MONDEO Wagon to Replace Escape V6

csv8 · 14-03-2008, 04:56 PM

Ford will be dropping the Escape V6, but the Mondeo wagon is looking like a sure bet

The Escape V6 has been dropped from the line-up, but Ford seems quietly committed to bringing the Mondeo wagon to market.

Ford's new President, Bill Osborne, provided the tip-off.

"It will be a model realignment... We will be deleting the V6 engine [from Escape]," said Osborne.

"Our goal is to drive sales through a simplified offering and focus customers on fuel economy."

On the subject of the Mondeo wagon -- unveiled at the Melbourne International Motor Show two weeks ago (more here) -- the response to the car at the Melbourne show has been very satisfying for Ford.

"I have high hopes for that vehicle. It's a new offering for us in Australia," Osborne said.

"I just had my first public speech, this week, with the fleet managers here in Melbourne -- and we got great feedback from the Mondeo wagon. A number of fleet buyers see it as a great offering that gives -- for example, sales reps and people who have a need to carry gear on the road -- a great opportunity to drive a stylish, modern vehicle that still has the utility they need to do their jobs. We got very positive response and feedback this week from the Mondeo wagon.

"We haven't come to a decision on [Mondeo wagon], but all the indicators are quite positive."

apolloxbgt · 14-03-2008, 05:01 PM

Come on!

The still havn't made up they're mind. Everyone loves it just do it already!

Poetic Justice · 14-03-2008, 05:08 PM

Wouldn't you replace Escape all together with Kuga?

csv8 · 14-03-2008, 05:11 PM

No KUGA is Fiesta size. C Max is Focus size

XR6_190 · 14-03-2008, 06:01 PM

Kuga will relpace Escape later this year, or early next year. Kuga will be smaller than the Escape, but still in the same class. It will probably be more competitve in that market too!

XR Martin · 14-03-2008, 06:58 PM

A new Escape isnt too far away I dont think?

Fairlane · 14-03-2008, 07:00 PM

So what does this mean for Falcon wagon.

Is BF3 the end of the line?

The Stylist · 14-03-2008, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6_190

Kuga will relpace Escape later this year, or early next year. Kuga will be smaller than the Escape, but still in the same class. It will probably be more competitve in that market too!

I'm not sure what the actual dimensions of the Kuga are, but I think it's roughly the same size as the RAV4/CRV/Captiva offerings. Regardless it's an ideal candidate to replace the aging Escape.

The Stylist · 14-03-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

A new Escape isnt too far away I dont think?

Fortunately we will not get that Escape update as it's a US only version, no RHD versions of it will be made.

The Stylist · 14-03-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairlane

So what does this mean for Falcon wagon.

Is BF3 the end of the line?

With the Mondeo wagon highly likely to go on sale later this year in Aussie, I'd say yes, the current wagon is looking like the last Falcon wagon.

BrisVegas · 14-03-2008, 09:46 PM

The (Focus-based) Kuga SUV would be the obvious replacement for the Escape. I just hope they get it here before I'm due to upgrade my wheels. VW Tiguan, Forester, CRV, Rav4 etc are it's natural competitors.

As wagons are mainly fleet vehicles, I'd have thought the Mondeo diesel would be a more attractive proposition that a 4.0 petrol Falcon, but then I don't manage fleets so am just guessing.

v8falconsrule · 14-03-2008, 11:26 PM

odd- they replace the falcon wagon with the territory SUV...then replace the escape SUV with a mondeo wagon??????????

Kryton · 14-03-2008, 11:31 PM

was there a market for the Escape since the Territory came on line?
is the Mondeo wagon going to push out the Falcon wagon and be its replacement?

Whopper · 15-03-2008, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrisVegas

The (Focus-based) Kuga SUV would be the obvious replacement for the Escape. I just hope they get it here before I'm due to upgrade my wheels. VW Tiguan, Forester, CRV, Rav4 etc are it's natural competitors.

Hi,

Of these cars, the VW is the only one offered with an Diesel, so will be it's only competitor for people in the market for a diesel engined SUV. The Tiguan starts at A$35.990 for the manual diesel. Let's hope Ford can bring the Kuga in at A$30.000ish.

Rob

Poetic Justice · 15-03-2008, 09:33 AM

I'd rather see the Kuga here than that Escape if it was coming - it fits in with the kinetic theme.

marcosambrose · 15-03-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

No KUGA is Fiesta size. C Max is Focus size

Thats untrue, the Kuga dimensions inside are similar to the Escape, so in theory its actually a replacement for the Escape.

