jpd80 Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 (edited) It was first and foremost a BRIC developed vehicles that didn't clinic well in Nth America and didn't do that well in Europe, there were a lot of upgrades needed to win over consumers. Ford was calling the Ecosport their Urban Utility in presentations, well they had to do a lot better than what was presented as the Trax was a much better package from get go and the Mazda CX-3 was just so damned cheeky and adorable. Edited May 15, 2017 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 Some stock holders are still mad about: Exploding Pintos Mustang II replacing 1st gen Panther dropped No manual trans station wagons Fox Mustang didn't continue indefinitely with 302 push rod V8. Mercury dropped. Edsel dropped GRWD not appearing 100 mpg Pouge carburetor still in Ford's basement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoonerLS Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 Some stock holders are still mad about: Exploding Pintos Mustang II replacing 1st gen Panther dropped No manual trans station wagons Fox Mustang didn't continue indefinitely with 302 push rod V8. Mercury dropped. Edsel dropped GRWD not appearing 100 mpg Pouge carburetor still in Ford's basement. You forgot "tight underwear" and "it's a day that ends in 'y'." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKII Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 I think if sales are decent (and I believe it will be), Ford will seek to move the assembly of the 3rd gen EcoSport to Mexico. If it is popular hope there are not issues of lack of inventory to satisfy the needs. I don't think Americans will be as patient as the Euro market waiting for deliveries of their EcoSport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 If it is popular hope there are not issues of lack of inventory to satisfy the needs. I don't think Americans will be as patient as the Euro market waiting for deliveries of their EcoSport. They seem fine with waiting for the Trax to ship from South Korea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 The "Cute ute" or B Class CUV in North America is growing, but it won't be as big of a market as say the C or CD class CUVs are now. I see them selling roughy around the same amount as other B cars do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 I think they're replacing hatchbacks and cheap sedans as low cost/entry level/starter vehicles but I agree - I don't see that market getting bigger than C and CD sized utes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 (edited) There's a fertile market for another crossover or two in the C zone, we're starting to see Utility buyers wanting even more choices with those vehicles rather than cross shopping against compact cars. Maybe Ford wants to rethink it's previous super-segment strategy. What Ford needs to avoid is cheap and cheery, they need small vehicles that exude quality and good design, resist the urge to polish up otherwise BRIC designs and go with better choices for Nth America and Europe. Edited May 18, 2017 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 There's a fertile market for another crossover or two in the C zone, we're starting to see Utility buyers wanting even more choices with those vehicles rather than cross shopping against compact cars. Maybe Ford wants to rethink it's previous super-segment strategy. What Ford needs to avoid is cheap and cheery, they need small vehicles that exude quality and good design, resist the urge to polish up otherwise BRIC designs and go with better choices for Nth America and Europe. I was going to say, I wouldn't mind seeing something more stylish than Escape......perhaps a successor to the last-gen Escape. By that I mean, Escape can stay retain the swoopy look that the current gen has, while an additional, smaller model between EcoSport and Escape (or perhaps in lieu of a next-get EcoSport) that could go back to a more boxy style (see Soul as inspiration). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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