Ford drops base price on redesigned Escape to $23,295
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DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. has set the base price of the redesigned 2013 Escape crossover at $23,295, including shipping, which is $200 less than the outgoing model.
A fully loaded 2013 Escape Titanium model will sticker for $31,195, including $825 shipping. The Titanium trim level is new for 2013. The previous top trip level was the Limited.
Dealers have begun taking orders for the redesigned Escape, gets to dealerships this spring. Early production began this week at Ford's Louisville, Ky., assembly plant.
The redesigned Escape is a radical departure from the current 2012 model, which has the boxy look associated with traditional SUVs.
Ford hopes the new model will keep the Escape at or near the top of the sales charts for entry-level crossovers. During the first three months of 2012, the current Escape has grabbed 14.2 percent of the entry level crossover segment, second to the Honda CR-V, which has an 18.1 percent share.
Escape sales have increased 5 percent 58,604 this year and have remained strong despite the fact the vehicle is in its last year.
Ford anticipates a smooth transition between the incoming and outgoing models because the current Escape is made at Ford's Kansas City, Mo., plant. Supplies should not be negatively impacted by a plant shutdown for changeover, the automaker says.
Ford will continue to make the current model for a few more weeks.
Angie Kozleski, Ford spokeswoman, said the company expects the base level S model to account for about 10 percent of 2013 Escape sales. The rest will be divided between models offered with two EcoBoost engines: a 1.6 liter and a 2.0 liter. The larger EcoBoost will be standard in the Titanium.
The 2013 Escape is loaded with technology. Ford is billing the Escape as a "smarter utility vehicle."
The Escape will be available with technologies usually found in luxury vehicles:
• An available hands-free power rear liftgate operated by motion-sensing technology. The feature will be standard on the Titanium and a $1,895 option on the SEL. Customers can activate it by making a gentle kicking motion under the rear bumper.
• Ford's Sync system with the upgraded version of MyFord Touch controls that are simpler, faster and easier to operate than those on the former version.
• Parallel parking assist.
• Blind-spot detection.
• Curve Control, a system that automatically slows the vehicle when it's going too fast in a corner, and Torque Vectoring Control, a four-wheel drive system that uses the brakes to balance the distribution of torque between the front wheels for greater stability during corners.
You can reach Bradford Wernle at bwernle@crain.com.
