Ford dropping cars...good for market and those who tow ?

[Lessmore]

I was surprised at the headline of a couple of months ago, when the FoMoCo announced they will stop making cars...sedans, coupes, etc...except for the Mustang.

I wonder if this is a good idea. By that I mean that many families have needs for more than one vehicle and different types of vehicles...pickups, SUV/CUV's...yes even a car...a little 4 door or large 4 door sedan. Brand loyalty being what it is...what will some people do...if they need a sedan ?

I wonder if dropping cars pretty well completely is a good idea. Shortly after the announcement, gas prices started to rise quickly in North America. This rise in fuel costs was unrelated to Ford dropping cars. But if FoMoCo has no cars to sell...cars generally being capable of the better MPG as opposed to trucks....is Ford making a bad decison in not having fuel economical vehicles (cars) to compete for sale if their is a downturn in the economy and fuel prices continue to escalate ?

Are they (Ford) cutting out a complete segment wisely ? Will old customers who want a car, just go to another manufacturers? Will new, young customers (youth market) who generally start off with economical vehicles, sometimes become brand loyal and eventually...when they can afford them...get larger vehicles (trucks) from the company they became brand loyal with when they were young ?

Or just go somewhere else ?


Will cutting out a whole segment...cars..enable Ford to provide more towing options on the vehicles they will make...trucks, SUV/CUV, etc...will Ford concentration on the remaining vehicles they make, allow Ford to improve the truck lines so it benefit those who tow ?

Will dropping the car lines go down in history....as one of Ford's better ideas ?



Ford to stop making cars, except for Mustang

[Threebigfords]

I've owned just about every category of auto over the years. From my current F450 all the way down to a tiny 76 Honda Cvcc. From the biggest baddest SUV (03' 7.3L Excursion) to the zippy hot hatchback (88' Honda CRX Si). From old muscle (68 Cougar and 67 Mustang) to modern day station wagon (2010 Ford Flex Ecoboost)

Of all the cars I've owned over the last 36 years, by far my favorite to drive, is my wife's current sedan. (2016 Ford Taurus SHO)

I for one will miss the sporty all wheel drive sedans when they're gone. 0-60 in 4 seconds with a simple tune, all wheel drive traction, surprisingly responsive handling with some minor suspension upgrades, comfortable seating for 5, cavernous trunk. Superior styling to most boring crossover/suv's.

What's not to love?

Guess those of us that love to DRIVE are in the minority right Fordlover??

[Maury82]

I prefer a nice sporty car over any truck or SUV, especially a manual transmission sedan, and this truck is the first truck, and automatic transmission vehicle I've owned since my college freshman year in 1982. I'm constantly trying to depress a clutch while driving this truck, and I can't wait until I finish breaking this beast in.

I've never cared much for Ford, especially the way they put a car on the market and let it languish for years with little to no redesign or updates, or put a substandard car on the market, and update it where it should have been from the start.

Ford had the nerves to put the Continental on the market with a six speed transmission, and saved their four wheel drive system for the Fusion only for the top trim level.

Nissan will offer four wheel drive in even the base trim.

[Lessmore]

Fordlover wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:

As I posted before, that heartbeat could be a slow one, as the imported vehicles could be subject too a 20% tax. Ford is also dropping sedans in Europe

If everyone is dropping sedans everywhere, the public will just have to wait a slow heartbeat as it's not just Ford that is moving away fro sedans (I believe they still have a couple of econobox options they are keeping) but I'm sure Ford is well aware and they aren't the only ones transitioning away from sedans (not cars).

Heck 30mpg 1/2ton pickups beat out your average car from 20yrs ago and crossovers can be even better, so you are going to have to do something pretty impressive to get people back into sedans.

Yep, it's called the first economic downturn (or gas price spike) after sedans are phased out. Econoboxes will start fetching higher than reasonable values because they are few and far between. Supposedly the news of sedans going away has already increased the transaction prices, I'll see if I can track down the article I read on that.

In conventional car speak, the Mustang is the only car ford is keeping. Everything else will be a quasi SUV or crossover, or Truck/SUV.

My Father has a 2014 Focus with a 5 speed manual. He routinely returns >40MPG with reasonably careful driving. It is a really decent car with leather and all comfort features, and full boat retail MSRP was 21K. My F250 was 3X that #. No wonder Ford is giving up on sedans.

