Yahoo Autos These Are The Coolest Fords Never Sold In The U.S.
Americans have unique desires and needs when it comes to our cars, and Ford is as American as apple pie, but the blue oval has produced incredible cars for many countries that we’ve had to admire from our shores. As much as we’ve had American Fords facilitating memories for countless American families throughout the years, Ford has done just that with specialized vehicles in countries like Australia, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.
This list includes some fast Fords and some funny looking Fords, and they’re all cars we were deprived of in the United States. Let us know your favorite forbidden Ford fruit in the comments.
Australian Ford Falcon
I didn’t know much about the Australian Falcons, until one day when I was scrolling on TikTok and my ears were suddenly assaulted by an Aussie bloke screaming about AU Falcons. The Falcon was sold in Australia from 1960 to 2016; it was initially introduced to the country as the same Falcon that was sold in America, but Ford quickly began producing specialized Australian models after the first generation.
Ford Everest
The Ford Everest is a Ranger-based midsize SUV that was developed for the Asia–Pacific region. First debuted in 2003, the Everest is in its third generation as of 2022, and it honestly looks like a pretty cool truck-based SUV that can take some serious abuse on the trails.
Ford Capri
Ford Europe has produced several incredible cars that helped cement Ford as a serious European player, and one that I envy most is the Capri. Effectively Ford of Europe’s counterpart to the all-American Mustang, the original Capri was based off the Ford Cortina using the same concept as the Mustang’s Falcon-based roots. We did get versions of the Capri as Mercury models for a few years in the ‘70s, but it was never a Ford, and it never got the love it deserved.
Chinese Ford Mondeo
Since Ford canceled all of its sedans in the United States, we’re missing out on the brand’s new family sedan, the latest Mondeo. Produced in China and sold there as well as the Middle East and other markets, this Mondeo is even sold as the Taurus in some places.
First-Generation Focus RS
This one’s personal. I grew up watching WRC rally racing that featured the first-gen Focus RS, and in my mindcan do no wrong. These Focuses were great looking cars that drove well and were affordable — I have memories of my dad renting an original Focus when his Mustang SVO was acting up, and I actually learned to drive stick on my brother’s Focus SVT before he wrapped it around a tree. The RS was the ultimate Focus, and I was always sad that Ford didn’t sell it in the U.S. We stan Focuses here.
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
The Escort RS Cosworth was the Focus RS’ predecessor as an unhinged, absurdly powerful, compact hatchback built for rallying. Its legacy precedes it as a Ford legend, and with the iconic Cosworth name attached, it couldn’t be anything but a rip-snorting good time. Just not for Americans.
Australian Ford Falcon Ute
If we’re talking about Australian market cars, we have to talk about utes, and Ford made a Falcon Utility that sold alongside the sedan. It’s a true shame that Americans don’t have the option to buy utes, but I guess the Maverick is close enough.
Ford Mondeo ST220
Ford’s Mondeo is a well known in other countries as a great all-around family sedan, but the ST220 was aimed at moving the Mondeo into very un-Ford-like territory — luxury performance cars. It’s got the face of a Focus, but I’d be thoroughly interested to see how the Mondeo differentiates itself from U.S. Ford products.
Ford F-1000
Effectively a Brazilian market fifth-generation F-250, the F-1000 came with some wacky options. The wackiest of all was the GB Monaco, which looks like an F-150 that someone haphazardly tacked on a partial camper shell and left a tiny little box bed out back. Super weird but super cool.
Ford RS200
The RS200 is one of the most absurd cars that Ford ever produced, and it was never sold in the United States. It was built to dominate the legendary Group B rally series, but it and the other Group B cars flew too close to the sun, and the entire class of cars was banned after a series of devastating incidents. I want to drive an RS200 with every fiber of my being.
First-Generation Ford Transit
This one was inspired by “Top Gear,” when Jeremy Clarkson introduced me to the lore of the European-market Ford Transit. The first-generation Transit is particularly enchanting, looking both cute and retro, and it’s allegedly surprisingly good to drive. I think it’s a shame we never got the early Transits.
Ford Edge L
The Ford Edge L is honestly not a particularly exciting car, but I always feel envy when companies decide not to sell a model in America. Though the Edge L would come into the U.S. market as yet another crossover SUV if it were sold here, I still would love to sample what the American automaker has produced for the Chinese market.
Ford Bantam
The Ford Bantam is a miniature ute that was first based on the Escort and later based on the Fiesta. It was also called the Courier in Brazil, and it retained the Escort and Fiesta’s cute faces, but features a single cab with a truck bed out back. Think Volkswagen Rabbit pickup, but make it Ford. This tiny truck looks like it would be an absolute laugh to sling around a bit.
Ford Puma
Ford’s adorable little sporty coupe never made it to the U.S., but I’ve admired it from afar for years. It’s so stylish, compact, and light, and the Puma seems like it would be a playful hoot to drive. Our Mercury Cougar looked a bit similar, but it was a different car that was bigger and heavier.
