New Ecosport for international markets?

[jpd80]

Word is that the  ICE Puma will not be available for rest of world markets like Australia/New Zealand

so I’m thinking that this new generation Ecosport will be offered as a replacement in those ,ARKit’s,

perhaps with a lot of the Puma’s current instrumentation, trim and power train.

 

If so, it’s probably a clever way to continue the ICE engineering  unde Ecosport

while giving BEV Puma a cleaner perception with buyers…

Edited May 12, 2024 by jpd80

[AM222]

1 hour ago, jpd80 said:

Word is that the  ICE Puma will not be available for rest of world markets like Australia/New Zealand

so I’m thinking that this new generation Ecosport will be offered as a replacement in those ,ARKit’s,

perhaps with a lot of the Puma’s current instrumentation, trim and power train.

 

If so, it’s probably a clever way to continue the ICE engineering  unde Ecosport

while giving BEV Puma a cleaner perception with buyers…

I think Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are the only markets for the Puma outside of Europe. 

Unlike the "imported from Europe" Puma, I hope Ford decides to manufacture the new EcoSport in one of its Asian plants so it can sell these in the region. They can also export it out to more regions (cheaper than exporting from Europe).

Some Japanese car manufacturers export affordable models from their Southeast Asian plants to places as far as South America, Ford can do the same now that they no longer have a plant in Brazil.

Edited May 12, 2024 by AM222

[ausrutherford]

Is there room to produce this in Thailand?

[AM222]

15 hours ago, ausrutherford said:

Is there room to produce this in Thailand?

I think when Ford discontinued production of unibody models (like the old EcoSport) at Ford Thailand Manufacturing, they increased production of the Ranger and added the Ranger Raptor. Not sure if there's enough room.

If not Thailand, the other possible option would probably be Changan Ford in China.

Ford India is supposedly denying that they will restart local production with the new EcoSport. Ford India will supposedly sell imported diesel T6 models (Ranger and Everest aka Endeavor). There's also news that the Ford Territory has been trademarked in India. 

Edited May 14, 2024 by AM222

[AM222]

This is the refreshed Kia Sonet. It would have been one of the rivals of the new generation EcoSport. The Sonet is sold in Asia, South Africa, Mexico, and South America.
It's a cousin of the Hyundai Venue. The Sonet is a more modern alternative to the discontinued EcoSport (without the issues).
 

If Ford brings back the EcoSport, it better not have a single engine option with the stupid timing belt-in-oil (I think Ford started updating some inline-3s with a more reliable timing chain).

Ford, better act fast.

Edited May 31, 2024 by AM222

[Motorpsychology]

I think the demise of the Ecosport in this market had as much to do with it's practicality as with the mechanical troubles.

The side hinge door was off-putting for some (you had to walk around the open door to get to the left side access door of your house), and there wasn't room for a stroller behind the rear seat. Besides, it didn't scale well compared to the Encore and Trax; to tippy looking, IMO.

[AM222]

4 hours ago, Chrisgb said:

I think the demise of the Ecosport in this market had as much to do with it's practicality as with the mechanical troubles.

The side hinge door was off-putting for some (you had to walk around the open door to get to the left side access door of your house), and there wasn't room for a stroller behind the rear seat. Besides, it didn't scale well compared to the Encore and Trax; to tippy looking, IMO.

I rhink the swing-gate was a bigger issue in the US than in Europe, Asia, and South America where it did ok to decent. The competition just got much better during the 2nd gen EcoSport"s decade long run (in its original intended markets).

[jpd80]

3 hours ago, AM222 said:

I rhink the swing-gate was a bigger issue in the US than in Europe, Asia, and South America where it did ok to decent. The competition just got much better during the 2nd gen EcoSport"s decade long run (in its original intended markets).

Correct, the Chevrolet Trax for one seemed a lot more in line with customer expectations,

Ford benchmarking this type of small vehicle when developing the Puma for Europe..

