Ford will not launch high-performance ST-badged SUVs in Europe, reasoning that it won’t deliver what customers want from such cars, according to UK boss Andy Barratt.
Explaining why the US market is getting an Ford Edge ST, which is powered by a 2.7-litre V6 Ecoboost engine making around 330bhp, Barratt said: “All our research shows buyers want a combination of the sporty ST styling with a more luxurious feel to it, from the interior finish to the engine package.”
Barratt also played down the likelihood of that decision changing, despite premium marques making good business cases for high-end sporty cars in the booming SUV segment.
“The customer will always have the casting vote. If the demand is there, it is unlikely we’ll resist it,” he said. “But we already have plenty of evidence that ST-Line is the way to go. The Ford Kuga (above) has led the way on this and the Ford Fiesta is following suit. Customers are stepping up from Zetec trims and that’s good business.”
Ford illustrated this 'customer chooses' approach just last week when it announced that it will remove the Fiesta and all saloon models from its US line-up. The cars, which include the Fusion (America's version of the Mondeo, pictured above) and larger Taurus, have seen dwindling demand as customers move away from traditional bodyshapes to SUVs.
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Who did they ask?
Ahhhhh!
I work for Ford's and find this approach constantly frustrating. This year we will have a ready-made high power diesel engine (235BHP) which could be dropped into the Kuga to create a fast desirable ST version, without sacrificing the MPG. I agree with one of the previous comments, the lack of an Fiesta ST version for over a year is probably driving the ST-Line sales of that model.
There's certainly a market for fast SUVs in the UK...
...Audi SQ5, BMW X3/4M, Mercedes-AMG GLC 43/63, Porsche Macan, possibly a Tiguan R to come. So one can only conclude that they 'realise' customers don't want a fast Ford SUV. One wonders if they've actually asked potential customers though; something that undercuts the German opposition on price might be exactly what some people want.