As Ford Authority reported this past May, the Ford Escape will continue to be sold into the 2026 model year, shooting down prior rumors that production of the crossover would end after the conclusion of the current 2025 model year. Most still expect the Escape to be discontinued at some point, however, which could possibly occur after a shortened 2026 model year. Now, Ford Authority has learned that the 2026 Ford Escape won’t be sold in all 50 U.S. states either, a revelation that comes amid some stricter emissions standards in certain parts of the country.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the 2026 Ford Escape lineup will only be available with the non-California emissions system, which means that it can’t be sold new or registered in six U.S. states – California, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Oregon, and Washington. Thus, those that live in those states and wish to purchase a new Ford Escape will only be able to do so through the current 2025 model year, and not into the forthcoming one.
Regardless, that might not amount to much given the fact that most expect the 2026 Ford Escape to represent the end of the line for that model entirely. This past January, a report surfaced that indicated Ford Escape production at the Louisville Assembly plant was slated to end by the conclusion of 2025, after which The Blue Oval was said to be shifting its focus to the Ford Bronco Sport as its compact crossover of choice. That report was followed by comments from the United Auto Workers (UAW) union representing workers at Louisville noting that the plant was set to close for retooling this December.
As Ford Authority reported earlier this month, the Louisville plant will indeed undergo that major retooling in preparation for the production of a new all-electric model, as the automaker has already submitted plans to the city outlining specific details pertaining to that action. That remodeling includes the addition of an electric vehicle charging station spanning 12,000 square feet, which is set to feature a canopy providing cover for 16 charging units and a substation.
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Death by a thousand cuts......
There are actually 17 states, plus DC, that require vehicles to be CARB complaint. If it is true that the 2026 Escape will not be available with California emissions systems, that means that there will be a whole lot more than 6 states in which they cannot be offered.
Sounds like the 2026 model year is just being rolled out to use up whatever parts they have left and then the Escape will be done.
Ford is making a huge mistake not making a serious effort to compete in the largest segment outside of pickup trucks. Yes, the Bronco Sport is neat, a rare short-tall vehicle, ideal for dense urban and suburban roadways. But come on Ford, you could have jazzed up the Escape exterior and fixed the hybrid problems and sold quite a few more. A shame.
Completely agree! I don’t understand why they are concerned about CARB and those regulations. Trump and the federal government are nixing their ability to set standards different than the rest of the country.
Right, Al, and the segment Ford invented. Rather than address any issues they have, Farley seems to have the attitude - "fire the people who build and design them, let the model fall into low sales and poor reliability, then we can kill it off".
The Escape consistently outsells the Bronco Sport. So of course Ford will ax the Escape.
Well that makes sense, in a Ford sort of way!
What are the odds of Ford making it past 2030? I'm guessing 50/50. BY next year they will have 0 product I have any interest in owning.
I think it would be foolish for Ford to turn Louisville into an all electric plant considering the tax credits are being phased out, Ford can hardly sell the EVs they have, and there is Blue Oval City white elephant with no product assigned. I think what is likely to happen is Louisville will get the Mach E from Mexico and perhaps the Bronco Sport.
When is Ford going to change the grill of the Mustang Mach-E. Ford has a beautiful car and spoils it with a dishpan looking front end. I am a Linclon owner and was thinking of switching to the Mustang, but the grill turned me off.
Joe
InEwing
you mean the escape Mach-E?
Proud to live in one of the states on the list.
Trump is doing away with the California waiver so it will soon be null and void in the 17 states.
MAGA
Are you proud to live in one of the most "moved out" states because of failed leftist buffoon policies?
The last thing Ford needs to do is to.convert the Louisville Plant to an electric vehicle plant. I think they should produce the 2026 Escape until July 2026 and then switch over to Maverick profuction!
The Bronco Sport is all that will remain for the small affordable utility customers, which is a very fuel inefficient alternative that will continue to be sold because it does satisfy CARB requirements with newly detuned engines. Ford is moving toward a primarily pickup and off-roading lineups and away from volume segments and family crossovers.
And the list market share will follow.
20 years ago or so someone at Ford corporate floated the idea of Ford being a truck-only company and abandoning cars altogether. Seems that was actually something they implemented. It will result in Ford having to merge with someone to survive. And that will be Farley's legacy - the destruction of a fine automobile company.
Unfortunately the failed legacy falls higher in the organization. Since Junior took over as chairman of the board about 25 years ago, it's been all downhill. With the exception of Alan Mulally, all of Ford's CEOs have been the low hanging fruit.
Hopefully the PHEV system gets put into the Bronco Sport and Maverick... what a shame.