According to Ford, the final shipments of the Puma will arrive in the Pacific country in May. Local dealers have an ample supply of the vehicle to fulfill all customer orders. However, the company has decided to discontinue the ICE-powered Puma in favor of the upcoming Puma Gen-E, which is a battery-electric version. The electric vehicle is expected to launch before the end of the year.
In addition to the Puma Gen-E, Ford will continue to focus on its performance lineup, which includes the new-generation Mustang, the Mustang Mach-E electric crossover, and the Ranger Raptor. The Everest, Ranger, F-150, and Tourneo models will also remain available. Ford Australia’s President and CEO, Andrew Birkic, also mentioned that the brand will highlight light commercial vehicles, such as the Transit and E-Transit family.
The ICE-powered Puma is still featured on the company’s local website in three different variations. The base model starts at AU$35,708 (US$23,230) drive-away, while the mid-range ST-Line, shown in the gallery above, starts at AU$38,159 (US$24,825). The top-of-the-line ST-Line V has a recommended retail price of AU$41,494 (US$26,995). All models are equipped with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine, a 7-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. Various features and technologies are included, with the most notable ones reserved for the higher trim levels.
The Ford Puma crossover was unveiled in 2019 and recently received a facelift. It shares its name with the front-engine, front-wheel drive coupe produced from 1997 to 2002. Production of the Puma takes place in Craiova, Romania, using the same platform as the Fiesta, EcoSport, B-Max, Ka+/Figo, and old Transit Courier. While the Puma offers various powertrain options depending on the market, it does not come with all-wheel drive.
Ford does not offer the Puma in North America, where the larger Escape serves as their most affordable crossover. The compact high-rider, known as the Kuga in Europe, shares its foundation with the fourth-generation Focus, as well as the Bronco Sport, Maverick, and Lincoln Corsair. It has been available since 2019 and is offered in six different trim levels in the United States, including the Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, Platinum, and Plug-in Hybrid. Pricing for the base model starts just below $30,000, while the electrified variant exceeds $40,000 before destination and dealer fees.