Ford’s apparently production ready Everest Concept previews a medium, seven-seat off-road SUV to be added to the automaker’s range in China and other Asia-Pacific and emerging markets.
According to just-auto‘s Production Life Database, the latest Everest replaces an earlier model of the same name (badged Endeavour in some markets) and was developed by Ford Australia. It was revealed first in Sydney in August 2013.
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Like its predecessor, the model is expected also to be built in Thailand, Vietnam and India. The redesign is based on the T6-series Ford Ranger/Mazda BT-50 pick-ups.
In April 2012, Chinese sources suggested Ford local commercial vehicle joint venture partner JMC – whose main Ford brand output is Transit vans – would develop a version of the U375 Everest project for its Jiangling and Land Wind brands.
Ford this week in Beijing confirmed local build and distribution by the Ford JMC joint venture as the Everest.
Ford said a strong SUV lineup helped its global utility sales grow 37% in 2013 to 1.2m units compared with 13% growth for the segment overall. In China, Ford’s share of the utility market rose from 0.3% in 2012 to 4.5% in 2013, with record sales of around 150,000.
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By GlobalData“The SUV market in China grew 49″ last year, and we see tremendous opportunity in this segment over the coming five years,” Ford said.
