Endeavour to Mustang Mach-E: Five Ford cars we would like to see in India

Endeavour to Mustang Mach-E: Five Ford cars we would like to see in India

Endeavour to Mustang Mach-E

  • US–based auto giant Ford Motor is expected to return to India soon with models like new Endeavour SUV and Mustang Mach-E.
Ford Everest, earlier sold as Endeavour SUV, is one of the most awaited cars from the US-based auto giants expected for a comeback in new avatar soon.

Ford Motor could soon to return to India as the US-based carmaker recently filed a few design patents for the domestic market and two of its global models spotted on Indian roads recently. Ford Motor has not officially made any statement on the future of Ford India yet. However, the carmaker is expected to make a comeback after two years after stopping production in 2022. From Figo to Ecosport, Ford has offered several popular models in India before it left the market. While these models may not return to India, here is a look at five global cars which one would like to see on Indian roads when Ford returns.

The Endeavour SUV, rival to Toyota Fortuner, is one of the most awaited models in India. The rival to Toyota Fortuner, Endeavour has been one of the best-selling models in the large SUV space before Ford stopped making cars in India. Recently, Ford Everest was seen on Indian roads, triggering speculation of the SUV’s return. Everest is basically the new generation avatar of the Endeavour SUV sold globally.

The Everest SUV spotted in India comes powered by a 2.0-litre turbo diesel or a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine. The turbo engine can churn out 168 bhp of power while the bi-turbo can generate 208 bhp of power. The torque output peaks at 405 Nm and 500 Nm. The turbo diesel engine uses a 6-speed automatic transmission whereas the Bi-turbo gets a 10-speed automatic transmission. Both gearboxes get SelectShift and Ford offers 4×2 as well as 4×4 drivetrains.

Ford Ranger

The Ranger pickup truck is another model that was spotted on Indian roads along with the Everest SUV. The Ranger, which could rival the likes of Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max sold in India, is one of the smallest pickup trucks Ford offers in global markets.

Ford offers the Ranger pickup globally with three engine options. There is a 2.3-litre EcoBoost, 2.7-litre EcoBoost and a 3.0-litre EcoBoost. The 2.3-litre unit puts out 266 bhp of max power and 420 Nm of peak torque. Then there is the 3.0-litre unit that is rated for 399 bhp and 583 Nm. As of now, the 2.7-litre engine has not gone on sale. Ford says that they are targeting power and torque figures of 310 bhp and 542 Nm.

Ford Bronco

IF Ford was to have an SUV that can rival the likes of Mahindra Thar or Maruti Suzuki Jimny, it would probably be the Bronco. Ford launched the Bronco SUV in 2021 with both two-door and four-door 4X4 versions for the first time. Ford Bronco SUVs are offered in two powertrain options. There is a 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 petrol engine which can produce 310 horsepower and 542 Nm of torque. It also comes equipped with a 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine which can churn out 270 hp of power and peak torque of 420 Nm.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford used to sell the Mustang sports car in India before it wrapped up business three years ago. However, the Mustang can return to India in its new electric avatar when Ford makes a comeback. Ford Mustang Mach-E, which was recently trademarked in India, comes with up to 502 km of driving range. Ford offers the EV equipped with two battery choices – a 72 kWh unit and a 91 kWh unit.

Ford F-150 Lightning

As EV adoption in India grows and customers look forward to newer models, Ford may find an opportunity in the electric pickup segment with the F-150 Lightning. Launched for the first time in 2022, the F-150 Lightning is one of the most popular electric pickup trucks in the US.

The Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck comes with a range of 482 km on a single charge. Equipped with dual electric motors, one on each axle, the electric pickup can achieve 563 horsepower and a staggering 1,050 Nm of peak torque. F-150 Lightning can go from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in just four seconds. Ford claims that with a super fast DC charger, the F-150 Lightning can replenish around 87 kms of charge in just 10 minutes, charging the battery from 15 to 80% in just 41 minutes. The towing capacity of the F-150 Lightning, an important characteristic in pickup trucks, is 4.53 tonnes.

