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just-auto.com Salutes the Escort and its Replacement, But Why are Ford Dealers in Europe Worried?

25 July 2000

just-auto.com Salutes the Escort and its Replacement, But Why are Ford Dealers in Europe Worried?

    LONDON, July 25 just-auto.com -- The 1968 Escort marked an
important development for Ford in Europe.  It was the first car developed
jointly by the British and German arms of the company and it was a huge
success, a mould breaker combining good looks with very competitive pricing.
But the over three decades long Escort story was not wholly unblemished.  The
European launch of the Mark IV Escort in 1990 was one of the most embarrassing
and flawed product launches in Ford's history.  But that wake-up call was much
needed and taught Ford some important lessons.  The critics have lauded the
replacement vehicle -- the Ford Focus.
    But the Ford has dropped plans for a Focus-based Renault Scenic
competitor, just as the compact minivan market in Europe is soaring and GM is
enjoying fast sales of the 7-seater Astra-based Zafira.
    http://just-auto.com Managing Editor David Leggett commented:  "The Escort
was a great car in its various incarnations -- the Mark IV launch debacle
aside -- but not being present in the Renault Scenic class until at least
2003 will pose a problem.  As Zafira sales climb, GM product planners must be
laughing."  The full article is available at
http://just-auto.com/features_detail.asp?art=237&sct=fotw and covers complete
history of the Escort up until the Focus, and looks at how dropping a
Focus-based MAV could prove costly to Ford in Europe.
    just-auto.com is the premier online portal for automotive industry
professionals worldwide.  Targeted specifically at industry and business
professionals the site provides a single point of reference for independent
automotive industry information.