Ford Motor unveils global compact SUV

Ford Motors unveiled its newest product from India, the EcoSport, a compact sports utility vehicle. The compact SUV will be manufactured in the company’s Chennai plant and will be launched later this year. The EcoSport will be powered by the all new, one liter EcoBoost engine, which will deliver 120 ps power. The EcoSport will also have better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. The U.S. carmaker will use the EcoSport to expand its presence in Brazil, the ASEAN region and other emerging markets. EcoSport was developed on the company’s new, global b-segment platform, which will be the basis for its other small car products. Earlier, Ford introduced the hatchback Figo to the Indian market, and the company plans to launch six other new vehicles in India by 2015. “This is the first compact SUV and we are launching it right at the heart of the compact (vehicles) market…India is an important market for us,” Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally said. (January 5, 2012)