Ford EcoSport for the USA to be exported from India - Report

Will arrive in dealerships across the U.S in Q1 2018.

USA Today has reported that the 2018 Ford EcoSport will be manufactured and exported by Ford India to the USA. Ford India's plant in Chennai already manufactures and exports the EcoSport to the Americas, Middle East, Africa and Europe, making it the most exported car from India last fiscal. Ford India commenced exports of the crossover in 2013.

Up until now it was unclear which of the EcoSport's production sites - India, Thailand or Brazil - would export the compact crossover to the U.S. It will be the smallest crossover to launch in the North American market, slotting under the Ford Escape. Ford also manufactures the model in alliance with Changan Auto for China, and with Sollers for Russia.

Come 2018, the U.S market will get the facelifted EcoSport, which features bigger headlamps with bolder LED DRLs and projector lamps, Edge-inspired foglamps, and a larger trapezoidal grille with a new black plastic mesh design. Like the Euro-spec EcoSport, the U.S-spec model will not feature a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and instead gets a tire inflater kit.

Also Read: Next-gen Ford Bronco’s development begins in Australia – Report

The interior looks much cleaner and more premium than the outgoing model, sporting a new steering wheel, wider instrument cluster, new HVAC controls and optional contrasting color trim. It also adopts Ford’s new SYNC3 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a premium B&O PLAY audio system (standard in Titanium).

Expect the rehashed EcoSport to launch in India sometime next year.

[Photos from Forbes]