Ford Escort goes on sale 12/30 in China, starting from US$16k

[bzcat]

Ford China released the price for Escort... it will take over from MK2 Focus Classic sedan in the "value" C-segment market, which is generally defined as under RMB120,000. There is also a even lower tier of C-segment car in China called "budget" populated primarily by Chinese brands and generally defined as under RMB 80,000.

 

1.5 Comfort manual RMB 99,800 ~ US$16,031

1.5 Comfort auto RMB 111,800 ~ US$17,962

1.5 Trend manual RMB 112,800 ~ US$18,123

1.5 Trend auto RMB 124,800 ~ US$20,050

 

 

 

 

 

For reference, the now discontinued MK2 Focus Classic 1.8 sedan was priced from RMB 99,800 to RMB 123,800 so Escort is pretty much a direct replacement.

 

The 5 door MK2 Focus Classic 1.8 hatchback will continue as the lower priced Focus in China from RMB 99,800 to RMB 123,800. The continue existence of this model probably points to Ford eventually making a hatchback Escort as well.

 

The MK3 *New* Focus is priced from RMB 111,990 (1.6 Comfort) to RMB 169,990 (2.0 Ghia).

Edited December 24, 2014 by bzcat

[Biker16]

yuck, I'll pass.

[bzcat]

In case you are wondering, these are the Escort competitors in China:

 

Dongfeng Peugeot 301 (RMB 84,700 ~ 116,700)

 

Dongfeng Citroen C-Elysee (RMB 83,800 ~ 125,600)

 

 

SAIC Buick Excelle (RMB 96,900 ~ RMB 111,590)

 

SAIC Chevy Cruze Classic (RMB 99,900 ~ 119,000)

 

FAW VW Bora (RMB 107,800 ~ 149,800)

 

SAIC VW Lavida (RMB 112,900 ~ 165,900)

 

SAIC Skoda Octavia (RMB 99,800 ~ 210,900)

 

FAW Toyota Corolla EX (RMB 90,800 ~ 113,800)

 

Chang'an Suzuki Alivio (RMB 87,900 ~ 121,900)

 

SAIC MG GT (RMB 95,900 ~ 149,900)

 

SAIC Roewe 350 (RMB 85,700 ~ 140,700)

 

BAIC Hyundai Elantra Classic (RMB 99,800 ~ 128,800)

 

Dongfeng Kia Forte (RMB 98,800 ~ 134,800)

 

Dongfeng Nissan Sylphy [this is our Sentra... the only one competing in the "value" segment with current generation model] (RMB 99,800 ~ 169,000)

 

Dongfeng Honda Ciimo (RMB 111,800 ~ 119,800)

 

 

[ANTAUS]

I notice most of them have very low belt lines, kinda makes them look frumpy. A few, don't look too much different than the crap they just pandered here, mainly Corolla and Civic.

[jpd80]

I notice most of them have very low belt lines, kinda makes them look frumpy. A few, don't look too much different than the crap they just pandered here, mainly Corolla and Civic.

The belt line is not "very low", it's just that we have grown accustomed to

high belt line with accompanying poor visibility, necessitating rear view cameras.

[Edstock]

I notice most of them have very low belt lines, kinda makes them look frumpy. A few, don't look too much different than the crap they just pandered here, mainly Corolla and Civic.

 

You're entitled to your opinion, but "very low belt lines"? You do need your eyes tested, IMHO if you cannot see how small the roller-skate rear wheels look on most of those sleds.

 

IMHO, "very low belt lines" implies a drop from the "A" pillar like we saw out of Italy in the late 1970's, and adopted by GM and others.

[akirby]

Pretty homely bunch....

[LincolnV]

A couple "look" like new designs, the Escort being one of them. The rest not so much.

 

Wasn't that Buick once a Korean Chevrolet sold in North America?

Edited December 24, 2014 by LincolnV

[silvrsvt]

Seems like the Chinese brands that are rebadging last gen models need help in the styling department, esp when it comes to grills. They really don't have much "style" to them.

