Ford has confirmed reports of a new entry-level utility joining its line-up.
However, the jury is still out as to whether the Focus-based ute will ever grace Australian roads.
Speaking about the car-maker's pickup strategy at the Deutsche Bank Global Auto Industry Conference in Detroit overnight, Jim Farley, Ford’s president of global markets, said Ford is “investing in more affordable versions of our truck business”.
“You can expect new nameplates below where we compete today,” Farley told the gathering, as reported by Automotive News.
The as-yet unnamed entry variant will underpin a broadened utility offensive for the Blue Oval, which has also set itself the goal of offering battery-electric versions of the F Series, Farley confirmed.
According to reports, the compact ute will be a unibody vehicle based off the next-generation Focus platform. One report from Automobile magazine placed the ute’s arrival around 2022, however Farley did not offer a timeline for the newcomer.
"[Ford is] significantly expanding our North America lineup with all-new vehicles and entering new segments with fresh designs and white space silhouettes that will position us for even more growth," the car-maker reportedly said of its growing portfolio last year.
This isn’t the first time Ford has offered a ute to rival the likes of the Subaru Brumby or Proton Jumbuck. It previously sold a Fiesta-based subcompact pickup called the Courier – however, the pint-sized offering was only sold in Brazil, and finished production in 2013.
According to Car and Driver, the Courier name has since been trademarked in the US.
Ford Australia has been contacted for comment.