The Edge is third-placed in Ford's global SUV sales behind the Escape and Explorer, but saw volume of just under 180,000 units in 2013. With the new model now being launched in the UK and Europe, IHS says that expanding its markets will help to increase the model’s sales, but Europe is forecast to be a smaller contributor to Edge sales than China.

Commenting on the outlook and implications for the model, Ms Brinley said: ‘The best sales year for the previous generation was 2013 with 179,857 units sold globally, as the entry oddly benefited from its launch timing. On sale in 2006, it provided a more manageable and somewhat more fuel-efficient alternative to the truck-based SUVs available at the time. Sales dipped in 2009 and 2010 on economic pressures, with volumes advancing forward from calendar year (CY) 2009 onward. The new generation is forecast to see sales grow from 179,857 units globally in 2013 to 225,000 units in 2016.

‘While IHS Automotive forecasts sales in Europe will reach 8,000 units in 2016, the second-largest market will continue to be China at about 30,000 units in 2016, but growing to more than 42,000 units as some, comparatively small production is localised in the region. North America retains the top-seller status, with the Oakville assembly plant reaching an output of about 192,000 units in 2016, though not necessarily holding the pace as Chinese production increases.

‘This new-generation Ford Edge is an evolutionary design tale, which will arrive in showrooms a few months after the latest Nissan Murano, introduced at the 2014 New York Auto Show; both were key in establishing the mainstream SUV D-segment. The new Murano arrives with styling that moves forward, while the Edge evolves. Edge will retain a clear and significant sales advantage, but the Murano may be viewed as the product to advance the segment look over the Edge.

‘Murano's global sales in 2013 were a modest 60,945 units versus Edge's 179,857 units; both are most popular in North America. The new look of the Murano and other product enhancements will help it increase global sales to about 100,000 units by 2016, with the Edge's more conservative take bringing sales above 225,000 in the same timeframe. In 2016, the Edge is forecast to account for about 3.6% of Ford's global sales; the Murano is forecast to bring in about 2.1% of Nissan's global sales.’