With the deadline of nationwide, mandatory implementation of Bharat Stage VI (BSVI) emission norms less than a year away, all carmakers are working on two main projects. One, upgrading the existing powertrains or introducing new ones to meet the stricter emission standards. And two, whether or not to keep diesel-fed engines post March 31, 2020. Ford India has said that the former project will be completed before we enter the next fiscal. For the latter, it will continue to offer diesel powertrains after BSVI emission standards come into effect.

With the exception of the Mustang, Ford India offers diesel-fed powertrains with all its models. Diesel derivatives of a model have always been dearer than the petrol-powered ones. With the necessary hardware and software upgrades for the existing engines, BSVI-compliant diesel models in India are slated to cost considerably more. Introducing an all-new range of powertrains which meet the stricter norms is not a feasible option either.

Ford says that the jump in asking price for BSVI-ready petrol and diesel models will be between 8 to 10 per cent. It also went on to point out that over the years the government has lifted subsidies on diesel models which led carmakers to pass on the costs involved to the end customer. However, the demand for diesel-fed models stayed. The American automaker is confident that even after the prices go up, a market for diesel buyers will still exist in India.

Last month, India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki announced that it will stop selling diesel models from April 1, 2020. It said that justifying the increased prices to the masses will be difficult. Apart from working to make its products BSVI-compliant, Ford is also working on several projects with Mahindra. One of those is to introduce a C-segment SUV which house Mahindra-developed platform and powertrain. Once launched, it will lock horns with Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass and the upcoming MG Hector.

Source: PTI