The Puma went on sale in 2019, providing Ford a additional premium entrant in the quickly-expanding smaller SUV section along with the funds EcoSport. Final yr, the Puma was Ford of Europe’s 3rd finest-vendor immediately after the Concentrate and Fiesta.
Sturdy product sales of the Puma this yr pushed it in advance of the Dacia Duster and Hyundai Kona to give it fourth area in Europe’s smaller SUV segment guiding the Peugeot 2008, Renault Captur and Volkswagen T-Cross.
Revenue of the Ford Aim fell 40 % in the first six months, although Fiesta income had been down 9.4 % in accordance to knowledge from JATO Dynamics marketplace scientists.
The drop in gross sales for the two cars and trucks is even more dramatic since most types saw quantity rebound in the to start with half in comparison with the exact same period of time in 2020 when several dealerships ended up forced to close throughout Europe as governments launched measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic.
Like other automakers, Ford’s production has been hit by the worldwide shortage of automotive semiconductors, which has affected all its European vegetation, which include Craiova in Romania, where by the Puma is constructed. From April 26 to May perhaps, the Craiova manufacturing facility operated with two shifts as a substitute of 3, and experienced 6 times of no manufacturing on April 28 and between May perhaps 10-14, in accordance to the company.
Ford reported the Puma has not been provided priority for semiconductors for any other cause other than bigger desire.
“Prioritization is provided to purchaser orders and CO2 compliance automobiles across the array,” a company spokesman stated.
Automakers in Europe prioritize minimal-emissions cars to steer clear of currently being fined by the European Union for lacking mandated CO2 reduction targets.
The Puma does not qualify as a compliance car or truck due to the absence of a plug-in hybrid variant. The motor vehicle is supplied with delicate-hybrid know-how.
The SUV lets Ford to offer a tiny design with a substantially greater sticker selling price than the Fiesta. The Puma starts at 22,045 lbs . ($30,600) in the United kingdom, Ford’s most significant European sector, while the Fiesta begins at 16,645 pounds.
