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Strengths Under EcoSport's New Shape
Designed to offer balanced performance on paved roads as well as off-road
terrain, the all-new Ford EcoSport is ideal for the urban consumer who wants the
versatility to escape the city.
Developed to world-class product standards via the Ford global product
development system, the next-generation model delivers on key traits customers
all around the world demand:
Smart - New technology and features from Ford will be central to the all-new
Ford EcoSport ownership experience. It will offer innovative equipment normally
not found in this class of vehicle.
Green - Fuel efficiency was a key factor in the development process, as Ford
targets the EcoSport to deliver leading fuel economy in its segment.
Safe - The all-new Ford EcoSport has been engineered to meet the most demanding
safety standards in the various markets where it will be sold. Its
weight-optimized, highly resistant body, developed with advanced software and
design tools, combines zones aimed to absorb the forces of impact with an
extremely rigid cell to protect its occupants.
Quality - The all-new Ford EcoSport will deliver impressive levels of quality
and craftsmanship, reflecting its new world-class design and engineering story,
and has endured rigorous developmental testing around the globe. Low maintenance
costs and great durability were also key objectives in the development process.
New Global Products for Growth Markets
Previewing the vehicle design first at the 11th Annual Auto Expo in New Delhi
gives Ford the opportunity to introduce EcoSport to consumers in one of the
world's biggest automotive growth markets ahead of its future global rollouts.
The new EcoSport was developed on Ford's new global B-segment platform, which
will be the basis for an array of new small-car products from Ford in the coming
years. By mid-decade, the new Ford B-platform family of vehicles will represent
more than 2 million units of annual production as compact cars continue to drive
global growth.
The EcoSport has been a market phenomenon since it was launched in South America
in 2003 as the region's first affordable SUV, selling 700,000 vehicles in nine
years. It created a new segment and popularized features that many consumers had
wanted.
The EcoSport will be produced at ultra-modern, flexible assembly plants in
Brazil, India, and other markets to be announced at a later time. The EcoSport
as a global vehicle is an example of the technical ability of Ford's global
engineering and high level of integration of the design and engineering centres
around the world.
The project was led by Ford's Development Center in Camacari, Brazil, one of the
most specialized in the development of compact cars. The team leveraged Ford
engineering strength and SUV expertise from around the world to create the
all-new EcoSport.
"The new EcoSport is a significant milestone for our global product development
process," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development.
"It proves that great small-car models for growth markets can be created in
growth markets, using One Ford to leverage our global design and engineering
expertise."
EcoSport's development was shaped by market research in all of the regions where
it will be sold. This helped create a unique vehicle, focused on the needs and
desires of consumers. It will eventually be sold in nearly 100 markets
worldwide.
Ford EcoSport: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications