Ford Territory set for retirement, return to 'E's for SUVs

[Blue_XR]

I really thought the Territory name would continue with the replacement, however it appears not to be the case. What would happen if they are unable to use the Edge name?

FORD will retire the Ford Territory nameplate in the same way it is retiring Falcon once dealer stock of the Australian-made duo is depleted in coming months – all with the aim of giving the car a dignified send-off.
But the move to shelve the Territory nameplate that was used on Australia’s only SUV – a car that went on sale in 2004 and finished production in October 2016 – is also about returning Ford to a family of SUVs that start with the letter E.
In launching more variants of the Everest and reviving the Escape nameplate for Australia, Ford Australia chief executive and president Graeme Whickman confirmed the company would adopt Ford’s global SUV naming strategy, where all SUV models start with the letter “E”.
Whickman said it was all about trying to “harmonise our global approach in terms of nomenclature”.

“We’re going to have everything that begins with E sitting in this market,” Whickman said.

That means Ecosport, Escape, Ford Everest and – hopefully – Edge, although that last one is still up for debate.

In a small way, Toyota holds the ace card in Ford’s plan to return its SUV range to a line-up of Es. That’s because Toyota holds the rights to the Edge nameplate for Australia, something Ford is hoping to use on the US-sourced Edge SUV that is slated to arrive in 2018.

Whickman wouldn’t give any clues as to the likelihood of relinquishing the Edge name, instead saying Ford was working through the process.

He didn’t anticipate the recent spate of Ford ads that have specifically targeted various Toyota models would impact on any decision.

“I’m sure they’ll make a business case decision. I don’t think for one minute that they’ll be tainted by any emotion.”

One thing that isn’t up for discussion, though, is using the Territory name on future Ford SUVs.

“Territory is a vehicle that’s close to Australians’ hearts … you’ve got to treat that in a way that’s proven but also respectful, graceful way. My view is that if I had to choose, then I might be looking for a new name.”

Whickman said retiring the Territory made sense given the decision to do the same thing with the Falcon nameplate that had existed in Australia since 1960.

“We wanted to retire a nameplate with some dignity and respect. The Falcon meant we had a legacy we could build on and we wanted to take that legacy,” said Whickman.

“I think they [Falcon fan] would have been unhappy if we’d put that name on a vehicle that didn’t live up to the legacy or the history that vehicle has.”

Whickman also ruled out letting its trademark on the Falcon name lapse, potentially paving the way for another manufacturer to utilise it.

”There’s a very easy answer to that – no.”

So, what about the Edge if Toyota Australia didn’t want to give up – or sell – the Edge name?

Whickman refused to talk details, but hinted a name starting with E would be logical, given the desire to focus on that letter with all other Ford SUVs.
“For us we want to have a globally aligned, One Ford global approach … if that’s something that doesn’t transpire in terms of its availability then we’ll look at other options,” he said. “Many of our SUVs are in that ‘E’ space, we’ll be looking at that sort of thing.”

One option could be Excursion, a name previously used by Ford on a hulking SUV offered in the US. The nameplate has since been retired, but could easily be revised for the Australian version of the Edge – if Toyota doesn’t play ball.

https://www.wheelsmag.com.au/news/16...for-retirement

[Ben73]

Call it the Explorer and to keep it simple bring the Explorer here and call it an Explorer.

[Blue_XR]

Originally Posted by Ben73

Call it the Explorer and to keep it simple bring the Explorer here and call it an Explorer.

That would make a lot of sense. I'm sure the Explorer would sell well here

[Vesper Martini]

I'm pretty sure if you asked most Territory drivers, they would prefer to migrate to the Explorer over the Edge,

I've got nothing against the Edge, it looks like a great car. but probably not for me.

However Explorer is built on the D4 platform, zero plans for RHD as far as I've read.

[Ben73]

The Edge seams more like a cross over while the Explorer seams more like a traditional SUV.

As an SUV fan I would consider an Explorer with the 3.5 ecoboost if it looked as good as the one in the picture below.

As for an Edge, no thanks. It will be probably come with a 4 cylinder diesel only.

[Bossxr8]

Good call. Let Territory rest in peace, an Edge is not a Territory.

I'm sure a lot of Holden fans wish they weren't going to whore out the Commodore name on an Insignia.

