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2021 EcoSport launch cancelled with announcement of Ford plant shut downs

Plans to launch the EcoSport facelift have been shelved as Ford has decided to stop building cars in India.
2 min read9 Sep '21
Akbar MerchantAkbar Merchant
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With Ford deciding cease local vehicle manufacturing in India, plans to introduce the EcoSport facelift, which was spotted testing multiple times, have been axed. The facelift for the EcoSport that was being tested would, if launched, have been the second facelift for the SUV since it went on sale in India back in 2013.

  • Ford EcoSport facelift won't make it to dealerships
  • Ford stops local vehicle manufacturing
  • Will sell only fully-imported cars and SUVs in India

The EcoSport has been the most popular Ford in India ever and in fact, started the compact SUV trend in India when it was launched in June 2013.  With the EcoSport, Ford was one of the first SUVs in India to take excise benefits offered by the government for sub-4 metre cars. Since then, the EcoSport  has been chugging along with multiple mechanical, equipment and cosmetic updates. The SUV was also to receive Mahindra's 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine as a replacement to the EcoBoost powerplant, but those plans also fell through since the two firms decided to part ways earlier this year. 

The EcoSport has been a major pillar for Ford's India ops not just for its stellar performance in India in the initial years but also in the export market, becoming one of the first made-in-India compact SUVs sold in multiple European markets. Ford even started building left-hand drive versions of the EcoSport in Chennai that were sold in the North America  since 2018. Ford recently started exporting the EcoSport to markets like Argentina after Ford announced closure of its local manufacturing operations in markets like Brazil which was a major production hub for the EcoSport sold in that region.

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Ford to stop manufacturing cars in India

While Ford will stop producing cars in India, the brand is not exiting the market completely.
3 min read9 Sep '21
Nishmanya BahadurNishmanya Bahadur
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Electric cars, SUVs currently on sale in India in 2021

Thinking of buying an all-electric car this World EV Day? Here’s what’s available.
5 min read9 Sep '21
Rivan RS Rivan RS
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India's state EV policies: how do they compare?

On World EV Day, we examine what each Indian state has to offer as they rush to plug into the EV race.
2 min read9 Sep '21
Shirish GandhiShirish Gandhi
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Next-gen Toyota Yaris to debut by August 2022

All-new Yaris will share modular underpinnings with the Toyota Raize SUV.
2 min read8 Sep '21
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Porsche Mission R concept unveiled at Munich motor show

The new Porsche EV racecar concept is dimensionally similar to the 718 Boxster and Cayman.
3 min read7 Sep '21
Autocar India News DeskAutocar India News Desk
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