Ford Escape Not Heading Down Under After 2023

Though the refreshed 2023 Ford Escape debuted last October, the future of this particular crossover remains somewhat in doubt after CEO Jim Farley hinted that it may soon be discontinued, along with all the automaker’s two-row ICE crossovers, though it may live on as an EV. In Australia, the Ford Escape has been on sale for some time now – a little over 20 years, in fact – and even received a few updates for the 2022 model year. Now, however, it seems as if the refreshed version won’t be heading Down Under, according to Car Expert.

“We don’t make those nameplate decisions and those brand decisions lightly,” Ford Australia boss Andrew Birkic told the media after confirming that the Ford Escape will cease being sold in Australia by the end of the year. “We go through a very rigorous process, with multiple factors that go into making those decisions. We believe now is the right time.”

As for why this is the case, Birkic didn’t provide too many details, but did note that supply chain issues are at least partially to blame. Escape sales in that country have been impacted by the chip shortage for some time, while production of the 2023 model was recently delayed due to a software issue as well.

Ford recently doubled down on its commitment to the Australian market, and has no intentions of exiting it, however. The Blue Oval insists that Australia remains an important market for the automaker, and is backing up that statement by launching a bevy of new products there, including the Ford Mustang Mach-E EV crossover, as well as the Ford F-150 – which will be imported and converted to right-hand drive by a company called RMA Automotive.

We’ll have more on the Escape soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Escape news and 24/7 Ford news coverage.