Ford of Europe has a problem on its hands. Despite class-leading products across a range of key car market sectors (Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo for example) - and top spot in the UK - it is in the red and sales heading south. Last year’s loss was $1bn apparently. The answer? SUVs – a whole new line-up of them.
Not the whole answer, it should be noted – a heavily renewed Fiesta range arrives at the beginning of 2013 and the next Mondeo is on the horizon (although the company recently announced it would not appear until 2014 because of the closure of its plant in Genk, Belgium). These follow the recently launched Fiesta-based, baby MPV-like B-Max with clever sliding doors.
Not the whole answer, it should be noted – a heavily renewed Fiesta range arrives at the beginning of 2013 and the next Mondeo is on the horizon (although the company recently announced it would not appear until 2014 because of the closure of its plant in Genk, Belgium). These follow the recently launched Fiesta-based, baby MPV-like B-Max with clever sliding doors.
Ford, like many others, is caught between the budget or 'value' brands on the one hand (Chevrolet, Skoda et al) and posh “premium” badges on the other (Mercedes, BMW, Audi, etc.). The one sector that shows signs of sustained growth is the SUV and customers for this kind of car, it seems, are less obsessed by badge-snobbery.
First up will be the replacement for the current Kuga on sale since 2009. Based on the US market Escape, it was shown at the Paris Show last month and should be here to catch the ‘plate change in March. American engine choice is 2.5 petrol 170ps or 2.0 Turbo petrol 240ps. EU-wide however Diesel is key and 2.0 TDCi the ‘motor of choice’ with a new 1.5 TDCi as an alternative. Petrol engines will also be Euro-specific: 1.6 or 2.0 EcoBoost (the 1.6 built in Wales at the Bridgend plant).
Prices for the new Kuga will start at £20,895 for the 1.6 Ecoboost petrol model, and £21,895 for the 140pd 2.0 TDCi, both entry level models offered as front-wheel drive derivatives, with 4x4 offered higher up the range.
A year on and 2014 will see a smaller SUV. Kuga is Focus-based but Ford Brazil’s EcoSport is a high-rise Fiesta developed for the more rugged conditions of South America and available as a 4x4 - it might also make it over here as an option. Home market engine choice is 1.6 ethanol/petrol 107ps or 2.0 ethanol/petrol 143ps but they won’t come. A petrol 1.6 EcoBoost should see significant take-up with the 1.5 TDCi as an alternative. This car has been exhibited (New Delhi – January) with the latest high output 1.0 Eco-Boost 3 cylinder Turbo unit and that might be offered too.
Further ahead – late 2014 or maybe into 2015, the plan is to import the next US Ford Edge. This is a larger Mondeo/S-Class/Galaxy-sized vehicle and the current model’s replacement might be based on the new Mondeo platform since it is engineered for both front and four wheel drive.
US engines are 3.5 V6 289ps, 3.7 V6 309ps or four-cylinder 2.0 Turbo 243ps. The 2.0T petrol could come to Europe and a 2.0 TDCi almost certainly the diesel option which, for some time yet, will remain essential here.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper for the Farmers' Union of Wales.
First up will be the replacement for the current Kuga on sale since 2009. Based on the US market Escape, it was shown at the Paris Show last month and should be here to catch the ‘plate change in March. American engine choice is 2.5 petrol 170ps or 2.0 Turbo petrol 240ps. EU-wide however Diesel is key and 2.0 TDCi the ‘motor of choice’ with a new 1.5 TDCi as an alternative. Petrol engines will also be Euro-specific: 1.6 or 2.0 EcoBoost (the 1.6 built in Wales at the Bridgend plant).
Prices for the new Kuga will start at £20,895 for the 1.6 Ecoboost petrol model, and £21,895 for the 140pd 2.0 TDCi, both entry level models offered as front-wheel drive derivatives, with 4x4 offered higher up the range.
A year on and 2014 will see a smaller SUV. Kuga is Focus-based but Ford Brazil’s EcoSport is a high-rise Fiesta developed for the more rugged conditions of South America and available as a 4x4 - it might also make it over here as an option. Home market engine choice is 1.6 ethanol/petrol 107ps or 2.0 ethanol/petrol 143ps but they won’t come. A petrol 1.6 EcoBoost should see significant take-up with the 1.5 TDCi as an alternative. This car has been exhibited (New Delhi – January) with the latest high output 1.0 Eco-Boost 3 cylinder Turbo unit and that might be offered too.
Further ahead – late 2014 or maybe into 2015, the plan is to import the next US Ford Edge. This is a larger Mondeo/S-Class/Galaxy-sized vehicle and the current model’s replacement might be based on the new Mondeo platform since it is engineered for both front and four wheel drive.
US engines are 3.5 V6 289ps, 3.7 V6 309ps or four-cylinder 2.0 Turbo 243ps. The 2.0T petrol could come to Europe and a 2.0 TDCi almost certainly the diesel option which, for some time yet, will remain essential here.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper for the Farmers' Union of Wales.
RSS Feed