Ford Escape sales decreased in the United States and Mexico in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Ford Escape Sales - Q4 2019 - United States
In the United States, Ford Escape deliveries totaled 47,587 units in Q4 2019, a decrease of about 23 percent compared to 62,178 units sold in Q4 2018.During the complete 2019 calendar year, Escape sales decreased about 11 percent to 241,388 units.
MODEL | Q4 2019 / Q4 2018 | Q4 2019 | Q4 2018 | YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 | YTD 2019 | YTD 2018 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESCAPE | -23.47% | 47,587 | 62,178 | -11.33% | 241,388 | 272,228 |
Ford Escape Sales - Q4 2019 - Mexico
In Mexico, Ford Escape deliveries totaled 973 units in Q4 2019, a decrease of about 23 percent compared to 1,257 units sold in Q4 2018.During the complete 2019 calendar year, Escape sales decreased about 25 percent to 3,939 units.
MODEL | Q4 2019 / Q4 2018 | Q4 2019 | Q4 2018 | YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 | YTD 2019 | YTD 2018 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESCAPE | -22.59% | 973 | 1,257 | -25.34% | 3,939 | 5,276 |
Competitive Sales Comparison
Ford Escape sales performance during the fourth quarter of 2019 places the compact crossover in sixth place out of 15 rivals in the U.S. mainstream compact crossover segment. Escape sales declined at a rate faster than the segment average, resulting in a reduced market share.
Sales Numbers - Mainstream Compact Crossovers - Q4 2019 - United States
MODEL | Q4 19 / Q4 18 | Q4 19 | Q4 18 | Q4 19 SHARE | Q4 18 SHARE | YTD 19 / YTD 18 | YTD 19 | YTD 18 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TOYOTA RAV4 | +14.28% | 123,446 | 108,023 | 17% | 14% | +4.89% | 448,071 | 427,170 |
HONDA CR-V | +2.01% | 103,429 | 101,392 | 14% | 13% | +1.36% | 384,168 | 379,013 |
CHEVROLET EQUINOX | -6.26% | 92,092 | 98,239 | 12% | 12% | +4.04% | 346,048 | 332,618 |
NISSAN ROGUE | -23.48% | 78,147 | 102,131 | 11% | 13% | -14.96% | 350,447 | 412,110 |
SUBARU FORESTER | -1.93% | 48,732 | 49,689 | 7% | 6% | +4.99% | 180,179 | 171,613 |
FORD ESCAPE | -23.47% | 47,587 | 62,178 | 6% | 8% | -11.33% | 241,388 | 272,228 |
JEEP CHEROKEE | -29.56% | 42,048 | 59,694 | 6% | 8% | -20.06% | 191,397 | 239,437 |
MAZDA CX-5 | +20.50% | 40,843 | 33,894 | 5% | 4% | +2.60% | 154,545 | 150,622 |
HYUNDAI TUCSON | -11.00% | 34,520 | 38,785 | 5% | 5% | -3.46% | 137,381 | 142,299 |
SUBARU CROSSTREK | -0.95% | 32,655 | 32,969 | 4% | 4% | -9.16% | 131,152 | 144,384 |
GMC TERRAIN | -11.19% | 28,060 | 31,595 | 4% | 4% | -11.24% | 101,470 | 114,314 |
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN | +6.35% | 24,667 | 23,195 | 3% | 3% | +6.74% | 109,963 | 103,022 |
KIA SPORTAGE | +17.63% | 24,174 | 20,551 | 3% | 3% | +7.79% | 89,278 | 82,823 |
DODGE JOURNEY | -27.12% | 12,290 | 16,863 | 2% | 2% | -20.63% | 74,686 | 94,096 |
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER | +9.53% | 7,494 | 6,842 | 1% | 1% | +0.83% | 37,965 | 37,652 |
MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS | -4.28% | 3,802 | 3,972 | 1% | 1% | +107.29% | 19,661 | 9,485 |
TOTAL | -5.83% | 743,986 | 790,012 | -3.70% | 2,997,799 | 3,112,886 |
Ahead of the Ford Escape were the Toyota RAV-4, Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Equinox (see Chevrolet Equinox sales), Nissan Rogue, and Subaru Forester. The Escape outsold all other rivals, including the Jeep Cherokee, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Crosstrek, GMC Terrain (see GMC Terrain sales), Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage, Dodge Journey, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
The decrease in Escape sales volume resulted in the vehicle losing segment share, with 6 percent in Q4 2019 compared to 8 percent in the year-ago quarter. That’s significantly behind the 17 and 14 percent commanded by the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, respectively, or the 12 and 11 percent seen by the Chevrolet Equinox and Nissan Rogue.
The compact mainstream crossover segment (C-crossover segment) contracted almost 6 percent to 743,986 units during Q4 2019.
