Ford unveiled the first generation Everest in March 2003 at the 24th Bangkok International Motor Show. Designed especially for Asian markets, the Everest shares 60 percent of the Ranger's components, including its 2.5-liter intercooled turbodiesel engine and the exterior styling from the front to the B-pillars. It was revealed that the development of the car costs US$100 million including investments needed to manufacture the Everest. As it based on the Ranger, it retained the double wishboneindependent front suspension and leaf spring rear suspension from the Ranger, while also engineered into making the level of ride comfort and handling of a standard that is better than the Ranger. The Everest was sold in Asia, Middle East, Central America and the Bahamas. It was built at the AutoAlliance Thailand plant in Rayong, and as CKD kits in Chengalpattu, India and Hai Duong, Vietnam. In India, the Everest was introduced in 2009. It is renamed as the Ford Endeavour to avoid legal issues owing to the existence of a spice making brand with the same name in the country.
Major facelift (2007)
In November 2006, the Everest underwent a major facelift that saw the whole front and side body panels replaced to make it look more up-to-date. 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 BorgWarnertransfer case, and the new Active-Shift-on-the-Fly for the first time. Despite the massive changes, it retained the U268 project code. However, this 2007–2015 model is sometimes mistakenly dubbed as the second generation Everest by Ford or the media. A second facelift was introduced in 2009. While the changes were less massive than the previous facelift, Everest now sports a less boxy 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 new front grille. In 2013, the Everest received a final facelift, now featuring a new front bumper similarly looking with several global Ford cars.
Second generation (U375/UA; 2015)
The second generation Everest was unveiled as a near-production concept vehicle 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 Ford Ranger, the car is now developed by Ford Australia. In China, the Ford Everest is manufactured by the JMC-Fordjoint venture, at JMC's Nanchang factory. The second generation Everest features a complete redesign which now featured a less boxy-looking proportions for a more modern appearance. Dimension-wise, the 2015 Ford Everest is shorter in length but wider and taller, altering its proportions compared to its predecessor. The wheelbase has been reduced from to. 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. The second generation Everest is used as a basis for a light-duty tactical vehicle for the French military, called the Arquus Trapper VT4.