Yep...a lot of it is about how much money a manufacturer
can make on an individual vehicle. Not a lot of meat on the bone on your father's Focus for a manufacturer, but significantly more to be made on a full size pickup truck.

My wife and I were out and about for a while in our medium sized city. For a little bit, till we got bored , we started counting how many cars vs SUV/CUV's vs pickup trucks we saw in traffic. Vehicles were of all ages, but in this quick, non scientific 'survey' sedans seemed to win out, but not by much.

Some ehicles were newer,a couple of years old, very few seemed to be older than 10 year old and we did our survey in what I would describe as a middle class suburb.

There are a lot of people that drive small Japanese, Korean, American sedans. Seems to fill their needs and a lot of these small sedans are the least costly of vehicle out there. I would guess some driving these small grocery getter sedans, do so because this is all they can budget for, some drive them because they just want a small, 4 door sedan...nothing more.

Ford's new CEO previously ran a furniture company I understand, so he certainly has experience running a large company.

Ford's new CEO

Ford seems to be embarking on a great experiment. I don't have any... big business acumen, so I don't know how things will go for FoMoCo.
It will be interesting to see how things turn out.

As always, I hope things go well for North American companies.

[Fordlover]

valhalla360 wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:

As I posted before, that heartbeat could be a slow one, as the imported vehicles could be subject too a 20% tax. Ford is also dropping sedans in Europe

If everyone is dropping sedans everywhere, the public will just have to wait a slow heartbeat as it's not just Ford that is moving away fro sedans (I believe they still have a couple of econobox options they are keeping) but I'm sure Ford is well aware and they aren't the only ones transitioning away from sedans (not cars).

Heck 30mpg 1/2ton pickups beat out your average car from 20yrs ago and crossovers can be even better, so you are going to have to do something pretty impressive to get people back into sedans.

Yep, it's called the first economic downturn (or gas price spike) after sedans are phased out. Econoboxes will start fetching higher than reasonable values because they are few and far between. Supposedly the news of sedans going away has already increased the transaction prices, I'll see if I can track down the article I read on that.

In conventional car speak, the Mustang is the only car ford is keeping. Everything else will be a quasi SUV or crossover, or Truck/SUV.

My Father has a 2014 Focus with a 5 speed manual. He routinely returns >40MPG with reasonably careful driving. It is a really decent car with leather and all comfort features, and full boat retail MSRP was 21K. My F250 was 3X that #. No wonder Ford is giving up on sedans.

[Jayco-noslide]

I wonder if big SUV fans realize what they may be "paying"; especially the big ones and to a lesser degree, even small car based ones. Compared to sedans, Suv's are heavier(hence use more fuel and do not handle as well), need or should have more power(again more fuel and unneeded energy use) and have more wind resistance. As an example, I did have a Chevy Sonic sedan. I'm driving a rental Trax (Sonic made into an SUV). The Sonic performed and accelerated adequately but the Trax is a dog because heavier and it's got the same power. I love my Ford Focus hatchback (a compact car sedan). I know younger buyers today don't care much about cornering, acceleration, MPG and sporty looks all of which sedans( which includes hatchbacks and wagons) do better. Oh, yes, SUV's cost more also.

[BenK]

Ford will still be using the same production lines...

Semi buried in the announcement...of dropping sedans and move to pickups, SUV's and CUV's...is that CUV's are derived from CAR platforms...AKA sedans, etc

So, in reality, they will continue building "cases", but with a different body...

[hone_eagle]

IdaD wrote:

Fordlover wrote:

Lessmore wrote:
I'm the OP. I'm surprised how many people have responded that they wouldn't miss cars. But perhaps that has something to do with the forum...after all it's for RVer's who tow trailers and that means pickup trucks and SUV's. Wonder what the response would be in a non RV forum with mostly city people who don't tow ?

I dunno, just wondering.

And there you have it. The downside to tall(er) vehicles with more weight up high is driving dynamics, mostly handling. RV forums most people don't care, but on the SCCA forum, I bet you'll find more opinions. I drive my sporty sedan much differently than I can drive my old explorer, wife's Edge, sisters Jeep, and certainly the new Super Duty. I can take a freeway flyover ramp at higher than the posted limit, passing someone on the outside lane without a sweat. Sweat would definitely be involved if I was in a marshmallow suspended crossover.

