autoevolution
 

New Models Like the EcoSport Crucial to Ford's European Growth

Ford Motor Company has recored well in the US, with sales of F-Series pickups and some models like the Fusion sedan back to record levels. However, it's dealing with huge overcapacity and lack of demand in Europe.
Ford EcoSport 1 photo
Photo: Ford
According to a report from Bloomberg, the company's European market losses will increase from last year $1.75 billion to an estimated $2 billion. The Dearborn company is planning a major model refresh to turn sales around, and cars like the EcoSport small SUV or the new Mondeo are crucial.

Up until this point, the Ford has relies on rental fleets to keep afloat, but these have very low profit margins. The company's head of sales in the European region want to increase the proportion of regular retail sales and see some improvement for next year. Roelant de Waard see sales in the most important markets in the region will rise to 14 million in 2014 from about 13.5 this year.

The EcoSport will definitely play an important role. It's been designed for the supermini SUV segment, rivaling the popular Nissan Juke and the new Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008. It's been designed in South America and is a direct replacement for the old Ford Fusion, a Fiesta with raised ground clearance not to be confused with the American midsize sedan.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories