Consumers can’t seem to get enough crossovers, but it appears the Ford Edge could be on the chopping block in North America.
Details are limited, but there are conflicting reports both citing a video released by AutoForecast Solutions.
Auto News Canada says the plan to build the next-generation Edge in Canada will be cancelled and Ford will shift production of the Lincoln Nautilus to China in 2023. The changes could doom Ford’s Oakville, Ontario plant which also lost the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT last year.
Also Read: Poor Sales Have Sealed The Fate Of Ford Edge In The UK, Other Countries Will Follow
If the plant were to close, it would spell the end of Ford vehicle production in Canada and could result in the loss of approximately 4,600 jobs. The publication says Canada’s Unifor union hasn’t been notified of the possible change, but pointed out the union’s contract expires in September.
The rumored death of the Edge is interesting as next-generation model was reportedly slated for 2023 on a new platform. However, Edge sales have been modest in the United States as the company only sold 138,515 units last year. For comparison, Ford sold 241,388 Escapes and 184,653 Explorers (after a disastrous launch) in 2019.
While the Edge sells in decent numbers, many of them are bought by fleet customers and the general thinking is Ford has enough crossovers and SUVs to fill the gap left by its possible demise. The company also has a number of new models on the horizon including the Bronco and Bronco Sport.
While the Auto News Canada suggests the Lincoln Nautilus is simply going to be built in China, The Detroit Bureau says it’s on the chopping block. They reached out to a Ford spokesperson who declined to comment, but multiple sources told them the “possibility of eliminating the crossovers is highly likely.”
While the Edge will reportedly die in North America, AutoForecast Solutions says it will still survive in China.