Ford Axing all cars except Mustang and Focus Active Crossover in North America

[xDUMPWEEDx]

Sponsored

 

[HawaiianStang]

Just what I told my wife tonight. Remember when gas prices were extremely high a few year ago, Ford couldn't sell enough gas friendly cars.:doh:

Exactly right. Oil prices are on the rise, and I think that Ford may well regret this decision. American auto manufacturers made the same mistake in the past, and it looks as though they learned nothing from it.

 

[HawaiianStang]

It's amusing to read all the automobile industry "experts" chiming in here about what a horrible strategic error Ford is making.

No more amusing than how you think that you are more of an "expert" than any of the rest of us.

 

[Hi-PO Stang]

Yesterday I saw an AWD Ecoboost Fusion sport for the first time. I was impressed by the fit, finish and overall quality. I may just have to get one before production ends.

 

[ctandc72]

Ford sedans were doomed when they didnt design a new affordable police interceptor after the vic production ended. Now dodge owns the segment and sedan market with police. Which in turn increased the civilian model. Just imagine a redesigned crown vic with a coyote for 30k. Will never happen but would have saved the market.

"Owns" might be a strong word in regards to Dodge and law enforcement vehicles.

Explorer and Taurus dominate the LE landscape in VA and several other states. What's ironic is many of the LE Chargers are even V6 cars....

 

[ctandc72]

Exactly right. Oil prices are on the rise, and I think that Ford may well regret this decision. American auto manufacturers made the same mistake in the past, and it looks as though they learned nothing from it.

Oil prices are rising sure...but you cannot compare it to the last oil price and thus gas price spike. Oil prices are rising because the GDP and the economy are booming right now. Interest rates will be next. Big difference as far as consumers when gas prices spike when the economy sucks versus now.

 

[nametoshowothers]

And a ICE car can make it across without refilling?

ICE have had the advantage of a 100 years of infrastructure and technological development by many major corporations and countries.

Hybrids and electric vehicles have enjoyed almost a 10th less time in and are radically changing as the market shifts. A car with an aluminun air battery could get across the country with two cell swaps.

electric cars have been around for over hundred years and use to out number gasoline powered cars

the battery is even older technology. Battery technology is a mature technology in which manufacturers are working on squeezing more out of them. Much like the ICE. only new thing about batteries, really is the hype and media. Innovation is largely now in packaging and integrating well proven technology

 

[itguy08]

Ford sedans were doomed when they didnt design a new affordable police interceptor after the vic production ended. Now dodge owns the segment and sedan market with police. Which in turn increased the civilian model. Just imagine a redesigned crown vic with a coyote for 30k. Will never happen but would have saved the market.

Ford still owns the police segment. The Taurus-based Interceptor is the fastest, best handling, police vehicle in the Ecoboost trim. The only thing the POS Dodge has is it goes to 150 vs Ford's 149. They sell a ton of them.

Some interesting reading 2018 Michigan State Police Vehicle Tests

 

[itguy08]

I think it's a smart business decision. It's kind of obvious that people who buy cars (basic non muscle car cars) are buying Toyotas, Hondas, Kias, Hyundais, etc.

They are not even doing that. Car sales as a whole are down for EVERYONE, including Honda and Toyota who have "all new" models out. The CUV/SUV/Truck thing is what people are buying.

It makes sense not to spend billions on a redesign which has no guarantee of success to chase a declining market. It's better to go after what people want and adapt to that.

With the CUV craze, they are just cars with different tops so it would be relatively easy to design a car out of it. And if you get your production streamlined and platforms optimized could probably be done in 1 model year.

 

[Bravo]

For those saying that Ford will regret this because of rising oil prices, remember what auto engineering has already done for fuel economy in crossovers and small SUVs. Many crossovers hover around 30mpg right now, add new technology and hybrid platforms and they'll easily approach 40mpg.

Once you get past 30mpg, people don't care as much about fuel economy, and care more about the car platform.

FYI - I just took a walk through my work parking lot and counted 8 Trucks/SUVs before I hit a sedan (and that sedan was a Focus).

We're the minority.

 

[UAmach1]

Would you prefer the 2019 Escort over the Ecosport?

The more I think on this the more I feel like the 2019 Escort with the options of 1.0T, 1.5T and 2.0T, with the 1.5T and 2.0T having AWD and 6spd options would actually be a rather neat car. They could easily have Hybrid and Electric options too. It seems to be sized between the Focus and Fusion so could appeal to both markets.

I think a 252hp 6spd AWD Escort ST would be fun. That could be a REAL competitor to the WRX, with trims that go against the Corolla, Civic, accord and others that the Fusion and Focus would compete against, but at the price of just 1 platform.

Shame it will NEVER happen.

 

[seth21w]

Ford still owns the police segment. The Taurus-based Interceptor is the fastest, best handling, police vehicle in the Ecoboost trim. The only thing the POS Dodge has is it goes to 150 vs Ford's 149. They sell a ton of them.

Some interesting reading 2018 Michigan State Police Vehicle Tests

Maybe where you live but in georgia most drive chargers, i do see a few explorers but most uniform patrol use the dodge. And the ecoboost may be fast but the coyote would handle the abuse of interceptor work much better.

 

[w3rkn]

I want to play devil's advocate here.
What is the difference of a Taurus and a Taurus that is 4 inches taller..? Or a Fusion that is 5 inches taller..?


Subsequently, anyone who is bringing up gas prices and (ford) suv's..? Didn't read, because Ford is going high efficient turbo engines, paired with electric motors for a true hybrid experience.

Also, the Focus Hatchback is staying, as the Sedan offers so much less, there is no point in continue making it, when you can just focus on all kinds of versatile hatchbacks. Ford can make better cars this way.




Good news for Mustang fans.

With the Mustang being the only real coupe Ford sells, it will probably get an option make-over and offer more tiers and possibly introduce a 3rd engine option (v6 EB) ..?

 

[itguy08]

Maybe where you live but in georgia most drive chargers, i do see a few explorers but most uniform patrol use the dodge. And the ecoboost may be fast but the coyote would handle the abuse of interceptor work much better.

In the Northeast it's mainly the Fords. The Ecoboost 3.5 is a stout engine - it handles the "abuse" just fine - don't forget it's also in the F150.

 

[UAmach1]

In the Northeast it's mainly the Fords. The Ecoboost 3.5 is a stout engine - it handles the "abuse" just fine - don't forget it's also in the F150.

My town has moved to almost ONLY Explorers. They seem to be replacing the Taurus' with them as they get older.

Sponsored