AM222

If there's a standard feature Ford should drop from their vehicle lineup, it's the "guaranteed recall feature".

The Maverick's interior has a more modern 2020s squarish truck/SUV look than the more generic Escape interior. It's interior door panel design looks unique too. About the supposed worse interior materials, the Maverick used to cost as much as an EcoSport.

I think Ford can still call it an Escape even if they made it sort of look like an Explorer junior since that's how it was anyway in the 2000s. The Mustang and Bronco both got a reset (when they went retro) and Ford didn't change their names.

True. I think Ford should have kept the Escape more SUV-like (sort of like a junior Explorer) and just made a separate lower-priced more car-like crossover model like a Corolla Cross or Trax. Ford made the Escape more car-like which it seems is not what the buyers in the segment wanted.

The Mahindra-based SUV would have looked outdated too compared to other 2021+ Fords. The current Territory which was launched in late 2021 as the 2022 Equator Sport in China looks much newer. I still think Ford needs the next EcoSport.

Ford unveils refreshed Territory in Brazil. Slightly different front from the refreshed Equator Sport in China.

Current export market models have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The new Territory's interior isn't cheap at all. Ford in China has the capacity to handle production for both domestic and export models. Ford is also positioning China as an export hub alongside Ford Thailand which currently focuses on body-on-frame models. Ford used to export some models from Taiwan back in the day before Ford started exporting from China. PS: It seems that Ford it is still interested in turning India into an export hub after it put its India-made BEV plans on ice.

True and it sucks. North America is probably the least affected by the termination of the more affordable smaller ICE models. Who are the ones that are hugely affected? The rest-of-the-world markets of Ford, not just Europe. Again, rivals continue to build and improve on vehicles in segments Ford abandoned or plan to abandon.

I remember when the Fiesta was discontinued Europe, sales of small hatchbacks there were actually up. People just went for hatchbacks from another brands. I think the "Cheap rental spec" image of a small non-hot hatch hatchback is an American thing because this is smaller and more affordable than what many consider as standard. In Europe and Asia, subcompact cars and their crossover derivatives are popular.

I think Honda is only ending Type-R sales in Europe, Ford on the other hand will kill off the entire Focus range by November, first to go is the ST.

Not everyone wants a pickup truck or Transit though. The only reason a Focus or Escape is not very profitable for Ford is: A. They need major updates (rivals are beating them) B. Ford isn't selling them in many markets. Toyota for example developed a new Rav4 and will sell it in 180 markets. Ford tends to develop models for certain regions only and sell unrelated vehicle to fill in the blanks like in the old days. Example: Escape and the unrelated Territory. The One Ford philosophy would have saved Ford a ton of money. The only Ford left that follows the One Ford philosophy is the Ranger. Many of Ford's rivals have followed and are still following this "One" idea. You also have to think about how Ford developed three Ford-branded C2 models, the Escape, Bronco Sport, and Maverick that their combined sales is still less than the Rav4's sales in the USA. You also have to consider the fact that the Rav4 is sold in several dozen more markets than Ford's compact SUVs.

They will probably stick around but as a commercial vehicle maker. When you're a Focus or Escape/Kuga owner, you don't care much about commercial vehicles. I would choose a car or crossover from a rival brand who hasn't quit making cars or 2-row crossovers.

It's China exporting RHD Territory units to South Africa though, makes sense if they would also be the ones to export the new Territory to other potential RHD markets. I believe JMC-Ford has the extra capacity to produce more export models. Not even sure if Ford in Taiwan exports vehicles.

About keeping Changan for exports. The only Changan-Ford exported is the Mondeo where it's badged as the Taurus in the Middle East. The most exported Ford model from China is the JMC-Ford Equator Sport, where it's badged as the (new) Territory for export markets. Unlike the Changan-Ford-built sedan, the Territory is sold in LHD Southeast Asian markets, South Africa (first RHD market), Middle East, Mexico, and South America.

Ford actually owns 32% of JMC. It's also interesting that the JMC-Ford JV is more independent than the Changan-Ford JV. They have their own JMC-Ford-specific platforms and engines.