phil1336

No! The Rear Trunk Tray has 3 Levels of adjustment but none will allow a Mini Emergency Spare Donut to fit. Just throw it in either the Trunk or Rear Seat for long Road Trip with a proper fitting Share Tire Cover.

I reported that unless you order the Option Rear Door Mounted Full Size Spare Tire for $185, everyone else, regardless of Trim Level gets the Toy Mini-Air Inflator an a Can of Sealant Goo.

The full size Rear Door Mounted Spare Tire is a option for a mere $185 with Jack assembly. To me, it looks ugly compared to the Vehicle without the Rear Mounted Tire but as they say, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I have had (bad) experience years ago with other Rear Door Mounted Spare Tires. The Tire protrudes beyond the Bumper therefore becoming "The Bumper". Instead of having a scuffed Bumper with a light "tap", thousands of dollar damage if you either back up an lightly touch anything and even more likely, if someone slightly rolls into you. The 15`` Focus 4 Lug Rim might work but since the Emergency Donut is kind of sketchy anyhow, why have it even more unbalanced by having 1, 15`` Rim an 3, 16`` Rims until you get the Tire repaired. Without the Optional Full Size Door Mounted Spare Tire, everyone gets a lovely Emergency Tire Inflator with a Can of Sealant Goo.

Great idea an they are much less expensive then the old Fox Body Mustang Emergency Spare Tire Donut. Too bad despite the 4 Lug 108 mm radius, they only came in 15`` Rim size. The older Fox Body Mustangs used a 4 Lug 16`` Rim. EcoSport in S an SE Trim are both 16``.

Thanks! If you think it might fit, I will grab one on Ebay!

Just took delivery yesterday of my 2018 Ford EcoSport. Diamond White with Medium Stone Cloth Interior in "S" Trim. Looks very much like a Ford Escape on a serious Diet! A bit smaller both inside an out compared to my 2017 Honda HR-V. Similar front seat room as my previous Fiesta Hatchback. I previously purchased a Emergency Spare Tire "Donut" for my 2013 Ford C-Max. Perfect fit from a similar year Ford Fusion. Anyone have an idea what will work for this 16`` 4 Lug EcoSport? So far, the only Emergency Donut that seems to match up would be a 1989-2013 Fox Body Mustang. Same 16`` Wheel size/4 Lug and 108mm radius spacing. Any other possible ideas to supplement the Emergency Tire Inflator an the Can of Sealant Goo? PS: After my "Rant" I finally located an EcoSport (without) the lovely Factory Pre-Installed Front License Plate Bracket by chance in Fort Meyers, FL. The same day, 2 identical Units hit the lot in Miami the same day, go figure.

Doubt that is the reason. True, the Ecosport was shipped from India to Nations all of the Globe with North America being close to if not the last. Most of the World does not share the same Front License Plate Design as we do so obviously, they wouldn't use the same obtrusive Bracket. Poor decision on not leaving this Bracket as a Dealer Installed Part. Someone dropped the ball. Most local Ford Dealers here in Florida were surprised an dismayed that they were Factory Pre-Installed. Most New Dealer Orders will have (NO) Bracket ordered. Can you imagine if the same thing occurred with Mustangs being shipped from Flat Rock MI? Buyers from the 19 States that require but 1 Plate would refuse Delivery an look for another Unit or hope the Dealer could do a Swap like mine did.

Again; For the record, I regret placing any blame whatsoever on the Assembly Line Workers at the Plant in India. They obviously were simply following Managements Protocol of Installing the Front License Plate Bracket unto the Bumper at the Factory rather then letting the Dealership install them as necessary. In Florida, where many Folks spend a half year or more, often purchase a New Vehicle down here rather then wait to purchase it in their Home State. For that reason, most Dealers order the Front License Plate Bracket since there is No Charge an keep them on hand just in case a Vehicle is sold to a Purchaser that requires 2 Plates. I have purchased many new Ford vehicles an the Window Sticker nearly always listed the Bracket but was placed in a Bag with fasteners along with the Floor Mats to be applied at delivery. Why not simply install the Front License Plate Bracket on all New Mustangs instead of deferring to the Selling Dealership to determine whether or not to screw it into the Bumper using EcoSport logic?

