Ford Shifts Gears Towards Electric Vehicles: Discontinuing the Iconic Escape and Lincoln Corsair
Ford Discontinues Popular Top-Seller in Staggering Shift, Labeled as a "Model T Event"
Ford Motor Company, under the leadership of CEO Jim Farley, has announced a significant change in its vehicle production strategy. The company is retooling its Louisville, Kentucky plant to focus on electric vehicles (EVs), marking the end of production for the Ford Escape crossover SUV in 2026 [1][3][5].
In a nod to its rich history, Ford invoked the iconic Model T while unveiling a new battery technology, hinting at a 'Model T moment' for the company's EV future [2]. The Escape, which pioneered the booming compact crossover segment, is being replaced to make room for Ford's next-generation EVs [6].
The primary reason for this shift is Ford's commitment to EVs, including a new Universal EV Production System designed to simplify and cost-effectively manufacture multiple future EV models [1][3][5]. This move is part of a broader strategy to focus on electric vehicles, as the company aims to optimize its portfolio and adapt to emerging market trends [3][5].
Ford plans to launch a new midsize electric pickup truck in 2027, priced around $30,000. This vehicle is expected to have interior space similar to the Toyota RAV4 and acceleration comparable to an EcoBoost-equipped Mustang [1][3]. The decision to discontinue the Escape might be surprising given the ongoing popularity of the crossover segment in the US, with the Toyota RAV4 being the best-selling non-pickup vehicle of last year [7].
Currently, there are no direct replacements announced for the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair. However, the Bronco Sport, which shares a similar platform with the Escape, may fill some of the demand gap temporarily [5]. Ford has also suggested that it will share more about its plans for the small SUV market in the future [5].
The new battery technology that Ford is developing runs on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, offering several advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries. It is cheaper to build, improves fire safety, has a longer lifespan, offers more environmentally-friendly mining practices, and many of the required parts will have American supplies [1].
The decision to discontinue the Escape comes amidst temporary production halts at some of Ford's US factories due to Chinese officials withholding necessary magnets [8]. Most of the critical minerals inside those batteries come from mines in China [8].
Ford sold 39,075 units of the Bronco Sport in the US during the same quarter, indicating a strong demand for Ford's SUV offerings [9]. Despite being a popular best-seller, the Escape will be discontinued as the crossover segment continues to thrive.
The new midsize electric pickup truck is not the only EV in Ford's pipeline. Ford only produces two consumer EVs: the Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning [4]. The company is also working on similar battery technologies, with General Motors also developing similar solutions [10].
References:
- Ford's Universal EV Platform: Simplifying and Cost-Effectively Manufacturing Multiple Future EV Models
- Ford Invokes Model T While Unveiling New Battery Technology
- Ford to Discontinue Escape and Lincoln Corsair to Make Room for EVs
- Ford's Current EV Lineup: Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning
- Ford's Plans for the Small SUV Market Post Escape and Corsair Discontinuation
- The Escape: Pioneer of the Booming Compact Crossover Segment
- Toyota RAV4: Best-Selling Non-Pickup Vehicle of Last Year
- Ford Temporarily Halts Production Due to Chinese Officials Withholding Necessary Magnets
- Ford Sold 39,075 Units of the Bronco Sport in the US During the Same Quarter
- General Motors Developing Similar Battery Technologies
- The shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) by Ford Motor Company is a significant move, aligning with the industry's focus on sustainable technology.
- Ford's discontinuation of the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair marks the end of production for these vehicles in 2026.
- The Louisville, Kentucky plant will now focus on manufacturing Ford's next-generation EV models, as part of Ford's broader strategy.
- The company aims to optimize its portfolio and adapt to emerging market trends, with a central focus on electric vehicles.
- A new midsize electric pickup truck is scheduled for launch in 2027, priced around $30,000, offering interior space similar to the Toyota RAV4 and acceleration comparable to an EcoBoost-equipped Mustang.
- The Bronco Sport, sharing a similar platform with the Escape, may temporarily fill some of the demand gap left by the discontinued vehicles.
- Ford has hinted at sharing more about its plans for the small SUV market in the future, leaving room for speculation.
- Ford's new battery technology, based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, offers several advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries, including lower costs, improved fire safety, longer lifespan, and environmentally-friendly mining practices.
- The decision to discontinue the Escape comes amidst temporary production halts at some of Ford's US factories due to issues with sourcing necessary materials from China.
- Ford's sales figures indicate a strong demand for Ford's SUV offerings, such as the 39,075 units of the Bronco Sport sold in the US during a recent quarter.
- The discontinuation of the Escape and Corsair is not the only EV initiative on Ford's horizon, as the company already produces the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning.
- Ford is working on similar battery technologies, with General Motors also developing comparable solutions, signifying a growing trend within the automotive industry.
- In broader news, Ford's transformation towards electric vehicles and its new battery technology development are prominent topics within the general news, energy, finance, and social-media sectors, echoing across various sectors of the business, technology, and lifestyle industries.