But such is life. In my commuting experience through America's 4th largest city, most folks I drive to work with every day on the road don't want to drive, they would much rather apply makeup, play on the cell phone or chat to a friend, or just get lost in thought while blocking the left lane and backing up 10+ cars behind them. No wonder SUV's and crossovers have become the go to..

Sedans have always been terrible family vehicles, but people in this country had limited alternatives. Outside of Subaru there have been very few choices for wagons, which are better in every way than their sedan cousins. Now that crossovers are so car-like they're going to dominate - much better for carrying cargo and passengers, decent mileage, available AWD, better resale, can do some limited towing, etc. From a ride and handling standpoint they aren't going to be as sporty as a sports car/sedan, but compared to your average weak-kneed family sedan they hold up just fine in that regard.

you forgot minivans, a constant and surprising seller since 1984.Minivan killed the station wagon.
SUV's of the era were gas guzzlers, not now, my ecscape which is a just a tall focus gets similar mileage ,only a slight penalty.
cost more- guess why? the demand for them is through the roof

[IdaD]

Fordlover wrote:

Lessmore wrote:
I'm the OP. I'm surprised how many people have responded that they wouldn't miss cars. But perhaps that has something to do with the forum...after all it's for RVer's who tow trailers and that means pickup trucks and SUV's. Wonder what the response would be in a non RV forum with mostly city people who don't tow ?

I dunno, just wondering.

And there you have it. The downside to tall(er) vehicles with more weight up high is driving dynamics, mostly handling. RV forums most people don't care, but on the SCCA forum, I bet you'll find more opinions. I drive my sporty sedan much differently than I can drive my old explorer, wife's Edge, sisters Jeep, and certainly the new Super Duty. I can take a freeway flyover ramp at higher than the posted limit, passing someone on the outside lane without a sweat. Sweat would definitely be involved if I was in a marshmallow suspended crossover.

But such is life. In my commuting experience through America's 4th largest city, most folks I drive to work with every day on the road don't want to drive, they would much rather apply makeup, play on the cell phone or chat to a friend, or just get lost in thought while blocking the left lane and backing up 10+ cars behind them. No wonder SUV's and crossovers have become the go to..

Sedans have always been terrible family vehicles, but people in this country had limited alternatives. Outside of Subaru there have been very few choices for wagons, which are better in every way than their sedan cousins. Now that crossovers are so car-like they're going to dominate - much better for carrying cargo and passengers, decent mileage, available AWD, better resale, can do some limited towing, etc. From a ride and handling standpoint they aren't going to be as sporty as a sports car/sedan, but compared to your average weak-kneed family sedan they hold up just fine in that regard.

[Tvov]

We have a 2015 Ford Fusion, and it really is a fantastic sedan. I'll take it any day for a long drive over my F250.

My son has a Nissan Rogue suv (I guess really a "crossover"), and it is really good. And can get 30mpg if driven carefully.

We'll see how things go.

[valhalla360]

Fordlover wrote:
And there you have it. The downside to tall(er) vehicles with more weight up high is driving dynamics, mostly handling. RV forums most people don't care, but on the SCCA forum, I bet you'll find more opinions. I drive my sporty sedan much differently than I can drive my old explorer, wife's Edge, sisters Jeep, and certainly the new Super Duty. I can take a freeway flyover ramp at higher than the posted limit, passing someone on the outside lane without a sweat. Sweat would definitely be involved if I was in a marshmallow suspended crossover.

But such is life. In my commuting experience through America's 4th largest city, most folks I drive to work with every day on the road don't want to drive, they would much rather apply makeup, play on the cell phone or chat to a friend, or just get lost in thought while blocking the left lane and backing up 10+ cars behind them. No wonder SUV's and crossovers have become the go to..

A crossover and a 3/4 ton 4x4 are wildly different in terms of handling and height. A crossover sits just a bit higher with it mostly being about a more upright seating position as opposed to a significantly higher vehicle center of gravity. It's not like your 40yr old range rover that feels like it's going to roll over it you hit a pothole at freeway speeds. It really is far closer to a car than a truck. Then again, I take freeway ramps at higher than the advisory speed all the time in my 3/4 ton 4x4. Unless you do something erratic, not much more risk than doing it in a sedan.

