Ecosport takes 40,000 Indian orders in 17 days, Dealers overwhelmed, 9 months wait

[jpd80]

A new sensation, Ford's EcoSport, another entry-level SUV, debuted on the Indian roads.
Snazzier, priced aggressively (read lower than Duster), and packed with a load of features, EcoSport became the talk of the town.

"We had anticipated good numbers. But we were surprised by the speed with which the [booking] orders came in,"
says Vinay Piparsania, executive director (marketing), Ford Motors India.

Ford got 40,000 bookings in a record 17 days. The compact SUV today enjoys a waiting period of up to nine months.
Overwhelmed, dealers have stopped taking bookings, and say that they will resume around April next year.

Since it entered India in 1996, Ford has struggled to get a grip on Indian roads. Despite occasional and fleeting successes
like the Ford Ikon and Figo, its India journey remained lacklustre. The launch of just one model, the EcoSport, has created
a buzz around the brand and a reversal in fortunes of sorts. The compact SUV now contributes over 55% of Ford's total
sales in India.

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...campaign=cppst

[Yellow_Festiva]

Now that's great news! 9 month wait!

Wonder what they RRP is in India compared to here? Either way, they certainly are 'moving up' in the ranks if they have put down that many orders!

[Adamz Ghia]

Wonder what that means for us, supply hasn't been our strong suit...

[Crazy Dazz]

Indians also love the Tata Nano, so their endorsement of the Ecosport is underwhelming

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Indians also love the Tata Nano, so their endorsement of the Ecosport is underwhelming

The Nano flopped pretty hard, it turns out that the majority of Indians didn't want to own a car marketed as the cheapest in the world.

[1TUFFUTE]

That's really cool news....I actually think they're a great car....not for me tho

[stevz]

I guess there will be a lot of camels being traded in.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

The Nano flopped pretty hard, it turns out that the majority of Indians didn't want to own a car marketed as the cheapest in the world.

No, it turns out the majority of Indians can’t afford a pot to **** in, much less a new car. But you’re right in so much as the market for new cars in Indian is the domain of the comparatively wealthy, and they would not be caught dead in a Nano.

It’s all relative I suppose. If the Falcon had been getting Nano numbers, Ford wouldn’t be pulling out.

But it still remains to be seen whether those “40,000” Ecosport orders translate into actual sales and whether that represents a month or a year’s worth.

Besides, in a country where an 8-lane freeway is 12ft wide and moves at 3kph, the Ecosport is probably just the ticket for the newly affluent (or their preppy kids.) Still not exactly a ringing endorsement.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

No, it turns out the majority of Indians can’t afford a pot to **** in, much less a new car. But you’re right in so much as the market for new cars in Indian is the domain of the comparatively wealthy, and they would not be caught dead in a Nano.

But it still remains to be seen whether those “40,000” Ecosport orders translate into actual sales and whether that represents a month or a year’s worth.

Besides, in a country where an 8-lane freeway is 12ft wide and moves at 3kph, the Ecosport is probably just the ticket for the newly affluent (or their preppy kids.) Still not exactly a ringing endorsement.

India is a very different market to what westerners understand in sooo many ways. The Nano was created as an alternative to get families onto 4 wheels. It was not meant to compete with 'cars', rather bikes and tuk tuks, which is what lower castes were able to afford.

When I was in India I was very interested in the Nano. I didn't see many of them around, and when I questioned an Indian guy about it he explained how there is a lot of emphasis on status and your rank in the community.

Seeing as the Nano was so cheap, and a replacement for a 2 or 3 wheeled vehicle it was still considered as such to many Indians. Also, it's highly publicised cheapness was actually a problem, with people still opting to buy a near new used 'car' rather than the Nano..... Money has a little to do with it, more to do with 'saving face'.

I also learnt something else that was interesting when I had a closer look at the Nano. The rear does not open at all. The hatch area is sealed shut - another cost saving measure!

Oh, and do those 40,000 orders represent dealer purchases or actual real customer orders???

[kypez]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

India is a very different market to what westerners understand in sooo many ways. The Nano was created as an alternative to get families onto 4 wheels. It was not meant to compete with 'cars', rather bikes and tuk tuks, which is what lower castes were able to afford.

