Ford Territory History: Three Generations Of The Ford Middle-East’s Best-Selling SUV

The SUV segment is the most popular body type across all markets in the Middle East. With SUVs such as the Ford Bronco, Ford Explorer, Ford Edge, Ford Expedition, and Ford Everest, the Ford Motor Company is a significant brand in the SUV-driven region. Despite having this vast array of SUVs, the Ford Territory has turned out to be Ford Middle-East’s best-selling SUV.

Originally developed and produced by Ford Australia, the Territory has gone from a locally produced vehicle to a globally recognized model manufactured in China. This DubiCars Car Spotlight article delves into the history and generations of the Ford Territory, highlighting its journey from its Australian roots to its current prominence in the global market.

Ford is no stranger to the SUV world. Ford played a vital role in the American war effort during World War II by mass-producing the Ford GPW also known as Willys MB starting in 1941. This off-road vehicle vehicle eventually became the Jeep Wrangler. Launched in 1965, the Ford Bronco became the first SUV developed and produced by Ford. Read all about the history, generations & models of the Ford Bronco here.

Since then, Ford launched and developed several great SUVs. However, the Australian market was a bit different. The Australians loved SUVs, but all of them were made in Japan or the USA. While imported SUVs like the Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, Ford Maverick, and more were rugged and great for the great Australian outback, they weren’t great on-road cars for use in its cities. 

In 2000, Ford’s Australian subsidiary decided to develop an SUV of their own, catering specifically to the requirements of Urban Australia. Launched in 2004 after spending A$500 Million and four years on its development, Ford Australia’s new SUV was named ‘Territory’

The Ford Territory first debuted in 2004, marking a pivotal moment in the automotive industry as the first Australian-made SUV. It combined the rugged capability of an SUV with the comfort and drivability of a family car and soon became a popular choice among Australian consumers. 

This generation was available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The first generation Ford Territory was powered by a Barra 4.0-litre inline-six engine. Over its entire lifetime, this engine saw several updates and revisions in its output. In 2011, Ford introduced a 2.7-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine. 

Production of the first-gen Ford Territory ended in 2016 after Ford decided to close its Australian production facilities. Since 2016, Ford products in Australia are all imported. Over its 12-year production run, the first-generation Ford Territory received several updates and refreshes:

After a two-year hiatus following the end of Australian production in 2016, the Ford Territory nameplate made a triumphant return in 2018, this time produced in China. Although it used the Territory name, this model was all-new and shared no similarities with the previous generation. The Ford Equator Sport produced for the Chinese market by JMC-Ford is based on the Ford Territory. 

In the 1990s, Ford lost a bid to partner with SAIC Motor and was on the lookout for a new local partner for the Chinese market. In 1995, Ford acquired a 20% stake in Jiangling Motor Corporation (JMC) and over the years has increased its investment to 32%. Ford also established a joint venture with the brand and named it JMC-Ford. 

JMC Ford produced the Territory solely for export markets. The Territory featured a sleek and stylish exterior, with a more aerodynamic profile. Its interior was refined and equipped with the latest infotainment and connectivity options. It was powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol EcoBoost engine and transmission is handled by a CVT gearbox. 

In 2022, the Ford Territory entered its third generation and was exported to more countries than ever before. This iteration builds on the elegant styling of the second generation with upgraded technology and performance.

Engine options include 1.5-litre & 1.8-litre inline-4 turbo-petrol units paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. A key highlight of this generation was its launch in the GCC region. It soon became the best-selling Ford SUV in the market. 

The first generation of the Ford Territory was only sold in Australia. The second generation was made in China but exported to a few markets. It was only after the launch of the third generation that the Ford Territory was launched in the UAE. Therefore, this is the generation that’s most popular.

Prices for a new Ford Territory for sale in the UAE range from AED 110,000 to AED 140,000. Prices for a used Ford Territory for sale in the UAE range from AED 95,000 to AED 120,000 depending on the model, year of manufacture, and condition.

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The Ford Territory offers a great combination of practicality, efficiency, performance and fantastic handling, all at an affordable price point. The fact that it is the best-selling Ford SUV in the Middle East confirms it is a great car.

Yes, the Ford Territory is manufactured in China by JMC-Ford, which is Ford’s joint venture with Jiangling Motor Corporation. However, Ford Europe had a major role to play in its development.

The first generation of the Ford Territory was available in rear-wheel-drive and 4WD options. However, the second generation debuted a new front-wheel-drive system. The current Ford Territory continues to use front-wheel-drive powertrain.

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