Ford Offers Incentives to Keep Escape Owners in the Family

The automaker aims to retain 70% of Escape and Lincoln Corsair owners after ending production of the models.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After ending production of the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair at its Louisville Assembly Plant in December 2025, Ford is now offering significant incentives to existing Escape and Corsair owners to keep them in the Ford family. The company plans to introduce five new models under $40,000 by the end of the decade, but in the meantime is targeting Escape lessees and owners with deals on alternative Ford vehicles like the Bronco Sport and Maverick to avoid losing them to competitor brands.

Why it matters

The Escape has been a key model for Ford, so the automaker is eager to retain as many of those customers as possible even without a direct replacement. Keeping Escape and Corsair owners loyal is crucial as Ford transitions its lineup, especially with the average new vehicle price in the U.S. exceeding $50,000 in recent years.

The details

Ford is offering incentives ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 to Escape and Corsair owners, depending on which Ford vehicle they choose as a replacement. The company is specifically targeting Escape lessees whose terms are up this year, offering them deals on models like the Bronco Sport and Maverick. Ford expects Escape supply to last through June 2026, while Lincoln Corsair inventory should last into 2027. The automaker is drawing on its successful playbook from when it ended production of the Edge, where it was able to retain most customers by introducing them to similar-sized and priced vehicles like the Explorer and Expedition.

  • Ford ended production of the Escape and Lincoln Corsair at its Louisville Assembly Plant in December 2025.
  • Ford expects Escape supply to last through June 2026.
  • Lincoln Corsair inventory is expected to last into 2027.

The players

Ford

An American automaker and one of the largest car companies in the world.

Rob Kaffl

Ford's executive director of U.S. sales.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have the playbook from when we ended the Edge and we'll use that same playbook with the Escape.”

— Rob Kaffl, Ford's executive director of U.S. sales (Detroit Free Press)

What’s next

Ford plans to introduce five new models priced under $40,000 by the end of the decade, with the first electric midsize truck arriving in 2027.

The takeaway

Ford's strategy to retain Escape and Corsair owners through targeted incentives and alternative vehicle offerings highlights the challenges automakers face when discontinuing popular models, as well as the importance of customer loyalty in a rapidly changing industry.