[Gaur]

Originally Posted by TaurusSHO

Hope this is true. I mean all signs point to it. The last minute cancelation of its Chennai plant sale, this patent and new job listings!

Attachment 2553899

LINK

These job listings have nothing to do with the India market, i all probability they are for their Global R&D center in Chennai, however someone at Ford who was part of the plant sale process did confirm that the sale has been put on hold, but he as well is not sure of the reason and what's the plan ahead.

[DroopyGarfield]

Originally Posted by Masalawheelz

Hi,

Sorry to break the dream cloud but please take this news with a pinch of salt for the following reasons:

1. As an IP Lawyer, I can tell you that most big brands apply for patents of their international models in countries even where they do not have sales, to protect their IP. This can be a scenario where Ford has chosen to protect its IP in India as they would still be using the manufacturing plant in Chennai (not necessarily for sale in India but for export)


Cheers!

I think this is the most logical explanation so far. Ford exited India (and other countries) with a strategic objective of not to operate where they have miniscule market share when compared to their primary US market. US market is dominated by oversized SUVs/pickups and thus, has little to offer to emerging market like ours with narrow roads. I am unsure if anything changed so rapidly in India since they time they exited India on this front.

Any automotive company should have significant options for customers to convert footfalls in the showroom to sales. Conversion of potential leads to sales requires a lot more planning/effort than a simple announcement and that too, with a single model. They did not have a plan back then to customize models for India (and hence, a single trick pony) and would remain in future so in case they only have Endeavour.

We should not pin our hopes on such media scoops which could very well be aimed to garner interest and drive further traffic.

[dragracer567]

There is still the consumer faith factor. The Endeavour used to post healthy sales numbers because the consumers were fairly confident on the Ford brand. But with the rash decision to exit the Indian market has shaken that confidence, so how will future customers ever trust the Ford brand?

Anyhow, if they are coming in using halo CKD/CBH products anyway, it would make sense to launch the Ranger Raptor, Mustang Mach-E and relaunch the Mustang as well.

[DRPSREDDY]

Originally Posted by dragracer567

There is still the consumer faith factor. The Endeavour used to post healthy sales numbers because the consumers were fairly confident on the Ford brand. But with the rash decision to exit the Indian market has shaken that confidence, so how will future customers ever trust the Ford brand?

Anyhow, if they are coming in using halo CKD/CBH products anyway, it would make sense to launch the Ranger Raptor, Mustang Mach-E and relaunch the Mustang as well.

Agreed. Endeavour thought has a good fan following, was not a car ot the masses. Endeavour sold not higher than 300 compared to the Toyota Fortuner that sold a good 1500+. Sales were always poor and if you take the Mahindra Alturas G4 too sold about 50+ a month with CKD kits though was price a grand 10 lower. The reason was that people has a perception the Ford was expensive to maintain and was not fool proof compared to Fortuner.

For Ford though, some CKDs from UK and Thailand markets would do wonders.

[nareshtrao]

There is no smoke without fire and I am sure Autocar must have done some due diligence before publishing this.

As some of you pointed out, Ford sufferred due to "mistaken" impression that their cars are expensive to maintain which they have successfully changed in the last 2-3 years since they left. In fact, the service is even better now and the parts availability has never been an issue.

For them, the most easy customer base is their existing users as most of them are convinced of the quality, service and also the fact that many of these models have had no close match, especially Endeavour, Ecosport and Freestyle

However, it is safe to be skeptical given the "decision making process" of most American Multinationals. One board presentation and a business case can sometime make a case or kill a market like it happened with their exit. And rightly pointed out by many here that a mere patent filing is not the indication of them really intending to launch.

However, as an Endeavour owner, I am hopeful that they will launch it and other models. Even if they are on par or even a slight premium with the current competition, I will happily buy one. Last time I booked before launch and without any test drive, solely based on global reviews. My Endevaour was from the first CKD batch in 2016 and is closing on 8 years trouble free and has visited a large part of this country. Even now it runs flawlessly and does not feel outdated.

Keeping fingers crossed.

[07CR]

Originally Posted by DRPSREDDY

Agreed. Endeavour thought has a good fan following, was not a car ot the masses. Endeavour sold not higher than 300 compared to the Toyota Fortuner that sold a good 1500+. Sales were always poor and if you take the Mahindra Alturas G4 too sold about 50+ a month with CKD kits though was price a grand 10 lower. The reason was that people has a perception the Ford was expensive to maintain and was not fool proof compared to Fortuner.

You could not have been more wrong in terms of sales of Endeavour.

