Bangkok International Motor Show 2013 : Ford

Submitted by peter on 31 March, 2013 - 17:02.

The 34th Bangkok International Motor Show is currently on, and we will be sharing some of the highlights over the next few days. We'll begin by taking a look at what Ford has on show.

Ford EcoSport

The 2013 Ford EcoSport is actually the second generation of the EcoSport name. However, while the first generation was limited to some developing markets from 2003 to the present, this new model is to be a global car. This follows the trend at Ford, with the current Fiesta and Focus models both being produced as global vehicles.

The car was launched in Brazil in July 2012, following the showcasing of the concept in January 2012 at the New Delhi Auto Expo.

The 2013 EcoSport is based on the Fiesta platform. Details are still unclear as to exactly what engines Thailand will get, but we can expect the car to share engines with the Fiesta, possibly including the new EcoBoost, Fords advanced 1.0-litre, 3 cylinder, turbo engine that Ford has been putting in pretty much everything from the Fiesta, to the Focus, right up to the Mondeo!

In the EcoSport, this engine would be just fine for city driving, with 101PS, 120PS and 125PS variants available for Ford to choose. These sort of power figures are comparable to those of 1.6 L engines, so it is understandable that they have managed to use this tiny engine in large cars.

Alternatives could include a 1.5 TDCi diesel, but Ford seems to have taken a step back from diesel cars in Thailand.

The car was generating quite a bit of interest, but Ford was not showing full production models, and was not allowing visitors full access to the cars.

Ranger on Side

The Ford Ranger isn't brand new, but Ford managed to draw some attention to the truck by jacking one onto its side. Visitors were able to view the underpinnings of the Ranger in comfort, and for those who enjoy this sort of thing, here are some images:

Ford Ranger on the Side

Focus

The Focus is now available with self-parking functionality, and this is what Ford was focusing (sorry) on at the show.

Ford Focus - I park myself

Fiesta

Given that the Fiesta has reached mid-life and has been face lifted in Europe already, I was slightly disappointed to find that there was no sign of the refresh here in Thailand. Instead Ford was pushing the Fiesta with 0% instalments, presumably in an effort to make room for the new refresh in the coming months.

Overall Impressions

Ford's display was quite impressive, and it is clear that they are on the rise in Thailand. The Ranger is proving popular in the all-important truck segment, the Focus is holding its own in the C-segment, and the little Fiesta is also winning friends.

I would have needed to join a queue to sit in a Ranger, so I suppose Ford are doing pretty well.