Skip advert
Advertisement

Ford Escort Concept

The Ford Escort name has returned with this new mid-size China-only Shanghai concept car

This is the Ford Escort Concept, which heralds the return of Ford’s most recognisable badge.

Seeking a decent dose of European kudos for its new, mid-size car, Ford of China decided to resurrect the Escort name for its Shanghai Motor Show concept.

The Escort previews a new mid-sized saloon that will slot into Ford’s Chinese range alongside the Focus, but above the previous-generation Focus sold in China as the Focus Classic.

Advertisement - Article continues below

While the current Focus is designed to offer a decent driving experience and plenty of tech – and is currently the best-selling car in China – the new Escort is intended to offer more space, particularly for buyers who prefer to be chauffeured, rather than drive themselves.

Although designed for the Chinese market, the Escort bears familiar hallmarks of Ford’s current global form language established by the Evos concept of 2011.

However, concessions to the Chinese market include jewelled headlights that are designed to resemble a figure of eight, which is considered lucky in China.

The big question though is whether the new Escort could ever be sold in the UK. “It’s a concept that certainly has global potential,” Craig Von Essen, communications director for Ford Asia Pacific told us. “But don’t get your hopes up, it’s been designed with China in mind. Small saloons are a much smaller market in the UK, so gaining a per cent here or there in sales isn’t really a big deal.”

The Escort will go on sale in China in 2015, and forms part of Ford’s plan to add 15 new models to its Chinese line-up by 2015.

In addition Ford plans to have five factories fully operational by that year, allowing the firm to build over a millions cars per year in China alone.

Production of the original Escort began in the UK in 1967, with the first cars hitting the road the following year. After becoming a near-permanent fixture in the top 10 best-selling cars in the UK for most of its life, the Escort finally bowed out in 2000, with over five million Escorts built in Halewood, Merseyside, and many more constructed at Ford’s plant in Cologne, Germany.

In contrast, the mid-size car segment accounts for around a quarter of all Chinese car sales, which represents a volume of around 5.5-million units per year, or around the same as total car sales in Germany and the UK combined.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025 preview: every new car A to Z
Gordon Murray T.50 in front of Goodwood house

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025 preview: every new car A to Z

This year’s event promises plenty of highlights. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News
27 Jun 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
New cars coming soon header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
23 Jun 2025
Best fast Fords - the greatest high-performance cars ever built by the Blue Oval
Best fast Fords

Best fast Fords - the greatest high-performance cars ever built by the Blue Oval

We reveal our favourites, from hot hatches to coupés and track legends
Best cars & vans
19 Jun 2025
Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
29 May 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025
Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019
Opinion - Kia EV9 GT

Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019

From poor electric car sales to crashes in F1, Mike Rutherford thinks its been a crazy few weeks in the automotive world
Opinion
29 Jun 2025
New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025