Why is Ford Discontinuing the EcoSport?

The Ford EcoSport is a subcompact crossover SUV initiated in Brazil by Ford in 2003 at the Camaçari plant. The product was a high-flyer and kept on well for subsequent years. But Why is Ford discontinuing the EcoSport?

Ford discontinued the EcoSport majorly due to the fact that the compact SUV has reached its lowest when it comes to sales. The decision includes the facts including the failure to keep on with updates, frequent complaints about its size and exterior features, and costly maintenance.

In addition, the EcoSport was a high-flyer from the onset, manufacturing in over 5 countries within a few years of its inaugural production. Although facts are stated, the apparent reason why Ford is taking this decision remains unclear. Read on further to find out more details.

What Does Ford EcoSport Offer?

The Ford EcoSport is a small car that is based on a Ford Fiesta, as it has the same chassis, gearbox, and the same engine; it also looks like a small Ford Everest, but clever packaging has turned it into an SUV, and this has been a good idea, as the EcoSport has had a relatively “good” number of sales.

Although, the guy is 10% costlier than the equivalent Fiesta, the EcoSport has 2 engine variations 1L Turbo Diesel and 1L Turbo petrol engines. However, the diesel engine is available limitedly.

The interior of the new EcoSport is also entirely above the average of its immediate rivals. Also, it is equipped with safety features that make it safe to be called “one of the safest” cars.

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An Overview of the EcoSport’s Lifespan: Birth, Prime, and Fall:

The EcoSport is a compact SUV built in Brazil at the Camaçari plant in 2003. The SUV was a definite runaway success in India and Latin America because it was noted that shortly from its birth, it took over the market and shadowed its rivals, and made the sky cloudy, just like when Loki’s ship did when he attacked Mother Earth alongside the Bifrosts (was it the Bifosts though?).

This success can, however, be tied to Ford’s conversion of station wagons and hatchbacks into “workable” SUVs and crossovers. Being the first, the EcoSport sales made a significant mark on the automobile markets in its neighboring Latin American states.

As time went by, Ford noticed the success of the EcoSport model in Brazil, and they concluded to send the model to Mexico. This happened in 2004.

As expected, the EcoSport continued its pioneer selling form and kept this on for a couple of years. But in 2007, Ford noticed that sales had dipped, and other economic factors, such as price hikes, were an actual gunshot to Ford’s body.

2007 EcoSport Model:

Three years on, Ford ran as much as it could to grasp the Mexican markets as much as they could but could not just have it back. And then they chose the black pill and decided to walk away from the rivalry space like an old lion would do when he’s ousted from his pack.

Coming to being a global thing, the first generation can be considered a failure, but it did well to make headlines about its prospects and current abilities.

EcoSport was a “revolutionist” specifically in the Indian market as it firstly brought about being a compact Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), was priced as same as the existing hatchbacks, had a low maintenance cost and ownership cost, was well-built, had bettered safety features, and provided powerful engine trims. These reasons will win over any markets back then.

In the space of 5 years, Ford enjoyed their production of the EcoSport as production also came into life in Thailand, Russia, and Romania.

But as time went by, Ford slipped their fingers on the control button and fell short of the ever-present human wants to keep up with updating the SUV, and they subsequently lost their grounds to their immediate rivals.

Years on, just like lightning, EcoSport sales figures went south. 

Subsequently, they then stopped producing the SUV in Thailand in 2018. This then continued like a pandemic outbreak within the EcoSport factories as in 2019 with the Russia plant, 2020 with Australia and New Zealand factories, EcoSport’s production was stopped.

Although the factory in Brazil strived to keep things running, it also went down like a strong General of a defeated army. As a result, in the fourth quarter of 2021, the production shop in India was shut down, and in the second quarter of 2022, the EcoSport exited the USA.

Why the Ford EcoSport is So Hated:

It’s no more news that a massive chunk of the masses hates the Ford EcoSport, and they are not even sorry about it, not to talk of not showing it.

This hatred might be due to various reasons, ranging from the car’s performance to its looks. The following reasons are why the end users dislike the EcoSport by Ford:

1. Bad Styling:

The EcoSport’s looks are one of the most demeaning looks you will see outside, with the car looking as ugly as it can get. Some people would even go as far as calling it “clown cars.” Yeah, it’s that serious.

2. It is Overly Small:

The EcoSport is negligible for most people’s needs, as people sitting on the driver’s side get to rub their bodies against the cabin for every second of their driving time. Quite discomforting, I suppose.

Also, there is little to no leg space in the car… It just looks like a car designed for little school kids.

3. Poorly Designed Trunk Space:

The design of the EcoSport’s trunk is made in such a weird way that to open the liftgate; you’d have to open it from the backlights and swerve the liftgate to the left from the perspective from which it is shown above, which is very awkward.

(Sighs)… I’d instead, this is called a swing gate and not a liftgate.

