Ford Hai Duong factory is one of 6 factories worldwide of Ford producing this car line. And to date, EcoSport is sold in 149 markets around the world. In Vietnam, EcoSport has been produced in Hai Duong since 2014, opening a completely new segment of small urban SUVs and for the past three consecutive years EcoSport has always been leading its segment.
“The new Ford EcoSport rolling out today is the culmination of months of research, listening to feedback and hard work from Ford’s engineering, technical and management teams around the world, from Brazil, the home of the car – to the UK and Germany, Ford’s technology hubs – to Australia and ASEAN, with the contribution of the Vietnamese team,” said Mr. Pham Van Dung, General Director of Ford Vietnam.
To meet the production plan of the New EcoSport, Ford Vietnam factory has invested significantly in the production line, including a robot in the body shop to stamp and punch square holes on the front of the car, improving the stability and aesthetics of the car body; 20 medium frequency DC spot welding machines to improve the quality of the welding points, hundreds of bolt mounting and tightening devices to help control the standard tightening force. All of these devices are worth millions of US dollars. Not only that, the most important investment of Ford Vietnam to date is people. Technology transfer and human resource development are done systematically by Ford Group and currently all key management positions running the company in Vietnam are held by Vietnamese people. Engineers and technicians in Hai Duong have also made great progress to manage the entire production process and introduce this global product in Vietnam.
US Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Daniel Kritenbrink said: “Ford is one of the pioneering global enterprises investing in Vietnam. Over the past 20 years, Ford has become a symbol for the American business community in sustainable investment, creating jobs for people and thereby contributing to the local economy. In addition to sustainable investment, Ford also embodies the American entrepreneurial spirit with high integrity and responsibility in business operations, thereby ensuring good working conditions and focusing on human development. I am very pleased to witness the process of product and human development at Ford Vietnam, of which the New Ford EcoSport is a typical example.”
Mr. Daniel Kritenbrink - US Ambassador to Vietnam
New EcoSport – Comprehensive Improvements
Mr. Daniel Abondanza, EcoSport Development Engineer from the New Ford EcoSport research and development team in Vietnam said: “During the product development process, all feedback from Vietnamese customers was listened to and discussed with global product development teams, aiming to create better and better improvements, exceeding customer expectations. The New Ford EcoSport is the ideal model of a small, flexible, powerful, smart SUV, suitable for urban life.”
In terms of exterior, the New Ford EcoSport has a modern design and a dynamic sporty appearance thanks to the frame structure made of high-strength steel and super-hard Boron steel. The front of the car is designed large with a honeycomb grille combined with chrome-plated borders (Titanium version) or silver paint (Trend version) sturdy and luxurious.
The highlight of the car is the spare wheel cover with a new steel rim design hanging outside, thereby exuding the characteristics of an SUV off-road vehicle for those who want to experience the feeling of adventure. The embossed lines seamlessly from the hood to the stylized front bumper make the car look more solid and muscular.
The interior of the New Ford EcoSport has been carefully designed and upgraded by Ford designers to 90% in terms of functionality and comfort, based on user-oriented factors. The new EcoSport is designed with up to 25 storage spaces in the car.
True to the high driving position that allows for expanded visibility, the driving position of the New Ford EcoSport has an additional center storage box and rear seats with a sliding armrest design that is very convenient for long-distance driving.
New engines and gearboxes – powerful and efficient
The new Ford EcoSport is equipped with two engine versions: the famous 1.0L EcoBoost, which has won the global Engine of the Year award for 5 consecutive years, and the second, equally outstanding version, the Dragon 1.5L I3 Ti-VCT 122Ps engine.
Completely replacing the 1.5L I4 engine, the all-new Dragon engine with a body cast in aluminum alloy, engine weight reduced by 10% but power increased by 10% and torque increased by 7% compared to the previous 1.5L I4 engine. Combined with the new 6-speed hydraulic automatic transmission, the New Ford EcoSport 8 has the ability to accelerate smoothly and powerfully. In addition, the Dragon engine uses dual variable valve technology (Ti-VCT) to save fuel, significantly improving engine performance.
Mr. Daniel Kritenbrink - US Ambassador to Vietnam test drove 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 capacity and allowing the driver to experience powerful performance.
Smart & Safe
With the New Ford EcoSport, moving around the city can become more relaxing and convenient thanks to the SYNC 3 system with an improved 8.0'' touch screen. With SYNC 3, the driver can use voice commands to call and talk on the phone, and control other entertainment amenities while still keeping their hands on the steering wheel and focusing on driving. SYNC 3 on the New Ford Ecosport can connect GPS to phones with operating systems that support Car Play.
EcoSport has a chassis structure made of high-strength steel and super-hard Boron steel combined with a series of advanced safety technologies and a system of 6 airbags (Titanium version).
A highlight of the New Ford EcoSport is Ford's MyKey technology, which allows drivers to personalize a number of vehicle features, such as setting maximum speed warnings, fuel warnings, seat belt warnings, and maximum sound. By programming individual keys, the New Ford EcoSport can also identify who is driving, and will automatically change settings to suit each person.
In addition, the camera and sensor system has the ability to warn of obstacles with sound and image to support the driver when moving and reversing the car in tight spaces safely. The New EcoSport is also equipped with the Auto Start Stop feature - automatically starting the engine on high-end versions.
The spacious 348-litre rear luggage compartment is ideal for storing family camping gear, and can even expand to 1,145 litres when the rear seats are folded down.
Since its first launch in 2003 in Brazil, Ford EcoSport has always been positioned as an important product line in expanding the vehicle portfolio and competing in Ford's small SUV segment. And Vietnam is proud to be one of six Ford factories in the world producing this vehicle line.
“The growth potential of the Vietnamese market is the driving force for us to continue developing products like the New Ford EcoSport, with the desire to launch products that increasingly exceed the expectations of customers in urban areas. Ford understands that a good product needs to bring core values to people. And freedom of movement will promote social progress,” said Mr. Dung.
The new EcoSport, which was launched today, will officially go into production and be delivered to customers from March 2018.
Ngoc Anh - Linh
