Production of the Ford EcoSport has officially ceased at its Craiova, Romania plant, the last factory in which the popular crossover was still built.
Ford South Africa confirmed to TopAuto that it still has units to sell to local buyers, as it’s still receiving EcoSports from India despite this factory discontinuing production around nine months ago.
The company also said it does not know when the remaining stock will run out, and that it will only delist the EcoSport once the last example has found an owner.
The EcoSport has been a staple of the manufacturer’s catalogue for the last 10 years, regularly sitting among the best-selling vehicles in its segment.
As of March, it’s still available in South Africa in Ambiente, Trend, Active, and Titanium trims, with nine models on offer and prices ranging from R311,400 to R416,900.
Each EcoSport is sold with a 4-year/120,000km warranty and four years of roadside assistance.
What’s available
As the factory ceased production a few months ago there are naturally a limited number of EcoSports available per trim, so it’s worth knowing what you’re looking for if you’re in the market for one.
The entry-level Ambiente wears 16-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, rear foglights, and a black grille, door handles, and mirrors; while offering equipment such as a multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth radio system with a 4.2-inch display, six speakers, a manual aircon, rear parking sensors, ABS with brake assist, and six airbags.
On top of these fitments, the mid-range Trend receives LED headlights, front fog lights, black roof rails, body-coloured mirrors and door handles, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a spare wheel cover on the boot door.
Inside, it gets a leather steering wheel, cruise control, an 8-inch media unit with FordPass Connect support, hill-launch assist, a collision-mitigation system, a tyre-pressure monitor, and seven airbags.
The special-edition Active is actually based on the Trend, but features upgrades such as a black roof, mirrors, and fender cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and branded leather seats.
Visually, the halo Titanium specification is then set apart by a few notable cues such as chrome surrounds on the grille, chrome inserts on the door cladding, and distinctive 16-inch alloys for the manual with 17-inch rims for the automatic.
Moreover, buyers can expect black leather upholstery, the upgraded Sync 3.0 infotainment system, seven speakers, a larger multi-information driver’s display, ambient lighting, climate control, keyless entry and start, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, and front parking sensors.
In the performance arena, the EcoSport is offered with a variety of three engines, however, they are only available in certain variants.
In the Ambiente, buyers have the option between a 1.5-litre petrol or turbo-diesel unit, the former being available in both five-speed manual and six-speed automatic guise, and the latter only in manual.
The petrol generates 91kW and 150Nm at an average fuel usage of 6.4-6.9l/100km, depending on the transmission, whereas the diesel does 74kW and 205Nm at 4.6l/100km.
The Trend, Active, and Titanium, meanwhile, are driven by a 1.0-litre, turbo-petrol plant putting out 92kW and 170Nm while reporting a combined consumption of 5.4-6.3l/100km.
The Trend and Titanium can be had in six-speed manual as well as automatic, whereas the Active only comes in auto.
Keyword: The Ford EcoSport will soon no longer be sold in South Africa