Ford can re-enter India with a comprehensive lineup of at least these 5 cars. I have been reporting about the curious case of the American carmaker for a while now. We all know that Ford quit manufacturing cars in India back in September 2021. It reported incurring losses worth a whopping $2 Billion in our market. However, after almost 3 years of that incident, there are signs that Ford can return to India. Needless to mention, the prime focus this time around will be profitability. Recently, we have seen many new Ford cars in India. These were allegedly here for testing and homologation. That gives us a hint of what we can expect.
5 Cars Ford Can Re-enter India With
Ford Everest (Endeavour)
The most wildly anticipated SUV from the American auto giant has to be the new Everest, which was sold in our market as Endeavour for the longest time. It has been among the most successful 7-seat off-roaders in the country. As a matter of fact, it is one of the most prominent products from Ford in many parts of the world. In its latest generation avatar, the Everest comes with an imposing road presence, the latest tech, connectivity and convenience features, a premium cabin and powerful engine options. For instance, it gets a colossal 12-inch vertically-oriented touchscreen infotainment system which houses all the in-cabin controls for HVAC and multimedia along with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster.
In fact, it would be interesting to see which engine will power the Indian-spec model. One potent option is the 2.0-litre EcoBlue bi-turbo diesel engine which is good for 210 PS and 500 Nm of peak power and torque. This engine could come with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The main highlight will be the 4×4 drivetrain which will ensure a rugged off-roading performance. We have already spotted it on the back of a flatbed truck in India.
Ford Ranger
Yet another vehicle which was seen on the truck alongside the Everest is the Ford Ranger. Essentially, it is the pickup truck version of the new Everest. If it launches in our market, it will rival the likes of the Toyota Hilux and Isuzu V-Cross. The craze of people towards lifestyle off-roading pickup trucks has gone up in recent times. The V-Cross has been extremely popular in India since its inception. However, the Hilux has struggled to achieve decent sales. With the Ranger appearing on the scene, this segment could get some excitement. Ranger is a popular global product. Its ruggedness and capabilities are celebrated in many international markets. Hence, it would be interesting to see how well the Indian customers embrace it.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Since the future of mobility is electric, Ford might want to test the waters in our market with its Mustang Mach-E. The electric crossover has been doing great in the US market. The Indian market is also getting new products in this space. Hence, this segment is slated for exponential growth. In the US, the Mach-E comes with two battery pack options – a 72 kWh and a 91 kWh. The power and torque outputs range from 269 hp / 430 Nm to 487 hp / 850 Nm. Depending on the variant, you can get a range of anywhere between 470 km to 600 km on a single charge. We shall have to wait to see which variant makes it to our shores.
Ford Territory
The American car marque recently filed a patent for its Territory SUV in India. Territory is a mid-size SUV which, if launched in India, will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, etc. It bears the typical Ford styling with sleek LED DRLs at the front, a broad grille with chrome inserts, an LED headlamp cluster, a rugged skid plate, dimensions comparable to other SUVs in this space and a practical cabin. There are multiple powertrain options available in various international markets. More details will emerge in times to come.
Ford Mustang
Finally, there are also some rumours about the new Ford Mustang making it to our shores. Mustang is one of the most iconic names in the automobile world. The moniker has been around since the 1960s. In fact, one can credit the inception of the muscle car phenomenon to the Mustang. What is even more impressive is the fact that Mustang has survived decades in the market with continued demand. Even in this modern world, the Mustang is available as an electric car. But the latest generation Mustang (in ICE avatar) is not on sale in India just yet. Going forward, Ford might start offering it in India, perhaps as a CBU vehicle in limited numbers.
Our View
Ford still has its Chennai plant which has a capacity of producing 150,000-200,000 cars and 350,000 engines annually. It even has plans to set up its R&D centre in Chennai for which it is already hiring employees. It is clear that Ford will leave no stone unturned and will plan a strong business case with a strict focus on profitability. With these vehicles, it is targeting the popular market segments in India. We shall have to wait a bit longer until Ford officially announces its plans for the Indian market.
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