by Ford Plans to Resume Development of Passenger Cars for Europe
A sharp reduction in Ford’s model range in Europe has caused concern among both dealers and loyal customers. The disappearance of iconic models such as the Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo, and S-Max not only marked the end of an era but also created a noticeable gap in the company’s European strategy.
Ford’s new electric vehicles, developed on the Volkswagen platform, failed to gain popularity, forcing dealers to demand an update to the lineup. Now, there are signs that the company is once again focusing on passenger cars.
Strategic Changes
Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, is reportedly seeking to resume the development of new passenger cars specifically for the European market. However, the company has not officially commented on this information. One dealer called this news a “great relief,” noting that Ford needs new models, not just electric vehicles.
In recent years, Ford has discontinued production of several key models, including the Mondeo, S-Max, Galaxy, and Fiesta. The Focus will also be discontinued in the autumn of 2025.
Market Positions
As of 2025, Ford’s most popular model in Europe is the compact crossover Puma, with 64,212 units sold in the first five months of the year. Second place was taken by the Kuga (44,573 units), while the soon-to-be-discontinued Focus sold 32,499 units.
Ford’s electric vehicles, the Explorer and Capri, built on the Volkswagen platform, showed weak results: 15,764 and 5,068 units sold, respectively. The company has focused on commercial vehicles, which occupy almost 20% of the European market.
Recent years have shown that a full transition to electric vehicles may be premature for Ford in Europe. Resuming the development of traditional passenger models could be the key to stabilizing sales, especially given the weak demand for electric versions. Dealers are clearly hoping for a more diverse range that would meet the needs of different customer groups.