Why people comment on concepts they really don't understand?! Do you know what a Caste is? The poorest people in India belong to what "western society" claims to be the "highest caste". The Brahmins are the poorest population in India. But don't let the facts come in the way of post.

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

When I was in India I was very interested in the Nano. I didn't see many of them around, and when I questioned an Indian guy about it he explained how there is a lot of emphasis on status and your rank in the community.

Seeing as the Nano was so cheap, and a replacement for a 2 or 3 wheeled vehicle it was still considered as such to many Indians. Also, it's highly publicised cheapness was actually a problem, with people still opting to buy a near new used 'car' rather than the Nano..... Money has a little to do with it, more to do with 'saving face'

Its not just in India. Same reason people in Australia now buy Euro cars over Australian made cars (they are perceived as cheaper and inferior). How many times have you heard that people wont buy a falcon/commodore cause they don't want to be seen as a "Bogan".

There is so much money in India these days I cannot see why they wont fulfil these orders. Back in 1995, they had a lottery for the Maruti Esteem (Suzuki Swift 1.3L) wherein you placed a deposit and you had to wait several months to know when/if you were going to get the car. All orders were eventually fulfilled but it was luck of the draw as to when. There are more millionaires in that country that we have people here so lets not keep questioning their capacity to fulfil their side of the bargain when payment is due.

[psychoticgroove]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

No, it turns out the majority of Indians can’t afford a pot to **** in, much less a new car. But you’re right in so much as the market for new cars in Indian is the domain of the comparatively wealthy, and they would not be caught dead in a Nano.

It’s all relative I suppose. If the Falcon had been getting Nano numbers, Ford wouldn’t be pulling out.

But it still remains to be seen whether those “40,000” Ecosport orders translate into actual sales and whether that represents a month or a year’s worth.

Besides, in a country where an 8-lane freeway is 12ft wide and moves at 3kph, the Ecosport is probably just the ticket for the newly affluent (or their preppy kids.) Still not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Just got back from India after a 3 week family visit, was mostly in New Delhi. In the limited time I was on the roads, I saw, 4 Ferrari Californias, 3 x Lamborghini Gallardos, I x Murcielago, 1 x Audi R8 (scratched to *****), 6 x Bentley Continental GTs and 2 x Rolls Royce Phantoms. All stuck in bumper to bumper traffic! Audi Q7s and BMW 7 series were dime a dozen, as common as Falcodores here in Oz.
Ford Ecosports could be seen everywhere, the new darling for the people looking at just above the entry level market.

[csv8]

Ford India, has 10 models, we only have 3. We don't get the diesels.
http://www.india.ford.com/suvs/ecosport/models

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by csv8

Ford India, has 10 models, we only have 3. We don't get the diesels.
http://www.india.ford.com/suvs/ecosport/models

The pic on the home page looks really out of proportion!

So, based on that site's listed prices they start at $10,250 and go all the way to $16,500. I guess they will also have some sort of delivery fee / on road costs.

With so many orders I think they under priced them.

They get the diesel! That's one thing I wish we had, more options for smaller diesel engines from the mainstream brands.

[kypez]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

The pic on the home page looks really out of proportion!

So, based on that site's listed prices they start at $10,250 and go all the way to $16,500. I guess they will also have some sort of delivery fee / on road costs.

With so many orders I think they under priced them.

They get the diesel! That's one thing I wish we had, more options for smaller diesel engines from the mainstream brands.

They have lifetime rego cost that does add quite a bit to the price. Also, each state has their own taxes as well which is why the raw price might seem a little on the cheap side (if you look on the website, it says ex-showroom Delhi which is usually one of the cheaper cities and Ex Showroom being without dealer delivery, rego, etc, just as we have). Bit like what dealers used to do before the govt introduced the need for "drive away" pricing to include all hidden cost.

[csv8]

Yellow Festiva ..no..we are subsiding them !!!

[Nikked]

Well...that just shows how little our own industry is...I doubt if even Holden would reach those amount of sales with 3 ranges and exports over a year :(

[stevz]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Well...that just shows how little our own industry is...I doubt if even Holden would reach those amount of sales with 3 ranges and exports over a year :(

They probably would if Australia had 1.3 billion people in it.

[GQ_Smooth]

The Indian car market has about as much in common with the Australian Market as our top music charts (google it, see if you know 1 name, unless you'r Indian). All it means to me is Ford is making some money in Asia, which may or may not be a good thing for Australia.