Perhaps bit harsh? I suspect Your absolutely correct. I apologize. Assembly Line Workers were (not) involved in that decision. Someone in "Management" made the call. I should have made that perfectly clear. I suspect that Missouri requires 2 License Plates? If so, I don't see you having a Dog in this fight?

Exactly. Not sure about the rules concerning Posting comments on Blogs like Ford EcoSport Forum, etc but rather then complicate matters an allowing at least a few weeks to a month of Ownership to pass before making any judgement, I see no problem. As a early Buyer, can I discuss my opinion on the vehicle with immediate Family Members? Hope their EPA estimates are a bit low. Doesn't figure with the same engine an drivetrain getting much better fuel economy in similar weight Ford vehicles. A bit odd....

Just wanted to add one more comment before they close out this "Thread". I noticed on my 2013 C-Max Hybrid SE, the Window Sticker also listed the Front License Plate Bracket N.C. but it was shipped along with the Floor Mats in a Plastic Bag for Dealer Installation. No Idiot at the Assembly Plant screwed it into the Front Bumper assuming it was going to one of the 31 States requiring 2 Tags. It was quite a search to find the exact EcoSport I wanted in Diamond White with the Medium Stone Interior (without) the Front License Bracket since 98% of Vehicles ordered included it assuming it would be tossed in the back seat or trunk. A Dealer Swap requiring an extra 112 miles put on it since the margins were too small to Flatbed it especially using the X-Plan. Will soon Post (my) Review since obviously the Black-Out on Media Coverage,Reviews, an First Drives remains in place. What a lovely front Bumper/Facia ruined by a huge black hideous License Plate Bracket (especially) if you live where only 1 Plate is required. Maybe Hackett or someone in Dearborn will contact the Plant in India and put a Stop Order on pre-installing the brackets immediately.

Interesting that most SO FL Ford Dealers claim that the EcoSports are currently all being shipped from the West Coast an being put on Train Convoy to the Eastern Seaboard. Not sure if thats accurate or temporary. They claim that is quicker to ship by Rail then spend 60 days at Sea reaching the East Coast sailing through Suez Canal or going around the Tip of Africa. I would assume that the RORO Ships would be cheaper per Unit considering they can hold Multi-Thousands of Car.

Nope, most Non North American Countries have a different size License Plate. Secondly, doing an Inventory Search of available an Dealer Ordered 2018 Ford EcoSports, there are some Florida Dealers that had the foresight to Order their Units (without) this Ugly Bracket. The majority of incoming EcoSport (do) have the Front License Plate Bracket listed on the Window Sticker with NC. I think the Dealers must have thought that it was going to be thrown into the Vehicle along with the Floor Mats for Dealer Installation. Instead, most Buyer will have to settle for this Ugly Monstrosity or search for a Vehicle in the Color of their choice that doesn't have this "Free" Item. I was ready to take Delivery of one in Diamond White. One local Dealer has 4 Identical Units but all have the Front License Bracket. Waiting for another Dealer that has 3 due to arrive anyday now (minus) this Frame. For the record, 31 States require 2 Tags an the remaining 19 only 1 Tag.

I agree. Have you seen but (1) Stock Photo of a 2018 N.A. EcoSport with that ugly front license plate bracket? If your State only issues 1 Tag, what are you going to place in it? The Dealerships Advertisement or insert a Vanity Plate that say, I'm Mr. Wonderful. Would have taken a lot of effort to simply include the Bracket as a Dealer Installed Item instead of screwing 2 holes into the Front Bumper.

Yes, the long wait is over. Slowly the EcoSports are being dropped off by Auto Carriers to Dealers all over SO FL. In the (19) States that only require 1 Rear License Plate, you will be pleased to know that 95% or more are arriving with the Front License Plate Bracket "Pre-Installed) from the Factory. Leaves but 2 options. Live with this ugly Black protruding monstrocity or take the New vehicle an send it to the Auto Body Shop to have the Front Bumper holes filled in an repainted. Guess its true, "If its Free its for Me"! The Window Sticker lists Front License Plate Bracket N.C. Great, if you need it by why pre-install it for those that don't? Genius, simply genius.

