Ford to swell line-up after SUVS

Europe boss suggests firm will return to low-riding compact cars once it has launched its new SUVS

- FELIX PAGE

Ford has suggested it will offer smaller, lower-slung EVs from 2026, once it has launched a family of four F electric SUVS in Europe.

The firm has already retired the Fiesta and the Focus will bow out in 2025 (see sidebar, right), leaving just the Mustang as its only non-SUV dedicated passenger car. Confirmed new cars on sale by the end of next year include the Explorer, *Capri', electric Puma (called Gen-E) and updated Mustang Mach-E-all crossovers.

But asked if there's a space for lower, non-SUV models in the future, the company's boss in Europe, Martin Sander, said: "Definitely."

As to whether Ford will still cater in the future to customers who don't want an SUV, Sander said: "I think so."

He told Autocar: "There are values which have made us successful over the last couple of years, like solid quality and value for money. We're not walking away from this. These are basic fundamental values Ford has had globally for many years.

"You will see different quality in terms of design, interior, performance and equipment."

He cited the fit and finish of the new Explorer SUV as being of "a different level than you would have seen from Ford before" and said "this is what the brand deserves".

He added: "The brand is so rich and so powerful, and we have to do a better job of building the strength of the brand into our products in Europe."