More than a year after the Ford EcoSport was officially unveiled in India, the compact SUV has still not gone on sale. The launch has been delayed massively, time and again, leading to frustration for prospective buyers who fell in love with the vehicle at the 2012 Auto Expo. Ford on its part has added more flame to the fire, by showcasing the EcoSport at multiple locations across India in January last year. The amount of test mules on Chennai streets off late can make one believe the EcoSport is already on sale there.
With so many Ford EcoSport units on test in Pune and Chennai, one would believe the launch is just around the corner. However Ford will only launch its compact SUV in April 2013. The reason for the delay is the union budget. Multiple reports suggest that the Indian government will reduce excise duty on small cars by 2%, which will be applicable from April. The EcoSport’s sub 4-metre dimensions and small capacity engines will make it classify as a small car, thereby getting it massive cost benefits over its arch rival, the Renault Duster.
The crucial question though is if Ford is late to the party? The Duster was unveiled at the same time as the EcoSport but Renault has already put more than 25,000 units on Indian roads, hiking prices of the vehicle three times already. The Duster has had a home run and the EcoSport is all ready to lure customers to Ford showrooms. But with other manufacturers already working hard on compact SUVs, the EcoSport will have more than the Duster to rival in its very first year. Delay is never good and launching a product 14 months after its first unveil is not the best strategy adopted by the American car maker.
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Akash February 2, 2013 at 6:56 pm
Baat to sahi hai . . . . .
bankey rastogi February 2, 2013 at 8:01 pm
what sahi hai akash, think how much company is loosing by not encashing the heat in the market in their favour by launching the product in time instead calculating the meagre tax benefits to be passed on to the customer.
Ashwin February 4, 2013 at 10:21 am
R U trying to say. customer should pend money just like that when Govt is giving 2% benefit. No problem to wait if we can get a GOOD SUV for much lesser price than Duster or Quanto
No One February 2, 2013 at 11:03 pm
Waiting for the ARAI figures of that mighty EcoBoost engine !!!
ignatius February 3, 2013 at 4:45 pm
Hi ,
I am seeing every two weeks or a month about ford ecosport in this website. i think u r showing a paid advertisement to this vehicle… please stop telling abt this car until u get a real date of release , ARAI Mileage or real cost of this vehicle .
Faisal Khan February 3, 2013 at 5:53 pm
Ignatius, I request you to please read the above post again before making baseless comments. Thanks.
bhupendra February 3, 2013 at 7:00 pm
What is this oct thn nov december january phir feb thn march n nw april I think ford dnt wnt to launch the eco sports.hv to think about another suv,
Rajan February 3, 2013 at 10:40 pm
Faisal, Mini SUV is booming in India at teh moment and its never too late. Only differentiator will be pricing and how soon they can deliver. I think Ford will taste success with this launch if they take care of these.
Faisal Khan February 3, 2013 at 11:06 pm
Rajan, agree mini SUV is in demand but the EcoSport should have been launched by now. People are really tired waiting.
Ronn February 4, 2013 at 4:52 pm
Just called Ford dealership Gurgaon, the lady said that the launch will be in march and demo cars will be available at their delarship at the launch time only.