bzcat Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 (edited) In case there are still any doubt that Ford Equator was the stillborn C2 Edge resurrected by Ford China after Ford US cancelled it, here is further proof... The 5 seat version what probably would have replaced the standard Edge in the US will get the "Sport" suffix. https://carnewschina.com/2021/10/12/ford-equator-sport-is-a-stylish-new-crossover-suv-for-china/ Edited October 12, 2021 by bzcat 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 Looks pretty good. Sad to see Edge dying, though. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blwnsmoke Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 Wow, I like that a lot. Nicely done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, bzcat said: In case there are still any doubt that Ford Equator was resurrected by Ford China after Ford US cancelled the C2 Edge, here is further proof... The 5 seat version what probably would have replaced the standard Edge in the US will get the "Sport" suffix. https://carnewschina.com/2021/10/12/ford-equator-sport-is-a-stylish-new-crossover-suv-for-china/ The Edge CD6 was cancelled very late in the program when a couple of prototypes were snapped, too late to start a C2. Strong possibility that the three row Equator is indeed a reskinned CD4 three row Edge (112,8” WB) but with Chinese engine/gearbox. The Equator Sport has a shorter 107” wheelbase, so clearly a lot different to the North American Edge fastback design with longer WB. Whatever they’ve done, it’s a great looking vehicle but probably occupies the “slightly larger Escape” product space, by that I mean, it probably cover the NA Edge and Escape buyers in one vehicle……interesting idea that has no chance of coming to America. Edited October 12, 2021 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 I like the grill/headlights, the rest of it is just Ok. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 9 minutes ago, silvrsvt said: I like the grill/headlights, the rest of it is just Ok. Same here. Overall, not a fan. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-dubz Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 I’ve liked just about every Ford design I’ve seen from China. Ford should use the Chinese design language for all of its suvs. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 It’s not offensive, but it doesn’t really speak to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 Looks very SantaFe. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomcat68 Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 2 hours ago, silvrsvt said: I like the grill/headlights, the rest of it is just Ok. 2 hours ago, akirby said: Same here. Overall, not a fan. I pretty much find myself saying this about almost every CUV as well with this. The Edge was a bit more sporty, but this looks a little more expensive but overall "Zzzzzz". 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 (edited) 23 minutes ago, atomcat68 said: I pretty much find myself saying this about almost every CUV as well with this. The Edge was a bit more sporty, but this looks a little more expensive but overall "Zzzzzz". IMO, the reason why Edge worked in North America was exactly because it was different, the fastback styling made it different enough to sit in between Escape and Explorer and ask near Explorer pricing. Compared to Escape, Equator Sport has a similar wheelbase, is approx 2” wider and roughly 8” longer in the rear cargo area. To me, that makes it more of an “ Escape replacement” if Ford was intending to grow Escape’s size and make it longer and wider…..I don’t see that happening with ICE Edge now that the the push to BEVs is in full motion…. Edited October 12, 2021 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeluxeStang Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 5 hours ago, silvrsvt said: I like the grill/headlights, the rest of it is just Ok. Yeah, it's a little generic. But I get it, generic appeals to the masses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeluxeStang Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 5 hours ago, T-dubz said: I’ve liked just about every Ford design I’ve seen from China. Ford should use the Chinese design language for all of its suvs. Idk the Chinese spec escape with the larger grille really doesn't look good imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-dubz Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 1 hour ago, DeluxeStang said: Idk the Chinese spec escape with the larger grille really doesn't look good imo. I think this new face and interior would make the NA escape much more attractive and sporty looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 8 hours ago, silvrsvt said: I like the grill/headlights, the rest of it is just Ok. The back looks quite Kia to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 1 hour ago, rmc523 said: The back looks quite Kia to me. Probably what they were going for……. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justins Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 @jpd80Is this another product of Ford's Oz design studio? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 1 hour ago, justins said: @jpd80Is this another product of Ford's Oz design studio? A good chance that it is but AFAIK, definitely intended for China only Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeluxeStang Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 13 hours ago, T-dubz said: I think this new face and interior would make the NA escape much more attractive and sporty looking. I don't think having this blocky and sharp face on a round and curvatious body would look very cohesive imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 9 hours ago, DeluxeStang said: I don't think having this blocky and sharp face on a round and curvatious body would look very cohesive imo. This is why Chinese tastes might be quite different Well, that’s what I’m going with…….. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted October 14, 2021 Author Share Posted October 14, 2021 18 hours ago, jpd80 said: A good chance that it is but AFAIK, definitely intended for China only I wouldn't write off the chance of it going on sale in South America like Territory. The regular 7 seat Equator is a bit too big for South America but something like Equator Sport with lower prices than Escape or Edge may be quite popular. It's LHD only so I imagine South America and LHD markets in ASEAN that already have Territory have a fair chance getting Equator Sport too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 32 minutes ago, bzcat said: I wouldn't write off the chance of it going on sale in South America like Territory. The regular 7 seat Equator is a bit too big for South America but something like Equator Sport with lower prices than Escape or Edge may be quite popular. It's LHD only so I imagine South America and LHD markets in ASEAN that already have Territory have a fair chance getting Equator Sport too. Absolutely, there are more than a few markets that Territory and Equator Sort would do well in. I’d like Ford to try them in Australia as opposed to trying to get Euro made vehicles which are currently very hard to get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted October 14, 2021 Author Share Posted October 14, 2021 (edited) Lack of RHD is always an issue - which is why lots of vehicles that would sell in Australia like newer Explorer, Expedition, Bronco or F-150 never made it to Australia. Looking back, it seems Hackett's plan was to use the Jiangling Ford models to sell in LHD middle income markets (mainly China, Russia, and South America) and Mahindra Ford models to sell in RHD middle income markets (mainly India and sub-Saharan Africa). We'll never know how it would have worked out but it was a fairly expedient and low cost way to ensure Ford remained a volume player in these emerging/growth markets. With Farley, he doesn't want to be a volume player in these markets which is why he pulled the plug on Brazil and India (as well as Russia/CIS which was less publicized) Edited October 14, 2021 by bzcat 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausrutherford Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 (edited) 21 hours ago, jpd80 said: Absolutely, there are more than a few markets that Territory and Equator Sort would do well in. I’d like Ford to try them in Australia as opposed to trying to get Euro made vehicles which are currently very hard to get. Ford Middle East has started selling Ford China vehicles. The Taurus and Escort now sell there. Edited October 14, 2021 by ausrutherford 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 (edited) 9 hours ago, bzcat said: Lack of RHD is always an issue - which is why lots of vehicles that would sell in Australia like newer Explorer, Expedition, Bronco or F-150 never made it to Australia. Looking back, it seems Hackett's plan was to use the Jiangling Ford models to sell in LHD middle income markets (mainly China, Russia, and South America) and Mahindra Ford models to sell in RHD middle income markets (mainly India and sub-Saharan Africa). We'll never know how it would have worked out but it was a fairly expedient and low cost way to ensure Ford remained a volume player in these emerging/growth markets. With Farley, he doesn't want to be a volume player in these markets which is why he pulled the plug on Brazil and India (as well as Russia/CIS which was less publicized) BRIC vehicles were a viable thing a decade or so ago but as can be seen with some of the repurposed platforms, the local Chinese and Indian vehicles surpass them. The learnings though is that no matter how much rework is done on vehicles like Figo or even Ecosport, they’re not what European, North America, or little Australia wants. Edited October 15, 2021 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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