Ford is aiming to retain its current volume of both C-max and S-max models, despite moves into the newer crossover segments by traditional people carrier customers.
“If you look at the movement of segments, we’ve seen massive growth in the Kuga [SUV] and Ecosport [small off-roader] segments, massive rates of growth,” Ford of Britain’s product marketing manager Chris Muers told BusinessCar. “If we hold volume in slightly declining segments our volume aspirations are just about right.”
Muers said Ford had expected to achieve around 7500 units per year with the Kuga when it first launched, and the firm is now heading towards 20,000 per year: “It’s taken off in the last two years, both this segment and the sub-segment JS [small crossovers, with the Ecosport]. We’re experiencing a quite rapid rate of growth, people want a sporty-looking car, not necessarily four-wheel drive but sporty looking.”
Meanwhile, Ford expects volumes of its Galaxy seven-seat people carrier to drop off as a result of London CO2 regulations that from 2020 will dictate that private hire vehicles with the ability to carry six or more passengers have to be sub-50g/km and capable of 10 miles of zero-emission travel, or 75g/km and 20 miles.
“It’s putting a lot of pressure on manufacturers to look at their offering, and we haven’t declared what we’re going to do yet,” said Muers. “We’ve got to make sure we will have an ultra-low CO2 offering in the market.”