Ford Puma's petrol option axed in Australia, EV version planned amid range shake up

Ford has launched the discontinuation of its petrol-powered Puma slight SUV in Australia earlier than the native debut of the fully electrical Puma Gen-E anticipated to follow slack this twelve months or early subsequent.

Attributing the modifications to “a sharpened deal with EVs, industrial and efficiency autos”, the emblem confirmed that final arrivals of petrol variants of the SUV – which has appropriate debuted a facelifted version in Europe – are anticipated in Might possibly additionally merely, at which point it’ll must bow out from Ford’s native lineup earlier than the electrical variant’s introduction rapidly after.

Ford says that while the facelifted Puma would possibly per chance possibly now not be coming to Australia, there would possibly be enough inventory of ICE-powered Pumas to make certain that all latest orders are fulfilled. Precise timings for the Puma Gen-E originate will additionally be confirmed closer to originate.

The re-focussing of the Puma lineup – which within the beginning launched in Australia in September 2020 – as an electrical-finest nameplate comes as Ford continues to manufacture bigger its slate of EVs, which encompass the currently launched Mustang Mach-E astronomical SUV and E-Transit electrical van, and rapidly to originate E-Transit Customized van.

While the petrol Puma will be discontinued in Australia, it’ll must proceed to be manufactured and provided out of the country and its departure from Australian roads blueprint that Ford will be without a petroleum-providing within the smartly-liked slight SUV phase.

Ford Australia President and CEO, Andrew Birkic announcing: “we have no longer taken this decision calmly and thank the a astronomical assortment of real customers who’ve chosen Puma over the years.”

New-age Ford lineup departs susceptible segments

Certainly, the petrol Puma is the latest in a assortment of Ford objects to bite the dirt in Australia in latest years with the discontinuation of the Flee midsize SUV final twelve months, besides to the Fiesta and Focal point slight hatchbacks earlier than that.

Ford Australia President and CEO, Andrew Birkic said: “our focal point is on autos and in segments the build we are able to surely meet the unparalleled wants of Australian customers.”

“We gaze particular opportunities in industrial autos – from Transit to E-Transit, Transit Customized to E-Transit Customized, alongside Ranger.

“We are able to additionally proceed to deal with our efficiency line-up – from Mustang and Mustang Darkish Horse, to Mustang Mach-E and Ranger Raptor – alongside a renewed emphasis on autos that lend a hand customers attain the issues they love, love towing a boat or caravan in an F-150, off-roading with chums in an Everest, or avenue-tripping with a astronomical family in a Tourneo.”

Last twelve months the Puma shifted 2027 variants – lower than the currently discontinued Ford Flee midsize SUV (2336) – and a much issue from rivals within the sunshine SUV phase main Mazda CX-3 (15,776), Kia Stonic (6983), and Toyota Yaris Sinful (6514).

Certainly, the Puma’s provide figures were dwarfed by Ford’s two very best selling objects – Australia’s most smartly-most standard automobile, the Ford Ranger ute (63,356), and Everest astronomical SUV (15,071).

Stamp-of-entry into Ford ownership doubtless to upward thrust

The discontinuation of the petrol-Puma will additionally suggest that the price of entry into the native Ford lineup will doubtless upward thrust.

At the 2d the emblem’s most more cost effective automobile in Australia, the entry-stage Puma kicks off at $30,840 earlier than on-avenue fees and topping out at $36,390.

It’s dazzling to quiz a important top rate on this for the electrical variant, with Australia’s latest most price-effective electrical automobile – the Chinese-made BYD Dolphin slight hatchback – coming in at $38,890. Though by precisely how noteworthy, stays to be considered.

Last twelve months, when the Flee SUV left the Australian market, Ford Australia used to be in temporary left without a midsize SUV option till the Mustang Mach-E arrived, alternatively the switch from petrol/hybrid to totally electrical seen the value of entry leap from $37,990 earlier than on-avenue fees in 2023 to $72,990 in 2024

The Ford Ranger ute – which is priced from $36,880 for its lowest spec 4×2 cab-chassis XL variant – could even merely end up turning into essentially the most price-effective automobile on offer from the emblem in Australia.

Ford’s most more cost effective SUV will now be the astronomical Everest, which begins at $fifty three,990 for its entry grade mannequin, with the Mustang Mach-E electrical SUV priced from $72,990 earlier than on-avenue fees.