According to a report today on Economic Times, Ford India has planned to export 380 variants of the EcoSport to 40-50 countries. 40-45% of the production capacity will be utilized for the needs outside India.
At the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month, Ford officials confirmed that the European markets will source cars from the Chennai plant.
The model kept on display was among the first batch of cars to be produced in Chennai's production lines. The display car had a fully finished interior, but its engine bay was hollow.
Ford India will manufacture EcoSport variants sporting the 1-liter Ecoboost petrol, 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol and 1.5L diesel engines. The 1.5L petrol will be mated to 5-speed MT or a 6-speed AT. The diesel engine will not have an automatic transmission option. Ford will fully localized engines displacing 1.5 liters, but will source the Ecoboost engine from either Germany or Romania.
Ford India's export models will sport new alloy wheels, better sound insulation, better quality upholstery and other minor detailing differences such as different color on the dashboard inserts and seat stitching. European compact car buyers have proved in the past that they aren't as price conscious as Indian compact car buyers.
Ford officials and distributors have confirmed the car's launch in regions such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa, Philippines, and the Middle East. Ford will export RHD and LHD configurations of the model, with subtle mechanical and electrical/electronic changes to suit the car to the conditions of the destination.
[Source - economictimes.indiatimes.com]
