The Ford Escape has been a leader in the compact SUV market. Among its most competitive features is its available hybrid powertrain which helps make the Escape standout as the most fuel-efficient SUV on the available. And although sales remain strong, the Escape’s design is beginning to show its age, leaving Ford dealers eager to see something fresh.
That much-needed replacement for the Ford Escape will soon be available in the form of the upcoming Kuga. The Ford Kuga is a compact crossover that’s already on sale in Europe. It’s to be built in Louisville, Kentucky beginning in 2011.
What remains unclear is the name of this new SUV. Whether it will be called the Kuga or retain the long-serving Escape badge has yet to be confirmed. However, Ford dealers would certainly prefer the latter as the Escape has retained a stellar reputation among buyers.
Name changes are always risky. Automakers looking to liven up a stale product often don’t take into account the brand loyalty that the product has earned. Evidence of this can be seen after Ford replaced the Taurus with the Five Hundred badge only to bring back the Taurus yet again. But these days Ford seems to be listening better to dealers and customers, and with Memphis Ford Escape buyers and consumers elsewhere being passionate about the their vehicles, the Escape badge may still be around for years to come.
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