Ford Escort NA

 👉Ford Escort (North America)

The Ford Escort in North America was a range of cars sold by Ford from 1981 to 2003. Let’s explore its evolution:

➡️First Generation (1981–1990)

• The first-generation Ford Escort served as the direct successor to the Ford Pinto.
• It largely took over the role of the European-imported Ford Fiesta as the smallest vehicle in the Ford model line in North America.
• The Escort became highly successful, holding the position of the best-selling car in the United States after 1982 for much of the 1980s.
• The first-generation American Escort was designed alongside Ford of Europe, who transitioned the Escort Mk III to front-wheel drive.
• During its production, the Escort underwent platform sharing and rebranding:
• The longer-wheelbase Ford Tempo/Mercury Topaz was based on the first-generation Escort.
• The two-seat Ford EXP/Mercury LN7 was derived from the Escort.
• The Mercury Lynx was a rebranded version of the Escort.

➡️Second Generation (1991–1996)

• The second-generation Ford Escort was introduced in 1991 and grew into the compact segment.
• Unlike the shared design with Ford of Europe in the first generation, the second-generation Escort now shared a platform with the Mazda 323.
• The Mercury Lynx was replaced by the Mercury Tracer.

➡️Third Generation (1997–2003)

The third-generation Ford Escort underwent an extensive redesign:

1. The sedan received a fresh look.
2. The Escort ZX2 two-door model was introduced.
3. The Mercury Tracer also adopted a similar redesign.

Ford phased in the Ford Focus in North America for 2000, serving as its third “world car” and replacing the Escort.

• After 2000, the four-door Escort was primarily sold for fleet purposes, with production ending entirely after the 2002 model year.
• In contrast to the earlier American Escort, the Ford Focus adopted a much larger degree of commonality between its European and North American variants, fulfilling Ford’s original vision of a true world car.
• Throughout its production, the Escort was manufactured in various plants, including Wayne Stamping & Assembly in Wayne, Michigan, and Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.