Ford Fusion launched, but not revealed

Ford India on Wednesday announced plans to launch their fifth Indian offering, Ford Fusion, but kept it under wraps, offering the media only file pictures.

Dubbed by Ford as an "Urban Activity Vehcle" that blends the quality of a sedan into a sports utility vehicle, the Fusion-petrol is expected to hit the roads in December. The company is currently evaluating Fusion's diesel variant and is likely to announce it in a few months.

Further, the company targets to bring the new Mondeo that has already been unveiled in Europe to India by this yearend and launch yet another car in 2005.

Ford refused to cap the pricing points and indicated that the Fusion will cost anywhere between a premium mid-sized sedan and a multi utility vehicle, effectively signalling a broad Rs 6-9 lakh range.

David Friedman, managing director Ford India, outlining the plan said, " Prototypes have been successfully built with 70 per cent localisation. Driver assessment units will be ready in three weeks, which will be followed by dealer demo units in 8 to 10 weeks. Customer deliveries will commence in 15 weeks."

He added that high value imports spiked localisation levels to 70 per cent in spite of sourcing the engines locally from Hindustan Motors. Incidentally, the Ikon, when launched, had a 70 per cent localisation too with the engine itself being imported.

To start with, Ford will initially roll out 500-1000 units a month in two variants, targetting the luxury segment and the value centric feature loaded segment.

The Indian Fusion "" it is being offered for the first time outside Europe where it was launched two years ago "" boasts the same 1.6 litre, 16 valve petrol engine, but has a stronger air-conditioning, tuned suspension, higher ground clearance and water wading. These changes, officials said, were borne out of the 8-lakh km testing on every kind of roads in India.

With its flexible seating, storage options and city manoeuvreability, the company expects to attract the small car owners considering upgrading to higher-end segments, besides the sedan and MUV users. "With an 18 lakh small car population, a 10 per cent switch will rake in big numbers," they said.

"Currently, customer options are limited to conventional multi utility vehicles and sedans. The fusion, with its blended characterstic, will create a fresh category."