Cheap Compact for China Ford Inside News
April 19, 2013
By: Austin Rutherford
As part of Ford's 15 new vehicles in China 2015, Ford today lifted the veil off the Ford Escort Concept, which will be seen on the Ford stand at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show. Joining it will be the new Mondeo and Fiesta ST.
One of the fastest growing segments in China, the cheap compact segment is essential for Ford to enter into. Most likely designed by Ford of Australia, the Escort shares Ford's Kinetic design theme to the lower class market.
No engine availability was given, but we will learn more closer to when the production version launches.
Nice! It looks like this Escort is riding on the longer 105.9' wheelbase like the Escape. Unlike the current 104.3' wheelbase of the Focus Hatch/Sedan. Which could mean the next Focus for NA should have a longer wheelbase, offering the needed more back seat room. It's doubtful that the new US Focus would follow this design as the Escort, as it is to add to Ford's compact car lineup, not replace anything. Ford still makes our old Focus on China as the Focus Classic.
The Escort Concept is basically a less flashy more formal looking (roomier) LWB alternative to the sleek new Focus.
Some reports say that if the new Escort is produced, it would most likely replace the old style Focus Classic (the Mk2 Focus that was never sold in the US & Canada) which is still being sold alongside the sleeker new global Mk3 Focus in China.
Ford Focus Classic (Mk2 Focus)
I also like the Escort Concept's more anglular less-Aston looking front end variation of the new Ford face.
Cold this be the face of the Focus facelift?
The shape of the production Focus Electric's blocked out grill just looks awkward, its like a small pouty version of the new Ford grill.
Nice design. The more upright roof that this vehicle shows would work great as a Lincoln. Did anyone graft an MKZ front and rear on this yet? OR how about an abstract Versailles front and rear that fits with today's style? The rear could have a very slight arc that just hints at you know what and lights up as the 3rd brake light........
Very good idea. A Lincoln . This car, with a new grille, tailligths and a good quality interior could be the compact Lincoln sedan. And Versailles is a perfect name
I like this car much more than the Focus. More elegant and a better overall shape and much improved front clip vs the Focus' Darth Vader helmet front clip.
By the way, the Figo is also sold in South Africa, Mexico and the UAE.
Unlike the other Australian designed/engineered Ford models though, the Figo is based on a previous generation model, in this case its the previous generation Fiesta.
Figo
I like this car much more than the Focus. More elegant and a better overall shape and much improved front clip vs the Focus' Darth Vader helmet front clip.
Funny that 2 years ago, the Focus was the newest looking model in the Ford car lineup, now it's one of the oldest looking models (aside from the Mustang) in the car lineup.
All I can say is, if Ford will give the current Focus the new Ford corporate face during its mid-cycle facelift, it better not look like the production Focus Electric! :lmao:
It should get the Escort Concept's face, it just looks so much better. :rock:
UPDATE! It looks like the new Escort cold make it to some European markets, but not in the UK (where they prefer hatches)
The new Ford Escort, unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show, could come to Europe.
The mid-size saloon concept caused a sensation in China when it was revealed that it would wear the famous badge.
And although a production version of the car would be aimed firmly at the Chinese market, there is potential for it to be sold elsewhere.
A senior Ford insider told Auto Express: "There's certainly been internal discussions about it [bringing it to Europe].
"I for one would love to see it over here [in Europe]. There is definitely a place in the market for a lower-cost car to sit under the Focus.
"The key would be doing it without being seen to make the Ford brand any less desirable."
And new Ford UK chairman and MD Mark Ovenden confirmed that the new model wasn't intended as a China-only car when he spoke to Auto Express at a ceremony to mark the retiral of outgoing chairman Joe Greenwell.
"It's a car initially for China," he said. "But it could work in other places."
True. I don't think Ford would develop an all-new model just for one specific market since it doesn't quite fit the "One Ford" philosophy. They'll most likely have to sell it in other similar markets where it has a potential to sell well.
The EcoSport is a good example, the 1st generation EcoSport was mainly for Brazil and other South American markets. Under "One Ford" the new 2nd generation EcoSport is also being introduced in Asia, South Africa and Europe.
True. I don't think Ford would develop an all-new model just for one specific market since it doesn't quite fit the "One Ford" philosophy. They'll most likely have to sell it in other similar markets where it has a potential to sell well.
The EcoSport is a good example, the 1st generation EcoSport was mainly for Brazil and other South American markets. Under "One Ford" the new 2nd generation EcoSport is also being introduced in Asia, South Africa and Europe.
Most of the China built models usually stay in China to feed their car hungry consumers.
The new Escort looks like a model that can also be built in other places like Russia and Brazil.
Most of the China built models usually stay in China to feed their car hungry consumers.
The new Escort looks like a model that can also be built in other places like Russia and Brazil.
I wonder how the demand of that model is in China, maybe they have extra manufacturing room for export. This is not GM's first time to export Chinese models though, they sold Chevy-badged "Buicks" to the Philippines in the early 2000's.
I think there's a big possibility that Ford would consider manufacturing the new Escort in regional plants like what they did with the EcoSport.
Has Ford ever exported models made in China before?
That also reminds me, Ford manufacturing the new Explorer in Russia was also quite unexpected.
True. I don't think Ford would develop an all-new model just for one specific market since it doesn't quite fit the "One Ford" philosophy. They'll most likely have to sell it in other similar markets where it has a potential to sell well.
The EcoSport is a good example, the 1st generation EcoSport was mainly for Brazil and other South American markets. Under "One Ford" the new 2nd generation EcoSport is also being introduced in Asia, South Africa and Europe.
I wish they'd bring that EcoSport here to the US. I'm gonna have to lose my mid-sizer like a bad habit. The fuel costs are murder on our budget. It'll be B or C segment for me next time around.
I really hope the Escort makes its way elsewhere not just Europe and China. Altho with that Fusion grille that they are putting in every car, you're pretty much buying the same design on a different platform.
Report from Argentina says it will be built there. They are switching over to new Focus now, so they still have C1 machinery in place for it. Escort was always popular in South America anyway, so not surprising.
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