[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by iliketurtles

Really? I could swear I read everywhere that it's just the 1.0 EcoBoost engine that will come here?

You learn something new everyday. Thsanks!

Please look at this message #883 on pg 59 on this very thread. The pictures clearly show a white Ecosport with the TDCi badge at the rear, so the diesel Ecosport is definitely going to pave its way here in India. Not sure whether it will be timed with the Ecoboost or might come later.

Source:https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...5248964&type=1

[civic-sense]

Originally Posted by iliketurtles

But one simply cannot ignore market sentiments. Petrol cars owners and its manufacturing is simply taking a pounding in this current market environment, and when a majority of customers simply look at the price tag and then wonder "kitna deti hai", you cannot help but do as the Romans do. Ford has to play it smart. They will bleed badly if they go in all guns blazing with the Eco-Sport and overprice it while keeping the quality of the highest level. A niche audience, such as us, would appreciate and laud such an effort. But it won't get the cash registers ringing.

You don't always have to sell volumes to stay profitable. Ford employees weren't eating lizards (borrowing words from our ex-finance minister) before their first and only high-volume car, the Figo. Everybody cites the new Fiesta as an example of how a high price can kill a product. But the difference here, I think, is that for those, who feel that the price of Fiesta is high, they have other cheaper options (City, Vento) to fall back to, without sacrificing on almost any of the advantages that the Fiesta has. With the Ecosport, Ford has no competition. There is no other compact SUV in that vicinity. They could price it higher and still sell in decent numbers. In that process what we would get is a better engineered car with better build and quality. As the market has proven with the i20, City and new Verna, its is not just mediocrity (read VFM) that sells in India. Our country deserves better cars, not mediocre products like this (http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...-versions.html).

[man_and_machine]

Originally Posted by civic-sense

... With the Ecosport, Ford has no competition. There is no other compact SUV in that vicinity. They could price it higher and still sell in decent numbers. In that process what we would get is a better engineered car with better build and quality. As the market has proven with the i20, City and new Verna, its is not just mediocrity (read VFM) that sells in India.....

The EcoSport is not alone, there is already the Innova that fits the exact logic you have expressed. What is a true competitor to the Innova, truly in the same league, none! agree all? How many complain of it being over priced? - All, how many agree that it is the largest selling urban (even semi urban) MUV? - All.

Well the EcoSport might be a different case, but the underlying theme is the same.

However, in terms of perception, the EcoSport might need to clearly distinguish (even via advertisement) that is it in its own league, else its easy to get branded as a new, bigger petrol Figo (as the common man sees it). That will spoil the premium game!

[DieselFan]

EcoSport competition is neither Innova or Xylo or Ertiga or Scorpio or the Safari. It is coming into a new segment of Small SUVs. Its competition is Renault Duster (to be released in Jul 12) and Maruti XA Alpha ( to be released in 2013). Mini Xylo may also be a competition to EcoSport if it has SUV charecteristics rather than an MUV like Xylo.

[himanshugoswami]

I have from very reliable sources that the Ecosport will not be launched in India before May 2013. The first launch country will be Brazil followed by near simultaneous launch in China and India. Pricing will be a pleasant surprise.....cant reveal more. Ford is currently working on very aggressive indigenisation targets and also some minor mods for the RHD markets. The top end will feature the Fiesta DSG box as well, though it is still not decided if it will be offered upfront at launch or as a later release.

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by himanshugoswami

I have from very reliable sources that the Ecosport will not be launched in India before May 2013. The first launch country will be Brazil followed by near simultaneous launch in China and India. Pricing will be a pleasant surprise.....cant reveal more. Ford is currently working on very aggressive indigenisation targets and also some minor mods for the RHD markets. The top end will feature the Fiesta DSG box as well, though it is still not decided if it will be offered upfront at launch or as a later release.

That's too long a wait. By then the Duster and mini Xylo would have established themselves.

By the way, can you ask that little birdie if they are introducing the diesel model as well in May, 2013?

Also suggest to that guy to ensure that the auto-tranny has the gear labels on the driver's side, unlike the idiotic omission in the Dual-Clutch Fiesta.

[himanshugoswami]

Venu Bhai, Diesel is confirmed at launch- Ford is trying to localise the Ecoboost as much as possible to price it at least at par with the deisel. Apparently Ecoboost is pretty expensive to manufacture, and Ford is yet to acheive economies of scale since it is a new engine.