Endeavour was infact the only car that went toe to toe with Fortuner in terms of sales, and only one that was holding Toyota from pricing Fortuner at ridiculous levels (which they now have done).

Sales figures till the last complete month, before Ford announced departure in Sept 2021, avg last 6 months Endeavour Sales = 828 -

[123.rishabh]

Finally time for the undisputed king to return.
Seeing the strict policies in Indian market for diesel cars, i hope they do consider bringing the 2.3 L Ecoboost engine with 10 AT which is capable of ~270 PS & 420 nm Torque and is already developed and sold abroad in the everest.

Pic attached below is of the 2.3L in the Ranger

[K7@TN14]

I too wish this news is true. However as Masalawheels said there could be other reasons for patent. However I do remember that Ford never said they are exiting India market while announcing shutdown manufacture facility. They mentioned that they would sell premium models in future. So it may be symptoms that they might preparing to launch premium models - starting with Mighty Endy…

Sources:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com...7.cms?from=mdr

https://www.thehindu.com/business/In...le36379175.ece

I am super excited to see Ford in Indian market (if it happens)

[Rajjaiswal92]

Originally Posted by DRPSREDDY

Agreed. Endeavour thought has a good fan following, was not a car ot the masses. Endeavour sold not higher than 300 compared to the Toyota Fortuner that sold a good 1500+.

Nope not true , it not only held its own against the fortuner but beat the Fortuner in sales once or twice during its run here , my Endeavour was the fist few in central India from the first CKD batch 95,000 km and 8 years later i have faced absolutely 0 issues and have covered deserts, seas , mountains and the Great Plains of this country . Even today it has everything one can ask for , my car was never driven in a friendly or a loving manner but was put to work . I will buy this car all over again without test driving it all over again .

[Met_Jazz]

A brief analysis of the resale value of pre-owned Ford Endeavour and Mustang vehicles, even following Ford's departure, sheds light on the strong attachment that Indians have to the brand. Some of my friends are EcoSport owners, and they maintain their appreciation for their purchases due to the excellent service provided by Ford, despite the company's exit. I am eagerly looking forward to their comeback!
Indeed, the years' post-2022 have witnessed a resurgence of iconic figures from the past. SRK achieved this with "Pathaan", Sunny Deol with "Gadar 2" and I remain optimistic that Ford will make a triumphant return with the Endeavour!

[07CR]

Originally Posted by Met_Jazz

A brief analysis of the resale value of pre-owned Ford Endeavour and Mustang vehicles, even following Ford's departure, sheds light on the strong attachment that Indians have to the brand

True that. Even I sold my Ecosport S TDCI (2nd owner), at 92.75% of the price I had purchased it! The vehicle was under my ownership for 3.5 years and had seen 30K kms.

[Flash777]

News like this affirms the belief that God does exist and he actually listens.

Don't screw this up Ford.

[Nilesh5417]

I don't think it makes any sense to come out with just the Endeavour. If Ford indeed is going to make a re-entry, it's got to be with a decently larger portfolio. Maybe an SUV only range like Kia but makes no sense to be a one or two trick pony. Will be hard to get any dealers on board without a long term strategy.

So unless Ford makes an official announcement, this to me is quite speculative. But then we all want Ford back!

[Vish_Janu]

Originally Posted by Met_Jazz

A brief analysis of the resale value of pre-owned Ford Endeavour and Mustang vehicles, even following Ford's departure, sheds light on the strong attachment that Indians have to the brand. Some of my friends are EcoSport owners, and they maintain their appreciation for their purchases due to the excellent service provided by Ford, despite the company's exit. I am eagerly looking forward to their comeback!
Indeed, the years' post-2022 have witnessed a resurgence of iconic figures from the past. SRK achieved this with "Pathaan", Sunny Deol with "Gadar 2" and I remain optimistic that Ford will make a triumphant return with the Endeavour!

Just sold my October 2017 Ecosport Titanium for 5.75 lacs. My entire F&F group was pleasantly surprised.

[SuperGirl_Dad]

Originally Posted by Gautham_v6

Though I could see many members excited at the news of Ford Endeavour relaunch and evidently Ford's second innings in India, I would however advise members to be cautious ( not in the negative sense), given the rough phase the brand has been in Indian market.

My post isn't intended for fear mongering, rumour mongering, just trying to be cautious.

Ford has already lost the battle once and deserted the market. So dont know how much people will value their product even if launched. But for the Indian market and to take on the mighty Toyota wouldn't Wishing for Kia to launch the Tuluride make more sense? Kia knows the pulse of the market which Ford never understood in two decades of operation. Hope at least Kia fills this gap with Telluride, instead of the carnival.