DEARBORN, MI - Ford is introducing its all-new Escape SUV featuring a segment-first hands-free power liftgate that opens with a simple kicking gesture under the rear bumper and without the need to fumble for a key.
by Staff
November 7, 2011
The new Escape, which makes its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Nov. 16, will be the first SUV to use gesture-based technology - similar to that found in video games - to open the rear liftgate.
2 min to read
DEARBORN, MI - Ford is introducing its all-new Escape SUV featuring a segment-first hands-free power liftgate that opens with a simple kicking gesture under the rear bumper and without the need to fumble for a key.
The new Escape, which makes its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Nov. 16, will be the first SUV to use gesture-based technology - similar to that found in video games - to open the rear liftgate. A gentle kicking motion under the center of the rear bumper activates the system and raises the liftgate. The same kicking motion closes the liftgate as well.
"The hands-free power liftgate is yet another innovative Ford technology that makes customers' lives easier," said Jason Sprawka, Escape brand manager. "New Escape owners will be able to load their vehicle without ever having to set packages or gear down."
Ad Loading...
The hands-free liftgate builds on Ford's Intelligent Access push-button start. It allows customers to unlock and start their vehicles without having to take the key out of their pocket or purse.
The new Escape, which makes its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Nov. 16, will be the first SUV to use gesture-based technology - similar to that found in video games - to open the rear liftgate.
The hands-free liftgate uses two sensors in the rear bumper to detect a person's shin and kicking motion. The system safeguards against accidental opening by being programmed to open with leg motions - not when an animal runs under the car or when the vehicle hits a bump on the road.
The liftgate height can be programmed or adjusted manually to meet specific customer needs.
About the Escape The all-new Escape goes on sale next spring, building on the success of Ford's highly popular small SUV. First introduced in 2000, nearly 2 million Escapes have been sold.
The new Escape is another of Ford's global vehicles, based on the company's C-sized platform, which is being used as the basis for more than 2 million Ford vehicles around the world.
Ad Loading...
In addition to being a technological leader, the new Escape will be a fuel economy leader, too. The vehicle will be offered with three fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines, including 1.6- and 2.0-liter versions of Ford's popular EcoBoost engines.
The new 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is expected to deliver better fuel economy than competitors' larger four-cylinder engines. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost is expected to offer better fuel economy than competitors' V6 engines, while delivering unsurpassed performance compared to those larger six-cylinder powertrains.
The Escape will be built at Ford's Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky, where the company has invested $600 million to retool the facility and is in the process of adding 3,100 jobs to launch two new shifts of Escape production by the end of next year.
To see how the hands-free liftgate works, click here.
Kooner Fleet Management Solutions’ new Central England operations hub establishes a foundation for 24/7 fleet maintenance, mobile repair, and technician development across the UK.
Drivers are shaping fleet decisions, TPMS is delivering real savings, and a key workhorse is retiring. Plus quick hits on data, uptime, and new trucks.
St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund’s 2nd Annual Virtual 5K raises funds and awareness for over-the-road truck drivers facing illness or injury, and there’s still time to participate in this year’s event.
New tools always change the process. They do not replace the instinct. From portrait painters adapting to photography to creators navigating AI, the people who matter most are still the ones who know how to see.
With more than four decades of experience across fleets such as AT&T and AmeriGas, Carl built a reputation for doing the work, leading through change, and helping to move the industry forward without ever making it about himself.
In this month’s news recap, we’re digging into why trucks are still failing in the field, how fleets are finally turning data into action, why driver feedback is becoming a critical operational tool, how fleet leaders are finding their voice, and where simple tech like TPMS is delivering real results.
Verisk CargoNet reported that supply chain crime events across the United States and Canada declined by 5.3% in the first quarter of 2026. However, confirmed cargo theft reports rose slightly, by 41 incidents.
Limited spots remain for Work Truck Exchange in Phoenix. Fleet managers can connect through pre-scheduled meetings designed to deliver real solutions fast.
Veterans in fleet, it's your turn! share how military experience shapes leadership, discipline, and real-world decision-making across today’s operations.
