Ford to bring in its bestseller - Focus - in India
July 25, 2007 – 7:50 pm by Ashish Jha
Ford - world’s third largest automaker - has not really seen a steady journey in India thus far. Started with the Escort it did and went on to offer some “josh” in its lineup with the introduction of Ikon.
Escort, a highly acclaimed vehicle worldwide, did not really set the charts afire and ultimately died a lonely death. The Ikon did have some success and forced the American major to look at India as a lucrative market. What followed was a slew of launches. But launching cars, potent cars at that, is one thing and making them sell is another.
Mondeo - capable car, met with similar fate as that of the Escort. Fusion - a decent car which failed to capture the imagination of buyers. Endeavour - a brute, big SUV that has met with decent success. Fiesta - One of the best mid-sized cars bringing up the numbers for Ford.
So, nothing really firing up Ford’s India venture, the US company is bringing in its best seller - the Focus. UK’s best selling car for a long time, the Focus is also credited as being the world’s best selling car. The car was designed to be the “World Car” when introduced internationally in 2000.
The car looks smart and resembles the design that was first seen on the Mondeo in India. The A pillar merges seamlessly into the B pillar. The slightly sloping roofline adds character to the car. The taut styling cues are reflected by the bold wheel arches.
Coming in the D segment, this car is going to have a tough battle on its hands in the shape of hugely successfull Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla. Not to forget the Czech offering the Octavia. The Focus might get launched with two engine options, petrol and a diesel. The latter will fight it out with the Chevrolet Optra Magnum.
The Ford Focus is a smart looking car that shall tick all the right option boxes. With good engines on offer, it should make for a stunner!
8 Responses to “Ford to bring in its bestseller - Focus - in India”
Maybe it was just the rental car, but Focus was certainly rough and tough to handle when I drove it last winter in the US. I really out some smaller cars - Nissan Sentra and Chevy Cobalt - to be much more nimble and controllable than the Focus. Plus, the engine was quite a grind. I do not have a great opinion currently, but like I said, it was may be just the rental car…
By Govar on Jul 25, 2007
Ford Sucks…And will do so with Focus. Can’t really take on world class Corolla and Civic. They are nowhere closer to them in the U.S itself, where the Civics and Corollas are rocking as entry level sedans.
They do not have a right strategy for India, which we have seen already with Fuse(ion). A lousy hatchback prices at 7 lacs!!! It doesn’t look like a car, nor an SUV. Instead they should have brought in, a smaller SUV that could have possibly attempted a fight with Scorpio (which is enjoying its sole place in cheaper SUV segment)
By GK on Jul 25, 2007
Ford Sucks…And will do so with Focus. Can’t really take on world class Corolla and Civic. They are nowhere closer to them in the U.S itself, where the Civics and Corollas are rocking as entry level sedans.
By Patrick Williford on Sep 11, 2007
Focus : Its look/Lenght/Interiors are excellent as compare to Civics as well as Corolla.More comfortable to drive i have Ford Mondeo / Honda Civic as well as Corolla with me what i feel ford focus is not fall under Civic or corolla segment its car which is under Accord & camery segment.
Firstly take test drive then decide.
Regards
Lokesh
By Lokesh Madan on Sep 14, 2007
myself jay patel from rajkot..i like ford’s car (fiesta,endever..etc) i want to focus all detail & photos…..
By jay patel on Sep 16, 2007
I really think that FORD offers the best engines quality in the market, but the major prob is with the pricing of the car spares &also they are not available outside,as we indians are still not very keen in sending the car to the company showroom for minor things but trust garage guys in locality more.
By yogesh agarwal on Sep 20, 2007
I really was waiting for fusion 1.4tdci but was disappointed with the pricing again which at 100,000.more for a hatchback.
By yogesh agarwal on Sep 20, 2007
Whats up GK hope you have your head on calling flimsy civics & corrolas “world class cars” corolla sucks the best with its pig like face & ass .The civic as speccially with an engine that has no grunt but whimpers
like a mongrel have a good look first & then bark DOG. honda cant even survive WRC where Ford rocks with its Focus forget bout that they lose in F1 like ****** professionals
By Rahul on Nov 4, 2007