Ford is teasing a new global concept vehicle for the upcoming New Delhi Auto Expo, with the carmaker saying the study is based on a global design philosophy “but created to serve the specific needs of consumers in India.”
A first glance at the teaser photo will no doubt remind you of the Ford Ka study: the shape of the headlights is the same and the grille looks identical too. So why is the Blue Oval teasing it? Well, the Ka study was revealed as a hatchback, so maybe now Ford has now transformed it into a sedan for India.
That would make sense, as Ford says the study will showcase the company’s vision for the future “in the competitive compact-car segment in India and other dynamic emerging markets.”
The vehicle previews a production model that will have an important role in Ford’s plan to expand in the Asia Pacific region. Ford says it wants that region to make up nearly a third of its global sales volume by mid-decade, up from 15 percent in 2010.
The compact car segment is the most competitive in India and has been outpacing the industry for the past decade making up almost a third of total sales in 2013. Ford expects compact car sales in India to rise from about 1 million units last year to roughly 2 million units in 2018.
Alongside the new concept car, Ford will also display its full lineup of vehicles for India, including the Figo, Classic, Fiesta, EcoSport and Endeavour.
By Dan Mihalascu
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