[Bossxr8]

Word is we will soon be getting our Ecosports from Thailand as they will be making them there. Which also means we will also more than likely be getting powershift versions of the 1 litre ecoboost.

FTA means they might be a little cheaper too, or at least have a little more equipment.

[DFB FGXR6]

I see Ford will only bring the Titanium model into Australia until early next year, when the cheaper Ambiente and Trend will be added. Typical, they have already stuffed up the launch of this VERY important model.

[xr6turboford]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I see Ford will only bring the Titanium model into Australia until early next year, when the cheaper Ambiente and Trend will be added. Typical, they have already stuffed up the launch of this VERY important model.

Try taking one for a test drive, even better go have a look at one I did the other day all I can say is well done Ford for releasing a car then having 0 that's right 0 in the country to look at or test drive until next year. No wonder people buy other brands when this type of sh.. happens.

[Kieron]

29 Listed for sale across Aus on carsales.com.au, a mix of Trend, Ambiente and Titanium.

Granted that's not a lot at all and Ford Au should have a shedload more here for it's Dec launch but presumably, you could get a test drive somewhere?

[xr6turboford]

Originally Posted by Kieron

29 Listed for sale across Aus on carsales.com.au, a mix of Trend, Ambiente and Titanium.

Granted that's not a lot at all and Ford Au should have a shedload more here for it's Dec launch but presumably, you could get a test drive somewhere?

Cheers I should've know better and looked on the net. I was on holidays on the Gold Coast and had to take the daughters Focus in to get the auto checked out as it as a vibration on take off and asked to take one for test drive and was told that there's none in the country. Tippical salesman if I can sell one no one can.

[Kieron]

Originally Posted by xr6turboford

Cheers I should've know better and looked on the net. I was on holidays on the Gold Coast and had to take the daughters Focus in to get the auto checked out as it as a vibration on take off and asked to take one for test drive and was told that there's none in the country. Tippical salesman if I can sell one no one can.

No worries mate.

That's exactly the sort of salesman Ford don't need. He possibly knew you weren't going to buy from him so couldn't be bothered, correct attitude would have been to work out where your from and try and tie you up with a test drive at a dealer close to you.

[DJM83]

My dealer has one. Not sure of spec.

[csv8]

Ford again wonders why their cars don't sell!! 29 models across Australia is not even one for every dealer !! People will go elsewhere. If you are going to launch a car, you have a good supply of all models not a few of one. People these days won't wait..
Only Titanium know..the most expensive, will put some people off. Ambiente and Trend in February. Those two should be know and Titanium in February..Get the most models likely to sell out first!!!!!

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by csv8

Ford again wonders why their cars don't sell!! 29 models across Australia is not even one for every dealer !! People will go elsewhere. If you are going to launch a car, you have a good supply of all models not a few of one. People these days won't wait..
Only Titanium know..the most expensive, will put some people off. Ambiente and Trend in February. Those two should be know and Titanium in February..Get the most models likely to sell out first!!!!!

You better go get a job with Ford Logistics, show em how its done then eh?

Folk are always quick to shoot Ford down, there is probably a reason behind it. Im sure the people building one online will be the first to complain

[csv8]

DJM its not a new problem with FORD logistics, Fiesta, Focus ,Mondeo, Ranger even Falcon and Territory have unacceptable delivery times. Something FORD should have fixed, years ago..
I don't know how BMW did it, but my daughter got her BMW, built to her specifications and delivered in two weeks. I expected 3 months....
Not knocking Ford, but FORD want sales to improve..have stock..!!!!

[DFB FGXR6]

I think main problem is that Ford have spent the last 6 to 8 months building up hype and interest in this new model, then sabotage their efforts by not having stock upon release.

I hate having a go at Ford, but its just not good enough. The type of customer that this model is aimed is more likely to cross shop. If a Ford dealer doesn't have one in stock, then their are direct competitors in this booming compact SUV class from many other brands (Holden Trax, Peugeot 2008, Mits ASX, Nissan Juke, Skoda Yetti, Fiat Panda ect ect.)

They will be lost in a sea of competitors and will spend 10 years trying to build sales, the same way the handled the Focus in 2002, Fiesta in 2004, Ranger in 2010, its a serial Ford pattern.