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February 5, 2018

Ford Philippines Confirms 7 New Models to Arrive in 2018


Despite having a quiet year with no new vehicle offerings in the market (or even minor updates at that), Ford Philippines managed to cap off 2017 with a record-breaking 36,623 units sold. It marks the best year ever for the American carmaker. This year, Ford aims to continue that stellar growth by launching not one, not two, but seven new vehicles for the Philippine market.

Speaking at a media roundtable, Peter Fleet, President of Ford Asia Pacific and Bertrand Lessard, Managing Director of Ford Philippines revealed their plans to launch the first-ever Ranger Raptor, all-new Expedition, refreshed Ranger, refreshed Explorer, refreshed EcoSport, refreshed Everest, and refreshed Mustang.

Expected to bow in first (at least at the regional level) will be the first-ever Ranger Raptor—a Baja-racing inspired truck that features beefed up mechanicals and more aggressive looks. Set for a Bangkok unveil this Wednesday, February 7, the buzz is strong that it will be previewed at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) come April 5.

With the high-performance Ranger Raptor making its Philippine market debut by then, it’s also highly probable that Ford Philippines will use the same event to show off the refreshed Ranger pickup truck as well. Another strong candidate for a MIAS debut is the refreshed Mustang, which will spawn a new convertible variant.

The 2018 Mustang is focused on making the Ford muscle car handle better with tweaks done to the suspension. Ford Philippines hasn’t said if both the 2.3 EcoBoost and 5.0 V8 will make the cut, but for the North American market, the 4-cylinder variant gets overboost technology while the V8 adds a direct-injection system alongside its port fuel injection system. The Mustang also gets aesthetic tweaks inside and out.

Another likely candidate for a MIAS launch is the refreshed 2018 Explorer which gets cosmetic tweaks and a vast array of new technology.

Confirmed for an April launch is the first-ever aluminum bodied Ford Expedition. Shedding 150 kilograms versus the outgoing model, it will offer better performance and fuel efficiency. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 also gets paired to a 10-speed automatic with a new electronic limited slip differential and Intelligent 4WD system. It will also gain various driver assistive technologies.

Towards the middle of the year, expect the refreshed EcoSport and Everest to make their way to Ford showrooms. Between the two, the EcoSport will receive the majority of the changes with an almost entirely new front-end. In other markets, power comes from a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine or a 1.0-liter EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine, but it’s more likely that the Philippine model will get Ford’s next-generation 1.5-liter “Dragon” 3-cylinder engine. This powerplant makes 123 horsepower and 150 Nm of torque—figures which are similar to the current 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine. Meanwhile, the Everest will get a new powertrain for 2018.

9 comments:

  1. any reason why they phased out the Escape? that leaves a gap between Ecosport and Everest. I think its a highly competitive segment that Ford has to compete.

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  2. Bakit kaya hindi kasama ung Escape and Transit Van?

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  3. No Escape, I guess imma have to settle with the focus hatchback

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  4. May lalabas po bah na diesel engine ng ecosport sa ibang bansa po kasi meron thnx po

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  5. The wait is almost over.. im getting the new mustang.

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  6. When will be the launching of 2018 ecosport in PH?

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    Replies
    1. The Ford EcoSport 2018 facelift will be debuting sometime next (2019) year in the Philippines...

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  7. Screw ford for not updating everest in 2018

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  8. Actually they were supposed to launch the everest as well but instead they launch 6 models in 2018 instead of 7 models

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