Ford Escape PHEV Delayed For A Very Good Reason

TheFord Escapeplug-in hybrid was originally scheduled to begin production this past spring but had to be rescheduled to summer because of the coronavirus outbreak. However, the Escape's European market twin, the Kuga, has been available as a PHEV for several months, though it's run into a potentially serious problem, forcing the automaker to again delay the Escape PHEV's production. Kuga PHEV sales have been halted while Ford investigates what's been causing some to catch on fire while charging.

Until an answer is found, owners have been advised not to charge them and drive in Auto EV mode only. Because of this, Ford won't begin Escape PHEV production until sometime in 2021.

"We're moving production to next year while we investigate what happened to the Kuga in Europe," spokesman Mike Levine told Bloomberg. "None have been sold in the U.S." Ford's Louisville, Kentucky plant still continues to produce the gas-powered Escape andEscape Hybrid. So far, Ford has recalled around 20,000 Kuga PHEVs in Europe and it makes sense it doesn't want to risk having to do the same in North America. Recalls are costly endeavors in terms of both money and reputation.

Another problem Ford is currently dealing with is that Escape demand has dropped in recent months. In the third quarter of this year, Escape sales were down by nearly 23 percent.