[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by himanshugoswami

I have from very reliable sources that the Ecosport will not be launched in India before May 2013. The first launch country will be Brazil followed by near simultaneous launch in China and India. Pricing will be a pleasant surprise.....cant reveal more. Ford is currently working on very aggressive indigenisation targets and also some minor mods for the RHD markets. The top end will feature the Fiesta DSG box as well, though it is still not decided if it will be offered upfront at launch or as a later release.

If the launch of Ecosport is really going to get delayed till May 2013, then I am very very disappointed. I was going to hand over my current ride to my brother-in-law (He was looking for a new car). But I persuaded him, not to go for a new car as he can get mine, when I go for the upgrade. Just yesterday I told him that if he can wait till Jan 2013, when I will get my new Ecosport with the Ecoboost engine, then I can handover my current ride to him, to which he readily agreed. If the delay news is confirmed, then I might as well change my plans or at least tell him, not to count on my car as I cannot part with it, until a new one arrives in my garage.

[motorworks]

Originally Posted by civic-sense

We are in agreement here. Except that I think that they will price it slightly higher than the Vento, although it might not touch the Fiesta price levels. And you can be sure that the 1L petrol would be priced at least 50K-1L below the 1.5 diesel. Else, the petrol won't sell.

However, what I resent is the attempt to compare the Ecosport with hatchbacks and professing that any price above the hatchback levels is atrocious.

I think the vento in terms of the Mid and top level variants is only about 70k-1 lakh cheaper than the new fiesta, so there is no middle path for the ecosport really. Either they price is close to the c2 Hot sellers like the Rapid / Vento / City or take it to the 12-14 lakh mark which would be at par with the new fiesta and that may be a bit risky. I have not seen the eco sport in person but there are very contradicting views in this forum about the size. Some say its not bigger than a fusion, I dont know, it need not be, but it may just look way better and offer so much more.
Others may look at it as a cheaper "Yeti" or a more "urban" duster.
Whatever said and done, pricing is the key. Ford cannot afford to position itself as a premium player in India, not just yet. They dont have a great history in india to fall back up on.
I think it's still a long way for the ecosport's launch, may be end 2012 or mid 2013, so let's just wait and see rather than being so brazen about one's views.

[anurag.somani]

If Ford does not bring a cut-down variant in India; and charges a slight premium for a quality product; it should find quite a few takers for it.

Today is different from 1990's or even early 2000's. There are many excellent highways and even more enthusiastic people taking on the self-drive mantle.

Yes; we all love the Innova on a highway; but how many times do 8 people go out together?

[sbala]

Folks,
Please check out Indian Auto blog. There is a news about 7 seater Ecosport. The news is from a leading auto magazine from Brazil.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

That's too long a wait. By then the Duster and mini Xylo would have established themselves.

.

This famous and mythical Mini Xylo - where on earth is it really? Seems nowhere in evidence at all.
I don't think even when it comes, it will be in the same class of quality as the EcoSport and such.

[condor]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

This famous and mythical Mini Xylo - ..
I don't think even when it comes, it will be in the same class of quality as the EcoSport and such.

+1. The mini Xylo could become an Ertiga rival, and no where near the projected positioning of the Ecosport

[sbala]

Originally Posted by sbala

Folks,
Please check out Indian Auto blog. There is a news about 7 seater Ecosport. The news is from a leading auto magazine from Brazil.

Here is the link.. Not sure how authentic is this news.. But love to see an Ecosport with 7 seater options as well.

Is a Ford EcoSport 7 seater on the anvil?


Bala

[chaudhrysan]

Originally Posted by sbala

Here is the link.. Not sure how authentic is this news.. But love to see an Ecosport with 7 seater options as well.

Is a Ford EcoSport 7 seater on the anvil?


Bala

We seem to be really obsessed by 7 seater concept (in my opinion). A sub 4 meter with 7 seats shall have hopeless last row. For that, one shall have to increase the length (as indicated on the above site), but then the pricing advantage of sub 4 meter goes off.

Ford may perhaps plan a variant offfering 7 seats (in a longer body) for future, but I would be quite happy with the current 5 seater configuration provided they price it properly. I desperately need a compact vehical with good ground clearance (be it a hatch or a compact SUV). Pot-holed roads are a nightmare to drive thru.