Ford of Europe to Get New Small Crossover, New Kuga on the Way
The current Ford Kuga ST-Line
Ford of Europe has no fewer than two new crossovers on the horizon for the year ahead: a new, Fiesta-based small crossover and a next-generation Kuga that will make the leap across the Atlantic as the next-generation Escape.
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Auto News revealed a spy photograph of a heavily camouflaged test mule for the former, which appears to be relatively close in size and shape to the Focus Active and Fiesta Active crossovers. It is decidedly unlike the EcoSport, though French Analyst firm Inovev tells Auto News that it anticipates the small crossover will replace that crossover in the lineup.
Inovev also drops a couple of interesting tidbits, suggesting that the potential EcoSport replacement would likely be built in Craiova, would debut in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show, and could carry the name Puma. The Ford Puma. That is definitely a name.
Auto News also notes that the next-generation Kuga is expected to be unveiled sometime this year, and that test mules have been spotted around Detroit, signaling the impending launch of the next-gen Ford Escape in the United States. Both the next-gen Kuga and the Fiesta-based small crossover will likely get a variant with an electrified powertrain.
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“Crossovers and SUVs are an area consumers are moving towards and we will continue to grow and develop that business,” said Steven Armstrong, group vice president and president, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
Ford of Europe announced its plans for a 2019-20 strategy refresh earlier this month, where it confirmed that a new import SUV will be revealed in April. This would most likely be the next-generation Ford Explorer, which debuted earlier this month at the Detroit Auto Show.
News Source: Automotive News (subscription required)
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