It would add sportiness to the brand’s cross-over-heavy line.
Ford’s shift away from sedans and hatchbacks to crossovers and SUVs saw it introduce several new models to its lineup. The Ranger was back, while the small EcoSport arrived in America as the brand’s entry level offering. The Ranger was first introduced in 2013, and the vehicle received a significant update in 2018. However, EcoSport could be added to its American lineup as a compact crossover.
Jim Farley, Ford CEO, retweeted yesterday’s 15-second advertisement for the new 2021 Ford Puma ST and wrote that he would like to see it in NA and other markets. Farley joked aside and said that he would like to see the brand sell more affordable vehicles, a market previously occupied by its sedans and hatchbacks. However, Ford has emphasized its focus upon SUVs and crossovers.
Ford would be able to add the PumaST – which would likely also include the regular Puma — to its off-road-oriented Bronco Sport lineup. Even though the cat would fall below the bucking horse, the Puma would still make Ford look sportier. The new Fiesta shares the Puma’s styling, underpinnings and powertrain. The ST variant features a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine that makes 197 horsepower (146kilowatts) as well as 320 Newton-meters (236-pound-feet), of torque with overboost. It produces 290 Nm (214lb-ft) with no overboost and a six-speed manual.
Farley’s tweet for now is just that, a tweet. But, if Farley really wants to expand Ford’s affordable product line, it could be. As gas prices fell and the economy rebounded after the 2008 Recession, sales for Ford’s small cars declined in the 2010s. loan terms have ballooned. It has a long history of creating small, fun vehicles that are easy to drive and affordable. It seems easy to bring the PumaST here.