The scheduled production start date for one of the most highly anticipated vehicle releases of 2020—the new Ford Bronco Sport—has been pushed back nearly two months, making it the latest in a series of vehicle launches delayed by the global coronavirus pandemic. Originally slated to go into production on July 13, the new vehicle won’t enter production until Sept. 7, according to an Automotive News report.

Ford has yet to officially announce the smaller, crossover SUV version of its planned new Ford Bronco, not that there isn’t already a gazillion photos of the vehicle scattered across the Internet. In fact, we previously reported on some Bronco Sport photos that were leaked in early March if you want to take a look.

Though the world has to wait a little longer for the vehicle’s debut, by all indications good things will come to those who wait. According to an article from The Drive, the 2021 Bronco Sport likely will share many similarities with the 2020 Ford Escape:

“Mechanically, the 2021 Bronco Sport is expected to share most of its underpinnings with the redesigned, front-drive based 2020 Escape, including its 1.5- and 2.0-liter turbocharged engines. Unlike the Escape or the Bronco Sport’s anticipated rival the Jeep Renegade, however, the Bronco Sport will supposedly be produced exclusively with all-wheel drive, giving it a leg up on the Jeep.”

The Drive

The Bronco Sport isn’t the only vehicle in Ford’s lineup expected to experience production delays as a precautionary response to the coronavirus crisis. According to the same report from The Drive, Ford CEO Jim Hackett recently told a Detroit-area radio station that the company also paused production on the Mustang Mach-E and new F-150.

Other automakers are experiencing the same issues as they try to negotiate the unprecedented challenge of dealing with this pandemic.

General Motors has temporarily halted development of several vehicles, including the Cadillac XT4, the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Silverado, and the GMC Sierra.

Various media outlets have reported a wave of plant closures by manufacturers ranging from Toyota, to Volvo, to Subaru, and more. For a comprehensive list of closures, check out this CNET.com article.

Keywords
Coronavirus, Ford Bronco Sport
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Author: Will Schertz

Will is a contributing writer for OnAllCylinders. His automotive writing career stretches back longer than a decade and includes a stint as senior reporter for one of the tire industry’s largest trade publications. He enjoys long walks on the beach, romantic candlelit dinners, and thinly veiled sarcasm. Will lives with his beautiful wife and two small humans who steal his food and "need" more LEGOs.