Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford in North America, declared that resources would be deployed elsewhere in order to minimize the impact of this unfortunate development. In spite of the damage done by Trump, the President tweeted: “This car can now be BUILT IN THE U.S.A. and Ford will pay no tariffs!”
Product communications manager Mike Levine begs to disagree, tweeting back: “It would not be profitable to build the Focus Active in the U.S. given an expected annual sales volume of fewer than 50,000 units and its competitive segment.” To bring the point home, the official also made it clear that Ford employs more U.S. hourly workers than any other automaker.
Regardless of which side you prefer, the loser of this whole trade war is the automotive industry. But even still, life moves on even in the most adverse state of affairs. Instead of the Focus Active, the Ford Motor Company will roll out the Baby Bronco in the United States, slotting right above the India-built EcoSport and compact-sized Escape.
The crossover, which could bear the name Maverick in production flavor, is expected to borrow the C2 modular vehicle architecture from the Focus Active. Front- and all-wheel drive, turbocharged three- and four-cylinder engine choices, a bit of ground clearance, looks that would make even the Jeep Renegade blush, what more could you want from the Baby Bronco?
An RS high-performance model wouldn’t be bad, though it remains to be seen if Ford can make a case for such an option. Nevertheless, one can only dream of shoehorning the 2.3-liter EcoBoost in the engine bay, mild-hybrid assistance or not.
“Ford has abruptly killed a plan to sell a Chinese-made small vehicle in the U.S. because of the prospect of higher U.S. Tariffs.” CNBC. This is just the beginning. This car can now be BUILT IN THE U.S.A. and Ford will pay no tariffs!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 9, 2018
It would not be profitable to build the Focus Active in the U.S. given an expected annual sales volume of fewer than 50,000 units and its competitive segment.
— Mike Levine (@mrlevine) September 9, 2018
Ford is proud to employ more U.S. hourly workers and build more vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker.