New Ford to be unveiled in India confirmed for Australia
A new Ford set to be unveiled at the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi in January will go on sale in Australia.
The details of the vehicle are top secret at the moment, although speculation suggests the new model could be a sub-light car to slot under the Fiesta.
If the rumours are correct, Ford Australia would have a sub-$15,000 vehicle to compete with the likes of the Holden Barina Spark, Suzuki Alto, Nissan Micra, and other cut-price compact cars from Asia.
Ford Australia’s Sinead Phipps would not be drawn on the type or size of vehicle, but confirmed it was on its way Down Under.
“A new car will be revealed and it will be sold in Australia,” Ms Phipps said.
The timing of the car’s local launch is still unconfirmed, although Ms Phipps said it would come a “fair way after” the New Delhi unveiling, where only the exterior of the new car will be revealed.
Ford Australia already has strong ties to the Indian small car market, having developed the Ford Figo (pictured) – a subcompact hatch based on the previous-generation Fiesta – which was named the Indian Car of the Year 2011 and has since gone on to become one of the top selling cars in the booming market.
It is not yet known if Ford Australia has been involved in the development of the new car, or if the car is related to the Figo. These spy images of a Figo mule captured in 2009 could reveal Ford Australia's involvement with the new small car project.
Do you think Ford is working on a new micro car for Australia, or something else altogether? Would you like to see a sub-Fiesta-sized model in the local line-up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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