Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
    • Browse photos from the 2021 awards ceremony
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • TUV Rheinland: Battery testing center for large battery packs and more
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Latest Launches
July 16, 2020 12:00 AM

Why Ford won't release the Bronco in Europe -- for now

Nick Gibbs
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Share
    bronco_sport_11.jpg
    Share
    bronco_sport_1.jpg
    Share
    bronco_sport_4.jpg
    Share
    bronco_sport_3.jpg
    Share
    bronco_sport_2.jpg
    Share
    bronco_sport_5.jpg
    Share
    bronco_sport_6.jpg
    Share
    bronco_sport_7.jpg
    Share
    bronco_sport_8.jpg
    Share
    bronco_sport_13.jpg
    Share
    bronco_sport_9.jpg
    Share
    bronco_sport_12.jpg
    bronco_sport_11.jpg
    bronco_sport_1.jpg
    bronco_sport_4.jpg
    bronco_sport_3.jpg
    bronco_sport_2.jpg
    bronco_sport_5.jpg
    bronco_sport_6.jpg
    bronco_sport_7.jpg
    bronco_sport_8.jpg
    bronco_sport_13.jpg
    bronco_sport_9.jpg
    bronco_sport_12.jpg

    Motoring websites across Europe carried detailed coverage of Ford’s bold new revival of the Bronco, and positive reaction to the reveal suggested the off-roaders would be well received in the region.

    Ford, however, has said that it has no plans “at the present time” to offer either the Bronco SUV or the more Europe-friendly Bronco Sport crossover, which uses the new Kuga's platform and not the body-on-frame architecture of the Bronco.

    The company gave no official reason for keeping the Bronco out of Europe, but privately it pointed to the European Union’s tough CO2 regulations as the main barrier.

    Automakers selling in Europe need to keep their CO2 levels down to an industry average of 95 grams per kilometer starting this year or face fines.

    Even the smallest 1.5-liter turbo engine in the Bronco Sport would be well above the 95g/km threshold without some form of electrification (Ford has not released fuel economy figure for the SUVs).

    The Bronco Sport's 2.0-liter engine and the more powerful 2.3- and 2.7-liter V-6 units in the Bronco also would emit too much CO2 for Europe.

    In an era when many automakers are forced to sell ultra-low CO2 cars at a loss due to the cost of electrification and specifically the battery, any sales of a high-CO2 car need to be incredibly profitable to compensate.

    Ford's decision might have been influenced by Suzuki’s experience with the Jimny.

    The Japanese automaker had a hit when it launched the revised small SUV in 2018, but the success of the gasoline-only car came at a price: soaring average CO2.

    Last year Suzuki’s average as measured on the outgoing NEDC cycle rose 6.3g/km to 120.6g/km, according to data from market analyst JATO Dynamics. This year Suzuki reacted by pulling the model in some European markets, including the UK.

    Ford does offer the gasoline-only Mustang sports car in Europe, which will certainly affect its CO2 average. The automaker sold 1,816 Mustangs in the first three months across the region according JATO. The car helps Ford market itself as a more exciting brand in Europe.

    The response to the Bronco suggests it could do the same in the region.

    But Ford may feel it's not worth spending more to increase sales of its ultra-low CO2 plug-in hybrids, such as the Kuga PHEV, to compensate for the jump in average emissions Bronco sales would bring.

    The big question is whether Ford is already working on plans to homologate the Bronco and Bronco Sport for Europe to be able to offer electrified versions.

    This could be what Ford meant when it said last year that it was planning to launch two new SUV nameplates in Europe in the next five years, not including the Puma.

    Ford did not name the models.

    Building the Bronco Sport on the Kuga platform could mean the car can borrow the Kuga’s plug-in hybrid drivetrain, which would allow Ford to take on the Land Rover Defender and the Jeep Renegade in Europe and not trigger CO2 penalties.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Land Rover Range Rover: Adding 3rd row no simple matter
    Recommended for You
    Range Rover THREE ROW-MAIN_i.jpg
    Land Rover Range Rover: Adding 3rd row no simple matter
    RANGEROVER-MAIN_i.gif
    Land Rover unwraps next Range Rover SV
    Mercedes EQXX prototype 2021
    Mercedes teases EQXX coupe-styled electric sedan
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
        • Browse photos from the 2021 awards ceremony
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • TUV Rheinland: Battery testing center for large battery packs and more
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us