Over the past couple of years, it seems as if FoMoCo has been keen to get out of the two-row crossover business altogether, given comments from CEO Jim Farley. We’re already beginning to see the writing on the proverbial wall in that regard, as the Ford Edge is set to be discontinued in North America after production ends at the Oakville Assembly plant in Canada this April, after which it will be replaced by all-electric versions of the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator. The Ford Escape has long been expected to head to the chopping block as well, but when asked about new vehicle demand in 2024 on the automaker’s Q4 conference call with investors, Farley had some nice things to say about the compact crossover.
“Bronco is really solid. We still have order banks on Bronco. We have new versions coming out every – we just finished the Heritage. It’s going well,” Farley said. “The Escape is new. So I don’t think there’s a lot of risk there. It’s like six months new and is going very well. And we have an Escape Hybrid that is super popular. Helps us transition against the Japanese. I don’t think my domestic competitors have that.”
These comments are certainly notable after Farley has hinted – on multiple occasions – that the Ford Escape was facing discontinuation, at least in ICE form. Back in June 2022, Farley said that “we’re not going to have commodity products like Edges and Escapes,” then, last year, added that “we are not going to be playing in the two-row commodity crossover market.” The CEO followed up those comments early this year by noting that the company doesn’t plan on building “boring” vehicles moving forward, either.
At the same time, multiple reports have suggested that an all-electric version of the Ford Escape was slated to join The Blue Oval’s lineup, or perhaps an EV replacement of some sort. However, given the automaker’s recent decision to push back $12 billion in planned EV investments – and even potential models – in the wake of weakening demand, it’s unclear if that’s still the case.
We’ll have more on the future of the Escape soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Escape news and non-stop Ford news coverage.
A simple yet useful measurement.
Even the executive's own son was frustrated by the new pony car's encrypted ECU.
It shows a lot of promise thus far.
He apparently tuned his pickup and now needs pricey repairs.
A nifty way to conceal additional lighting sources when they aren't needed.
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I'm increasingly beginning to believe that Ford has very little sense of its future direction.
Believe it, it's true
At least someone did.
We love our new Escape.
I have 2 escapes. I love both of them. they are fast, get good gas mileage, handle great
I have a 2022 Stealth, love it
The Edge was a misfit toy on The Blue Oval island. It was an 'long/fancy' Escape and was really just sales competition for the Lincoln Corsair. If you want a fancy Escape - Corsair. The Ford EcoSport is gone (too bad) because the size was good -the name sucked. So, Ford Escape fits a niche they still have to fill...and it sells well.
Farley is a joke waiting to explode Ford Motor. Ford's pricing is putting normal customers ought of range whether buying or leasing. Korea/Japan are going to overrun Ford with affordable cars. Just saying.
Has Farley ever driven a Ford Escape? 2021 Ford Escape 3 cylinder - Piece of absolute crap.