Ford Escape Production to end at Louisville by 2026

[joseodiaga4]

FORD ESCAPE PRODUCTION TO END AT LOUISVILLE BY 2026: REPORT

The future of the Ford Escape has been in doubt for some time now, with various rumors flying around suggesting that the compact crossover may be facing discontinuation in the coming years. However, nothing concrete has been reported on that particular topic thus far, though a new report indicates that production of the Ford Escape will indeed end in the somewhat near future.

 

That report comes to us from Automotive News, which reports that Ford Escape production at the Louisville Assembly plant is slated to end by the conclusion of 2025, after which The Blue Oval will focus on the Ford Bronco Sport as its compact crossover of choice. However, the report also claims that Ford plans to launch an all-electric compact crossover later this decade, though it’s unclear if it will utilize the Escape nameplate.

 

https://fordauthority.com/2024/08/ford-escape-production-to-end-at-louisville-by-2026-report/

Edited August 28 by joseodiaga4

[silvrsvt]

Given the recent changes with Ford's EV program and whatnot, I'm truly curious as to what Ford's plans are.

 

So consider this:

 

The strongest rumor is that Louisville will be getting the skunkworks EV, which has come out as a "midsized" EV aka Maverick sized truck. 

 

Then you have the Maverick Van possibly coming soon-I thought that Hermosillo was already pretty busy building Mavericks and Bronco Sports and adding a product that could add another 80-100K units might be a stretch for it.

 

So between having the Maverick, Ranger and whatever this EV Skunkworks Pickup is PLUS the T3 EV "full sized" Truck in a few years, doesn't make much sense at all as the current lineup stands. 

 

The "smart" thing IMO is to maybe move the Skunkworks EV Pickup into BOC with the T3 EV, since who knows how much demand there is going to be for EV pickups in the next 3-4 years, plus it allows BOC to actually start building something instead of being an accounting nightmare that makes Ford is losing 44K per EV it sells because of that. 

So until Ford says hey we are doing a sedan or CUV off the Skunkworks program, Louisville is an interesting question mark for what its getting in the future-maybe the 3 row PHEV now or maybe it will build the Maverick Van along with that? 

 

 

Edited August 28 by silvrsvt

[T-dubz]

Interesting. I’m not sure the bronco sport is ready to cover the entire compact suv market by itself (yes I know there’s talk of the small suv ev but who know when that will happen). The current bronco sports biggest problems were its lack of tech and its size. The tech has been fixed with the 2025 refresh, but it’s still too small of a vehicle for families. The escape was 10” longer and had much better rear legroom with its sliding rear seat. I think the bronco sport needs to grow, at least to the size of the current escape, to be more attractive to families. Adding a fwd versions would also make it appeal to a wider audience.

 

I’ve been an escape fan for years, minus this last gen. I hate to see it go. I think with a good redesign, there’s still a place for it in ford’s lineup. 

[Biker16]

I enjoyed the Escape rentals I had; they were fun vehicles.  

[ANTAUS]

It'll change next month.  I'm surprised Ford hasn't had a serious talk about their future with investors lately because it looks as if the company as a whole has ADHD and not sure they see it themselves.  An intervention might be needed at some point.

[akirby]

2 hours ago, T-dubz said:

Interesting. I’m not sure the bronco sport is ready to cover the entire compact suv market by itself (yes I know there’s talk of the small suv ev but who know when that will happen). The current bronco sports biggest problems were its lack of tech and its size. The tech has been fixed with the 2025 refresh, but it’s still too small of a vehicle for families. The escape was 10” longer and had much better rear legroom with its sliding rear seat. I think the bronco sport needs to grow, at least to the size of the current escape, to be more attractive to families. Adding a fwd versions would also make it appeal to a wider audience.

This should definitely open the doors to a longer BS and a fwd hybrid model.

[Biker16]

1 hour ago, ANTAUS said:

It'll change next month.  I'm surprised Ford hasn't had a serious talk about their future with investors lately because it looks as if the company as a whole has ADHD and not sure they see it themselves.  An intervention might be needed at some point.

