03:01 25-04-2026

Ford brings its China range into focus in Beijing

At the Beijing motor show, SPEEDME journalists captured not just a single premiere, but effectively a cross-section of Ford’s entire Chinese line-up. The stand featured the Mustang Convertible, Mondeo, the Mondeo Sport crossover coupe, the family-oriented Edge L and Equator Sport PHEV, as well as the off-road Bronco, Explorer Timberline and F-150 Raptor. For the brand, it was an important statement: in China, Ford is betting not only on electrification, but also on distinctive, recognisable models.

Ford’s display looked like an attempt to address several market gaps at once. The red Mustang Convertible carried the emotion and image, the grey Mondeo represented the classic sedan segment, and the yellow Mondeo Sport tapped into demand for crossovers with a coupe-like silhouette. Alongside them stood more practical SUVs: the Edge L, Equator Sport PHEV and the large Explorer, including the Timberline version with a more rugged look.

The Bronco and F-150 Raptor played a separate role. These models are less about volume sales than about brand strength. Against a backdrop of Chinese electric cars with vast screens and large batteries, Ford is showing a different kind of value: an off-road image, a petrol-powered character, recognisable American DNA and hardware designed to work beyond the city.

The Mustang Convertible was the most emotional car on the stand. Its key difference from most Chinese newcomers is that it is not a rational electric sedan, but an open sports car with a classic seating position, rear-wheel-drive architecture and familiar styling. Depending on the market, the Mustang is offered with an EcoBoost turbo engine or a V8, but in Beijing the image mattered more: a long bonnet, soft top, three-section tail-lights and low stance.

The Mondeo and Mondeo Sport play in a different field. The sedan keeps the format of a large family car, while the Mondeo Sport is visually closer to a crossover coupe, with a higher body line, large wheels, a sloping rear end and sporty trim. For China, this pairing makes sense: the sedan remains a choice for buyers who value comfort and status, while the Sport version tries to win customers away from crossovers such as the Geely Tugella, Changan Uni-K and Haval F7x.

The Edge L and Equator Sport PHEV cover the family segment. The Edge L looks like a large SUV for long journeys and second-row passengers, while the Equator Sport PHEV relies on a plug-in hybrid layout. For the Chinese market, that is especially important: a PHEV allows urban driving on electric power without forcing the owner to depend solely on charging infrastructure. Hybrids of this kind have become one of the key compromises between petrol SUVs and electric vehicles.

The Bronco, Explorer and F-150 Raptor represent the off-road side of the range. In the photos, the Bronco appears in a bright orange finish, with a boxy body, high ground clearance and expedition-style equipment on the tailgate. The Explorer Timberline looks more family-oriented, but with an off-road emphasis: protective cladding, all-wheel drive, a tall body and an outdoor character. The F-150 Raptor is the peak of that idea: a pick-up with reinforced suspension, large tyres, a powerful EcoBoost turbo engine and the image of a vehicle that can keep going where an ordinary crossover has already reached its limit.

For Ford, China is a difficult market because local brands set the pace: BYD, Changan, Geely, GAC, Great Wall, Li Auto and others. They bring hybrids, electric vehicles and cars with advanced electronics to market faster. Ford’s answer is therefore not a single technological sensation, but breadth of choice: from the Mustang Convertible to practical family SUVs and off-road models with a strong reputation.