Edge to take Ford into new Territory
All-new imported seven-seat SUV likely to continue with homegrown Territory nameFord's Territory nameplate is likely to live on after Australian production ceases in 2016 – on the flanks of an all-new global SUV called the Edge elsewhere.
That's the latest indication from Ford Australia at this week's launch of the final homegrown Territory, the facelifted SZ II, just a week after the appearance of its imported seven-seat SUV successor.
While next-year's all-new seven-seat Everest off-roader will be an additional SUV in the Ford range (built alongside the Ranger in Thailand and positioned above the Territory to rival Toyota's market-leading Prado), speculation of a direct Territory replacement has bubbled since Ford announced it will cease local Territory and Falcon production in October 2016.
North America's second-generation Edge emerged as a front-runner when it debuted at last year's Los Angeles motor show and became an even stronger contender when the all-new Mondeo-based crossover appeared in seven-seat form for the first time in China a week ago.
Some observers continue to insist the Territory's direct replacement will be Ford's fifth-generation Explorer, which will also be based on the Mondeo, but that idea has been rebuffed by Ford's global marketing chief Jim Farley.
Farley told motoring.com.au in LA – where Ford showed a facelifted version of the large SUV – that the US-built Explorer will not be produced in right-hand drive for Australia. "It will not replace Territory," he said.
The Edge, on the other hand, will be a global model produced in Canada in left- and right-hand drive for more than 100 markets worldwide, including RHD UK.
The seven-seat version made its global debut at a Changan Ford 'Go Further' event in Guangzhou last week, featuring a longer rear overhang, extended rear side window and more upright tailgate to accommodate the folding third row of seats.
No other details – other than its 2.7-litre turbo-petrol EcoBoost V6 – have been revealed for China's three-row Edge, which will be produced by Changan Ford in China from next year
New features available on the larger Chinese-made Edge, which will be made exclusively for Chinese consumption, include a panoramic sunroof, 21-inch alloy wheels, roof rails and rear climate controls.
While the US Edge will also be available with a 2.0-litre twin-scroll turbo-petrol EcoBoost engine, these features are in addition to Ford's SYNC II infotainment system with 8.0-inch colour touch-screen, advanced driver aids like active park assist, adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support, a 180-degree front camera and inflatable rear seat belts.
Ford Asia Pacific product development chief Trevor Worthington would not comment on the chances of a seven-seat RHD Edge being produced in Canada for Australia from 2016, but also ruled out a RHD version of the Explorer for Australia.
Unlike the Falcon nameplate, which will be retired when production ceases in two years, Ford Australia has said the Territory badge may continue on an imported model beyond 2016.
Ford Australia marketing chief David Katic has now provided the strongest indication yet that the Territory nameplate is too well regarded to follow the Falcon name into retirement.
"We are still going through assessing all that. We assess every name," he told motoring.com.au this week.
"I know what the Territory research says right now; it is highly favourable, created the segment, highly regarded for functionality and what it delivers. So my thought is it’s a really strong brand.
“We will make that assessment as we move forward. I just don’t want to rule anything in or out."
Katic said Ford Australia's parent company does not insist it adopts global model names like the Edge, leaving it free to continue the Australia-only Territory name if it chooses to do so.
"We don’t get dictated to from that perspective. We have a conversation with them, we really value their input.”
Asked why Ford Australia would consider any name other than Territory for its imported replacement, Katic said: "I don’t want a headline saying Ford may drop Territory — that is not what I am saying at all. It’s just that at Ford we make business decisions based not on what you or I think, but based on what consumers think.
“Everything I have seen on Territory says it is a super-positive brand, but we go through a proper brand process. Please don’t write we are going to drop the Territory name."
When we suggested the Territory name appears odds-on to continue, Katic said: "It’s got some really positive brand attributes".
Katic would not confirm if there would be a seamless transition from Melbourne-made Territory to the Canadian version around October 2016, but did provide this vital clue.
“I am always bemused about this question on Territory and its name because Territory replacement as you know is two years away. And we don’t talk about our future product that far out.”
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