Yeah, there will be a few sports (or sportier) cars kicking around but for most a car is a utilitarian device and better to get a comfortable one where you don't stare at the rear axle of the guy in front of you.

My brother used to have a Fiero. It was actually a fun little car on the open road but I hated the thing in traffic because you never knew what was ahead unless it was a jacked up 4x4 and you could see all the way under it.

[valhalla360]

RobertRyan wrote:

As I posted before, that heartbeat could be a slow one, as the imported vehicles could be subject too a 20% tax. Ford is also dropping sedans in Europe

If everyone is dropping sedans everywhere, the public will just have to wait a slow heartbeat as it's not just Ford that is moving away fro sedans (I believe they still have a couple of econobox options they are keeping) but I'm sure Ford is well aware and they aren't the only ones transitioning away from sedans (not cars).

Heck 30mpg 1/2ton pickups beat out your average car from 20yrs ago and crossovers can be even better, so you are going to have to do something pretty impressive to get people back into sedans.

[Lessmore]

Fordlover wrote:

Lessmore wrote:
I'm the OP. I'm surprised how many people have responded that they wouldn't miss cars. But perhaps that has something to do with the forum...after all it's for RVer's who tow trailers and that means pickup trucks and SUV's. Wonder what the response would be in a non RV forum with mostly city people who don't tow ?

I dunno, just wondering.

And there you have it. The downside to tall(er) vehicles with more weight up high is driving dynamics, mostly handling. RV forums most people don't care, but on the SCCA forum, I bet you'll find more opinions. I drive my sporty sedan much differently than I can drive my old explorer, wife's Edge, sisters Jeep, and certainly the new Super Duty. I can take a freeway flyover ramp at higher than the posted limit, passing someone on the outside lane without a sweat. Sweat would definitely be involved if I was in a marshmallow suspended crossover.

But such is life. In my commuting experience through America's 4th largest city, most folks I drive to work with every day on the road don't want to drive, they would much rather apply makeup, play on the cell phone or chat to a friend, or just get lost in thought while blocking the left lane and backing up 10+ cars behind them. No wonder SUV's and crossovers have become the go to..

I agree.

[Fordlover]

Lessmore wrote:
I'm the OP. I'm surprised how many people have responded that they wouldn't miss cars. But perhaps that has something to do with the forum...after all it's for RVer's who tow trailers and that means pickup trucks and SUV's. Wonder what the response would be in a non RV forum with mostly city people who don't tow ?

I dunno, just wondering.

And there you have it. The downside to tall(er) vehicles with more weight up high is driving dynamics, mostly handling. RV forums most people don't care, but on the SCCA forum, I bet you'll find more opinions. I drive my sporty sedan much differently than I can drive my old explorer, wife's Edge, sisters Jeep, and certainly the new Super Duty. I can take a freeway flyover ramp at higher than the posted limit, passing someone on the outside lane without a sweat. Sweat would definitely be involved if I was in a marshmallow suspended crossover.

But such is life. In my commuting experience through America's 4th largest city, most folks I drive to work with every day on the road don't want to drive, they would much rather apply makeup, play on the cell phone or chat to a friend, or just get lost in thought while blocking the left lane and backing up 10+ cars behind them. No wonder SUV's and crossovers have become the go to..

[FishOnOne]

colliehauler wrote:
This trend did not just start it has been going on for years. GM dropped Pontiac and Oldsmobile, Chrysler dropped Plymouth, Ford dropped Mercury.

Dodge and Chrysler will be next with the failure of the 200 and Dart.

[wannavolunteerF]

although this is a tow vehicle forum, it could really hurt those of us with MH's who are looking for a toad. Ford is the only company that offers choices in 4 down towable vehicles at a reasonable (okay cheap) price. Most trucks have to be 4 wheel drive to tow 4 down and that isn't generally affordable. Same with Jeeps. Chevy has only one sedan that can be towed 4 down without it being manual transmission. Ford has 3+ --- The Fiesta, the Focus and the Fusion. Plus the CMAX (which is a CUV hybrid). My Mom's Escape (yes she is 82 and likes the ease of entry and visibility) cannot be towed 4 down. My current truck that is 2wd can only be trailered. I had hoped to wait a little while to buy a toad, but may have to move more quickly.