After months of speculation and anticipation, Ford’s return to the Indian automotive market seems imminent. The American automotive giant is gearing up to introduce a number of exciting offerings. These new cars will be made to please the Indian automotive market. From a new compact SUV to a revamped Endeavour, there is a lot to catch up about. So without any further ado, let’s jump right into it.
Compact SUV Set to Replace Ford EcoSport
One of the most anticipated offerings from Ford will be its upcoming compact SUV which CarToq reported on earlier. This new product will be filling the void left by the immensely popular EcoSport. Back in February of this year, it was reported that the company had filed a patent for this SUV.
Since then, based on the patented design, a number of renderings have emerged online. From these images, it was noted that the SUV will boast a very modern and aggressive styling. It will get a ton of cutting-edge features and a premium interior as well.
Some rumors have also suggested that Ford is expected to develop its own engine for the compact SUV. This new SUV will be positioned to rival popular models like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, and other compact SUVs. An end-2025 launch seems likely for the all-new affordable Ford compact SUV.
Ford Endeavour’s Transformation and Potential Rebranding
Another one of the biggest news is that the mighty and iconic Ford Endeavour SUV is set to make an India comeback. However, it has been reported that Ford may rebrand the Endeavour as Everest for the Indian market. This move, as per the sources, is being done to align it with the international branding of this SUV. This SUV should arrive by end-2024.
Most of the markets in which the Endeavour is sold internationally, it is called the Everest. Back in 2003, Ford could not get hold of the name Everest as it was trademarked by some other company. So they went with Endeavour. However, now they have secured the Everest nameplate so it could rename the Endeavour to Everest.
The revamped Endeavour/Everest is expected to feature a host of updates. These updates will include a redesigned exterior with C-shaped LED headlights and a larger grille. It will also get a modernized interior with a 12-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment system.
Despite facing stiff competition from rivals like the Toyota Fortuner and MG Gloster, Ford is confident that Everest will become a success in India. The last generation of the Endeavour was the closest rival of the Toyota Fortuner.
Ford’s Affordable Electric Vehicles
The primary reason for Ford’s India return has been reported to be its focus on electric mobility. The company is planning to capture a slice of the growing electric vehicle market of India.
For this, Ford is gearing up to unveil an all-new EV platform aimed at delivering affordable electric vehicles to Indian consumers. It will be a low-cost EV platform designed to rival entry-level Tesla models and Chinese EV brands. 2026 is when Ford’s affordable EVs are likely to hit Indian streets.
In addition to affordable electric vehicles in India, the company is also planning to launch the Mustang Mach-E as well. This will become the first-ever fully electric offering in the country. It will be brought via the CBU route and could cost around Rs 1 crore in India. The Mach-E is likely to enter India by early 2025.
The post Ford’s India Return Latest News: Compact SUV, Endeavour With New Name, Affordable EV likely in 2024 first appeared on Cartoq.
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