Ford will only build two cars!!

[Lostneye]

When I first posted this, it was one of those things I knew was coming, I wasn't surprised an didn't think much about it, now that I've had a day or two to think about it I'm pretty ****** so here is some random thoughts on my part.

1. I've seen the numbers and I agree people are NOT buying American cars BUT the manufactures have to take some of the blame since they have done NO MARKETING, the ONLY commercials I've seen from FMC is for trucks, In fact now that I think about it the one commercial I did see for the Taurus SHO got me to buy one, a few years later but still I bought one. Not just the SHO Ford makes some really nice cars but they do little to no marketing for any of them, at least compared to other manufactures I see BMW, Toyota, Lexus etc all the time, nothing from America. IMHO It seems to me we are all being taken for granted, they just assume those who buy there product will continue to do no matter what the are selling, I find it very insulting.
2. American auto makers are always chasing trends NOT setting them, I always find them to be reactive not pro-active. When Japan first started importing cars into the states everyone laughed BUT then they started selling us the cars we didn't know we wanted, until we did. Electric/Hybrids is coming weather we like it or not gas prices will go up again, the world will go to **** again, and American auto manufacturing will once again be playing catch up
3. FMC is risk averse, they are still primarily owned by the Ford Family and from what I have seen the only rule is, "Keep the checks coming and keep them big", In some ways that is a good thing, they did not need an auto bail out, on the other side nothing cool ever happens without some risk. As with most companies today it has nothing to do with building a good product, great brand, taking care of your customers or expanding into new markets. This is all about stock price, meeting Wall Street expectations, and making money for share holders. Henry Ford was a SOB who did a lot of crappy things BUT he was also a visionary who wanted to do more them make money he wanted to build something.
4. Lastly, I have been an American Automobile Ford man my whole life, my whole family has, I cant even count the number of Fords we have owned BUT F-it this is greedy, lazy, and short sighted, they are not even trying to build loyalty or a customer base. I think I will start saving my money for one of those Alfa Romeo Giulia, I always wanted an Italian sports care an it seems American company's no longer want my business. Look I know how the world works an I know this is a rant BUT its also true company's used to stand for something, they used to want to build there business and build a better product then the next guy, it just seems like we are losing more then a few car models, Have a great weekend all.
Charlie/

I agree it is Wall Street pushing for this change and although the Ford family still maintains a large share of voting rights they are far from majority shareholders, that's reserved for funds which help push for the Wall Street agenda of short term gains.

FCA increased it's profit margins significantly by killing all their cars but the Challenger/Charger/300 but it's trucks and Jeep that is making them money, GM is killing cars as well and even non-US manufacturers are feeling the American SUV push, Bentley, Lamborghini, even Ferrari are jumping on the train. The Camry is the only tradition sedan maintaining decent sales figures, even the Accord, arguable the best mass market sedan out their currently isn't selling as expected. Hyundai has missed sales targets for the last few years.

I don't see this trend changing until either gas prices spike long enough to significantly outpace electrification efforts and/or the financing market collapses(which I don't believe the current trend of increasing sub prime market and longer terms/higher average vehicle cost is sustainable)

 

[Johnbigdog]

Just so you don't sound silly at the Alfa Romeo dealer, it' pronounced Julia.

I went through the embarasment for you.

 

[SHOinVa]

Just so you don't sound silly at the Alfa Romeo dealer, it' pronounced Julia.

LMAO That's right neighborly of there good buddy, I might just writ that down on the bill of my fishing cap so's I'll be sure an member. LOL

I would think if I got the price of a ticket I can call her what ever I want, But that is funny as ****, I would probably made the same mistake. So how did you like her, are those Italian girls as sexy as everyone says.
C/

 

[Johnbigdog]

Well. It was with a car friend who works for F.C.A. he made fun of me....

Then I made fun of him for something... and the cycle repeates.

 

[SHOdded]

And BTW, this might make me go down to the dealer and snatch up a 2018 SHO they have in stock with the PP. I'll have to end my current lease early, but I'll take it in the shorts if I have to.

THAT is loyalty!

 

[2011TAURUSSEL]

Clip from second paragraph.

"Ford will stop producing the Focus for North America next month, the Taurus in March 2019 and Fiesta in May 2019. "

Full Article.

