Ford Ecosport : Why this delay?

Ford has generated much curiosity about its mini-SUV i.e. Ecosport in India.  While many people have seen Ecosport testing on roads here without any kind of covering, nobody really knows when this much anticipated SUV will be in market.  Ford has already launched Ecosport in Brazil and China but the most promising automobile market in the world i.e. India is yet to see this in the showrooms.  Sources have revealed that the reason for this delay is that Ford is waiting for the central budget to be made public which will be presented before Parliament in February end.  In India, the pricing of cars is quite dependent on government policies with respect to fuel.  While petrol prices are now controlled by market factors, prices for diesel are still subsidiesed and under the control of central government.  In the recent times, government has given indications that it will deregulate the diesel prices and in fact started the process with a very mild increase in its price which will be a regular feature every month. 

At present, car companies have been puting price tag of diesel cars at a premium compared to petrol cars.  Most of the diesel cars were available only after some waiting time, running into sometimes 7-8 months after booking, while same model was available off the shelf in its petrol version.  In view of this, demands were raised that diesel vehicles should be taxed heavily as the subsidy on diesel was meant for farmers and transporters.

Ford, considering these facts, is waiting to hear government's budget proposals.  So, the launch of Ecosport is not expected before March.