Currently reading: Ford confident Ecosport tweaks will make small SUV competitive in Europe

Production of Ford's Mokka X rival is switching from India to Romania; just one of several revisions aimed at boosting the car's fortunes

The upcoming facelift for the Ford Ecosport should finally make the Blue Oval competitive in Europe in the fast growing small SUV segment, according to Ford of Europe boss Jim Farley.

The Ecosport facelift is due later this year, and it will coincide with Ford switching production of the Vauxhall Mokka X rival from India to Romania. “We’ve finally got it,” said Farley on the revisions, “and we’ve had lots of feedback on that car.”

Farley described the Ecosport facelift as “a big deal”, and the revisions would mainly focus on the interior. The perceived quality is set to be significantly improved and Ford is also set to offer its latest connectivity options through its Sync3 system.

Ford ecosport titanium

The Ecosport has already been revised several times since it was first launched in 2013 with the external spare wheel on the tailgate. That has since departed for European buyers, but the car still lags behind rivals including the Mokka X and Renault Captur, something the facelift will address.

Farley also said Ford would look to offer the Active trim to be introduced on the next-generation Ford Fiesta across more of its models to cash in on the growing market for crossover vehicles. “We could expand it to existing models but we will see the reception on the Fiesta first,” he said.

There was also growth potential in the Vignale trim, and Farley said Ford was investigating equipping more Ford dealers with the ability to sell Vignale models, which is as much about the owner experience as a premium trim level itself through offering the concierge service, Vignale loan cars during servicing, and free car washes.

He said around 10% of Ford Mondeo, Ford S-Max and Ford Galaxy models were sold as Vignales, and that was set to be higher for the Edge. Indeed, Farley said Ford is selling some Ford Edges for €60,000 (about £52,000), which pushes Ford into premium territory at a price point where Ford’s own Lincoln luxury brand operates in other markets. Farley also spoke of the success of Ford’s performance models, and highlighted the fact the Mustang is outselling the Porsche 911.

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“In Europe, there is now no difference between premium and mainstream,” he said. “People are falling back in love with Ford, and we can compete with premium.”

Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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poon 10 January 2017

Ford as usual.

Ford's will never any different.Big discounts, Chronic depreciation.
ianp55 10 January 2017

Ford Eco Sport

I'm surprised it's lasted this long,what's the point of it? it doesn't look much the interior is dire and there's no AWD option . Really sending this to be built in Romania seems to be a somewhat strange,may be the best idea would to can it.
DS21 10 January 2017

Already previewed in North America?

Wondering if the revised model will bare a close resemblance to its North American counterpart recently showcased? Shows the forthcoming new Ford Fiesta interior shoehorned in and a revised nose.

https://www.netcarshow.com/ford/2018-ecosport_us-version/