The Ford Bronco lineup is growing once again. With the standard Bronco and Bronco Sport already available in the US—as well as the Bronco EV available exclusively in China—the Blue Oval will soon introduce a new Bronco plug-in hybrid. Unfortunately for American buyers, this one won’t be sold in the United States.
According to Automotive News Europe, Ford will debut a new compact SUV in 2027 that carries the "Bronco" name. This model, though, will be smaller than the current Kuga (aka, the Escape in the US) and entirely different from the Broncos sold stateside. It will also be built at Ford’s Valencia plant in Spain, where the Kuga is currently produced.
Positioned between the Puma and the Kuga, the new SUV is expected to feature a modern design that caters to Europe’s growing demand for "urban" off-roaders. It will launch with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, though reports suggest Ford is planning a broader "multi-energy" approach. For now, there’s no indication that a fully electric version is in the works.
More than just another addition to Ford’s SUV portfolio, the European Bronco is a strategic move intended to boost production in Spain. The decision to build it in Valencia comes as Ford scales back manufacturing and phases out long-standing models like the Mondeo, Galaxy, and S-Max.
Currently, Ford’s Spanish facility only produces the Kuga. The introduction of a European Bronco could help revitalize output and bring new momentum to a plant that’s been at the center of the company’s restructuring efforts.
The launch of this new SUV aligns with a period of significant transformation for Ford. The new SUV highlights its commitment to redefining its European strategy in a more sustainable and focused way.
Source: Automotive News Europe