 

Ford is 100% focused on reacting their way to success. 

[morgan20]

2 hours ago, akirby said:

This should definitely open the doors to a longer BS and a fwd hybrid model.

 

That's exactly what Ford should do, bring out a Bronco Sport Max and add hybrid and FWD versions. Current Escape is a boring anonymous blob that nobody is gonna miss when it dies in 2026

[Texasota]

19 minutes ago, morgan20 said:

 

That's exactly what Ford should do, bring out a Bronco Sport Max and add hybrid and FWD versions. Current Escape is a boring anonymous blob that nobody is gonna miss when it dies in 2026

 

I love my 2023 blob and will miss it!

 

 

[Trader 10]

3 hours ago, morgan20 said:

 

That's exactly what Ford should do, bring out a Bronco Sport Max and add hybrid and FWD versions. Current Escape is a boring anonymous blob that nobody is gonna miss when it dies in 2026

Have you noticed that the Escape has outsold the B Sport by 12,000 units this year?

[DeluxeStang]

2 hours ago, Texasota said:

 

I love my 2023 blob and will miss it!

 

 

Guys, you're making him do the Snoopy cry, that's how you know he's upset for real. 

[DeluxeStang]

3 hours ago, morgan20 said:

 

That's exactly what Ford should do, bring out a Bronco Sport Max and add hybrid and FWD versions. Current Escape is a boring anonymous blob that nobody is gonna miss when it dies in 2026

What Ford should do imo is design this affordable EV crossover thing to emulate the mach-e. The mach-e visually speaking, was one of Ford's best products in years, a truly great looking SUV. People just didn't like the price or mustang branding. So that design shrunk down slightly at a low 30s or even high 20s price point, and called the galaxy or something would be really compelling imo. 

 

Boxy styling appeals to some, but it's very polarizing. It shouldn't be Ford's only path forward in one of the most competitive segments.

[Ares]

How about a Maverick based Escape?

Edited August 29 by Ares

[T-dubz]

50 minutes ago, DeluxeStang said:

What Ford should do imo is design this affordable EV crossover thing to emulate the mach-e. The mach-e visually speaking, was one of Ford's best products in years, a truly great looking SUV. People just didn't like the price or mustang branding. So that design shrunk down slightly at a low 30s or even high 20s price point, and called the galaxy or something would be really compelling imo. 

 

Boxy styling appeals to some, but it's very polarizing. It shouldn't be Ford's only path forward in one of the most competitive segments.

They could probably go even smaller and yet keep the same interior dimensions by pushing the wheels to the corners. I’m all for giving the escape some more style. 
 

With the Maverick Lobo coming out, could we also be seeing a resurgence of the sport truck/suv? If so, a new sporty escape would be perfect for that. You can’t do that kind of vehicle with the bronco sport.

[DeluxeStang]

29 minutes ago, T-dubz said:

They could probably go even smaller and yet keep the same interior dimensions by pushing the wheels to the corners. I’m all for giving the escape some more style. 
 

With the Maverick Lobo coming out, could we also be seeing a resurgence of the sport truck/suv? If so, a new sporty escape would be perfect for that. You can’t do that kind of vehicle with the bronco sport.

Exactly, I just see a lot of potential here. The current utility landscape is one where basically everything is a really generic rental car blob, or a box. Brands are assuming you either want something really generic, or if you do want a lifestyle crossover, then you must want some sort of offroader style rugged thing. 

 

There really isn't a swoopy, coupe like compact crossover that comes to mind that occupies the same space as the bronco sport and escape. A well executed entry there would be highly differentiated from what everyone else was offering, and would be more areo efficient than a brick on wheels. 

[AM222]

4 hours ago, Ares said:

How about a Maverick based Escape?

I'd go for that. A Maverick-based Escape would be a less-rugged but more practical roomier Bronco Sport. It would probably look like a second gen Escape.

