A brand that established its local footprint with models like Sierra, Cortina, Fiesta and Focus,
Ford South Africa’s portfolio of products has in recent years dwindled to one that currently features only the Ranger bakkie, its Everest adventure SUV sibling and the Mustang sportscar. This after the EcoSport, Fiesta, Fiesta Figo and Kuga each left the market.
At a recent celebration of 100 years of
Ford Motor Company, the local office outlined its plans to once again offer a collection of passenger car products, namely the
Puma and
Territory. The latter name will already be familiar to South Africa as it was worn in 2005 by an estate-style adventure SUV sourced from Australia.
The first of
Ford’s new products arrives towards the end of November in the form of the
Puma compact crossover. Set to rival the likes of the Volkswagen T-Cross and Renault Captur, the raised-ride-height package offers 166 mm worth of ground clearance and is powered by the brand’s familiar 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbopetrol motor that delivers 92 kW and 170 N.m of torque to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The claimed fuel consumption for this powertrain is 5.3 L/100 km.
Set to be sold in a choice of Titanium or ST-Line Vignale specification, highlights of the car’s interior include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display that via the brand’s Sync3 operating system (Sync4 likely to be included in the already confirmed updated model) supports smartphone-mirroring technology; digital instrumentation and a raised driving position.
Pricing for the new
Ford Puma range will start from R541 300.
Sourced from China where it is built by Jiangling-
Ford, the new
Territory is a five-seater SUV that in terms of exterior dimensions will rival the likes of the Kia Sportage, Haval H6 and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max.
Scheduled to launch in South Africa in 2024, the
Territory is powered by a 1.8-litre EcoBoost motor that sends 140 kW and 320 N.m of torque to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Including a claimed 448 litres worth of luggage space, highlights of the car’s interior include a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display and either a 7-inch or 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, depending on the specification.
The modern
Territory package is distinguishable via its slim LED headlamps and family-familiar grille up front, with a fashionable LED light bar running the width of the tailgate.
Also confirmed at
Ford South Africa’s recent event was the arrival in 2024 of the all-new Mustang, as well as two new Ranger derivatives – including a flagship Platinum model – and the scheduled 2025 arrival of the all-electric Mustang Mach E.
