The Ford EcoSport is a Mini SUV designed and built in Brazil by Ford. The EcoSport is one of Ford's best-seller models in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. Its main competitors are the Fiat Idea Adventure, Volkswagen CrossFox.
The EcoSport is heavily based on the Cologne built European Fusion - but restyled with sport features to avoid the 'grey owner' the European version is so popular with.
The EcoSport has been available with five I4 engines:
Zetec-Rocam 1.0 L gasoline 8v supercharged, 95 PS (70 kW) (discontinued in 2006)
Zetec-Rocam 1.6 8v gasoline/ethanol, 111 PS (82 kW)
Duratec 2.0 L gasoline 16v 145 PS (107 kW) (rebadged Mazda MZR engine)
PSA 1.4 L HDi Diesel, 68 PS (50 kW) (export only)
All models have front-wheel drive with manual transmission as standard. The 2.0 L model can also receive a four-speed automatic transmission or four-wheel drive. In the latter case, an electronically-controlled system lets the driver engage the rear axle from the dashboard.
Since the EcoSport went on sale, the car has sold well, consistently appearing on the 10 best-selling vehicles on Brazil list.
In late 2007 a restyling was introduced, which renewed the front to bring it closer to modern Ford pick-ups as well as the recent Brazilian Fiesta restyling, and updated the rear lights and interior materials.
Sales (Brazil)
2003 - 27,214 units
2004 - 38,695 units
2005 - 45,449 units
2006 - 44,777 units
2007 - 47,030 units
TOTAL: 203,165
Ford Ecosport in Mexico (2004-2010)
The Ford Ecosport arrived in late 2003 to Mexico as a 2004 model and the reception that got was really impressive and it continued like that until 2006 but for the 2007 model year; sales of the small SUV began slipping and stopped being a hot seller because in 2004 sales of the Ecosport were about 15,000 units and in 2007 were merely 10,000 units but then for the 2008 refresh things got worse because there was a very nasty price bump and in this model year Ford of Mexico sold 6,345 units and in 2009 models have only sold until July 2,135 units.Seeing these number Ford has announced inside the company that the 2010 model will be the last in Mexico and it will be a short one because the Ford Escape has outsold the Ecosport since the 2008 model year which was a redisign. The source inside Ford Mexico told that the Ecosport will be phased out early next year. The Ford Escape along the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are amongst the most popular SUVs in Mexico now.