with such requests, so i guess this is not a big deal as made out to be in social media. And no guesses on who those interested folks are on social media

[kiku007]

Silly faux pas by Ford.

1. Ford knows the power of social media advertising very well.
2. Ford scours TBHP. How else did my post end up in the Freestyle launch event to drive the point on the cost of ownership?
3. So they obviously know the true feedback their cars get from TBHP official reviews.

Talking about the Endy-Chassis part episode, IMHO TBHP and some BHPians bit more than they can chew. You thought you'll send an e-mail to a manufacturer asking why their car doesn't have a certain part when the car has it in some other market and they'll send a nice reply to you? I don't think so. They'll just let it die. It was just an overblown thread which was closed without fanfare.

Now if someone at Ford did 2+2 = 4 and didn't give a car to T-BHP, that's plain silly. Come on Ford.

And TBHP, are you guys seriously fussing about not getting a car for a test drive/review? As this thread has demonstrated, just get the car, do the review and move on.