SAO PAULO -- From Feb. 1 - 4, around 110 Brazilian motoring journalists attended the 2011 Ford EcoSport launch and got a close look at the new model, which is the segment leader in the Brazilian market. The event, which officially presented the vehicle to the press, was held in Maceió, Alagoas and was divided into two sessions: the first one from Feb. 1 - 3, and the second one from Feb. 2 - 4. The groups participated in technical presentations conducted by Sales and Marketing as well as Engineering teams, and soon after they experienced the 2011 Ford EcoSport during a 100 kilometer test drive passing by the beautiful beaches of Maceió.

The 2011 EcoSport can be seen in the new design of external and internal elements and continuous improvement of product quality. The direct advantages for the consumer are in the price repositioning (downward) and the new three year total guarantee program with unlimited mileage. The 2011 EcoSport, with its new visual identity, comes to the market in the first half of February.
In the design, the front has been restyled and is using a new radiator grille with three horizontal bars, which connects to the global brand identity. Valuing the name of the product and creating design elements, the EcoSport logo comes in the center of the hood in the FreeStyle and XLT 4WD versions.

 "The 2011 Ford EcoSport is even more complete with the equipment available and also with the design changes. It increases its competitive advantage by offering a three year warranty with unlimited mileage, and the revised prices reinforce its position as the best option among SUVs," said Antonio Baltar, manager, General Marketing, Ford Brazil.

Since its launch, Ford EcoSport is a leader among SUVs in Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Mexico. It offers the widest range of versions, one of the reasons that put this product as a reference and object of desire for different consumer profiles.

With a foundation that unites flexibility, design and characteristics of use in conditions seen in your day to day and leisure  driving, EcoSport provides a command position, dynamic behavior, security, stability, comfort, space and practicality in the cabin.

The 2011 Ford EcoSport development stands out for its extensive quality program, based on model owners’ opinion surveys. With more than 550,000 units produced since its launch in 2003, EcoSport is a vehicle developed entirely in Brazil to be used in Latin America.

"Presently, EcoSport is one of the compact SUVs that has the highest levels of customer satisfaction, as assessed by independent institutes that research all brands. This is the result of constant improvements to the product quality throughout its existence," said Milton Lubraico, chief engineer, Product Development.

The product improvement is reinforced by another important development in the 2011 EcoSport: the factory warranty program, which is now three years with unlimited mileage. "The new 2011 EcoSport is more in tune with the customer’s wishes. Our proposal is to continue to offer the best product in the segment in terms of innovation, quality and cost-effectiveness," noted Baltar.