The Ford Authority Take
Ford Escape sales didn’t fare well during Q4 2019, causing the vehicle to lose share in the highly-contested compact crossover segment. We attribute the underwhelming performance to the following potential issues:
- A limited supply of the all-new 2020 Escape model at the retail/dealer level, particularly of some model variants
- Greater incentives offered by competitors
We maintain that the all-new, fourth-generation Escape will see significantly higher demand and sales volume, so long as Ford supply/production can keep up with the increased demand. In addition, it’s worth noting that The Blue Oval will field two entries in this segment in the near future. The first will be the Escape, while the second will be the “baby Bronco” – which we believe will be called Bronco Sport. The addition of the second entry should considerably boost Ford’s share of the segment.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Ford Escape sales in Q4 2018, except if noted
- There were 78 selling days in Q4 2019 and 77 selling days in Q4 2018
- U.S. Ford Motor Company Q4 2019 sales results:
- U.S. Ford Q4 2019 sales results (Ford brand)
- U.S. Lincoln Q4 2019 sales results
- Ford Motor Company Brazil Q4 2019 sales results:
- Ford Brazil October 2019 sales results (Ford brand)
- Ford Brazil November 2019 sales results (Ford brand)
- Ford Brazil December 2019 sales results (Ford brand)
- Ford Motor Company Korea Q4 2019 sales results:
- Ford Motor Company Korea October 2019 sales results:
- Ford Korea October 2019 sales results
- Lincoln Korea October 2019 sales results
- Ford Motor Company Korea November 2019 sales results:
- Ford Korea November 2019 sales results
- Lincoln Korea November 2019 sales results
- Ford Motor Company Korea December 2019 sales results:
- Ford Korea December 2019 sales results
- Lincoln Korea December 2019 sales results
- Ford Motor Company Korea October 2019 sales results:
- Ford Motor Company Mexico Q4 2019 sales results:
- Ford Motor Company Mexico October 2019 sales results:
- Ford Mexico October 2019 sales results
- Lincoln Mexico October 2019 sales results
- Ford Motor Company Mexico November 2019 sales results:
- Ford Mexico November 2019 sales results
- Lincoln Mexico November 2019 sales results
- Ford Motor Company Mexico December 2019 sales results:
- Ford Mexico December 2019 sales results
- Lincoln Mexico December 2019 sales results
- Ford Motor Company Mexico October 2019 sales results:
Comments
I offer an alternative reason for the low sales: The incredibly ugly nose, combined with the odd diamond-lumpy texture on the cloth seats. It is staggering that someone gave the green light to either of those design choices. I like how it looks from the sides and the rear, but that face…
The ugly nose is the very reason I bought a 2019 instead of a 2020. Like you, I like it from the side and rear but not the front. This is my 3rd Escape. 2014, 2017 and a 2019.
I had a 2005 and loved the rough-looking square design. The boxy shape made for very good storage, unlike the newer generations with the sloping rear roofline. The new Baby Bronco should sell well.
it might…we will see by the end of 2021 where it will be – I predict sales will split between the Escape and Bronco, the main issue again is PRICE (I haven’t been inside one to tell you anything else though….). To get a powertrain that doesn’t vibrate like crazy, you have to dump so much $$$, most folks ($34k+ large…) at that point one is better off buying a Wrangler.
Ugly nose and a 3-cylinder engine
Escape sales should increase this year when the hybrid and plug-in models begin selling. Many buyers are now looking for electrified crossovers because they want to drive with efficiency, sportier, and economically. Only hybrids and electric can do all three.
I also will be looking at the Baby Bronco in 2022 when I replace my 2019 Escape.
I think that Ford designed the 2020 Escape to look more car like to try to capture the people who bought Focus’s and Fusion’s which Ford stopped making.
The Baby Bronco will fill the need for a vehicle that has an SUV look on a smaller platform. I am also hoping it will have available an Ecoboost 2.3 liter motor. But most probably it will just have the Ecoboost 2.0 liter engine. Lincoln does have the Ecoboost 2.3 available in its Escape equivalent so it is possible to put it in that platform.
Maybe they will build an Escape ST and put the Ecoboost 2.3 liter in that. That would be an awesome vehicle!
I would encourage Ford to do an emergency front redesign of the Escape face! They can pull design cues from the Kuga,Puma or the Chinese version. This face is not cutting it. A redo should be done immediately.
When my Escape lease comes due in 2 1/2 years, if they haven’t changed the front end design by then, I will be looking for something else. I will not drive a vehicle that looks the way the new Escape looks in the front. There are plenty of other vehicles in that market segment to choose from. The Chevrolet Equinox or the GMC Terrain are the first two that come to mind. The Terrain Denali is a very good looking vehicle.
I have been driving Fords exclusively since 1990. But that could come to an end unless they change that Escape front end design. To me it is almost as ugly as the Pontiac Aztec was.
At the Ford dealer where I get my vehicle serviced, they told me that myself and many others have expressed the same opinion as I have. He told me the sales people are complaining because they are loosing sales to competitors. Even good incentives will not get most people to drive an ugly vehicle. Some will buy them but not me.
A complete redesign should bring about styling that puts you above the competition. It should be one of the reasons for drivers to switch to your brand. It should bring in sales that do not require incentives.
so it’s 2021…looking at Y2020 sales the author’s assertion ‘We maintain that the all-new, fourth-generation Escape will see significantly higher demand and sales volume, so long as Ford supply/production can keep up with the increased demand’ is wrong….
The new Escape never recovered from it’s market share drop, in fact it eroded even further in 2020 – Covid and all, the Escape was one of the worst performers.
So what are the real issues?
1- Poor interior quality and simplistic design
2- The base 1.5 3cyl engine is a vibration nightmare
3- Design looks – well – outdated already, the Escape needed to be a bit more off roady/SUV like looks
4- Price is out of whack – the SE AWD with Co-Pilot runs @31k….one can get a nicely equipped RAV4 LE (same level of equipment as the SE) for $26k….EXCEPT the RAV has an interior that is damn near luxurious compared to the cheap plasticky one in the Escape, so the perceived value is simply not there.
I bought a 2019 when I saw what the 2020 looked like. The only good looking part of the 2020 is the rear end. The front looks too much like a Porshe which I do not like. Plus the morphadite tablet they mounted on the dash looks like an abortion added on.
They have done the same thing on the 2020 Explorers. My wife is 5 feet 2 inches tall and she cannot raise the seat high enough to see over the tablet. It blocks about 30% of her vision. So we are going to keep our 2018 Explorer Platinum. It is a very nice, highly refined vehicle.