Ford Shuffles its Compact SUV Portfolio in Mexico

Ford Mexico has a brand spanking new compact SUV named the Territory. If you’re a bit of an international traveler, the new model may look familiar as it is sourced from China.

The new Territory SUV is manufactured by Jiangling Motors Corp., or JMC, Ford’s partner in China.

Ford is selling this SUV under the Equator Sport nameplate in China; there is also a model called the Equator, but it is larger and has three-row seating.

Ford is taking advantage of the introduction of its new Territory to shuffle its compact SUV line-up in Mexico; it takes the place of both the small EcoSport and the gasoline-powered Escape.

The Escape is being repositioned in Mexico, as a hybrid vehicle — and the only version that remains available in the country.

Entering new territory

The Territory is about the same length as an Escape at 182 inches, which is about 1.5 inches longer than an Escape. But it is narrower at 76 inches wide compared with the 85.5-inch wide Escape. It is a good-looking vehicle, with clean and chiseled lines that give it an unmistakable Ford identity.

The engine is a 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder putting out 187 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque; it only offers a 7-speed automatic transmission with a rotary shifter knob.

As for tech, it is equipped with a 12-inch digital cluster for instrumentation as well as a 12-inch touchscreen for infotainment.

Safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control as well as six airbags.

Starting at the bottom

At a starting price of $589,000 pesos (approximately $29,420) for the Ambiente version the new Territory becomes the entry-level Ford in Mexico. The top-of-the-line version called Titanium sells for $719,000 pesos (about $35,950).

However, Ford needs an affordable subcompact because small cars are the largest market segment in Mexico. 

Ford catered to the small car segment in Mexico with its affordable Figo sedan made in India as its entry-level model, but that option is no longer available as Ford closed up shop in India.

This raises the question of whether Ford may enter an OEM agreement with a Chinese manufacturer to get a small car for sale in Mexico, or if the Dearborn, Michigan-based company will focus on more expensive models designed and built in-house.