Ford will discontinue production of its Escape and Lincoln Corsair SUVs later this year, as the automaker pivots resources toward building electric pickup trucks.
“Production will stop for Escape and Corsair later this year when we start retooling the plant,” a Ford spokesperson told Edmunds. “We’re going to have enough inventory to sell Escape and Corsair well into 2026.”
The Escape was Ford’s second-best-selling SUV, making the decision significant for the company’s lineup.
Focus on Affordable EV Pickups
Ford says the move clears the way for an all-new EV truck inspired by the Model T, which is slated to hit the market in 2027 at an estimated price of $30,000. With limited options for affordable electric pickups currently available, Ford hopes this model will fill a key gap in the EV market.
The truck is expected to offer more passenger space than Toyota’s RAV4 and a quiet cabin thanks to its low center of gravity from battery placement.
“We took inspiration from the Model T – the universal car that changed the world,” Doug Field, Ford’s chief officer of EV, digital, and design, said. “This isn’t a stripped-down, old-school vehicle.”
Billions in EV Investments
To support its EV transition, Ford is committing major investments:
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$2 billion for retooling its Louisville, Kentucky, assembly plant, creating 2,200 jobs.
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$3 billion in Michigan for a new battery production facility, expected to add nearly 4,000 jobs.
“Ford and Kentucky have been a tremendous team for more than 100 years,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “This announcement not only represents one of the largest investments on record in our state, it also boosts Kentucky’s position at the center of EV-related innovation.”
CEO: “Radical Approach” to Affordability
Ford CEO Jim Farley said the new EV pickup is designed to break the cycle of failed affordability attempts in Detroit’s auto industry.
“We took a radical approach to a very hard challenge: Create affordable vehicles that delight customers in every way that matters – design, innovation, flexibility, space, driving pleasure, and cost of ownership – and do it with American workers,” Farley said in a statement published on Ford’s official news site.
