Ford to launch EcoSport in diesel, petrol variants

US automotive major Ford is planning to launch EcoSport, its compact sports utility vehicle (SUV), in both diesel and petrol variants in India. The vehicle is expected to be rolled out in the first quarter of 2013, with plans to export it from Chennai.

Michael Boneham, president and managing director of Ford India, said, “We are not present in certain growth segments in India. The compact SUV will be our growth pad in India and we would like to see at least 80 per cent localisation.”

Besides catering to the domestic market, the Chennai facility will manufacture the SUV for the regional markets, Boneham said, while refusing to comment on the markets that the company is looking at.

Meanwhile, the company announced the completion of its diesel engine facility expansion at Maraimalai Nagar. It may be noted that Ford had announced a $72-million investment plan for the expansion of the engine facility last year.

Besides $72 million, the company has already invested $500 million in the Maraimalai Nagar facility, which currently can produce 200,000 cars and 340,000 engines.

Of the total engines produced here, 40 per cent are exported to countries in Asia-Pacific and Africa, said Radhakrishnan Balakrishnan, vice-president (powertrain operations), Ford India.

Since the last six months, the company has been constrained on the availability of diesel engines, Boneham said, adding that the inauguration of the expanded power train will enable the company to integrate the launch of EcoSport and Titanium Classic.

The company had commenced the engine facility at Maraimalai Nagar in 2008 with one variant. Today, it manufactures 17 variants with the capability to manufacture both diesel and petrol variants in a single line.