Kumar Galhotra, vice president, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa, Dave Schoch, chairman and CEO, Ford Motor China, Joe Hinrichs, president, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa, Marin Burela, president, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile, and Luo Minggang, executive vice president, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile, pose for photographers after the unveiling of four SUVs for the China market.
“The Ford EcoSport reflects our commitment to serve our Ford customers in China and around the world with the cars, utilities and trucks they want and value,” said Joe Hinrichs, President, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa. “EcoSport delivers outstanding quality, great fuel efficiency with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, superior safety and really smart design with SYNC.”
After the global preview in January at the Delhi Auto Expo, which we brought to you live, Ford has now revealed the production version of the EcoSport in China and simultaneously in Brazil, where Ford EcoSport was developed by a global Ford development team. In addition to production in Chongqing, the EcoSport will be manufactured in Camaçari, Brazil, Rayong, Thailand, and Chennai, India, and will be offered in nearly 100 markets globally.
EcoSport joins Ford’s family of small global vehicles, which will reach an annual production capacity of 2 million units by 2015.
“The all-new EcoSport is designed and engineered specifically for customers in global growth markets using Ford’s global SUV engineering expertise and reflecting our commitments for quality, leading fuel economy, safety and smart technology,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development. “We’re delivering innovative products like this to drive our global growth.”
EcoSport Titanium
Ford is showcasing its top-of-the-line model, the EcoSport Titanium, on stage in Beijing, painted in distinctive Mars Red. A similar model is being revealed today in Salvador, Brazil, as EcoSport’s global launch momentum builds.
EcoSport Titanium has 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels and a chrome grille.
Inside, EcoSport offers a stylish, modern and well-equipped interior delivering new standards of craftsmanship and quality says Ford. The cabin – spacious for five people and their gear – has been engineered to deliver outstanding levels of comfort and should be ‘Ford’ quiet inside.
While the Indian version may not get Ford SYNC with voice control as sold in the US and other markets, we definitely should get the voice activated controls. Smart Keyless Entry, Ford Power Start, and a cooled bin in the glovebox are other features.
EcoSport offers advanced safety items, such as dual front airbags and side curtain airbags, as well as Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program.
To take the stress out of driving, the EcoSport comes with an array of driver-assist features including Hill Launch Assist and rear parking sensors.
Its agile, manoeuvrable chassis features electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) for outstanding steering response and improved fuel efficiency.
“The new EcoSport is full of personality,” said J Mays, group vice president, Design, and chief creative officer, Ford Motor Company. “Customers around the world immediately recognise its capability and SUV robustness that is achieved with aggressiveness. It is friendly and it’s a vehicle that really makes you smile.”
The all-new 1.0 L EcoBoost engine will debut in China in the all-new Ford EcoSport – offering the performance of a conventional 1.6-litre engine with less than 140g/km CO2 emissions. May we also remind you, the 1.0L EcoBoost has a footprint equal to an A4 sized sheet of paper! The 1.0-litre EcoBoost uses turbocharging and direct fuel injection to extract impressive levels of power and fuel efficiency from its three-cylinder engine block. In addition to this engine, we should also probably have the 1.5L Diesel mill on offer.
Ah, exciting times these! Do check out our Power Stroke section for the most comprehensive coverage of the EcoSport, well the best we can do without actually being there in Beijing!
Ford also introduced to the Chinese market the all new Kuga, the Edge and the Explorer.