[LincolnV]

The car next to the Chevy Cruze is the new, China-only redesigned Cruze. It's interesting to see both models next to each other.

[bzcat]

The car next to the Chevy Cruze is the new, China-only redesigned Cruze. It's interesting to see both models next to each other.

 

No, the car behind Cruze Classic is Aveo.

 

 

Edited December 24, 2014 by bzcat

[bzcat]

I notice most of them have very low belt lines, kinda makes them look frumpy. A few, don't look too much different than the crap they just pandered here, mainly Corolla and Civic.

 

They are all the same as sold here, just previous generation models. That was my point... Ford is taking the road less traveled by updating the old Focus (same as VW and PSA) rather than just keep selling the tired old model unchanged (what GM, Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai do).

 

The belt line is a visual illusion I think... the cars in the value segment have tiny tires (most of them look like 15" or 16") and raised suspension to cope with bad roads in smaller cities and rural areas. So that makes the belt line look comparably low.

 

 

A couple "look" like new designs, the Escort being one of them. The rest not so much.

 

Wasn't that Buick once a Korean Chevrolet sold in North America?

 

Most of them are new "look" but old bones like Escort, and the VW offerings.

 

The rest are just old, like Focus Classic was.

 

Buick Excelle is the old Daewoo Lacetti... the only thing left over from the pre-GM takeover Daewoo era. However, I believe the model in China has new GM 1.5 Ecotec engine rather than the old Daewoo 1.6 (which was itself a version of GM's Gen II engine)

 

Seems like the Chinese brands that are rebadging last gen models need help in the styling department, esp when it comes to grills. They really don't have much "style" to them.

 

There are no Chinese brand rebadges in the "C-value segment". They are all foreign branded cars (e.g. Toyota, Hyundai, Buick, Chevrolet, Kia, Ford, VW etc). The only Chinese brand that compete in this segment is SAIC MG and Roewe. Their cars are designed in-house but borrows liberally from GM parts bin.

Edited December 24, 2014 by bzcat

[LincolnV]

 

No, the car behind Cruze Classic is Aveo.

 

You are right. Sorry.

If you look up the 2015 Chevy Cruze Beijing, the front ends are very similar.

[bzcat]

 

You are right. Sorry.

If you look up the 2015 Chevy Cruze Beijing, the front ends are very similar.

 

Yep... this is the 2015 Cruze, which competes with the Focus in the C-premium segment (RMB 120,000+) in China

 

[LincolnV]

Thanks!

I'm a bit sceptical about car design right now. With recent entries from Toyota and looking at the assortment of cars in this thread, so much seems so unnecessarily anime. I saw a new Toyota Yaris this week and honestly, the front end looked so "Why?"

The new Toyota Camry looks the same.

Edited December 24, 2014 by LincolnV

[probowler]

The Skoda Octavia is the best of the bunch.

[rmc523]

Thanks!

I'm a bit sceptical about car design right now. With recent entries from Toyota and looking at the assortment of cars in this thread, so much seems so unnecessarily anime. I saw a new Toyota Yaris this week and honestly, the front end looked so "Why?"

The new Toyota Camry looks the same.

The Japanese products have looked like that for years now.

[silvrsvt]

 

Yep... this is the 2015 Cruze, which competes with the Focus in the C-premium segment (RMB 120,000+) in China

 

 

That actually doesn't look too bad...just as good as the Escort does

[bzcat]

Chinese car website autohome has a comprehensive review of the new Escort. Lots of photos.

 

http://www.autohome.com.cn/advice/201503/863489-all.html?pvareaid=101380

[bzcat]

And here is a comparison test of Escort vs. Cruze Classic... It's in Chinese so just look at the photos and take my word that they like the Escort better

 

Basically, Escort was much better equipped and had more storage and space inside the cabin. It also a fresh design which they liked. Cruze has slightly bigger trunk but the back seat doesn't fold down.

 

 

http://www.autohome.com.cn/advice/201502/860850-all.html?pvareaid=101380

Edited March 21, 2015 by bzcat