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Ford Equator Sport (5 seat version)


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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/

 

 

ford-equator-sport-1-1536x960.jpg

Edited by bzcat
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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/

 

 

ford-equator-sport-1-1536x960.jpg

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 by jpd80
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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".

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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 by jpd80
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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.

 

 

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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.

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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 by bzcat
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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 by ausrutherford
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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 by jpd80
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