FORGOTTEN CARS IN INDIA: FROM ESCORT TO FUSION

Ford’s 5 FORGOTTEN cars in India: From Escort to Fusion

Ford India has been around in the market for a long time now. The American car manufacturer currently offers a small but diverse range of products in the market. Ford has launched a few very successful and popular cars in the Indian market including the EcoSport, Endeavour and of course, the Fiesta. However, in the process of understanding the market dynamics and get the success recipe right, the brand launched quite a few vehicles, which did not become as popular and were eventually discontinued from the market. Here are five such Ford vehicles which were launched in India in the past but are now forgotten.

Ford Escort

Ford chose the Escort as its first car for the Indian market when it came back in 1995. The sizable sedan was offered in the market from 1996 to 2001 but it never became popular in the market. The Escort offered both petrol and diesel engine options. There was a 1.6-litre unit for both the fuel types. Even though the sedan offered quite a lot of space in the rear with features like power steering, powered front windows, ORVMs, air conditioning and a music system, it failed to attract the customers.

Ford Fusion

Ford launched the Fusion in India in 2004, which marked the entry of an all-new segment, the crossover. The car stayed in production for around six years and was regarded as a very practical choice for the families. However, many found the vehicle as a big hatchback instead of a crossover, which kept away the enthusiasts who wanted to have a vehicle for its road presence. It was offered with a 1.4-litre diesel and a 1.6-litre petrol engine.

Ford Fiesta S

Ford Fiesta is an extremely renowned name in the Indian market. However, Ford also launched a sportier version of the sedan, which came with the suffix ‘S’. This car came with a body kit, which made the car look extremely aggressive and sporty on the road. Ford also offered a stiffer suspension set-up o the car, which made it a dream vehicle to drive for many enthusiasts.

Ford Fiesta FL

Ford Fiesta’s iconic design took a U-turn in 2014 when the all-new family design changed the way the Fiesta looked. The Aston Martin-inspired grille in the mid-size sedan was a turn off for many and soon a fewer number of Fiesta sedans remained on the roads. Even the 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine that produced around 89 Bhp and 209 Nm and the next-level handling characteristics of the sedan could not save it. The reigning king of the segment during that time – Honda City also made the road to success a tough journey for the Fiesta FL.

Ford Mondeo

American manufacturers have always been known for their muscle cars, big SUVs and pickups. Elegance? Well, that’s something Germans were taking care off. In 2004, Ford launched the Mondeo to take on the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Audi A4. The car came with 142 Bhp generation petrol engine and a 128 Bhp diesel engine. The problem? Well, the high price tag for a Ford badged vehicle. It was eventually discontinued in 2006.