Ford is set to bring its all-new Territory SUV for the first time in the country this August to give Filipino buyers a completely different Ford SUV alternative. At present Ford Philippines offers the subcompact EcoSport, midsize Everest and Explorer, and full-size Expedition models.
Size-wise, the Territory is expected to slot in between the EcoSport and the Everest. The Territory falls under the compact SUV/crossover category although its generous external dimensions place it at or near the top of its class in terms of size.
The Territory model name is not new to Ford. Ford Australia manufactured and marketed a midsize right-hand-drive-only Territory exclusively for Australia and New Zealand from 2004 until 2016, with exports to South Africa and Thailand in some of those years.
More recently (2019, to be exact), Ford China introduced an all-new Territory—completely unrelated to the Australian Territory—to the Chinese market. This is the model expected to be brought in by Ford Philippines. The China-spec model measures 4,580mm long and has a lengthy 2,716mm wheelbase. Like a growing number of China-sourced crossovers, it’s powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine mated to a manual or automatic transmission, both with six speeds.
The Philippines is the first market in Ford’s International Market Group (IMG), composed of nearly 100 markets around the world, to offer the all-new Territory.
While no prices have been announced, Ford claims that the Territory will deliver an appeal to young professionals and small families with its segment-leading features and capabilities offered at a competitive price point.
“The all-new Ford Territory is designed to empower the modern Filipino driver who don’t want to compromise features, space, technology and versatility in their vehicle,” said PK Umashankar, managing director, Ford Philippines. “With Ford’s heritage and global expertise in designing class-leading SUVs, we are confident that the all-new Ford Territory will resonate with Filipino customers looking for an all-in-one package in their SUV.”
Customers can sign up for exclusive updates and product details on the all-new Ford Territory by visiting www.ford.com.ph/kmipage/.