[FPV8U]

Bring me an Ecoboost Explorer!

[Vesper Martini]

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

image

Was skeptical until I drove one. Stable at 100mph down the interstate and still had more in it. Was only the standard V6. EcoBoost v6 would really be something .

[Silver Ghia]

Anything that hasn't got six cylinders, a two way opening tailgate and the spacious cabin can never be called a Territory.

Useful features that the Territory has, the Everest hasn't even got. Why Ford didnt take a good hard look at the Territory when deciding on a world SUV of similar size, even just to get ideas on features that should be incorporated, really beats me.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

Anything that hasn't got six cylinders, a two way opening tailgate and the spacious cabin can never be called a Territory.

Useful features that the Territory has, the Everest hasn't even got. Why Ford didnt take a good hard look at the Territory when deciding on a world SUV of similar size, even just to get ideas on features that should be incorporated, really beats me.

Easy, because the 'murricans didn't think of it, design it or build it.

And you can't have a branch office in the colonies doing something better than head Office.

[Raptor]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Good call. Let Territory rest in peace, an Edge is not a Territory...

I agree. Thank you Ford

The Territory was the Falcon based crossover (or SUV for the uneducated), not a front drive biased East-West engine anything.





.

[CyberWasp]

I am sure some of you guys can come up with some more "E" names that they could use if Edge becomes unavailable.

I also think the Explorer would be a better replacement for the Territory.
The name Edge if unavailable, could be called the Ford Extinct.

[Raptor]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

I am sure some of you guys can come up with some more "E" names that they could use if Edge becomes unavailable.
...

Ego Is Not A Dirty Word

If I did not have an ego I would not be here tonight
If I did not have an ego I might not think that I was right
If you did not have an ego you might not care the way you dressed what car you drive
If you did not have an ego you'd just be like the rest.

Ego is not a dirty word
Ego is not a dirty word
Ego is not a dirty word...

Ford Ego


Comes with a ready made Aussie theme song .
Credit to Skyhooks for those of us that remember the 70's



.

[turbodewd]

I think its a mistake.

Ford AU should also never have dropped the Laser name 16 years ago.

Can you imagine Toyota dropping the Corolla name from the fleet?

Most punters only know the name, they dont know where its made, they dont care.

[chizzy86]

Toyota Japan did want to drop the corolla name. Toyota AU had to fight to keep it. Just crazy.

[johnmal]

You could name it Evolve, it sounds a lot better than edge in my opinion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bernbo]

Originally Posted by johnmal

You could name it Evolve, it sounds a lot better than edge in my opinion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is it too similar to the commodore evoke?

[FGX-351]

Lol exploder.

[Vesper Martini]

Lol xu6

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by bernbo

Is it too similar to the commodore evoke?

holdung didnt seem too worried about being confused with the Range Rover Evoque..

[Mechan1k]

One reason why i bought one of the last Territory's.
I didn't want to make that decision anyway. Not for another 12 plus years anyways.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

I am sure some of you guys can come up with some more "E" names that they could use if Edge becomes unavailable.

I also think the Explorer would be a better replacement for the Territory.
The name Edge if unavailable, could be called the Ford Extinct.

Explorer is much bigger than Territory.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

What about Ford Exodus? I'm sure some will see the humour in that

[PG2]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

One reason why i bought one of the last Territory's.
I didn't want to make that decision anyway. Not for another 12 plus years anyways.

Hopefully by then, the Murricans will have caught up to what we (did) have now.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Explorer is much bigger than Territory.

Yes, as much as I like the reviews & you tube clips, you cant make the call until you get in one.

Also with our petrol prices and the Landed cost which be higher than most would think, it would be more than Everest. So It may be a car out of my reach.



Cant help but like it though

[CobraJet351]

Ebronco

[CyberWasp]

Maybe Ford could find some ex SsangYong designers and come up with a
Ford Eeewww

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Explorer is much bigger than Territory.

I beg to differ. Had one for two weeks in the states and it is not that much bigger than the Territory. It really feels and looks like the Territory's richer cousin. A vehicle bigger than territory is a Tahoe, Escalade or Expedition.. Even a Landcruiser is larger than an Explorer

[Adamz Ghia]

Edge's wheel base is 1 inch longer, the whole car is 7 inches longer and 4 inches wider.