4. Tiny Trunk Space:

As seen above, we can see with the eyes of affirmation that the EcoSport offers little to no trunk space; this can be overly frustrating as you don’t get enough room in your trunk to either help you pack your family’s belonging down to the airport when you’re going for that out-of-the-country family holiday.

5. Badly Designed Interior:

On the inside, the seats are also as hard as a rock (you can even bounce your basketball on them, and you will feel like you are actually on the court). Sitting on it for longer periods will be a rather discomforting experience.

Also, there is no sort of air vents in the bag. The front seats have a bit more space than the back seats, which have little leg space.

6. Below-Par Engine:

The EcoSport is equipped with an itty bitty 1L 3-cylinder timing belt engine (which is supposed to be a “lifetime timing belt”) that produces 123 horsepower in the 2020s… That’s not just acceptable.

You can also only get the engine on front-wheel-drive. If you get it on four-wheel drive, you will get the 2.0L naturally aspirated four-cylinder, which might make you think it’s 2L.

It’s much better, and it might be better in reliability and stuff, but the four-cylinder gets a worse gas mileage, and it feels incredibly sluggish around town because you have to wring it out to get any power. Also, the transmission is so lazy. The fuel economy is also pretty bad, with 27 cities and 29 highways.

The Ford EcoSport Generations and Models Over the Years:

The Ford Puma: A Reasonable Replacement for the EcoSport:

The Ford Puma has been tipped as the substitute for the EcoSport, a small compact crossover that comes with Mild Hybrid technology. However, the vehicle exists in different trims and comes with various engine specs. We will discuss the Puma ST-Line's specs in this section.

It’s no surprise, and in fact, not a “misword,” that as compact crossover goes, the Puma is one of the sportier ones available on the market, reflected in the design.

The headlights have been mounted higher than the other cars in its group. Then there is this large grille that covers most of the face of the Ford Puma’s front view.

There is also an inclusion of air curtain inlets that better aerodynamics and act as a house for the LED fog lamps.

On the sides, you will notice slightly extended arches, a very sporty feature. There is also a “floating A pillar” on the car’s sides around the mirror side, a very quirky feature that you will fall in love with when you find it out.

• You’d notice the vehicle from the back as the roofline gradually slopes away. This, again, is a very sporty feature. These cool-looking tail lights also protrude from the car’s bodywork itself. Again, this adds to our existing support for our claims that the Ford Puma is a very sporty car.
  
• Another great feature of Ford Puma that sets it aside in its league is its trunk side, as it is of 456 liters storage capacity.
  
• The boot has an adjustable load cover, which is unlike a regular parcel shelf that’s always rigid, which makes its capacity a bit limited as it does not adapt to what you put in your boot; also, there is an adjustable boot floor, which gives you the room to stuff your things in deep space.
  
• When it comes to the engines available with the Puma, apart from ST-Line, which is the performance edition, the Puma is only available with a 1.0L petrol engine, which comes with a rating of 125/155bhp.
  
• Both versions, however, come with mild hybrid technology, which is ideal for people who do a lot of driving around the town, or perhaps you work from a place that’s far from home, or even maybe you live in those areas where there’s always heavy traffic such as Boston, Massachusetts, or New York City.
  
• For fuel economy, you should expect between 48 to 52 miles per gallon, depending on your driving style. Also, for the gearbox, you can get the Puma in either 6-speed or 7-speed automatic versions.

Available Trims:

Titanium:

This version is the ideal option for people who do not want their Ford Puma to have a very sporty look. It has rear parking sensors, a heated windscreen, cruise control, and LED daytime running lights.

ST-Line:

This is the sportier version, if not the sportiest version of the Ford Puma. It is also ideal if you want a fun family car without going for the full-fat performance, the ST variant.

Notable features of this trim include sports suspension, manual air conditioning, and a digital driver’s display, among others.

ST-Line X:

This trim adds more luxuries to the ST-Line, such as a wireless charging pad, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, automatic temperature control, and privacy glass, among other luxurious add-ons.

ST-Line Vignale:

This trim is tagged as the trim for everyday luxury. This variant adds more features than the St-Line and ST-Line X. It has added luxurious features such as front parking sensors, keyless entry, heated seats up-front, and a more luxurious exterior look.

Also Read:

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Did Ford Make An AWD Fiesta? All You Need to Know
Ford Edge Off-Road Capability- What You Need to Know
Ford Flex Off-Road Capability- What You Need to Know
Ford Focus Off-Road Capability- What You Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What is replacing the Ford EcoSport?

The Ford Fiesta has been heavily believed to be the suitable replacement for the EcoSport.

Is Ford going to discontinue the EcoSport?

Yes, they would be as per the plan.

Is 2022 the last year for the Ford EcoSport?

Ford has announced that the 2022 model will be the last edition of the EcoSport.

Why was EcoSport EcoBoost discontinued?

One of the significant reasons the brand will be discontinued is that the engines of the brand are getting costlier to upgrade.