The coronavirus continues to hammer the automotive industry as it shuttered plants and caused sales to plummet.
The effects are now spreading as the global pandemic is now delaying a handful of upcoming models.
According to Automotive News, the Ford Bronco Sport has been delayed by nearly two months. Citing supplier information, the publication says the crossover was originally slated to go into production at the company’s plant in Hermosillo, Mexico on July 13th. However, that has now been pushed back to September 7th.
Also Read: 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Specs Leaked, Offers 1.5- And 2.0-Liter EcoBoost Engines, AWD-Only
Ford declined to confirm the news, but it’s hardly surprising as automaker originally intended to restart production at the Hermosillo Assembly Plant on April 6th. However, on March 31st, the company announced they were delaying the restart of production to “help protect its workers.”
Ford has been tight-lipped about the Bronco Sport, but undisguised pictures surfaced last month and the model made an appearance in Ford’s dealership ordering system which revealed a handful of specifications.
As we have previously reported, the Bronco Sport is based on the Escape and will be offered with 1.5- and 2.0-liter EcoBoost engines that should have outputs of 180 hp (134 kW / 182 PS) and 250 hp (186 kW / 253 PS). The engines are slated to be connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard all-wheel drive system.
The fate of the larger Bronco is also a mystery, but the model was originally scheduled to be unveiled on March 17th. Nearly a month has passed since the event was postponed and there’s still no word on when the highly-anticipated SUV will debut. However, Automotive News suggests the model will be launched early next year.
Ford isn’t the only automaker delaying models due to the coronavirus. Chevrolet recently confirmed the facelifted Equinox and Traverse have been pushed back to the 2022 model year.
Both crossovers were originally scheduled to go on sale late this year as 2021 models. However, they’ll now arrive at dealerships sometime next year.
