The Fiesta and Focus have been the best-selling Ford models in Europe within almost two decades. However, the situation changed with the launch of the Ford Puma SUV.
According to sale results in the first 9 months of 2021, 77,000 Ford Fiestas and 65,000 Ford Focus cars were sold in Europe. The sales volume of the Ford Puma crossovers reached 116,000 units. This means that the brand’s favorite in Europe has changed.
On the one hand, the growing demand for compact crossovers played a role. The Puma fits perfectly into this trend with its new technologies.
Ford Puma is good in itself
On the other hand, the Puma SUV has real trump cards against the competition.
In fact, the crossover has opened a new chapter in Ford’s design. The Puma does look stylish and sporty, but it also has a best-in-class 456-liter (16 cubic feet) luggage compartment. Moreover, Ford engineers, working on ergonomics, have surpassed themselves.
Featuring 48-volt technology, an EcoBoost Hybrid engine boasts enhanced performance and optimum fuel efficiency. An electric torque booster and a 1.0-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder petrol engine are the perfect tandem in the mild-hybrid drivetrain. This pair delivers up to 155 hp. Buyers are also offered a less powerful version of the powertrain – 125 hp.
The electric motor adds up to 50 Nm (37 lb-ft) of torque. Fuel efficiency is increased to 9 percent according to WLTP analysis. Specifically, the CO2 emissions are 124 g/km, and the fuel consumption is 5.4 l/100 km (43.6 mpg) for the 125-hp variant. The figures for the 155-horsepower version are 127 g/km and 5.6 l/100 km (42 mpg).
Adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, speed sign recognition and lane centering make life easier for the driver. We have named only a part of the Ford Puma’s advantages, but that’s enough.
Ford Puma in Great Britain
In the UK, the Ford Fiesta and the Ford Puma go head to head, by the way. From the beginning of the year through September, approximately 26,000 vehicles were sold in the country. This significant result allowed these models to share third place in the overall sales rankings.
Why do we mention the British automotive market? Because it is No.1 in Europe now in terms of sales. The German market, which for many years was the leader on the continent, is only the second.
The comparison between the Ford Fiesta and the Ford Puma SUV is no coincidence. In fact, it was the Fiesta, or rather its Ford B platform, that became the basis for the crossover. Moreover, the Fiesta was a bestseller in the British market for a long time, ahead of the Volkswagen Golf by popularity.
Ford in Europe
Speaking about Ford models in demand in Europe, we’d like to mention the good results of the EcoSport and Kuga crossovers. The first boasts 21,000 sales, the second is behind the Ford Puma with almost 82,000 sales.
The Ford EcoSport has remained on sale contrary to forecasts. When the Puma was introduced in 2019, the automotive media reported the new SUV would replace the simpler and more utilitarian EcoSport. But it didn’t happen.
Another new model of Ford, an all-electric Mustang Mach-E, started well in Europe. Its sales exceeded 15,000 units. For comparison, less than 19,000 Mach-Es were sold in the USA during the same period, but the American market is much larger than the European one.
Based on materials from Ford Europe
