Ford to end 2 popular SUVs: What could replace them

[AGR]

No, it's the F-Series, which includes not just the F-150, but the F-250, F-350, F-450, etc. It has always been counted that way, until the one group decided to count only the F-150. Ford sold over 700K F-Series pickups last year in the US. Jato Dynamics,,,the J must stand for Japan...

Some websites decided to use those bogus numbers, but most didn't

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g60385784/bestselling-cars-2024/

https://www.motor1.com/features/716773/best-selling-cars-2024/

https://www.autoguide.com/auto/auto-news/these-were-the-10-best-selling-cars-of-2024-44615569

 

As for the world as a whole, I'm not sure if F-Series was ever the best seller, since it has limited appeal outside of North America

Edited September 14 by AGR

[jpd80]

2 hours ago, AGR said:

No, it's the F-Series, which includes not just the F-150, but the F-250, F-350, F-450, etc. It has always been counted that way, until the one group decided to count only the F-150. Ford sold over 700K F-Series pickups last year in the US. Jato Dynamics,,,the J must stand for Japan….

 

No,  British, London based and operate in over 50 countries gathering data.

I get why F Series is all grouped together because Silverado is the same

and so is Ram. When I first saw RAV4 won against F150 I was surprised

and thought OK, clearly someone wanted to impress Toyota with a win…..

[tbone]

On 9/13/2025 at 6:46 AM, Sherminator98 said:

The Escape/Corsair is nothing more then a C2 variant that could be filled partially or 3/4 of the way with the Bronco Sport or maybe a LWB model. 
 

I see the CE1 as a hedge product-it will supplement the current C2 products if/when the market accepts EVs. I have this feeling that the EV pickup they are doing is going to be more of a crossover with a bed then a truck like the Maverick is. I also have a feeling ford will also keep offering to subsidize home installations of charging like they are currently doing with it. 
 

The rest of the core lineup is already in production and just needs updates/new Electrified powertrains  

As I’ve mentioned in other threads, the BS isn’t a good replacement for the Escape without a LWB model and I don’t think they would get 3/4 of the sales if somebody cross shops without it.  
 

CE1 products are still a few years out, and the proposed initial models are not going to be in the Escape form factor, which is the heart of the market.  
 

Regarding, Ford’s other products, virtually every model’s refresh/redesign has been delayed. IMO, their products are stale or dead for the next few years.  That is poor management as far as I’m concerned.  It’s also frustrating when you have the optics of foreign markets receiving new or better products than the US market.   Though I think CE1 is the right EV strategy, the rest of the company is a mess.  

[Texasota]

9 hours ago, tbone said:

As I’ve mentioned in other threads, the BS isn’t a good replacement for the Escape without a LWB model and I don’t think they would get 3/4 of the sales if somebody cross shops without it.  
 

CE1 products are still a few years out, and the proposed initial models are not going to be in the Escape form factor, which is the heart of the market.  
 

Regarding, Ford’s other products, virtually every model’s refresh/redesign has been delayed. IMO, their products are stale or dead for the next few years.  That is poor management as far as I’m concerned.  It’s also frustrating when you have the optics of foreign markets receiving new or better products than the US market.   Though I think CE1 is the right EV strategy, the rest of the company is a mess.  

I don't think BS will draw large numbers of Escape owners/buyers either. Escape owners (like me) are more interested in on road functionality/utility as opposed to off-road chops. There are several articles talking about the new C2 based SUV that will be sold alongside Europe's Kuga (apparently the Kuga isn't going away). This article speculates that it may find it's way to North America via Mexico:

 

https://motorillustrated.com/ford-to-launch-new-focus-sized-suv-in-2027-in-europe/162548/

 

I think this may be what Ford hinted at in the marketing e-mail I got ("Enjoying your hybrid Escape or Corsair? Stay tuned."). A BS can't fill the Corsair shoes but this maybe could.

[Sherminator98]

12 hours ago, Texasota said:

I don't think BS will draw large numbers of Escape owners/buyers either. Escape owners (like me) are more interested in on road functionality/utility as opposed to off-road chops. There are several articles talking about the new C2 based SUV that will be sold alongside Europe's Kuga (apparently the Kuga isn't going away). This article speculates that it may find it's way to North America via Mexico:

 

https://motorillustrated.com/ford-to-launch-new-focus-sized-suv-in-2027-in-europe/162548/

 

I think this may be what Ford hinted at in the marketing e-mail I got ("Enjoying your hybrid Escape or Corsair? Stay tuned."). A BS can't fill the Corsair shoes but this maybe could.

 

I've driven a 2020 Escape and have a 2024 Bronco Sport and they are more or less identical from the drivers seat. The Sport might have a firmer ride then the Escape does, but they more or less drive identically. I know the Sport is shorter overall, but I couldn't tell you how the rear passenger fit is, but I don't really care because I don't ride in the back of those vehicles 99.999% of the time. 

