Posted on 11/25/2016 2:49:27 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Despite the fact that Ford Motors is under fire from President-elect Donald Trump for importing cars from Mexico, the company will soon become the first US automaker to import vehicles from India.
According to a report in CNN Money, the company has said that EcoSport compact crossover, introduced for the US market at the Los Angeles auto show, will be shipped to US from India starting 2018.
The report says that the EcoSport, Ford’s smallest SUV, has been built at its assembly plant in Chennai for more than 100 markets around the world since 2013.
About 15 per cent of vehicles produced at Ford’s Chennai plant are sold in India.
According to data from Kelley Blue Book, subcompact SUVs are a huge business in the US accounting for the biggest segment of the auto market.
Ford will be the first automaker to ever import cars from India into the US market.
It should be recalled that Ford's plan to shift all of its small car production to Mexico has became a hot-button topic during the recent US presidential election.
Trump has already vowed to impose a 35 per cent tax on cars that are built in Mexico for the U.S. market, which he says will force automakers to bring jobs back to U.S. plants.
Hmm. a mini-Escape.
Used to like their Escapes.
I did too until they gave it the ‘Darth Vader’ look.
Not a bad-looking little car. It would be perfect for me, if my 6’3” body would fit in it!
Even the larger cars like the VW Jetta are too small for normal sized people. Also, you can’t find a car with an open front area. We are forced by safety standards to keep our feet in a tiny well directly in front of the driver and passenger in case of a crash. There is no room to stretch. The Indian made car looks like an even smaller car which will have smaller seats, less head room and an even tinier foot well.
I sold my Jetta and bought a ‘92 Suburban and a 2001 Lincoln Town Car. I had a couple of thousand left over. Both are roomy and comfortable. My next car will be even older.
Eventually, I will have a car from the early ‘50’s to add to the collection. (I’m looking for a straight 8 in case the wife is hounding you to get rid of that old Pontiac.)
No air bags. It levitates away from danger.
No cruise control. The driver meditates until a desired state of vehicular transcendence is realized.
But only if you order the Maharishi package.
I loved my 1992 Lincoln Mark VII LSC. Wish I still had it.
I am agonizing over buying a ‘94 Mark VIII with 27k miles on the clock. I really shouldn’t spend the money but it’s dirt cheap compared with even Mustangs. Cobra 32 valve engine, pristine leather interior...sigh...
McCar. Has anyone else noticed that the same grille design is being used in a lot of different cars, not just Ford?
should be “all BUT the most popular models”
“Will it be a daily driver? “
Depends on what I find and how difficult it is to keep running. I have found some nice buys on straight 8 Pontiacs but I no longer want to do the kind of work that’s necessary for a full restoration.
What do you like about the straight 8? Also, would you consider putting in a modern style disc brake system (10” drums are often not enough for modern conditions, and the 60 year version is probably in rough shape if not already re-habbed.)
Is America ready for those ridiculous indian/Chinese 12 inch wheels ?
Ever
I'll walk first.
“What do you like about the straight 8? “
I am not interested in horse power. I never had a flat head straight 8 and I thought they were visually attractive and had a pleasing exhaust note. They are substantially heavier than the same displacement V designs, but had ample torque and good acceleration characteristics for the time. So, in a word, nostalgia.
Packard was the only mainstream company that continued to update and improve its design; ending halfway though ‘54 with a 356 cubic inch, dual carbureted, 270 horse model in the Caribbean. I have located two Caribbean’s with the correct motor but have not gotten to look at them yet. I suspect they are just parts cars. (I have to take care of several projects before spending time and money. But I’m pedaling as fast as I can.)
As for brakes, it depends on what I get and how difficult it is to update them. There are, in some cases, larger drums available. I don’t really need the braking power for fade issues as I won’t drive it that hard. The only problem I have is sometimes little cars just whip in front of you because of the spacing you keep for when you drive drums and then they suddenly stop. A Kia can stop substantially faster than a ‘50’s anything.
Buy it. I love my ‘97 Mk VIII LSC. Comfortable, decent on gas (16mpg city), looks good and can go like a scalded cat.
Agreed. I’ll continue to buy used American cars after my two bite the dust.
I have a 2000 VW Golf with 40K miles on her(!) and a 2008 Ford Escape XL with 70K on her. I inherited the VW from my Dad and I paid cash for the Escape.
I’m 56. Baring a deer accident or an illegal crashing into me, I’m pretty sure I’m set. ;)
Good gas mileage with a 3 cylinder 60 cubic inch engine. Probably can even out drag a Trabbi.
Wonder why they picked India - they also make them in Russia.
Ford decided they must curry favor with those who favor curry.
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