A source within Ford Motor Company has reportedly revealed that a near-production crossover concept will be heading to the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. When this concept vehicle takes its production shape, it will serve as the replacement for the venerable Ford Escape and Kuga crossovers.
Based off of the 2012 Focus’ platform, the new Escape/Kuga is expected to go into production in the second half of 2012 and be sold as a 2013 model in the United States. At this time, it is unclear as to whether or not Ford will keep both the Escape and Kuga names in the vehicles’ respective markets. The automaker’s “One Ford” global product strategy would call for a single name for vehicles sold in different regions, and the Blue Oval team will surely face a similar problem with the redesigned Fusion and Mondeo sedans in the near term.
We’ll have the full scoop direct from the Cobo Hall in January, so stay tuned.
