Voices from Brazil - Is Ford planning a 7 seat EcoSport?

Brazil's top selling auto magazine Quatro Rodas has set off a few murmurs about a 7 seater version of the Ford EcoSport. The Ford EcoSport was designed and developed as a compact global SUV with a seating for 5 people.

Whereas the Brazilian EcoSport is above 4 meters in length, Ford India President and Managing Director Mr Michael Boneham confirmed that the Indian version will be sub 4 meters to enjoy tax benefits. Considering the B-Platform that the EcoSport is based on is very much customizable, extending the car's length to drop in a couple of extra seats won't be a moon-landing of a task.

Ford plans to launch the EcoSport in 100+ markets and one can expect to see certain variations as diversity of these markets may need them.

Quatro Rodas further tells us that design wise the EcoSport 7 seater will not be very different from the 5 seater. It will just be an aesthetically enlarged version. The Brazilian magazine also confirms that it will not be a full-fledged 7 seater like the Escape (C-Platform) but more of a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga/Chevrolet Spin rival with very limited legroom for the third seats.

While we take this information with a pinch of salt and we advice our viewers to do so, we really like the idea. Considering the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and Mahindra XUV 500 both have terrible rear leg space in the third row and yet are very successful models, it certainly implies that the Indian consumers do value a 7 seater more than a 5 seater.

Don't you think the Ford EcoSport 7 seater is a project that will suit the profile of Ford India?

[Source: Noticiasautomotivas.com.br]