Ford Dealer Panics with Sales After This Model is Injected to Death
JAKARTA - Ford Escape's long journey in the United States has finally ended. The compact SUV, which has been produced for 25 years, has officially retired after the last unit came off the assembly line at the Louisville Plant on December 17, 2025.
The model, which first launched in 2000, must now make way for Ford's new strategy, which places hope on the Ford Bronco Sport and Ford Maverick. However, this decision has sparked unease among dealers.
Recent reports say many Ford dealers are worried that the discontinuation of the Escape will make consumers switch to other brands, especially buyers who have been looking for affordable SUVs. The concern is not without basis.
At its peak in 2017, the Ford Escape was able to record sales of more than 308,000 units. This figure dropped to around 141,000 units in 2023, before rising slightly to almost 147,000 units in 2024.
During the first 11 months of 2025, the Escape still sold 132,471 units. Interestingly, this achievement is almost equivalent to the Bronco Sport which recorded sales of 132,216 units in the same period.
In fact, many dealers are believed to provide a more aggressive discount to Escape than the Bronco Sport, which looks more like an adventurer. Production of the Escape was discontinued along with the Lincoln Corsair, following the start of the $2 billion Louisville Plant overhaul project.
The facility is being prepared to produce a medium-sized electric pickup truck based on Ford's Universal EV Platform with a production target in 2027. Meanwhile, the Corsair is said to still have the opportunity to be produced in China.
For dealers, the loss of the Escape leaves a big hole in the affordable SUV segment.
"This is the main source of income," said North Bros President in Detroit Doug North, as reported by Carscoops, Thursday, December 25, 2025.
"This is a best-seller for us and certainly falls into the affordable segment that we need. It attracts new buyers and gives us the ability after some time to switch them to the Explorer as well as retain them in our brand," he said.
North understands Ford's reasoning, but believes the decision should be reconsidered because it will make it difficult for dealers.
A similar tone came from another dealer, Ford General Manager Chuck Anderson at Excelsior Springs Nick Anderson confirmed that affordability issues are the main concern of dealers.
"The most important thing we always emphasize in the dealer board is affordability. In my opinion, this is even leading in the wrong direction. Eliminating Escape is a big mistake," said Anderson.
On the other hand, Ford remains confident in its new direction. In addition to the Bronco Sport and Maverick, the American manufacturer claims to be preparing five new models that are positioned as affordable vehicles and are targeted to launch before 2030.
Until then, the diehards have little choice but to make the most of the available models, while hoping Ford's new strategy can really replace the Escape's role as the main gateway for consumers to the blue oval brand.