Ford Ending Escape Production in 2025, Raising Concerns Over Affordable Vehicle Options

Ford will stop building the Escape at Louisville Assembly by end of 2025.
Dealers warn loss of Escape limits affordable choices for first-time buyers.
Bronco Sport and Maverick expected to absorb Escape demand, but concerns remain.

Ford will end production of the Escape crossover at its Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky by the end of 2025, as expected. The automaker will prepare to retool the facility for a new electric vehicle platform.

The decision marks the end of a 25-year run for one of Ford’s highest-volume passenger vehicles and a model that has served as an accessible entry point into the brand for cost-conscious buyers. And the potential creation of another big problem for Ford.

Dealers say the loss of the Escape reduces affordable options in Ford’s lineup at a time when affordability remains a key concern for many Canadian and U.S. consumers.

Production of the final Escape unit was expected to conclude on Dec. 17, according to a plant official. Ford plans to use the Louisville plant for a next-generation EV platform, with the first product, a midsize electric pickup priced around US$30,000, scheduled for launch in 2027. At this point, it’s not easy to foresee if this plan will be carried out to the end, as Ford has made a major decision recently to pull the Lightning from its menu.

Since CEO Jim Farley took over in 2020, Ford has prioritized higher-margin “icon” models such as the Mustang, Bronco and F-150. The Escape, though a strong seller, never developed the same level of brand attachment, according to analysts.

Ford intends to steer current Escape customers toward alternatives that share its platform, including the Bronco Sport and Maverick. The company said both models have configurations priced below US$30,000 ($41,190 and $37,195 CDN, respectively) with existing rebates. The Bronco Sport trailed the Escape in U.S. sales by just over 10,000 units through November 2025, while the Maverick has outsold both.

Still, dealers say the buyer profiles differ significantly.

“I’ve yet to come across a customer that’s cross-shopping an Escape and a Maverick,” one Ford dealer said. “The Bronco Sport is a decent fill-in, but they’re two different types of buyers.”

Ford said the Hermosillo, Mexico, plant that builds both the Bronco Sport and Maverick is operating below peak capacity, leaving some room for increased output. However, it would not be sufficient to absorb all Escape demand.

In some markets, Ford dealers are relying on lease incentives to retain Escape customers. Ford is expected to offer zero-percent APR and no-money-down promotions in 2026 in the US.

Looking further ahead, the automaker plans to offer a new small EV crossover in 2028 built on the Louisville EV platform. In the meantime, Ford is targeting current Escape and Edge owners with personalized offers for new and certified preowned vehicles.

As of November, Ford US reported a stock of approximately 26,000 Escape units, which it expects will carry dealers into 2026. But long-term, dealers warn that a gap in affordable offerings could hurt brand loyalty.