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/ford-stop-selling-taurus-focus-223400193.html

Forward my Correspondence to the Charger booth of the Dodge dealer.

If they are truly discontinuing production my guess is this could be the end of the Ford Nationals, but you never know.

 

[bpd1151]

If they are truly discontinuing production my guess is this could be the end of the Ford Nationals, but you never know.

Whoa..... scary.

I have been thinking about this ever since the official announcement myself.

Oddly, since 2017 was my 1st year to attend, I was overwhelmed by the vast sea of Mustang's present. So many in fact that they parked them by individual color for craps sake.

Coincidence that they're continuing production of them (other than the obvious icon that they are.....?).

We joked that Carlisle staff should've renamed it the "Mustang Nationals". Maybe we were all (unknowingly) prophetic.

Things that make you go hmmm......

 

[Matt M PA]

If it's anything like the Carlisle Chryslers show..it's been changing for years. Shows in general have been evolving to newer and newer cars....current year cars, even. And, don't mean Ford GTs and other exotics. (The last time I attended the Englishtown Mopar event, there were as many modern Challenger and Chargers as there were older cars.)

Lots of Mustangs? Just like the Challengers at the Mopar event. A friend of mine asked me to see if there was a Challenger like his there. I busted his, well you know, by replying that I saw lots of black SRT-8s....but didn't notice how many had the window louvers, SRT valve stem caps, and stick-on hood pins.

As baby boomers age, all this stuff is changing. Some vendors as the Carlisle Chrysler show have told me that the swap meet is nothing like it used to be as half the cars on the field are modern and don't need...or want what's in the swap meet. I have only missed one of the these events since inception. Used to take a car with the trailer and stay all weekend. Now it's a one day event for me. I plan to do the Ford show this year and enter the Excursion....

Anyhow..back on topic...I'm not planning on jumping ship anytime soon...I just got my SHO and hope it's around for a long, long, time. When I got my 2003 Cobra new, I didn't like the way the new Mustangs were supposed to be..and wondered what my next car would be when the Cobra's time was gone. Things have a way of working out...

 

[SHOCH]

Big picture guys, it's a F-ing war, more American parts on a Honda van than a Mustang, that said.
Biggest Lawsuit in Australia against Ford for the crappy trannys in the 1.0 Focus.
Geely Automobile Holdings (who bought Volvo and has a 3.3 billion stake in Volvo Trucks and saved? Lotus) billionaire owner just bought a 9.7 % stake in Daimler AG for 9 Billion. Stock went up 7%.
The need to create alliances and share tech with Mercedes and others is to prevent invaders like Tesla, Google and Uber. Mercedes announced a 2 billion investment in a plant in China and Beijings strategic goals to bolster China's tech capabilities especially in the automotive market. They figure we'll eventually all be driving the same car.
It's a world market, Subaru is kicking ass and I LOVE my daily, low, 5 speed, 300 hp wagon, dog gets in easy etc.
Kia/Hyundai failed to reach sales goals for 3 years with cars, 330 hp Camrys are here, Cats and Dogs living together, its crazy.
So Sunday June 3 (my birthday, yes there will be cake and Beer) while Adam, Michelle, Luke and I thrash our Fords around Autobahn Country Club with Northwoods Shelby Club we'll be giving the industry a big middle finger and enjoy it while we can. Come by and help us empty bottles and bleed brakes.

 

[Juicybaka]

Big picture guys, it's a F-ing war, more American parts on a Honda van than a Mustang, that said.
Biggest Lawsuit in Australia against Ford for the crappy trannys in the 1.0 Focus.
Geely Automobile Holdings (who bought Volvo and has a 3.3 billion stake in Volvo Trucks and saved? Lotus) billionaire owner just bought a 9.7 % stake in Daimler AG for 9 Billion. Stock went up 7%.
The need to create alliances and share tech with Mercedes and others is to prevent invaders like Tesla, Google and Uber. Mercedes announced a 2 billion investment in a plant in China and Beijings strategic goals to bolster China's tech capabilities especially in the automotive market. They figure we'll eventually all be driving the same car.
It's a world market, Subaru is kicking ass and I LOVE my daily, low, 5 speed, 300 hp wagon, dog gets in easy etc.
Kia/Hyundai failed to reach sales goals for 3 years with cars, 330 hp Camrys are here, Cats and Dogs living together, its crazy.
So Sunday June 3 (my birthday, yes there will be cake and Beer) while Adam, Michelle, Luke and I thrash our Fords around Autobahn Country Club with Northwoods Shelby Club we'll be giving the industry a big middle finger and enjoy it while we can. Come by and help us empty bottles and bleed brakes.

