Ford Puma petrol axed in Australia, electric model still coming

Petrol versions of the Ford Puma compact crossover will be axed in Australia from mid-2024.

Ford Australia has chosen to import only the all-electric version of the newly unveiled facelifted model, which is due in local showrooms in late 2024 or early 2025.

The move will leave the Ranger-based Everest as the only combustion SUV available from local Ford showrooms, with the company also phasing out the Escape midsize SUV in 2023.

The electric Puma, which will be called the 'Puma Gen-E', will join the larger Mustang Mach-E as another electric SUV offering.

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Pictured throughout: The facelifted internal-combustion Puma not coming to Australia

The Gen-E wasn't included in Ford's reveal of the facelifted Puma in Europe today.

The Puma is hugely popular in Europe and was the best-selling vehicle in the UK last year, yet the crossover based on the Fiesta city car has curiously struggled in Australia – as with many well-praised European-sourced Fords.

Puma sales in Australia peaked at 3218 units in 2021, its first full year in showrooms, which wasn't sufficient to get the high-riding hatchback into the Top 15 best-selling small SUVs list.

Ford Australia shifted 2408 Pumas in 2022 before sales dropped again, to 2027, last year.

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All Puma models sold locally were powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, with mild-hybrid variants and an ST performance version available elsewhere but excluded for this market.

Widely regarded as one of the best models in its class, the mid-range Puma ST-Line was awarded Wheels Best Small SUV Under $35,000 in 2023.

Ford Australia said its strategy going forward was to focus on its utes, vans, performance models, and increasing range of EVs, including "a renewed emphasis on vehicles that help customers do the things they love".

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“We have not taken this decision lightly and thank the many loyal customers who have chosen Puma over the years," said Ford Australia CEO Andrew Birkic.

The company says current Puma customer orders will be fulfilled, with final deliveries due in May.

Ford Australia has yet to confirm when the electric Puma Gen-E will arrive.