[CARDEEP]

^^^ SO this is the next gen Figo for Indian market. Looks good enough to give a good fight to the competitors.

[karan561]

Ford, Need a top of the line Mustang GT500 (as 2015 models will be RHD) & with a M/T options please

[dipen]

Ford ka concept looks promising with great straight lines like the Polo. Now only if Ford launches it with the Ecoboost engine. If required, even detune it to 110 hp to deliver 20kmpl ARAI numbers. Price it 50k over the Swift and it will be a game changing offering.

[rlvl]

The rear of the next gen Ford Figo looks a lot like Hyundai Grand i10... which is not a bad thing!

[arunphilip]

A cross-post from the EcoSport review thread, which is something I feel is appropriate in here. If Ford are looking at augmenting their product portfolio, its interesting to see how we place the EcoSport vs. other models.

Originally Posted by arunphilip

I'd classify the EcoSport as Ford's premium hatch.

• They have the Figo straddling the mid-level hatch market (i.e. i10) and reaching to the start of the premium hatch market (i.e. i20).
• The EcoSport picks up where the Figo lets off, and fulfils the premium hatch slot.
• The new Fiesta where the EcoSport lets off as the volume sedan (botched that one, though, with the kind of sales volumes its having).
• The Fiesta Classic sits alongside the Figo/EcoSport as the entry-level sedan, similar to how the Hyundai Accent was placed.

We've already been told many times that the Fiesta hatch isn't headed to Indian shores, so it's that slot where the EcoSport sits.

(other stuff omitted)

[CARDEEP]

More on Ford's future plans in India:

1. The Figo concept that was showcased during the 2014 Auto Expo addressed the need and will see the light of day by 2015.
2. At the same time as Auto Expo 2014, Ford showed a longer version of the Figo in Brazil, Christened as the ‘Ka Concept 4-door’, the longer version sits on a larger wheelbase and wears a top hat that looks similar to the Figo concept, albeit with sharper and bigger taillights. This longer wheelbase of the Ka Concept will underpin a new MPV that is targeted for the emerging markets, should follow above sedan by 2016.

Source: http://overdrive.in/news/exclusive-f...oming-in-2016/

[arunphilip]

In 2010, Ford made a statement: "By the middle of this decade we will introduce eight new vehicles to India from our global platforms, in segments appropriate for this market."
So, let's see where Ford stand as of now:

• 2011: Launched the new Fiesta
• 2013: Launched the EcoSport
• 2014: Launched the Fiesta facelift (and then yanked it )
• 2015: Launched the Figo Aspire sedan to replace the Classic (old Fiesta)
• 2015: Launched the New Figo hatchback to replace the Figo
• 2015/2016: The Endeavour is waiting behind the curtains for its launch
• 2015/2016: The EcoSport facelift is somewhere around the corner, no confirmed dates
• 2015/2016: There are rumblings of the Mustang being launched as a halo product

Yes, the above list includes facelifts of the EcoSport and Fiesta, and yes, it has the potential to spill over into 2016 for the last 3 items. We can cut these numbers any way, but have to admit Ford India are reasonably on track towards their stated goal.

What is commendable is that their time-to-market for models has increased from a shabby 1 model per year (or worse), to a better pace, similar to Hyundai.

What remains to be seen is how well they fulfil orders, now with their Sanand plant also up and running. If they can keep order backlogs within limits and prioritize Indian sales, it'll help them get mind-share first, followed by market-share.

As someone who has been critical of their approach to product launches and their order fulfilment strategy, this is reason for some cautious optimism.

Ford: don't screw up, and you could well be on your way up the sales charts in India.

[arunphilip]

Ford India's Growth 2.0 Strategy

"As part of the product-led transformation plans to drive growth 2.0, we have been looking at faster refresh rate for our cars. In the past we would have done facelifts once in 2.5 years or 3.5 years. But, we are moving to a point where we will have a refresh in the second year itself," Anurag Mehrotra, Executive Director, Marketing, Sales & Service at Ford India told The Hindu.

Thus, Ford has now three new products in its portfolio – its all new compact sedan Aspire, Figo refresh and now EcoSport facelift. It will also launch the facelift of premium SUV Endeavour soon.

With new set of products in its portfolio, Ford seeks create some excitement among the car buyers as also drive the sales level to higher growth rate during this festive season.

Ford set out Growth 2.0 plan and to embrace this for the next two years. One of the biggest elements of this Growth 2.0 vision is product led-transformation which encompasses new launches and shorter duration for roll out of product refreshes.

Emphasis added

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/business/Ind...cle7734398.ece