 

As for the EU-the Bronco Sport would make a better argument for that-its already in production in Mexico is smaller then the Kuga(Escape) and is "different" enough. But I also think much of what is being said is just the automotive press creating rumors since nothing solid is coming forthright from Ford. They also could get Equator or whatever it is called from China.

 

As for your marketing email, your reading WAY too much into that. Your gonna be sorely disappointed for at least another 18 months or so. 

[rmc523]

On 9/13/2025 at 6:09 PM, jpd80 said:

RAV4 is killing it at the moment and Escape has been left behind mostly due to internal competition from Maverick and BS.

Initially, that didn’t bother Ford until it cost F150 the sales crown it held for decades. Falling down with Escape has caused 

a loss of prestige in another unrelated area, an unintended consequence of not doing enough….

23 hours ago, tbone said:

As I’ve mentioned in other threads, the BS isn’t a good replacement for the Escape without a LWB model and I don’t think they would get 3/4 of the sales if somebody cross shops without it.  
 

CE1 products are still a few years out, and the proposed initial models are not going to be in the Escape form factor, which is the heart of the market.  
 

Regarding, Ford’s other products, virtually every model’s refresh/redesign has been delayed. IMO, their products are stale or dead for the next few years.  That is poor management as far as I’m concerned.  It’s also frustrating when you have the optics of foreign markets receiving new or better products than the US market.   Though I think CE1 is the right EV strategy, the rest of the company is a mess.  

 

I'd push back on the internal competition argument, as Toyota also has the Corolla Cross in the lineup too, yet Rav4 sales are exploding.

 

Ford's issue is a lackluster product, and instead of improving it with a new generation, they dropped it and are crossing their fingers on CE1.

 

I have to imagine that they'll modify the next gen Bronco Sport to either grow and take the place of the Escape size wise, or offer short and LWB models to appeal to both segments' buyers, and let CE1 products do whatever they do sales wise.  The problem with this is per the recent reports, the BS isn't set for a redesign for another 2-3 years IIRC, with the CE1 SUV not arriving for a similar timeframe, so Ford will have a massive hole in the lineup in the meantime.

 

Agreed regarding the rest of the lineup also having refreshes/redesigns pushed out multiple years.  Sure, eventually Ford will be able to tout the "newest, freshest" lineup, but in the meantime they'll have to cross their fingers and hope their aging products keep selling.

When even F-150's redesign got pushed back, you know things are in bad shape behind the scenes product wise.

 

On 9/13/2025 at 10:46 PM, jpd80 said:

Like it or not, the  Toyota RAV4 officially took the top spot in 2024, dethroning the Ford F-150 as the best-selling vehicle globally and in the U.S. market, according to data from Jato Dynamics. The RAV4's sales increased by 9% to 475,193 units, while the F-150's sales declined by 5% to 460,915 units in 2024.

 

Sorry if my post irked you, I sometimes skip important details

There’s a ton happening behind the scene, T3 has been pushed back 3 years means that Lightning gets its batteries

and  progressively, upgraded motors, drives and control systems. Those upgrades to Lightning will give it  fresh legs

for the next three years or so.Apart from that, the only other real change T3 offered was a change of proportion

and FYI, that short hood wasn’t a major purchase decider with groups in clinics, still preferring Lightning?

Agree,
F Trucks needing ladder frame is a given but think, box for F150 and C Chanel for SD…….

(not clear on what that means yet but talk of modular frame)

 

CE1 uses front and rear mega castings and a combined battery cradle floor frame in the Center

thats ok for a mid sized vehicle like pickup, Utility and van but yeah, not in a full sized vehicle.

 

I know Ford keeps peddling the line of "big expensive BEVs don't make sense", but I think that's just cover for them to rework T3 to use a lot of knowledge gained/developed in CE1, which would help those "big expensive BEVs" make more sense and/or be less expensive to begin with.  If they can make the cost savings work for a less expensive product, why could the same savings not be scaled to larger products?  Sure there are different battery requirements and whatnot, but you'd still be able to apply similar approaches (for instance wiring was one of the things mentioned in the LAP announcement.  That could be applied to T3 and result in some savings there.

 

 

Edited September 15 by rmc523

[tbone]

6 hours ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

I've driven a 2020 Escape and have a 2024 Bronco Sport and they are more or less identical from the drivers seat. The Sport might have a firmer ride then the Escape does, but they more or less drive identically. I know the Sport is shorter overall, but I couldn't tell you how the rear passenger fit is, but I don't really care because I don't ride in the back of those vehicles 99.999% of the time. 

 

As for the EU-the Bronco Sport would make a better argument for that-its already in production in Mexico is smaller then the Kuga(Escape) and is "different" enough. But I also think much of what is being said is just the automotive press creating rumors since nothing solid is coming forthright from Ford. They also could get Equator or whatever it is called from China.

 

As for your marketing email, your reading WAY too much into that. Your gonna be sorely disappointed for at least another 18 months or so. 

Ride in the back seat for a meaningful distance and you will understand.  Plus the sliding rear  seats allow better flexibility for people/cargo. This isn’t meant to be a knock on BS, they are just different vehicles. 

