- Ford’s compact Territory SUV is built to conquer the region’s most demanding environments, with both hybrid and petrol variants undergoing the same rigorous hot weather testing.
- Every detail of the Ford Territory is scrutinized for regional resilience, including critical engine cooling, battery thermal management, AC system, and interior materials durability.
- From its smallest to its biggest SUV, Ford’s commitment to quality shines through its regional team of engineers ensuring its vehicles boast uncompromised performance in extreme conditions.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, July 24, 2025 – The Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) climate and topography present a unique and formidable challenge for vehicle manufacturers—with scorching summer temperatures, pervasive sand, and diverse terrains—where only the most robust and meticulously engineered vehicles can truly thrive. For Ford, however, it also provides a crucial proving ground for perfecting its products destined for the region’s roads.
Having an engineering team based in the region for the past 15 years, teamed with the invaluable learnings that come from in-market scrutineering, Ford has instilled a sense of heritage in the practice of rigorous local testing for its vehicles across MENA, which in turn has contributed to the final design of various models.
It’s this longevity and long-standing in market that helps Ford to wholly understand that the vehicles operating in this region face unique challenges, like intense heat that can degrade materials, stress mechanical components, and impact the efficiency of vital systems. Sand and dust, too, can infiltrate sensitive areas, causing wear and tear.
Before the Territory—including the highly anticipated Territory Hybrid—for example, earns its place on MENA roads, it must endure a battery of rigorous hot weather tests designed to ensure quality, reliability, and performance. Each year, in fact, Ford MENA-based engineers brave the Dubai heat to put vehicles through their paces over a precisely planned series of tests designed to expose potential weaknesses and guarantee that every component can withstand the harsh conditions.
And the Blue Oval brand will continue to invest heavily in comprehensive, multi-faceted hot weather testing programs, year-after-year, pushing its vehicles to their limits, encompassing everything from engine performance and cooling system efficiency to air conditioning effectiveness and the durability of interior materials in summer cabin highs in excess of 50 degrees Celsius; the kinds of environments that mirror the realities of MENA driving.
Ziyad Dallalah, Chief Engineer, Ford Middle East and North Africa, said: “Our local testing is relentless, ensuring that every aspect of the vehicle, from its robust cooling system to the resilience of its interior materials, can withstand the intense heat and dust. For the upcoming Territory Hybrid, we apply the same rigorous standards, so that its advanced powertrain delivers consistent performance and efficiency, even in the most demanding conditions, and we are committed to delivering to market a vehicle that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our customers across the Middle East and North Africa.”
As a compact SUV designed for urban environments and weekend adventures, Territory, throughout the extreme climate testing process, is also subjected to prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, simulating the penetrating heat experienced during a typical summer across the region, and driven on a variety of surfaces, including paved roads and gravel tracks, to assess its performance in different terrains.
A critical area of focus, of course, is the engine. Exceptionally high temperatures are prone to prompt a reduction in engine power and increase the risk of overheating. Ford MENA’s engineers, however, meticulously monitor engine temperatures, oil pressure, and other vital parameters to safeguard the engine’s ability to maintain optimal performance even under extreme stress, handling the demands of daily driving, while the cooling system is simultaneously put to the test, with evaluation of its ability to dissipate heat and prevent the engine from overheating.
The air conditioning system is another crucial component. In this region more than most, a functioning AC is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity. The Dubai-based engineering team methodically test the cabin cooling system to ensure that it can maintain a comfortable respite from external temperatures, but also that it will swiftly cool the cabin on start up. The testing, too, includes the system’s ability to dehumidify the air, preventing condensation and providing clear visibility.
Ford’s drive for quality extends beyond the major mechanical and electrical systems components, paying particularly close attention to the durability of interior materials. Intense heat and sunlight traditionally cause plastics to crack, fabrics to fade, and leather to dry out. In using specialized testing equipment to simulate years of exposure to these conditions, Ford can deliver vehicles replete with interior materials that will withstand the severities of the region’s climate.
Ultimately, Ford’s commitment to hot weather testing is a testament to its dedication to quality—identifying potential weaknesses and make necessary improvements before the vehicles are sold to customers—but also customer satisfaction. By pushing its vehicles to their limits in the most challenging environments, Ford assures its customers across the region that they can rely on their vehicles to perform flawlessly, no matter the conditions.
“Ford’s long-standing commitment to the Middle East and North Africa—and to customers who have trusted the Ford brand for many decades—goes beyond our physical footprint here,” said Ravi Ravichandran, President of Ford Middle East and North Africa. “It’s evident in our thorough intricate testing of vehicles in, and specifically for, the region to guarantee the nameplates we bring to market are not just suitable, but in fact engineered and built for MENA customers’ usage, with their unique needs, preferences, and driving conditions in mind.”.”
From the slightest sensor to the cool cabin breeze, every aspect of Ford Territory is built to withstand the stifling heat and shifting sands of the region, providing drivers with a safe, reliable, and enjoyable driving experience.
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