G E A R E D - I N

Without a doubt, the unveiling of the Ford Everest at the 2002 Bangkok Auto Show started the new wave in people carriers.  Though dubbed as the most affordable and practical Ford SUV available in the market, for all intents and purposes, it’s an AUV.  And a killer one at that.  The reason for calling it as such has nothing to do with the drivetrain or the features.  It’s the fact that it’s made, designed, and engineered for the Asian market with its consumers in mind.

That said, it is clear that the Ford Everest would be a winner out of the box not only because of its butch and tough Ranger-based chassis, but because it is the only one in its class that offered proper seating for 7 as well as a complete array of safety equipment.  Though the looks may be derivative, according to Vernon Sarne’s (The Manila Times) interview with chief platform engineer Chuck Bambenek, the Everest took a full four years to develop.  The fruits of Ford’s labor paid with month after month of record sales despite an overall weak market.

However, as with all pioneering products, the Ford Everest opened itself to new competition.  With Mitsubishi deciding to stick their guns by facelifting the Adventure/Freeca, it’s clear that the Everest’s main opponents would come from the stables of Isuzu and Toyota—both veterans of the AUV segment.

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