Ford is preparing to launch a new vehicle platform
for India and other emerging markets that will spawn a host of new models,
including a local rival to the Hyundai i20.
Codenamed B563, the new platform will be an upgraded
version of the B562 platform used by the Ford Figo and Aspire and will underpin
a premium hatchback to rival the i20 as well as a mid-size sedan to rival the
Honda City, Autocar India reports.
Speaking about the platform in anonymity, a Ford
official said the new platform will be made specifically with India in mind.
Unfortunately for local customers looking to an alternative to the i20 and
City, neither model is predicted to launch before 2020 but when they do, both
will be developed to meet tight emission regulations beyond 2023. This means
that the i20 and City rivals will land with new small displacement petrol
engines.
