The new Ford Figo Aspire Job 1 recently rolled off the manufacturing line at Ford’s new, recently inaugurated Sanand plant. Site Plant Manager, Kel Kearns says “It is fantastic to produce an exciting new product for customers in India and our export markets. This is going to be yet another game changer for Ford.”
“This Job 1 is a dream come true for the entire Sanand Team. Together we have been able to roll out a great product from a whole new site thanks to the passionate team,” said Anand Misra, Area Manager, Plant Launch. Echoing a similar sentiment, Dhiraj Dixit, Assistant Plant Manager, said, “Job 1 starts a new journey for the Ford Team at Sanand… it is exciting to see how both product and people have become synonymous with quality. The team at Sanand is now waiting to see the product conquer the Indian roads.”
Revealed on March 26 and due to go on sale later this year, the new Figo Aspire enters India’s highly competitive compact car segment, which made up 45 percent of India’s market in 2014. Ford expects the segment to grow to around 1.6 million units in India by 2018, from 1.1 million in 2014. The company will also export variants of the Figo Aspire to compete globally.
The new Figo Aspire imbibes Ford’s DNA, which is instantly recognizable in the trapezoidal grille and the large, elongated headlamps. According to ford, the raked-back windshield and sweeping lines convey a “strong sense of movement”. Chrome highlights and technical details in the headlight design try to add a premium touch.The roomy interiors benefit from careful space management and places an emphasis on comfort and smart storage spaces. First-in-class technological features include a device dock which allows the driver to store, mount and charge mobile phones, MP3 players and satellite navigation systems, and to integrate these devices into the car’s entertainment system.
Consumers looking for even greater technological integration can choose a Figo Aspire equipped with SYNC with AppLink, Ford’s advanced in-car connectivity system. SYNC with AppLink allows drivers to control their phone, entertainment and apps hands-free using simple voice commands.The Aspire’s passenger cage is created from high-strength steel, while for the first time in a compact car in India, the Figo Aspire also offers side and curtain airbags for an extra level of protection. In the event of a serious collision, Emergency Assistance uses a Bluetooth-paired phone to automatically call emergency responders and provide information about your vehicle and location.
The new Figo Aspire will be powered by two engines – a 1.5L TDCi diesel engine and a 1.2L TiVCT petrol engine.