With 19 States only requiring (1) Rear License Plate, what Idiot decided to "Pre-Install" these ugly Black License Plate Brackets on 95% of all the Vehicles being shipped to the US? In Florida where the EcoSport are starting to arrive, finding one (without) this hidious Plate Holder is near impossible. Live with it or have the Body Shop refill an repaint holes? Why not simply through the damn bracket an mounting screws into the Vehicle along with the Floor Mats an let the Dealers install as necessary! Passed on 3 EcoSports, all identical in Color and Trim Level but passed on each one because they came with the Front License Plate Bracket "NC" on the Window Sticker.

Well that explains our current situation in the US, not just related to Automobiles. Basically, its a continuation of what most of us already know, that The Masses are A$$`S! Attempting desperately to stay "On Topic". "akirby" from GA knows exactly what I am talking about, right?

I agree to a point. Only CR Worshippers take their Auto Reviews as the Holy Grail however, most Main-Line Auto Magazines do influence potential buyers to avoid certain newly launched Vehicles if they fail on most Merits.

That gives early Buyers a lot of solid information related to real-time fuel economy, acceleration, handling, braking, etc to go on. Guess using that theory, for at least for first few months, first Purchasers will just throw the "Dice" an take 'A Leap Of Faith"? Either that, or simply go on most of the Reviews Posted by Australia, UK, Indian, an other Auto Publications all which give mediocre or somewhat negative comments. Problem with that is they are (not) reviewing a North American Market Version. Often, not just Engine choices but other refinements could lead to a different conclusion. Who wants to be the first Lab Rat to drink the Kool-Aid?

Interesting update on the Tire dilemma. Bridgestone was acceptable (but) Firestone, not so much? All the Semi-Trailers hauling Tires to Firestone Stores are given Bridgestone Branding, go figure.

If thats correct, thats one hell of a Snub! In a Hot Market with Honda HR-V leading the pack ahead of the Chevy Trax, Jeep Renegade, Nissan Rougue, an Mazda 3 CUV, not one Publication has Posted either Positive or Negative Reviews of the 2018 Ford EcoSport? Virtually every new updated Vehicle or refreshed Vehicle gets a "First Drive" review even with a Pre-Production disclaimer. The silence is deafening!

Seems to me that the relationship between Ford and Bridgestone/Firestone went sour a few decades ago when the Law Suits exploded on issues with the Ford Explorer. Ford alleged that the accidents that were being reported related to the Explorer were due to a defective OEM Tire procured from Firestone. Firestone obviously claimed that their Tires were (not) the cause of the incidents but defective Product design of the Ford Explorer. Since neither Corporation would admit or share responsibility responding to the the many Law Suits, Ford ended its relationship with Firestone an switched to every other Tire Manufacturer but Bridgestone/Firestone. So much for the ancient friendship between Harry Firestone an Henry Ford. The close up pictures of the 2018 Ford EcoSport being built in India for the North American market clearly indicate that the Vehicle is be equipped with Bridgestone OEM Tires. They finally kissed an made up?

Now that the first 2018 Ford EcoSports have reached California Dealerships, you would think by now at least one of the half dozen Automobile Magazines would have published a "First Drive" evaluation an review? Maybe they are waiting for the 2019 Run instead?

Heard that the Ford supposedly dropped the 1.0 Ltr. 3 Cyl. Engine in its Fiesta as an option choice yet they placed it in the EcoSport? Logic..?

Well assuming that the same RORO Transport Ship had to pass by Port Canaveral in Melbourne FL before going up the Eastern Sea Coast, Florida Dealers aught to be seeing the first ones arriving any day by Car Carrier? See almost half have been built with Optional Spare Tire mounted outside Rear Door. Bit surprised. IMO, doesn't add to appearance despite the practicality.