 

For global markets, I think something more like a Gen 1 boxy Escape, something slightly

narrower than Bronco Sport would be more in line for what ROW markets really want.

Edited May 31, 2024 by jpd80

[AM222]

2 hours ago, jpd80 said:

For global markets, I think something more like a Gen 1 boxy Escape, something slightly

narrower than Bronco Sport would be more in line for what ROW markets really want.

Like a modern version of the first gen EcoSport?

It's pretty much the same dimensions as the 2nd gen model.

 

Edited June 1, 2024 by AM222

[jpd80]

2 hours ago, AM222 said:

Like a modern version of the first gen EcoSport?

 

It's pretty much the same dimensions as the 2nd gen model.

 

No they’re not.

Gen 1 Ecosport was 166” long x 68.3” wide with 98” wheelbase (found width without mirrors here. https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/2011/1239725/ford_ecosport_xls_1_6.html#gsc.tab=0 )

Gen 1 Escape   was 175” long x 71” wide with 103” wheelbase

 

The big difference is that the Gen 1 Escape had much more “canopy effect” than Gen 1 Ecosport

due to a lot more shoulder width and fractionally more hip room, it gives a different sensation.

But even so, that could be embodied in something like the Maverick pickup or even canceled Maverick Utility 

so I guess I’m just hopelessly looping back on a vehicle that’s the next size up…..

Edited June 1, 2024 by jpd80

[AM222]

3 hours ago, jpd80 said:

No they’re not.

Gen 1 Ecosport was 166” long x 68.3” wide with 98” wheelbase (found width without mirrors here. https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/2011/1239725/ford_ecosport_xls_1_6.html#gsc.tab=0 )

Gen 1 Escape   was 175” long x 71” wide with 103” wheelbase

 

Oh, i was refering to the 1st gen and second gen EcoSport being roughly the same size. 

 

In Asia and i guess in South America, the subcompact (B) segment is split into two. The entry level which is EcoSport-sized, this includes vehicles like the Toyota Raize and Kia Sonet, and the larger size B-segment-based models that are close to the Bronco Sport in terms of size, this segment includes models like the Kia Seltos, Nissan Kicks, a Yaris Cross (bigger than the EU model) etc.

 

I think the Hyundai Venue is the last of the smaller entry-level subcompact CUVs/SUVs in the US. Americans obviously prefer the bigger models, while in other parts of the world there is enough interest and demand for both small and bigger subcompacts so other car companies make both. 

 

A Maverick SUV would be great. Maybe Ford should just replace the Escape with one, it would probably be cheaper too.

 

The Escape-Kuga twins just got too expensive that in some markets Ford replaced them with the more affordable Territory.

 

I think Ford's biggest mistake is sacrificing vehicles for the rest of the world (like subcompacts) because buyers in the USA and Canada want larger models.

Edited June 1, 2024 by AM222

[Sherminator98]

8 hours ago, AM222 said:

I think the Hyundai Venue is the last of the smaller entry-level subcompact CUVs/SUVs in the US. Americans obviously prefer the bigger models, while in other parts of the world there is enough interest and demand for both small and bigger subcompacts so other car companies make both. 

 

The Escape-Kuga twins just got too expensive that in some markets Ford replaced them with the more affordable Territory.

 

I think Ford's biggest mistake is sacrificing vehicles for the rest of the world (like subcompacts) because buyers in the USA and Canada want larger models.

 

It boils down to sourcing of models-outside of China where would they source it from? The Kuga is too expensive for other markets

 

I had a Venue for a rental car a few months back-it was spectacularly under impressive. it wasn't bad, but wasn't anything great either. Was just basic transportation. 

[BarneyFord]

On 6/1/2024 at 12:58 AM, AM222 said:

 

A Maverick SUV would be great. Maybe Ford should just replace the Escape with one, it would probably be cheaper too.

 

Yes more rugged in the back with solid floor too for loading heavier things.