Global crossovers & SUVs
Even though it’s quite an old vehicle, the EcoSport has some years remaining. Generation two will in fact have another facelift later in 2021.
While not yet confirmed, there could be standard and extended versions of the next model, these possibly being the small SUV projects codenamed BX744 and BX745. Some believe that India will be the main manufacturing base for EcoSport 3 and that there might also be a fully electric variant for the first time.
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By GlobalDataProject CX757 is a special SUV for the Indian market. At one time there had been an intention to co-develop this model with Mahindra & Mahindra but that JV was wound up in 2020.
According to speculation, India’s ‘C-SUV‘ will be related to China’s Ford Territory. That means a JAC architecture rather than a Ford one. And complicating matters further, Pininfarina – owned by M&M – is said to have responsibility for styling.
In July 2019, Ford and Volkswagen told the media about their decision to further deepen ties via an expansion of their existing alliance. One piece of news was the announcement of an electric Ford for Europe:
“Ford will become the first additional automaker to use Volkswagen’s dedicated electric vehicle architecture and Modular Electric Toolkit – or MEB – to deliver a high-volume zero-emission vehicle in Europe starting in 2023.
Ford expects to deliver more than 600,000 European vehicles using the MEB architecture over six years, with a second all-new Ford model for European customers under discussion”.
The first of the potential two vehicles is being developed by Ford in Germany. Media reports in November 2020 claimed that the initial model would be manufactured at the Niehl (Cologne) plant. Three months later, the company confirmed this.
Some have speculated that either the first or second model could be an electric crossover with styling links to the Mustang Mach-E but smaller (4.4-4.6 m). Both rear- and all-wheel drive variants should feature.
The Bronco is Ford’s new ladder frame chassis SUV for North America, the Middle East and Africa. Set to have an eight-year life cycle, it is aimed directly at the Jeep Wrangler.
Although based on the Endeavour/Everest, the Bronco has unique body panels and is also offered in two-door form. Both roof panel and doors can be removed and stored in the cargo bay.
Build, which began in May, takes place at the Michigan Assembly plant (MAP) in Wayne. The Ranger with which the SUV shares a platform has been built at MAP since October 2018.
There are two EcoBoost turbocharged gasoline engines: a 2.3-litre four-cylinder with 275 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque, or a 2.7-litre V6 with 315 horsepower and 410 pound-feet (all on 87 octane fuel). Transmissions are ten-speed automatic or seven-speed (6+crawler gear) manual.
Model grade names are Bronco, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Wildtrak and Badlands.
According to a 15 March 2018 media statement, there will be a Bronco Hybrid too. A Bronco Raptor will reportedly be added to the line-up for the 2023 model year, powered by Ford’s 3.0-litre gasoline biturbo V6. There will also likely be a Bronco Lightning (EV).
Ford cancelled plans to manufacture a new Fusion sedan in North America but the successor for its Mondeo equivalent will still be made at a plant in China (Changan-Ford’s Chongqing complex).
The Chinese market’s Mondeo will be replaced by the larger (4,920 mm) Evos. This follows the premiere of a crossover with that name at the Shanghai motor show in April.
Production should start in the fourth quarter, with the standard engine Ford’s 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo in 240 PS form. There are no reports as yet of any electric or electrified alternative(s).
The company’s US and European press relations departments have insisted that the Evos will not be sold in North America or the EU-EFTA-UK region.
A year ago next month, Ford revealed the investments it will make at its Oakville (vehicle manufacturing) and Essex (V8 engines) sites. There had been rumours in June 2020 that the plant could be closed, putting the future of an Edge replacement into doubt. However, Ford of Canada was able to find common ground with Unifor, the main union which represents workers at the sites.
According to the agreed terms, production of the two-wheel drive Edge and the related Lincoln Nautilus will continue until the second quarter of 2023 at Oakville. All-wheel drive versions of the Edge will be built until September 2023. The Ontario factory will then be retooled, re-opening in 2024 as a manufacturing base for EVs.
Unifor told the media in September 2020 that Oakville would be building five EVs by 2027, the combined annual volume of which would be 200,000. Details of the models in question were not publicised but it is presumed that at least three would be Fords and possibly two, Lincolns.
The next Edge should be made in China too. The development code is said to be either CDX706 or CDX777, whereas it was previously believed to be CD539.
Meanwhile, CDX746 is the code for an electric crossover positioned above the Mach-E. Ford may revive the Thunderbird name for this 4.8-5.0 m long vehicle.
Originally intended to be made at Flat Rock in Michigan, plans changed and both vehicles were to instead arrive in mid-2023 with production at OHAP (Avon Lake, Ohio). However in March, the United Auto Workers reacted angrily to a supposed move by Ford to build these models at Cuautitlán in Mexico rather than at OHAP.
The Changan Ford joint venture should also build CDX746.
The Equator is an existing model which is around the same size as the future ‘Thunderbird’. However, this 4.9 m long SUV has ICE power only. Ford and JMC (Jiangling Motors Corporation) have been manufacturing it in China since February.
The wheelbase of this seven seater is 2,865 mm and the engine a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol turbo. We should expect a facelift in 2024/2025 and an electric successor in 2028 or 2029.
Ford Motor Company made a trademark filing for the Excursion name on 24 April 2020 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the model is returning: the company could instead be protecting its rights to the name.
A giant SUV would likely have corresponding profit margins if indeed Ford is planning on bringing back this controversial model.
The last generation was discontinued in 2005 after just six years. A new one could potentially be reinvented as an EV (‘E-Xcursion‘) or even with a PHEV powertrain to prevent the backlash which the prior generation faced. The architecture would likely be shared with the next generation F-Series Super Duty trucks.
Theoretically, a huge electric SUV would complement the similarly sized but combustion-engined Expedition MAX.
Reports for many other manufacturers’ future models are grouped in the OEM product strategy summaries section of Just Auto.
That includes Ford vehicles not detailed in this report.
Future platform intelligence
More detail on past, current and forthcoming models can be found in PLDB, the future vehicles database which is part of GlobalData’s Automotive Intelligence Center.
This is the second of three reports on Ford Motor Company’s global passenger vehicles. First came a look at Ford cars and pick-ups, while the third feature will be about Lincoln.
