The prayers of many enthusiasts are likely to be answered as Ford plans to bring the Endevour back to India. However, it will be called the Everest in India too.
Basically, it is the same car with a different name plate. The Everest is actually the true name of the SUV in American and Australian markets. However, Ford could not sell it as the Everest because of some trademark issues. This seems to have been fixed and Ford might have secured the required rights to sell the SUV with the Everest name plate. The company doesn’t have to invest in developing and localising fresh badges, logos, and nameplates, which, given the small volumes planned in India, would have been costly and complicated. This strategy seems to be a cost-effective move for the company.
It’s not clear when Ford will start production of the Everest in India as that will hinge on the company’s EV strategy, which is still being formulated. This could delay the manufacturing of Everest in India to late 2025 or even 2026. However, to bridge the gap, Ford is considering bringing in a small number of imports as a way to return to the market faster. These will be assembled at the Ford plant in Chennai.
The spy photos near Chennai and the design patent filed by Ford in India, show us that the three-row, ladder frame SUV gets a boxy front-end with a large grille, a horizontal bar in its middle and new Matrix LED headlights with C-shaped DRLs at the front. The overall design seems to be more squared-off than the Endeavour, and the upright rear-end and inverted L-shaped LED tail-lights add to that feeling.
The Everest’s interior, at least those on sale in international markets, also seems vertically oriented with the 12-inch touchscreen (10.1-inch on lower trims) running Ford’s latest SYNC infotainment software. Lower variants also come with an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, while the higher ones get a 12.4-inch unit.
While the India-spec Everest’s powertrain is yet to be confirmed, Ford offers two 2.0-litre diesels – a single turbo and a twin-turbo version – and a 3.0-litre V6 diesel overseas. Gearbox options include a 6-speed manual and a 10-speed automatic, depending on the engine, and two-wheel and four-wheel drive versions are also on offer in select markets.
When it arrives, the Ford Everest will directly rival the Toyota Fortuner and MG Gloster, and other seven-seat SUVs like the Skoda Kodiaq
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