Ford will not sell its Maverick pickup in Europe

Ford will not offer its new Maverick pickup in Europe where demand for such vehicles is falling steeply.

The automaker unveiled the compact-sized Maverick on Tuesday as its entry-level pickup in the United States, with a starting price of $21,490 when it arrives in showrooms in the autumn.

A Ford of Europe spokesman told Automotive News Europe that the Maverick will not be exported for sale in Europe.

In Europe, Ford is one of only a few automakers still offering pickups. Its midsize Ranger is currently the best-selling pickup in the region with sales up 44 percent to 12,000 in the first quarter, according to JATO Dynamics market researcher.

Ford will launch a new Ranger next year. As part of its industrial alliance with Volkswagen, it will build a version for VW as a successor to the Amarok.

After a resurgence four years ago, demand in Europe for pickups is plummeting as customers increasingly buy SUVs and crossovers.

Renault and Mercedes-Benz dropped their pickups last year after failing to generate meaningful sales in the region. Nissan has decided to stop building and selling its Navara in Europe.

The new Maverick will be the first Ford to come as standard with a hybrid engine, which is expected to get fuel economy of 40 mpg (48 mpg UK/5.8 liters per 100 km.) It can haul up to 1,500 pounds (680 kg), and it can tow up to 4,000 pounds with an optional EcoBoost gasoline engine.

The standard hybrid engine is expected to have 191 hp and 155 pound-feet of torque. The optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine is expected to have 250 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque.

The vehicle is 11 inches (279 mm) shorter — and about $5,000 less expensive — than the Ranger.

The Maverick sits on the same unibody front-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive C2 platform that underpins the Bronco Sport, Escape and Lincoln Corsair.

Inside, it comes standard with an 8-inch touch screen. It will have an embedded modem, which Ford is expanding to its entire vehicle lineup.

The rear has underseat storage that is deep enough to fit a basketball or volleyball. The sides of each door feature a break in the door handle that allows for a tall, one-liter water bottle.

In the U.S., Ford said it's targeting entry-level sedan buyers with the Maverick as well as shoppers who might otherwise choose a midsize pickup or crossover. The Maverick will be geared toward younger millennials and women, according to marketers.

It will compete against Hyundai's Santa Cruz compact pickup.

Michael Martinez contributed to this report