Ford Focus-based ute under consideration- report
New ute would be primarily for South America, but North America and Europe could see it too.
Ford is reportedly considering a new car-based ute, but instead of a rear-wheel drive platform that underpinned generations of Falcon utilities, this new one will be based on the front-wheel drive Focus.
Automobile understands Ford is mulling plans to develop a vehicle to replace the Courier, which was last made in Brazil in 2013, based on the fourth-generation Fiesta.
Although Ford has now left the small ute market, it is still a popular sector in Latin America, where the Volkswagen Saveiro, based on the Gol (yes Gol, not Golf) and the Fiat Strada do good business.
If you're excited about possibly seeing another car-based Ford ute in the showroom, it's probably time to take a Bex and have a good lie down.
According to magazine's sources, if the Focus-based ute does get the go-ahead, it will be based on the next-generation model, which means it won't appear until 2022, at the earliest.
Although the new ute's key market will be Latin America, it's said it could be sold in North America and Europe, although there's no mention of Australia or Asia.
Should this new model come about, it will sit below the Ranger in size, price and carrying capacity.