Always felt the Maverick was like an updated pickup version of the second gen Escape.

 

Edited August 29 by AM222

[akirby]

3 hours ago, AM222 said:

I'd go for that. A Maverick-based Escape would be a less-rugged but more practical roomier Bronco Sport. It would probably look like a second gen Escape.

Always felt the Maverick was like an updated pickup version of the second gen Escape.

 

 

I think Bronco Sport Max would do better.

[rmc523]

9 minutes ago, akirby said:

 

I think Bronco Sport Max would do better.

 

Eh, I kind of like the idea of bracketing the segment (though a more boxy Escape does overlap more with BS than the current softer model).

[akirby]

16 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

Eh, I kind of like the idea of bracketing the segment (though a more boxy Escape does overlap more with BS than the current softer model).

Probably not worth the cost to do a totally different top hat vs just making a street version of Bronco Sport with a max size.

[AM222]

53 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

Eh, I kind of like the idea of bracketing the segment (though a more boxy Escape does overlap more with BS than the current softer model).

It could work if it's the same size as the current Escape. Think of it as an Escape dressed as a Maverick. Longer and lower than the AWD-only Bronco Sport. 


Although the Bronco Sport is C2-based, it's small by compact SUV standards. If the Bronco Sport was a car, it would be a hatchback, while the longer Escape would be closer to a station wagon. The Bronco Sport is about as long as a Focus hatchback, while the longer Escape is nearly as long as Focus station wagon.



All the models under the "Bronco" sub-brand are either 4WD or AWD-only to set it apart from the related Fords.

Edited August 29 by AM222

[rmc523]

14 minutes ago, AM222 said:

Not if it's the same size as the Escape. Think of it as an Escape dressed as a Maverick. So it will be longer, and lower than the AWD-only Bronco Sport. 


Although the Bronco Sport is C2-based, it's small by compact SUV standards.

If the Bronco Sport was a car, it would be a hatchback, while the longer Escape would be closer to a station wagon. The Bronco Sport is about as long as a Focus hatchback, while the longer Escape is nearly as long as Focus station wagon.



All the models under the "Bronco" sub-brand are either 4WD or AWD-only to set it apart from the related Fords.

 

I was referring to stylistically a more boxy design would overlap more with BS than the current more swoopy Escape.

[AM222]

52 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

I was referring to stylistically a more boxy design would overlap more with BS than the current more swoopy Escape.

Boxy but styled like a Maverick. Sort of like this photoshop edited image of a Maverick with a bed cap that was shortened to the length of an Escape.
I'm sure Ford can probably add more style to the rear by adding Explorer/Expedition styling cues maybe. The idea is having an Escape that's literally like a Maverick SUV. Lower, longer and more street-oriented than a Bronco Sport.

Edited August 29 by AM222

[silvrsvt]

The only issue with a Bronco Sport Max or whatever, is going to compete with the Bronco in price and size. The Bronco interior space isn't that all much different from an Escape, its just a bit wider. I get there is a difference in mindsets (hard core vs soft roader) but I'm not sure how good the market is for it. 

 

The biggest issue with the Escape since it went over the C1 is the pricing and profitability of it. 

 

I'd like to see Ford do something "different" in this segment, since they've said its commoditized. 

[AM222]

 

11 minutes ago, silvrsvt said:

The only issue with a Bronco Sport Max or whatever, is going to compete with the Bronco in price and size.

Turning the Escape into an Escape-sized Maverick SUV means it will be longer and lower than a Bronco Sport. Sort of like the rough Photoshop-edited image above.

*A Bronco Sport is approximately 8.5-inches shorter than an Escape and about 4-inches taller. It's about the same length as a Focus hatchback. 
 

Edited August 29 by AM222

[Oac98]

Count on Ford to kill another popular name plate, I wonder how many years those workers will get kicked out when they cancel the escape.  Hope this skunkworks product that they’re developing is a real winner.