Ford has been around for well over a century to this point, competing in just about every automotive segment that has existed over that timeframe, too. However, in recent years, The Blue Oval has opted to sit out the B-segment (subcompact crossover) market in the U.S., which is a bit unusual given the fact that it’s currently quite hot with consumers. At the moment, the Ford Bronco Sport is the closest thing to a B-segment crossover that the automaker has to offer, but it’s more of a C-segment (compact crossover) vehicle given its size.
Production of the Ford EcoSport ended back in 2022, leaving The Blue Oval without a proper subcompact crossover, and it has opted to sit out that segment ever since. Additionally, production of the Ford Escape is set to end later this year, a move being made as the automaker focuses more on the similarly-sized yet also different Bronco Sport. Production of the Escape will be replaced by a new, mid-size all-electric pickup, too, and not a proper subcompact crossover.
Meanwhile, Ford’s rivals are raking in some eye-opening sales figures in the B-segment crossover class, with the Chevy Trax leading the way last year by moving 200,689 units. It was followed by the Subaru Crosstrek at 181,811 sales, as well as the Honda HR-V (151,468 sales) and Jeep Compass (111,697 sales) all exceeding the 100k mark. On top of that, B-segment crossover sales have skyrocketed over the past decade of so in the U.S., growing from a little over 274k units in 2015 to more than 1.3 million in 2024.
| Year | U.S. B-Segment Sales |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,377,649 |
| 2023 | 1,273,346 |
| 2022 | 1,012,093 |
| 2021 | 1,140,899 |
| 2020 | 1,020,443 |
| 2019 | 1,027,158 |
| 2018 | 983,163 |
| 2017 | 741,957 |
| 2016 | 726,513 |
| 2015 | 274,248 |
At the same time, the Ford Puma – which is a B-segment crossover – has performed quite well in Europe, and has routinely topped the overall passenger vehicle sales charts in the UK for years now. It is worth mentioning that the Ford Maverick is essentially the automaker’s answer to that segment at the moment, even though it’s a pickup that has only one competitor – the Hyundai Santa Cruz – and lacks the enclosed rear cargo area that many prefer. Regardless, it’s a bit unclear why Ford is opting to sit out the B-segment crossover space, and is instead focused on other segments at the moment.
Comments
After more than 30 years I stopped buying Ford products and switched to other brand the day they stopped selling sedans. Not everybody like SUV´s or crossovers or is willing to buy one no matter what. About segment B crossovers, I couldn´t care less.
I don’t care for crossovers, but how hard would it be to federalize the Puma?
Yeah, I’d rather get the Fiesta, the Focus, the Fusion, the Taurus, the Continental…
And it’s about to be absent from the HUGE compact CUV class, too. The Bronco Sport is EPA-classified as one, but, in reality, based on vehicle length, it’s really in the subcompact class. Which makes its pricing and standard AWD even more absurd.
But Ford would rather focus on racing, and we know why. Right into the toidy of oblivion.
JF and DF would rather focus on BEVs.
JF hates ICE even though he loves to race them. Believe me if BEVs could compete on the race track he would drive one.
Not sure I’d consider that an explosion. From a dealer perspective, the EcoSport never should have been brought here with the 1.0, and was priced above its value. The year there was a rebate of $5250 on them, my store sold 160% of units we were shipped. We traded F-150’s for EcoSports because they moved faster.
Now, while Ford may be ignoring the B-segment crossover “market”, how are they doing in the compact pickup segment? 86% of the market, 86000 units at the halfway point of the year. Concentrating on the Maverick at this time seems to be OK.
I think the absence of a B-sized Ford has more to do with its corporate cost structure. The GM Trax/Encore are better made cars than the India-sourced- awkwardly named Eco Sport was. Ford was losing money in India and sold the plant to Tata in 2022. Eco Sport’s’ best year in the US was 2019 with 64,708 sales
Sad to think that Ford was the creator of the segment building and selling tons starting in S. America.
The Eco-Sport was an embarrassment. Better to offer nothing than a substandard product. However, Ford seems to be withering away one product at a time – Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Flex, Edge, and soon Escape. What’s next, Jim?
Good company, poor leadership = bad decisions
Very true
My Ford Escape SE Sport Hybrid is what I consider a perfect vehicle to use running around town mainly for shopping. It’s an easy vehicle for my wife to use around town and gets excellent mileage. I use my C300 Mercedes for any long trips. I think Ford will regret dropping the Escape!
Agreed
Puma Gen-E, please, Jim. I can’t even get a Lightning in my garage, nor do I want to pay for it.
I drove a Puma last year while vacationing in the United Kingdom and it was an amazing vehicle that would definitely sell well here. I remember CEO Farley saying a few years ago that he would love to bring the Puma to the states, he dropped the ball on this.