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The Ford Hai Duong plant is one of six Ford plants globally that produce this model. To date, the EcoSport is sold in 149 markets worldwide. In Vietnam, the EcoSport has been manufactured in Hai Duong since 2014, opening up a completely new segment of compact urban SUVs, and for the past three consecutive years, the EcoSport has consistently led its segment.
“The new Ford EcoSport rolling off the production line today is the culmination of months of research, feedback gathering, and hard work by Ford’s global team of engineers, technicians, and executives, from Brazil, the car’s home country – to the UK and Germany, Ford’s technology hubs – to Australia and ASEAN, with a particular contribution from the Vietnamese team,” shared Mr. Pham Van Dung, General Director of Ford Vietnam.
To meet the production plan for the new EcoSport, Ford Vietnam's factory has invested significantly in its production line. This includes a robot in the body shop for stamping and punching square holes on the front of the vehicle, enhancing stability and aesthetics; 20 medium-frequency DC spot welding machines to improve weld quality; and hundreds of assembly and bolt tightening devices to ensure standard torque control. All of this equipment is worth millions of US dollars. Furthermore, Ford Vietnam's most significant investment to date has been in its people. The technology transfer and personnel development have been systematically implemented by the Ford Group, and currently all key management positions in Vietnam are held by Vietnamese nationals. Engineers and technicians in Hai Duong have also made remarkable progress in managing the entire production process and introducing this global product in Vietnam.
U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, Daniel Kritenbrink, stated: “Ford is one of the pioneering global businesses to invest in Vietnam. Over more than 20 years, Ford has become a symbol for the American business community in sustainable investment, creating jobs for people and contributing to the local economy. Besides sustainable investment, Ford also embodies the American spirit of entrepreneurship with high integrity and responsibility in its business operations, thereby ensuring good working conditions and focusing on human development. I am very pleased to witness the development of products and people at Ford Vietnam, of which the new Ford EcoSport is a prime example.”
Mr. Daniel Kritenbrink - U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam
The New EcoSport – Comprehensive Improvements
Daniel Abondanz, EcoSport Development Engineer supporting the Ford EcoSport New Research and Development team in Vietnam, said: “Throughout the product development process, all feedback from Vietnamese customers has been listened to and discussed with global product development teams to create increasingly better improvements that exceed customer expectations. The new Ford EcoSport is the ideal model of a small SUV that is versatile, powerful, smart, and suitable for urban life.”
In terms of exterior design, the new Ford EcoSport boasts a modern and sporty look thanks to its high-strength steel frame and ultra-hard Boron steel construction. The front end features a large design with a honeycomb grille combined with chrome trim (Titanium version) or silver metallic paint (Trend version), creating a sturdy and luxurious appearance.
A highlight of the vehicle is the spare wheel cover with its new steel rim design mounted externally, thus exuding the characteristics of an off-road SUV for those who desire an adventurous experience. Seamless embossed lines from the hood to the front bumper create a stylish and robust look.
The interior of the new Ford EcoSport has been meticulously designed and upgraded by Ford's designers, with 90% improvements in functionality and convenience, based on user-centric features. The new EcoSport is designed with up to 25 storage compartments inside the vehicle.
Staying true to its high driving position that allows for an extended field of view, the new Ford EcoSport's driver's seat also features a center storage compartment and rear seats with a sliding armrest design, which is very convenient for long drives.
New engine and gearbox – powerful and efficient.
The new Ford EcoSport is equipped with two engine options: the renowned 1.0L EcoBoost, which has won the Global Engine of the Year award for five consecutive years, and the equally impressive 1.5L I3 Ti-VCT 122Ps Dragon engine.
Completely replacing the 1.5L I4 engine, the all-new Dragon engine features an aluminum alloy engine block, reducing engine weight by up to 10% while increasing power by 10% and torque by 7% compared to the previous 1.5L I4 engine. Combined with the new 6-speed hydraulic automatic transmission, the new Ford EcoSport 8 offers smooth and powerful acceleration. Furthermore, the Dragon engine utilizes dual variable valve timing (Ti-VCT) technology, resulting in improved fuel efficiency and significantly enhanced engine performance.
Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink of the United States to Vietnam test-drives the car.
This is also one of the factors that helps the new Ford EcoSport reduce emissions by 15% and save fuel by up to 20% while still increasing power and allowing drivers to experience powerful performance.
Smart & Safe
With the new Ford EcoSport, city driving can become more relaxing and convenient thanks to the improved SYNC 3 system with an 8.0'' touchscreen. With SYNC 3, drivers can use voice commands to make and receive phone calls and control other entertainment features while keeping their hands on the steering wheel and focusing on driving. SYNC 3 on the new Ford EcoSport can connect to GPS with phones that support Car Play.
The EcoSport features a high-strength steel and ultra-high-strength Boron steel frame structure combined with a range of advanced safety technologies and a 6-airbag system (Titanium version).
A highlight of the new Ford EcoSport is Ford's MyKey technology, which allows drivers to personalize several vehicle features, such as setting maximum speed warnings, fuel warnings, seatbelt warnings, and maximum audio volume. By programming individual keys, the new Ford EcoSport can also identify who is driving and automatically adjust settings to suit each person.
In addition, the camera and sensor system, capable of warning of obstacles with sound and images, will assist drivers in safely maneuvering and parking in tight spaces. The new EcoSport is also equipped with an Auto Start Stop feature – automatically starting the engine – on higher-end versions.
The spacious rear luggage compartment, with a capacity of 348 liters, is ideal for organizing family picnic gear, and can even be expanded to 1,145 liters when the rear seats are folded down.
Since its initial launch in Brazil in 2003, the Ford EcoSport has consistently been positioned as a key product in expanding Ford's vehicle portfolio and competing in the compact SUV segment. Vietnam is proud to be one of six Ford factories worldwide producing this model.
“The growth potential of the Vietnamese market is the driving force behind our continued development of products like the new Ford EcoSport, with the desire to create products that increasingly exceed customer expectations in urban areas. Ford understands that a good product needs to deliver core values to people. And freedom of movement will drive social progress,” said Mr. Dung.
The new EcoSport, which rolled off the production line today, will officially go into mass production and be delivered to customers starting in March 2018.
Ngoc Anh - Linh
