In response to the trend of buyers in Europe gravitating towards road-biased SUVs instead of conventional hatches and estates, Ford is now planning to offer the U.S. market Edge into Europe in 2014. The current Ford Edge, a mid-size SUV, is primarily available in North and South America, where it competes with many models including the Nissan Murano and Dodge Journey. It is also available in China and Russia. Production of the next-generation model will begin late in 2014 and will be built on the mid-size platform. It’s not certain yet whether this is built on the development of the CD391 platform that underpins the new Ford Mondeo or if it will have an all-new architecture. With this new platform, Ford will be able to build it for right-hand drive and European-friendly powertrains, which translates to diesels. Its main engines now are V6 petrols and a 2.0-litre EcoBoost. According to Jim Farley, Ford sales and marketing boss, the expanding European SUV market is an exceptional opportunity for Ford. Farley said that when it comes to SUVs, Ford is a stand-out in terms of expertise, global portfolio and credibility.
Ford confirms Edge SUV for European market
by Andrew Christian, Email, 09 Sep, 2012
