Ford Everest

The Ford Everest is a mid-size SUV produced by Ford Motor Company since 2003. Developed and destined mainly for the Asia-Pacific region with production centered in Thailand, the first-generation Everest is based on the Mazda-based Ford Ranger pickup truck, while the following generations are based on the globally-marketed T6 Ranger. Unlike the Ranger which was paralleled with the Mazda B series or BT-50 until 2020, the Everest has no Mazda equivalent, as it was seen as unfitting for the brand.

In India, the Everest was marketed as the Ford Endeavour in the Indian market to avoid legal issues due to the existence of a spice-making brand with the same name in the country.

First generation (U268/UR; 2003)
Ford unveiled the first-generation Everest in March 2003 at the 24th Bangkok International Motor Show. Developed specifically for Asian markets under the lead of chief platform engineer Masaki Makihara, the Everest shares 60 percent of the Ranger's components, including its 2.5-liter intercooled turbo-diesel engine and the exterior styling from the front to the B-pillars. It was revealed that the development of the car took four years and costs US$100 million including investments needed to manufacture the Everest.

As it is based on the Ranger, the Everest retained the double wishbone independent front suspension and a live axle with leaf spring rear suspension from the Ranger with several adjustments. It lacks a lockable rear differential.

The first-generation Everest was offered in a three-row, seven-seater configuration, while in some markets such as Indonesia it was also available as a 10-seater with face-to-face third row bench seats.

The Everest was sold in Southeast Asia, India, Middle East, Central America, the Bahamas and several African countries. It was built at the AutoAlliance Thailand plant in Rayong, and as CKD kits in Chengalpattu, India and Hai Duong, Vietnam. In India, the vehicle was introduced as the Endeavour in 2003.

Facelift
In November 2006, the Everest underwent a major facelift that saw the whole front and side body panels replaced to match the redesign of its base vehicle, the Ranger. Changes also included an updated front fascia, new transmission and an improved engine. In addition, the redesign featured the new 5-speed automatic transmission with BorgWarner transfer case, and an Active-Shift-on-the-Fly function (4x4 only) for the first time. Despite the massive changes, it retained most mechanical parts along with its U268 project code. However, the 2007–2015 model is sometimes referred to as the second-generation Everest by Ford or journalists.

A second facelift was introduced in 2009. While the changes were less prominent than the previous facelift, Everest now sports a rounder fascia than its predecessor and was similar with the facelifted Ranger. The changes were achieved by changing the front fender assembly, front hood, front headlights, front grill and front bumper, while it also featured larger 18-inch polished alloy wheels, a redesigned tailgate and new tail lamps.

Another smaller update was introduced in 2012, now sporting a revised front grille. In 2013, the Everest received a final facelift, featuring a redesigned front bumper in line with some other global Ford cars.

Second generation (U375/UA; 2015)
The second-generation Everest first previewed at a 'Go Further' future product event in Sydney, Australia as a near-production concept vehicle in August 2013. It was also showcased at the Bangkok Motor Show in March 2014 and as a production version November 2014 ahead of its public debut at the Guangzhou International Motor Show.

Based on the T6 Ranger, the vehicle was developed by Ford Australia under the lead of American chief program engineer Todd Hoevener. The development code was designated U375, and the model code in Australia was designated UA series. In China, the Everest was manufactured by the JMC-Ford joint venture, at JMC's Nanchang factory.

The second-generation Everest features a complete redesign which featured rounder proportions for a more modern appearance. Dimension-wise, the vehicle is shorter in length but wider and taller, altering its proportions compared to its predecessor. The wheelbase has been reduced from 2860 mm to 2850 mm.

Production and sales of the Endeavour in India ended in 2021 due to the closure of all Ford manufacturing plants in the country. Attempts to continue its production in the country through a contractual basis fell through.

Facelift
This model received a facelift in May 2018, coinciding with the Ranger facelift. The facelift included design tweaks, equipment list update, new 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine and 10-speed automatic gearbox. Other changes include Autonomous Emergency Braking, a standard kick-activated power liftgate, and new alloy wheels. Interior changes include more soft touch materials such as ebony dark colour scheme. Another facelift was released for the 2021 year model in November 2020 in Thailand.

Arquus Trapper VT4
The second-generation Everest is used as a basis for a light-duty tactical vehicle for the French military, called the Arquus Trapper VT4. On September 15, 2022, Arquus announced the production of the 4,000th model. On August 3, 2023, all VT4s were delivered to the French military.

Third generation (U704/UB; 2022)
The third-generation Everest was revealed on 1 March 2022. It was developed under the U704 development code, and known as the UB series in Australia. Sharing most of the front end components with the P703 Ranger, overall dimensions of the third-generation Everest remain mostly the same, with an additional 50 mm in wheel track and wheelbase. The changes was done to achieve a longer dash-to-axle ratio to accommodate the optional V6 engine and a slighter wider wheel track.

The T6 platform continues to underpin the Everest with upgrades, such as longer control arms for the independent front suspension and Watts' link rear suspension to suit the wider wheel track. All Everest models in this generation are equipped with underbody protection, a rear locking differential, selectable off-road drive modes, and two functional tow hooks at the front. The vehicle also offers 800 mm of wading depth.

The four-wheel-drive model will be available with the option of 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 and 3500 kg towing capacity. To accommodate the increased towing capacity, Ford worked on the engine cooling package, stiffened the frame and increased the front and rear axle load capacities.

Instead of using a more conventional centre differential with a limited-slip or locking function for off-road driving, the Everest uses an electromechanical clutch pack that would connect and disconnect the front and rear wheels. It allows the Everest to operate in rear-wheel drive on high traction surfaces, and move the front wheels if needed. The clutch pack can engage completely in off-road situations.

In January 2023, Ford released the Everest Wildtrak V6 in Thailand and New Zealand. The Wildtrak V6 is differentiated from other models in the range by adopting the same styling treatment as the Ranger Wildtrak, such as the front bumper with darker accents, black wheel-arch flares and window trim, and Wildtrak badging. Positioned between the mid-trim Sport, and the luxury-positioned Platinum model, the Wildtrak model is solely powered by the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine.

In July 2022, Ford launched the third-generation Everest in the Philippines. It is available in 5 trims: 4x2 Trend, 4x2 Limited, 4x2 Sport, 4x2 Titanium Plus, and 4x4 Titanium Plus. The former 4 were powered by a 2.0L EcoBlue turbo I4 engine, while the latter was powered a 2.0L Ecoblue twin turbo I4 engine.

The third-generation Ford Everest was launched in the Middle Eastern markets on 10 October 2023, it is powered by a 2.3-liter turbo petrol engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It is offered in three grades, XLS, XLT, and Limited. It will be available in the Middle East for the first time.