The Kuga was designed to compete with CRv, RAV4 etc.

HSE2 · 15-03-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

On the subject of the Mondeo wagon -- unveiled at the Melbourne International Motor Show two weeks ago (more here) -- the response to the car at the Melbourne show has been very satisfying for Ford.

Based on the Feb sales numbers not sure how Mondeo and satisfied should be in the same sentence Bill

Deadman · 15-03-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

No KUGA is Fiesta size. C Max is Focus size

Where did you get that from? The Kuga is actually based on the Focus, not just Focus 'size'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

A new Escape isnt too far away I dont think?

Yes but it's garbage, and really wouldn't compete with current offerings in the marketplace. And thankfully (as someone has mentioned) we won't be getting it here...

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

was there a market for the Escape since the Territory came on line?
is the Mondeo wagon going to push out the Falcon wagon and be its replacement?

I think there is, definitely. That's just my opinion though, but I'm pretty sure my next car is going to be from the 'Escape market' (although it definately won't be an Escape) and I won't be buying a Territory. When compared to some of the other cars we're looking at for our needs, it really doesn't come in to consideration.

So hopefully Ford can capitalise on the medium-SUV market with a good offering for a change, I'm sure the Kuga will deliver that for them.

phoonfan · 15-03-2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCUD

I'd rather see the Kuga here than that Escape if it was coming - it fits in with the kinetic theme.

the new Escape will carry the Kinetic theme as well!

http://www.ford.co.jp/servlet/Conten...1024&c=DFYPage

Abacus · 15-03-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HSE2

Based on the Feb sales numbers not sure how Mondeo and satisfied should be in the same sentence Bill

The problem has been supply and product mix, not demand. They're selling every diesel they can get their hands on and AFAIK the petrol ones are selling OK.

I've been wondering if Ford should rethink their plans for assembling the Focus here and do the Mondeo instead. It's the best thing Ford has released in a long, long time and if they had sufficient volume it would be more suited to fleet sales than Focus.

The Stylist · 15-03-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoonfan

the new Escape will carry the Kinetic theme as well!

http://www.ford.co.jp/servlet/Conten...1024&c=DFYPage

I'd say it barely fits in with the Kinetic theme, to me it's just another facelift of an SUV that's towards the end of its life-cycle. The Kuga will be a fresh package as opposed to a rehash.

Paxton · 15-03-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

No KUGA is Fiesta size. C Max is Focus size

As has been said, Kuga is a Focus, not a Fiesta. Ford are going to build a Fiesta based SUV, but not yet.

Escape is dog, and vastly outclassed by everything else in the market. Even Mazda has dropped it in favour of the CX-7. Kuga can't come fast enough.

Bossxr8 · 16-03-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abacus

The problem has been supply and product mix, not demand. They're selling every diesel they can get their hands on and AFAIK the petrol ones are selling OK.

I've been wondering if Ford should rethink their plans for assembling the Focus here and do the Mondeo instead. It's the best thing Ford has released in a long, long time and if they had sufficient volume it would be more suited to fleet sales than Focus.

Focus outsells Mondeo probably 3 to 1, why would they want to make a lower volume car. Also they will be exporting it to Asia, where they want Focus sized vehicles, not Mondeo sized.

From what i've heard the 2011 Focus is supposed to be one very aggresive looking vehicle.

ivorya · 16-03-2008, 08:08 PM

With Ford Aus having the contract to build RHD Focus as of 2011, does this also give Ford Aus the ability to assemble the KUGA here as well?
From what i've read, all we'll be doing is assembling them here on a production line, why not get the Kuga parts and assemble them on the same line!!

XR Martin · 16-03-2008, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paxton

As has been said, Kuga is a Focus, not a Fiesta. Ford are going to build a Fiesta based SUV, but not yet.

Escape is dog, and vastly outclassed by everything else in the market. Even Mazda has dropped it in favour of the CX-7. Kuga can't come fast enough.

Actually the CX5 is going to replace the Tribute, which is based on the Kuga.

outback_ute · 18-03-2008, 12:53 AM

As Abacus has mentioned, Ford can only get its hands on 500 Mondeos per month, hopefully from now on they will be 80% diesels, 18% XR5T and 2% anything else (my guess!)

I think the Ford line-up would be pretty reasonable with Kuga, Territory and Falcon and Mondeo wagons - the Mondeo will appeal to a lot of private buyers who were turned off by the large size of the Falcon, and there aren't too many other alternatives on the market. The Kuga will be a good companion for the Territory, don't worry about any other engine than the 2.2 diesel.