The competition in the mid-sized sedan segment is set to heat up with the launch of the new version of Ford Fiesta sedan available from Rs 7.69 lakh to Rs 9.29 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
The new Fiesta will directly compete with Honda City and Hyundai Verna, which are the two most selling cars in the segment. Ford Fiesta has announced the launch only in a diesel variant and not petrol, which leaves only 70 per cent of the market for the carmaker. In the mid-sized sedan segment, 70 per cent of the cars sold are diesel and the rest are petrol. The new Fiesta will be available in three options ? Ambiente, Trend and Titanium ? all powered by 1.5 litre diesel engine.
The Ambiente will be available at Rs 7.69 lakh, while the Trend comes at Rs 8.56 lakh and the top-of-the-line Titanium is tagged at Rs 9.29 lakh (all price ex-showroom Delhi).
Honda City diesel is available in the price range of Rs 8.37 lakh to Rs 10.99 lakh and Hyundai Verna diesel is available in the price range of Rs 8.36 lakh to Rs 10.80 lakh for comparable variants.
Ford India claims that the car delivers fuel efficiency of 25.01 km/liter, which is the highest by any diesel engine available in this segment. The company claims that they are not looking at volumes from this model.
?This will be an owner-driven car and not a driver-driven car, which means it will not travel large distances. An owner-driver always prefers a petrol car over a diesel version. Hence, it would be difficult for the car to make entry in that segment,? said an industry observer.