Well put... you buy my ticket, and I’m there!

 

[Jeff2017]

My 2015 SHO was the first Ford I had bought since 1993. I was hoping they would take the SHO to the next level and make it more of a BMW/Audi competitor but I guess that isn't going to happen. Looks like this might be my last Ford as a result. If I am buying an SUV I would probably get an XC90. Pickups can be handy but with Amazon and free delivery their usefulness has diminished over the years.

 

[bpd1151]

Looksie looksie..... Ron Porter was interviewed by USA Today for this article posted just yesterday 04/27/18....

www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2018/04/27/ford-ends-taurus/554968002/

I want his autograph damnit.

 

[krewat]

Charlie, I completely agree. The marketing for Ford cars is abysmal. I'm really considering getting another SHO and keep my existing one. There's a white one at a local dealer that when I showed it to my wife, she was like "Oh, that's nice. It's a Fusion right?" (she doesn't like my black SHO) ... So I played along for a few minutes and said "Yeah, you'd like that, right?" and she did. When I told her it was a Taurus, she was surprised, and said "well, maybe"... muah hahahahahahahah!

 

[Hebes10]

I wonder if its the end of the GT as well. Seemed like they invested so much in their second generation.

 

[krewat]

and this really kills me the most: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2018/04/28/ford-taurus-fusion-fiesta-chevrolet/556702002/

 

[SHOinVa]

The marketing for Ford cars is abysmal.

I had two adds for Lexus on my Twitter feed already today, they have taken us for granted, the money they should be spending on marketing they post has profits, I saw one commercial for the SHO around 2011 and have been keeping an eye out for one ever since then.

and this really kills me the most

NOPE - Dodge for me maybe BUT That's not really an American car, I am so angry right now I don't want to declare anything but my family has been loyal to Ford for 75 years and its clear this is a one sided love affair. The dealerships suck I hate going there, they don't even know anything about the cars there selling, everything is expensive and for the price the service sucks and has for years. Its clear they have no interest in my loyalty, I may buy one more SHO if I can find one I really like, BUT I am just don't know anymore.
C/

 

[Jeff2017]

I guess this won't hurt our values. Especially 10 years down the road when most of them are in the recycling yard.

 

[SHOinVa]

I guess this won't hurt our values. Especially 10 years down the road when most of them are in the recycling yard.

I think that's a bit optimistic, Maybe in the short term you will see a slight increase but its a pretty small market to start with an very few people want the hassle of a old high mileage car. Don't get me wrong I love my car, but I'm not very mechanically inclined and at some point it will get very expensive to maintain if you cant do your own work.
C/

 

[sperold]

I think the car companies should fiddle with the price rather than the product line.

The reason there are literally millions of Mustangs is because you get a fantastic amount of car for the money. Like them or not, you have to agree that the resale value is hight, and they somehow have that man / woman appeal that all car lines are looking for. It is so illusive, that even Ford cannot duplicate it.
That line of car has a lot of lessons to teach. Where else do you see a car that sells in the mid twenties show up in the 60 K category. And at a glance, they are not that different. And that is just the beginning.

But it all starts with price; and the feeling that at every price point, you are getting a good deal.

I could go on and on, but the bottom line is that Ford (and the other makes) do not have the level of management it takes to place a winner in a category. The Mustang is more or less an accident, and that is why the success has not been repeated.

This rant is over.

 

[KMAN]

I knew they were phasing out the Taurus out soon. But I still bought a 17 SHO I love it but there are days that **** me off when you look in to it the only difference in the 16 and till the last model off the factory line will be only the date of the build. No update in technology will be added to the SHO which is BS but they save money.
I bought Winter tires and rims from the dealer and they had to change the TPS sensors because they installed the newer ones the will show each tires pressure all the time.