But it’s not all as it seems…
Australians might have gotten quite excited this morning when (or if) they heard that Ford had revived the Territory nameplate, and rightfully so. The Territory was perhaps the most sensible SUV-MPV crossover for a long time, and was certainly one of the more handsome 3-row family SUVs on the market for a long time.
But something must’ve gotten lost in translation because in China, the Territory has debuted as a small-ish crossover, with two electrified drivetrains (a mild-hybrid and a plug-in hybrid) and one relatively small petrol engine. Further, if you look past the mildly-updated face and Ford grille, you might realise that it’s actually a Chinese-built JMC Yusheng SM330.
Remember when China used to take cars and rebadge them as their own? How the tables have turned.
No details on the three powertrain options were provided during the launch of the Territory, though we doubt that it’ll be familiar to the rest of the Ford lineup given the ‘unique’ underpinnings. Inside, the Territory’s gained a Ford steering wheel, but the rest of the cabin remains very familiar with those who’ve spent time in a JMC car. Despite being relatively inexpensive, the Ford Territory will carry kit like active cruise control, AEB, and a voice-controlled infotainment system that reportedly works a bit like Siri or Google Assistant.
This is part of Ford China’s plan to launch some 50 new models by 2025, to address the needs of the massive (and lucrative) Chinese market. Its local manufacturing partners, JMC, Changan, and Zotye have all proved wiling participants in the planned growth of the Blue Oval in the country, and the new Territory is the first step in overhauling the marque’s offerings there.
Will it be offered in Australia? Aside from the fact that it’s neither an actual Ford underneath and that it’s left-hook only, it also creates an uncomfortable overlap: The Territory now sits, size-wise, between the smaller EcoSport and the larger Kuga, and we’re doubtful that Ford Australia would want a new proposition that could steal sales from either. This was cemented further by a comment by Ford’s global markets boss Jim Farley, who told Automotive News that the 2019 Ford Territory is a “very unique product for China.”
For more information on Ford, check out our Showroom.
