Bye Bye Escape

[Charliewool]

Bit sad…. And all electric Puma, no more ICE Puma
https://www.goauto.com.au/amp/ford/e...-18/90743.html

[Franco Cozzo]

What a laugh,

Fiesta ST, no more Focus ST, now the Escape is gone (even though its one of those gormless SUVs it still died).

Which is the next one to get the axe?

Maybe Ford Australia should rename to Ford Ute like Isuzu.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

What a laugh,

Fiesta ST, no more Focus ST, now the Escape is gone (even though its one of those gormless SUVs it still died).

Which is the next one to get the axe?

Maybe Ford Australia should rename to Ford Ute like Isuzu.

Bow to your EV overlords peasant. No more ICE vehicles for you despite how much you want one. Do as you are told, drive your EV and eat your bugs.


I don't even know why they are bothering with anything out of Europe. They never get supply of anything, so i'm looking forward to seeing single figure sales numbers for it, with Europe sucking up all the supply to get to their required emissions figures.

The E-Transit was supposed to be here last year, but it's already been delayed twice cause Europe are saying F U, we don't want to send you any.

[Charliewool]

Yep!… They want everyone in a Ranger.
Very minimal choice if you’re a Ford person?
Mustang or Ranger

[kevino]

And that’s the case with Escape
Ford Aus can’t get stock
It’s made in Spain and it looks like that factory will close and I guess Euro Kuga/ Escape dies to be replaced by electric suv at double the price


Puma continuing to be sold hmmm I bought one late last year and at the back of my mind was I wonder if Ford will discontinue it again Ford Aus can’t get much stock so use promoting it so nobody in car buying land knows about it- it’s a secret.

JPD80 usually has good info - what can you tell us re Escape/Puma

Electric Puma will be $60000 forced into electric cars I don’t think so …. Forced into a no car situation

[DFB FGXR6]

One would hope that this leaves an opening for the Bronco, and Bronco Sport in particular. But history shows Ford are not that logical or smart.

Here and overseas, Ford dropped the Focus, Fiesta, Mondeo/Fusion, Falcon and Taurus and then told us it was best to focus on SUV's and trucks.

Then they didn't bother making Bronco, Bronco Sport and Maverick for global consumption despite shared platforms meaning RHD and LHD was possible.

Now they axe the Escape locally because the factory doesn't seem to be able to make enough, despite them saying SUVs would be a priority.

I just don't get it. What a bunch of sweet-talking idiots

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

One would hope that this leaves an opening for the Bronco, and Bronco Sport in particular. But history shows Ford are not that logical or smart.

Here and overseas, Ford dropped the Focus, Fiesta, Mondeo/Fusion, Falcon and Taurus and then told us it was best to focus on SUV's and trucks.

Then they didn't bother making Bronco, Bronco Sport and Maverick for global consumption despite shared platforms meaning RHD and LHD was possible.

Now they axe the Escape locally because the factory doesn't seem to be able to make enough, despite them saying SUVs would be a priority.

I just don't get it. What a bunch of sweet-talking idiots

We're about due for another CEO aren't we? They seem to last about 5 seconds at Ford Australia where they leave the place a smouldering ruin and then move on

Seems like there's an issue with internal politics between Ford Australia and Ford Europe, with the latter gate-keeping stock.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

We're about due for another CEO aren't we? They seem to last about 5 seconds at Ford Australia where they leave the place a smouldering ruin and then move on

Seems like there's an issue with internal politics between Ford Australia and Ford Europe, with the latter gate-keeping stock.

It runs deeper than that, it's a Detroit vs ALL of the Ford outposts type of situation.

Imagine where Ford would be if they actually run their business as a whole rather than a us vs them situation.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

It runs deeper than that, it's a Detroit vs ALL of the Ford outposts type of situation.

Imagine where Ford would be if they actually run their business as a whole rather than a us vs them situation.

Makes you wonder if they just keep the Ranger/Everest then do a GM on Asia Pacific and Europe - just focus on the US because that seems like what they're doing.

They make decisions, then they get forced on the subsidiaries but leave them without the vehicles they make the decisions for.

Monique Ryan is pushing for fuel efficiency standards in Australia in parliament as of today, something like that could effect it even further.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

One would hope that this leaves an opening for the Bronco, and Bronco Sport in particular. But history shows Ford are not that logical or smart.

Here and overseas, Ford dropped the Focus, Fiesta, Mondeo/Fusion, Falcon and Taurus and then told us it was best to focus on SUV's and trucks.

Then they didn't bother making Bronco, Bronco Sport and Maverick for global consumption despite shared platforms meaning RHD and LHD was possible.

Now they axe the Escape locally because the factory doesn't seem to be able to make enough, despite them saying SUVs would be a priority.

I just don't get it. What a bunch of sweet-talking idiots

What trucks ??

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

What trucks ??

I know what you are getting at, but its their words, not mine.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I know what you are getting at, but its their words, not mine.

They are NOT trucks. Little utes maybe.

[ToryMikey]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

What trucks ??

Ford Trucks died out about 20 years before the local stuff did.

These days all you get are full size SUVs - and the associated profit margin. Go ahead, take your pick between open-boot or closed-boot.

[Dr Smith]

Bugger it, I'm going to buy a Ranger Rover P530 and do my bit for the environment by exhausting fossil fuels faster. At least I'm guaranteed of getting a Range Rover loan vehicle when it's in for service and repairs...

[Rallye Sport]

The Ford What?
Can't say I've ever noticed one.

[Fordman1]

FoA are locked into FoE for RHD products, the only other option are the Ranger and Everest which are produced in Thailand. The Euro ST products are being discontinued also, it’s just sad.

The Europeans have lost the plot, because ICE is still the answer for the budget conscious buyers around the world.

