Ford India will be re-introducing its D-segment luxury car Mondeo through the completely built unit (direct import) route, in the current year.

The last generation Mondeo was withdrawn from the local markets last year following poor sales. The demand was primarily impeded due to high sticker price and low brand awareness of the Ford logo.

Scott McCormack, vice-president, marketing, sales and service, Ford India, said, "We will be introducing the new Mondeo in India this year and we plan to source the vehicle from Europe, making it a direct import."

The model that would be imported to India would be the one, which had debuted at the Paris Motor Show last year. The parent company has replaced all the casting and mouldings equipment of the phased-out Mondeo with those of the new model's. Production of the new model had begun early this year throughout Europe.

The company has no plans to build the car locally at its manufacturing facility in Chennai at the moment but intends to reverse its decision depending on the market demand.

"Depending on the demand for the new Mondeo, we may go in for local manufacturing in future. However, there are no such plans as of now," McCormack said. He, however, declined to comment on the pricing of the vehicle.

Ford India is evaluating the possible engine variations with which the car would be launched. The company can either offer the powerful and well-proven Ford Duratorq 2.0-litre TDCi diesel and a high-performance 2.5-litre turbocharged Duratec petrol engine.

The car's competitors are Honda Siel's Accord and Toyota's Camry.  Currently the Accord has the largest market share in the sub-Rs 20-lakh segment.