First Published Date: 08 Mar 2024, 15:51 PM IST



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Toyota to set up its third plant in Karnataka, production to commence in 2026

Toyota to set up its third plant in Karnataka, production to commence in 2026


Toyota has further stated that it will invest about 3,300 crore for building the new production facility in Karnataka, which will be its third in India. Also, this plant is claimed to create employment opportunities for approximately 2,000 people. The Japanese car manufacturer has claimed that the decision to set up the new manufacturing facility comes as part of the auto company’s strategy to increase local production in India. The company currently operates two plants in India with a total production capacity of around 3.42 lakh units per annum. The automaker has planned two shifts for the new plant that can be scaled up with a third shift if and when needed. Currently, the two production facilities of the automaker are working three shifts to cater to pending orders.

Watch: Toyota Innova HyCross: First Drive Impressions

Speaking about the new production facility, Masahiko Maeda, Chief Operating Officer of Asia region for the carmaker, said that the Indian market has always been of great importance to the company. He also said that Toyota is hopeful that this new production facility will further elevate the automaker’s ambition to grow in the Indian market and globally. He also hinted that the new plant will play a crucial role in the brand’s strategy to make greener powertrain-equipped cars.

TKM started operations at its first plant in India in December 1999, which currently manufactures models like Innova Hycross, Innova Crysta, Fortuner and Legender. This facility has an installed production capacity of 1.32 lakh units every year. The second plant of the automaker is located at the same site and started production in December 2010. This facility has an annual production capacity of 2.10 lakh units and it rolls out models like Camry Hybrid, Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Hilux. TKM also sells models like Glanza and Rumion in India, which are sourced from Maruti Suzuki as part of the global collaboration between Suzuki and Toyota. The automaker also imports the Vellfire and LC 300 models to India as Completely Built Units (CBU).

First Published Date: 21 Nov 2023, 19:03 PM IST



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Toyota plans to boost production in India, plans third facility to meet demands

Toyota plans to boost production in India, plans third facility to meet demands


Toyota Motor plans to increase its production capacity in India amid rising demands and long waiting period for its vehicles. The Japanese auto giant has started to enhance manufacturing capacity with two plants located at Bidadi, Karnataka, running at full capacity. Toyota made the announcement during the ongoing Japan Auto Show in Tokyo, saying that demands for its cars, especially in the high-end category, has seen a jump post Covid pandemic in India.

By: HT Auto Desk
| Updated on: 26 Oct 2023, 14:35 PM

Workers make checks at a trim inspection line on the Innova Crysta compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) production line at the Toyota Kirloskar Motor plant in Bidadi, Karnataka. (Bloomberg)

Yoichi Miyazaki, Executive Vice President and Board Member at Toyota Motor Corporation, said the company is reaching full plant capacity utilisation in India. Toyota, which operates jointly with Bengaluru-based Kirloskar Group in India, uses two of its facilities in Karnataka. The two plants have an overall production capacity of 3.42 lakh units per year.

Miyazaki said, “We have started a discussion (on the matter). After Covid, the market recovery is very strong (in India) in comparison to other countries so we believe demand itself is very strong in India.” Toyota is also planning a third facility in India to address rising demands and long waiting periods on its models. Miyazaki said demands for bigger cars in India is seen as a good sign by the Japanese auto giant. “With the strength of higher segments going up in the Indian market, it tells us it is now Toyota’s time,” he said.

Watch: Toyota Innova HyCross First Drive Impressions

Toyota sells Fortuner and Fortuner Legender SUVs, Innova Crysta, Innova HyCross and Rumion MPVs, Urban Cruiser HyRyder SUV, Camry Hybrid sedan, Hilux pickup truck and Glanza hatchback in India. All eight models are manufactured at its facility in Karnataka. Part of the facility is also utilised to manufacture vehicles jointly developed with its India partner Maruti Suzuki, like Grand Vitara SUV.

Toyota had recently started a third shift at its Bidadi facility to increase output capacity by nearly 30 per cent. It also invested more than 90 crore to upgrade infrastructure and employed 1,500 additional workers to help bring down waiting period for its cars. Toyota has seen its sales jump by 35 per cent between April and September this year with nearly 1.24 lakh vehicles sold.

First Published Date: 26 Oct 2023, 14:35 PM IST



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