[TusharK]

According to a media report, Ford is reportedly developing the next generation Ka and Ka Sedan in Brazil. The cars, which are said to be codenamed as B680 and B680S are sold in India as the Figo and Aspire. These are expected to be launched by 2021.



The report states both the new Ka and Ka Sedan could be based on Ford's B-platform, which will be shared with the next generation EcoSport. The new Ka is expected to be larger than the outgoing model and could replace the Fiesta in the domestic market. The Ka Sedan too is likely to grow in size and is said to replace the Fiesta sedan.

There is no word yet on whether Ford will introduce the updated Figo and Aspire in India.

Source: revistawutoesporte

Link to Team-BHP News

[Reinhard]

By usual standard norms in our market, the current generation is not yet "old enough" to get replaced. They'll continue to milk it further even if the new one gets launched in Brazil and elsewhere.
At the same time - I suspect that the next ones will not hit our roads at all. Ford might give up on these segments now & that might be the right decision. They aren't able to make a headway into this densely populated and fiercely fought segment even with really good products like the Figo/Aspire. It might not be worth investing to continue on. We might just see the next generation FREESTYLE based on the new generation after a while perhaps. That might be Ford's single competitor in the hatchback+compact sedan dimensions below the Ecosport IMO.

[ram87pune]

Originally Posted by Reinhard

We might just see the next generation FREESTYLE based on the new generation after a while perhaps. That might be Ford's single competitor in the hatchback+compact sedan dimensions below the Ecosport IMO.

Completely agree with you Reinhard. I also think that going forward, Ford will only have an SUV/Crossover portfolio in India. It will start with the Freestyle and end with the Endeavor with the Ecosport and the Mahindra XUV500 based SUV thrown in between.

Ford's global decision of axing sedans and compact cars by 2020 and having an SUV intensive portfolio and also the rumor of Ford wanting to sell their Sanand plant help cement these thoughts.

[GTO]

Because Ford is taking a step back in India, I doubt we'll be seeing the next-gen Figo & Aspire here. The segment is also too crowded for a non-committal manufacturer & it sure doesn't help that the current Figo & Aspire have flopped.

Frankly - and I would agree with Ford on this strategy - the company should focus on SUVs & Crossovers for the time being. Even today, the two products doing really well are the EcoSport & Endeavour. Focus on a few segments and serve them really well.

[Storm2.0]

Can we see these Figo twins rebadged and engineered as a Mahindra then? Mahindra hasn't seen success in hatchback and has neither ventured into the sedan territory. It will be good if they can do this through their joint venture with Ford.

[Reinhard]

Originally Posted by Storm2.0

Can we see these Figo twins rebadged and engineered as a Mahindra then? Mahindra hasn't seen success in hatchback and has neither ventured into the sedan territory. It will be good if they can do this through their joint venture with Ford.

The M&M brand is deeply associated with UVs. And the brand visibility is also extremely high everywhere to ensure even new generations automatically associate it with UVs. No matter what they try - probably they won't be able to make a mark in the hatchback/compact sedan segments. Perhaps Tata will see success some day even, but M&M probably won't. Rather - the investment needed just to reposition itself as a credible small car maker will be a bit too much & long term. I don't think they will consider it as a worthwhile investment. M&M is doing absolutely fine as a UV player & in top 3 by numbers even without compact cars. So they'll go on this way mostly. Re-badging and selling cars that are already known as flops won't bring good returns on the investment needed IMO.