Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ford Kuga
Nary a
Speaking with Automotive News, Ford's president of the Americas, Mark Fields, confirmed that the U.S. is slated to receive multiple C-segment vehicles that have already debuted in Europe and Japan. The first vehicle that could conceivably be brought to market is the recently released Kuga crossover, which shares the C1 platform and could be marketed as the next Escape or Mercury Mariner if we're lucky. The second model is the Ford C-Max, which is a more modern take on the traditional people mover, and would provide SUV refugees a compelling case to downsize their rides into anything but a minivan.
Fields didn't divulge when the European product onslaught would take place, but it's a safe bet that if either vehicle immigrates across the Atlantic, we'll be seeing them around the turn of the decade.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
geo.stewart @ May 19th 2008 5:44PM
I dont see the C-max making a big splash unless the Rondo takes a sudden uptick. The Kuga would make an excellent Escape replacement or mercury sidekick depending on Ford handles the euro entries (Ford replacement or Mercury line, depends on build costs).
Xcountryflyer @ May 19th 2008 5:44PM
They are taking their own very sweet time, while GM has a big head start. Slow lumbering dinosaur giving us mostly junk to drive in the US. Get with it Ford.
That One Person @ May 19th 2008 6:09PM
Junk? Any proof that Ford is producing junk?
Oh wait, you had an 86 Tempo that was junk right? And I am sure you will bring up the cruise control recall. Or the recent brake recall on F-150s which weren't produced in 08.
Xcountryflyer @ May 19th 2008 6:24PM
^ Ford fanboi alert. Junk is relative. They are junk compared to competitive offerings in the same category.
Judy Zik @ May 19th 2008 10:36PM
...and based on that statement you are obviously a fanboi for another brand or perhaps an imports only bigot.
Ford isn't top of the pack on everything but their lineup isn't "junk" anymore. The Fusion and the Edge are quite competitive. The Focus is getting old and not up to the Euro model but is still miles ahead of a Cobalt or a Calibur imho. The Taurus and Taurus X are not exciting but they are good solid vehicles. The 2009 Escape is looking like it will be a much improved product. Plus the Flex is coming out soon and it looks pretty cool.
So just what about Ford's lineup is junk anymore?
That One Person @ May 19th 2008 11:29PM
Not a fanboi, moron, just someone who chooses to support the home team and has realized that the American companies don't produce "junk" anymore.
Get it right...
C.W. @ May 20th 2008 8:02AM
when i read posts like this i have to ask myself "why do some people refuse to take the blinders off?". Ford and GM are making world class product right now. yes, GM is a product cycle ahead, but Ford has also accelerated all future programs to be in line by 2010 model year. look at consumer reports, Ford has 93% of it's vehicles rated as "average" or better (which is monumental if you know anyhting about consumer reports). Initial quality in a dead heat with toyota AND honda. and although i am not a huge fan of the focus, it is blowing everyone away with the largest month to month sales increases AND it's an old platform. trucks are world class, edge and fusion are fierce competitors and an absolute blast to drive... so i guess i just dont see where the products are junk?
if you had said the same about GM i would have given a very similar speech.
get your head out of the sand buddy.
mestguy182 @ May 20th 2008 4:05PM
Times are definitely changing, Ford and especially GM are indeed making much better vehicles than they were at the turn of the century. I've always been a fan of Honda, but will likely consider a G8 or if the wife allows a Camaro for the next purchase. I thought I had read some negative things about the Ford Edge, specifically about the frame and it's handling and lack of power. I like the styling though, maybe I'm remembering incorrectly.
Justin
Randy @ May 20th 2008 5:24PM
I need to weigh in here! Your comments are about the only thing regarding Ford that's of the dinosaur era!
There's is no more of the "you wait and see" thoughts! Ford's about to open a can of woop-ass!
I can feel it coming!
Hum Rocky Theme and Read Again!
Xcountryflyer @ May 20th 2008 6:52PM
What a bunch of ostriches with their heads stuck in the sand and other places on the backside.
For those of you who think I just hate domestics. I actually like GM's new North American vehicles. I think the Malibu is competitive, the full-size pickups/SUVs are at the top of their class, the Astra is stylish, the G8 is incredible for the price and Cadillac has some great stuff out and coming. However, I think Chrysler is a basket case and Ford seems to be a dollar short and day late compared to GM, who is already importing their world vehicles here and producing good US-designed cars like the CTS and Malibu.
And if you think I'm an import only lover, Honda and Toyota sure have been disappointing. Toyota continues to build mostly bland boring cars and Honda's styling is going awry.
See above = total fanbois--can't see the forest from the trees.
TriShield @ May 19th 2008 5:49PM
These European Fords are going to be sold as what they are, Fords. Mercury isn't getting them as they are planning on phasing it out.
tifosiotaku @ May 19th 2008 5:54PM
Source?
mroverlord @ May 19th 2008 6:03PM
Um, yeah....source...That's the first I've heard of phasing out Mercury.....
why not the LS2LS7? @ May 19th 2008 6:07PM
I think the C-Max is a good idea. Although the demand is very high in Europe, so they'd have to make it here. Which means they'd probably change it, decontent it.
I foresee Ford screwing this up.
C-Max is an awful name, and I wish people would get into minivans instead of jacked up mini-SUVs, but from a car makers perspective, they have to make what people will buy not what I want them to buy.
epilonious @ May 20th 2008 8:26AM
I see the c-max as a mazda5/Rondo/Journey competitor. That being said, those micro-van/mega-wagon segments are pretty much the ground for young families.... and I predict they will take off like a bat outta hell. Because they are pretty much minivans that don't look like minivans...
They get worlds better gas mileage than the superjumbo Caravan, Sienna, Odyssey, and Entourage or the CUV's like the CX-5, Edge, Equinox/Vue/etc.... They have high seats that are perfect for kid-placement and belting without having to be bent at the waist for 3 minutes... and the kids will be able to fit in the back and very-rear seats for the next ten years.
I see the C-Max fitting right in, especially if it is seen as a cheaper if not less-powerful Mazda5 with SYNC.... Heck... Nissan might bring back the Axxess.
Jason @ May 19th 2008 6:08PM
They need to bring the Kuga over as-in, don't change a thing in the styling of it.
Jorge @ May 19th 2008 6:30PM
I remember when USA used to have most of the car models available. But now here in Mexico we have nothing to be envy of, we can buy all the cars you have in USA plus cars made by the "big three" made for Europe and Global models, like mondeos, euro focus, opels under the any of the GM brands, Alfa Romeos, Fiats, Peugeots, Seats, Renaults, etc.
Mi key @ May 19th 2008 7:01PM
C-max would make a nice SUV replacement if it gets good fuel mileage. The Kuga looks goods and with Escape Hybrid system would be a real winner. Just sell them as Mercury models and save the brand.
Jared @ May 19th 2008 7:06PM
Asleep at the wheel.
We've been begging Ford to bring over the Euro models for years, and what is their response? 3 years from now. Which means that they just made the decision in the last couple months.
What a bunch of frickin' morons.
akatsuki @ May 19th 2008 7:21PM
I am sure they will bring them over, not invest in selling them, and then let them fall behind. Then they will whine about foreign competition.
Seen it before.