IMO this is all moving too fast, EV’s are too expensive and crash repairs often mean “write offs” ( insurance premiums anyone ? ).

Puma sales will go to single figures, Ranger and Everest will be the only sales over 50 for FoA.

[boss351290]

Lidel power station in the Hunter Valley closes next week. There will be no electricity to power the EV revolution. I don’t understand

[Charliewool]

I also think it might be a case of Detroit Ford throwing their arms in the air and saying “why feckin bother when the stupid Aussies are tripping over themselves buying the plethora of Chinese and Indian made cheap trash?”
I have a 2020 Escape… great little vehicle!
In everyday driving you tend to look at similar looking vehicles.. I reckon for every Escape spied, I see at least 15 MGs!
Similar story to demise of the Falcon… We all screamed like wounded banshees, but No-one voted with their wallet!

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

I also think it might be a case of Detroit Ford throwing their arms in the air and saying “why feckin bother when the stupid Aussies are tripping over themselves buying the plethora of Chinese and Indian made cheap trash?”
I have a 2020 Escape… great little vehicle!
In everyday driving you tend to look at similar looking vehicles.. I reckon for every Escape spied, I see at least 15 MGs!
Similar story to demise of the Falcon… We all screamed like wounded banshees, but No-one voted with their wallet!

One of my mates has that model Escape too, it replaced his rather rare Green BF MK2.5 XR6 Falcon

[CyberWasp]

Don't worry.
It is going to be replaced by the Mustang Raptor.
Just the vehicle no.... i mean everybody has been asking for.

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Don't worry.
It is going to be replaced by the Mustang Raptor.
Just the vehicle no.... i mean everybody has been asking for.

image

Now THAT would sell! Love it

[kevino]

The raptor mustang would be easier to get in and out of.
In fact I like the look of that photoshop

God knows how much something like that would cost

[Sprintey]

Micro segment: Ranger 2 door, 2wd, lowered, tray
Light segment: Ranger 2 door, 2wd, slightly higher, tray
Small segment: Ranger 2 door, 2wd, slightly higher still, tray

Medium segment: Ranger 4 door, 2wd, lowered
Large segment: Ranger 4 door, 2wd, higher up
Upper Large: Ranger 4 door with big tray, 2wd, higher still

Van segment: Everest with no windows, 2wd

People mover: Everest, 2wd, lowered

Sports coupe: Ranger 2 door, 2wd, lowered, Ecoboost motor


They can compete in every segment if they just use their imagination.

[vbomber]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Van segment: Everest with no windows, 2wd


They can compete in every segment if they just use their imagination.

Well..... https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-new...ased-2023-ford

[Sprintey]

See? That one's quite appealing!

Are van conversions from things like Discoveries in Euroland a tax incentive thing?

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

FoA are locked into FoE for RHD products, the only other option are the Ranger and Everest which are produced in Thailand. The Euro ST products are being discontinued also, it’s just sad.

The Europeans have lost the plot, because ICE is still the answer for the budget conscious buyers around the world.

IMO this is all moving too fast, EV’s are too expensive and crash repairs often mean “write offs” ( insurance premiums anyone ? ).

Puma sales will go to single figures, Ranger and Everest will be the only sales over 50 for FoA.

Ford of Europe is between a rock and a hard place. Euro 7 is making ST products near impossible to sell/develop because the emissions will be so stringent on them, and it wrecks their average emissions rating. Only hybrids are likely to work with them, but then the cost goes through the roof as well as the kerb weight, so that destroys the handling too. So the product doesn't end up very good.

Hot hatches are dying a slow death. ST Focus and Fiesta, Renaultsport, Pug GTi's etc etc. Hyundai i30N is on it's last legs with i30 being canned within 2 years. The Kona N is not being replaced. Not sure about i20N, but I think that's in trouble too. Looks like Hyundai will be switching to EV N models, but then they cost close to 100 grand. Hot hatches are supposed to be affordable, 100 grand for one is insane.

That just leaves the Yaris and Corolla GR's and the Honda Civic R which is like 70k. Golf Gti is going EV as well. Within a few years there will be no affordable hot hatches left.

And then you factor in FoE barely making a cent in the past decade, mostly losing money. They have had some of the highest selling cars in Europe in the Fiesta, Focus, Escape and Puma, and barely made a dollar on any of them. At this point they have no choice but to bail out of small cars, cause what's the point if you continually lose money on them?

And then you have the coming ban on ICE vehicles which gives them no choice but to move to EV's. But they are so expensive and the volumes won't come close to Fiesta/Focus. I really don't know what the solution is for them.

[simon varley]

Ranger/Everest/Mustang are where the profit is and where the volume is. Why would they continue to import cars with a tiny or negative margin, or miniscule volumes?

[prydey]

Originally Posted by simon varley

Ranger/Everest/Mustang are where the profit is and where the volume is. Why would they continue to import cars with a tiny or negative margin, or miniscule volumes?

Other manufacturers do, so there must be more to it than just local sales.

We have a 2021 escape and it's a great car. Obviously 200/month isn't a lot but how much does it really cost them to put them on the boat?

We won't have to worry about what to replace it with for a while but it will likely kill the resale value.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by simon varley

Ranger/Everest/Mustang are where the profit is and where the volume is. Why would they continue to import cars with a tiny or negative margin, or miniscule volumes?

Throw in F150, Explorer, Aviator, Expedition for Oz and get more margin

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by simon varley

Ranger/Everest/Mustang are where the profit is and where the volume is. Why would they continue to import cars with a tiny or negative margin, or miniscule volumes?

To have a more diverse buyer demographic, bring in shoppers who might not otherwise consider a Ford, in case the ute market eventually declines they have a fall back...to have a range that doesn't mean your eggs fill only 3 slots in that one dozen egg crate.