 

[Sherminator98]

31 minutes ago, tbone said:

Ride in the back seat for a meaningful distance and you will understand.  Plus the sliding rear  seats allow better flexibility for people/cargo. This isn’t meant to be a knock on BS, they are just different vehicles. 

 

 

I get that but the vast majority of the time cars are only occupied by 1-2 people at a time also. 

[Texasota]

6 hours ago, Sherminator98 said:

As for your marketing email, your reading WAY too much into that. Your gonna be sorely disappointed for at least another 18 months or so. 

Nope, I'm not waiting on an Escape replacement. I'll be happy with my 23 PHEV for at least 7 years. I'm just interested in learning about Ford's replacement plans like others here. Now, if Ford doesn't bring a Ranger PHEV to North America, then I will be sorely disappointed.

[akirby]

51 minutes ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

I get that but the vast majority of the time cars are only occupied by 1-2 people at a time also. 

Majority of buyers in that segment want seating for 4 even if it’s only used rarely.

[tbone]

9 hours ago, akirby said:

Majority of buyers in that segment want seating for 4 even if it’s only used rarely.

My daughter picked the Escape over the BS for that reason.  

[twintornados]

6 hours ago, tbone said:

My daughter picked the Escape over the BS for that reason.  

 

Girlfriend picked Escape over BS due to horrid front view (hood was way more intrusive) and that no matter the trim level, you could not get a powered rear hatch lift gate on BS. 

[rmc523]

44 minutes ago, twintornados said:

 

Girlfriend picked Escape over BS due to horrid front view (hood was way more intrusive) and that no matter the trim level, you could not get a powered rear hatch lift gate on BS. 

 

Such an odd exclusion

[twintornados]

16 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

Such an odd exclusion

 

I was told it was because the glass on the hatch opened up on the BS and did not on the Escape....

[Motorpsychology]

14 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

Such an odd exclusion

10-4 on the sheetmetal horizon. We've been driving a BS loaner for close to two months while our Explorer languishes in the shop. Kind of a weird illusion; it looks higher and more muscular from inside the car than from outside.

 

[Sherminator98]

24 minutes ago, Motorpsychology said:

10-4 on the sheetmetal horizon. We've been driving a BS loaner for close to two months while our Explorer languishes in the shop. Kind of a weird illusion; it looks higher and more muscular from inside the car than from outside.

 

 

My wife is about a foot shorter then me and it took her some time to get used to the hood because of that. It mimics the larger Bronco, but the seating position on the Bronco seems to be higher. 

[rmc523]

35 minutes ago, twintornados said:

 

I was told it was because the glass on the hatch opened up on the BS and did not on the Escape....

 

That's an excuse, IMO.  Expedition has had a power liftgate with a liftglass for over a decade now (the new one is a different design, but still).

 

5 minutes ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

My wife is about a foot shorter then me and it took her some time to get used to the hood because of that. It mimics the larger Bronco, but the seating position on the Bronco seems to be higher. 

 

Owners probably welcome the 360 camera option from the refresh.

[akirby]

11 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

That's an excuse, IMO.  Expedition has had a power liftgate with a liftglass for over a decade now

obviously cost cutting but it isn’t as necessary when the glass opens and it’s a smaller vehicle.  And it’s not opening that’s difficult it’s closing it especially for smaller women with a heavy hatch like the Expy.

[rmc523]

10 minutes ago, akirby said:

obviously cost cutting but it isn’t as necessary when the glass opens and it’s a smaller vehicle.  And it’s not opening that’s difficult it’s closing it especially for smaller women with a heavy hatch like the Expy.

 

Much like the homelink thing in Mustang, I view it as yet another example of Ford starting to decontent on "in your face" items that competitors have.  They might get away with it for a while, but it's going to affect sales at some point.

[Sherminator98]

We had the opening tailgate on our 2017 Escape and to be that person, it just added complexity and cost (had to have it fixed out of warranty). It was nice, but my wife doesn't really miss it on her BS. 

[Motorpsychology]

Our 2009 Mariner had the opening glass w/manual tailgate, never opened the glass. It was a reach to the floor of the cargo area, and you could soil your clothes leaning over the dirty or wet tailgate & bumper. The Mariner's tailgate was an easy open & close. The BS loaner we are using has an easy manual tailgate as well. 

 

As I understand it, Ford Connect relays all kinds of data to the factory, including arcane info like if the Homelink opener was even programmed and how often it is used. Apparently a lot of folks don't bother to program it or park outside so it gets dropped, or it gets moved to a higher trim pr package and the price is increased.

[Sherminator98]

34 minutes ago, Motorpsychology said:

Our 2009 Mariner had the opening glass w/manual tailgate, never opened the glass. It was a reach to the floor of the cargo area, and you could soil your clothes leaning over the dirty or wet tailgate & bumper. The Mariner's tailgate was an easy open & close. The BS loaner we are using has an easy manual tailgate as well. 

 

From what I remember, the glass (if opened) wouldn't have hit the car if the tailgate was opened on the 2010 and prior Escapes too...my wife had one and I think I tried it once.