Ford’s compact SUV: Small but terrible

If we are to take Ford Philippines’ sales pitch at its face value, then the saying that small is terrible indeed holds water.

It took only five months for the US-badged company to realize the gains from its comeback in the small SUV segment with the launch of the all-new Ford Territory in 2020.

Full-year sales of the sub-compact SUV reached 1,925 vehicles, or a 33 percent share in the its segment, according to Ford.

The Ford-engineered and designed SUV boosted Ford’s SUV portfolio as it complemented the needs and lifestyles of young professionals and starting familiese.

Further expanding its lineup in the SUV and pickup segments in the country, Ford also launched the Everest Trend, Everest Sport, and F-150 full-size pickup last year to cater to a diverse range of Filipino customers.

The move paid modest dividends for Ford Philippines which saw its pickup and small SUV segments boasting strong sales of the Ford Ranger and Ford Territory last year.

The Ford Ranger became the best-selling 4x4 pickup truck in 2020 with a market share of 41 percent in the 4x4 pickup segment.

Full-year sales for the Ranger 4x4 pickup portfolio totaled 5,093 vehicles, or 52 percent of the total 9,767 Ranger sales in 2020. This drove Ford’s overall market share to 24 percent in the pickup segment, securing Ranger’s position as one of the two best-selling pickups in the market last year.

Ford currently offers a 4x4 variant for the Ranger XLS, FX4 and Wildtrak, including the Ranger Raptor, in its pickup portfolio, as it continues to serve the different needs, lifestyles and budget of its growing truck customer base.

With consumer demand for vehicles on an upswing towards the end of last year, Ford said it sfourth quarter sales surged 36 percent from the previous quarter to 5,411 vehicles, for a full-year retail sales of 14,775 vehicles. December was the second best-selling month of the year with sales growing by 30 percent compared to the previous month with 1,847 vehicles.