Ford will only build two cars!!

[Jeff2017]

Don't be surprised if Ford reverses this decision in the months ahead. Gas prices may go up faster than they realize.

 

[sperold]

Lets go over some of the industries decisions with the narrative that sales were slow.

They did a fairly good job of stomping out the convertible. Exception, Mustang.
Then the station wagon was stomped out.
Hatchbacks were all but eliminated at one point.
Now sedans are not worth building.
Even economy models are now being eliminated.
Rear wheel drive cars are now quite rare. Exception Mustang.

They always seem to have a low sales reason for segment failure, but maybe that can be explained.
When you design a car that is somewhat lack luster, and continue to offer that same design for almost a decade, is it any wonder sales suffer?

This is ancient history, but remember in the 50s, there was a style change every year. Nothing from a 58 Chev will bolt onto the outside of a 57. In September, people used to gather outside dealership windows and look a cars that were totally covered by sheets.

As decadent as that was, there was no problem selling new cars. Your car was your most expensive piece of clothing in your wardrobe.

And as objectionable as that seems in this finite resources mentality of today, it would not hurt to try that before throwing in the towel.

 

[Bronco2fan]

Well I hate to say it, but I will switch brands if I have to. I was really looking at Cadillacs CTSV or Audi before getting the SHO. I decided on the SHO strictly because of the performance, size and space. My daughter is Handicapped and the SHO trunk is more than big enough for her giant size stroller and anything else I need for her. CTSV was nice, but on the small size. My son says it's just a 4 door corvette lol.

 

[hyperspd7]

One aspect of this decision by Ford, that shows how serious it all is... they already stopped production of the Focus RS. Quite interesting. Although ridden with problems and quite expensive, Ford spent a ton of time bringing this car to US market. Now it's gone. In what... 3 years? Whats the record for shortest model production?

 

[Juicybaka]

One aspect of this decision by Ford, that shows how serious it all is... they already stopped production of the Focus RS. Quite interesting. Although ridden with problems and quite expensive, Ford spent a ton of time bringing this car to US market. Now it's gone. In what... 3 years? Whats the record for shortest model production?

Probably took back for R&D since this will be Ford’s new sleeper. Although I heard it was a great performer, wast the RS riddled with problems?

 

[Johnbigdog]

Probably took back for R&D since this will be Ford’s new sleeper. Although I heard it was a great performer, wast the RS riddled with problems?

They tended to pop head gaskets. There was a recall to replace them.

 

[SHOinVa]

LOL I think you are both saying it was "Riddles with problems"
- Maybe that is everything in a nut shell, After all these years Domestic automakers are still getting there ass kicked on fit, finish, an quality. I really don't know what the problem is BUT I find it very cowardly on FMC's part not to even show up to compete. Since this went down, I have been paying attention, I have seen marketing from just about every manufacture for a full/mid sized sedan with performance potential an nothing from FMC an very little from Chevy.
- LOL Anyway I should just shut-up, I am one comment away from telling the kids to "Get off my lawn"...........
C/
P.S. I never even thought about a Focus RS until you guys said something so I went a looked it up, A little small for my taste and a daily driver but looks like a really fun car. As with the SHO maybe they should have told someone they where building them.

 

[Johnbigdog]

I test drove an S.T. I'm too fat for the Ricarro seats. Plus I like to make longer trips frequently. I don' think a 14 hour trip in an ST or an RS would be fun.

 

[Lostneye]

They tended to pop head gaskets. There was a recall to replace them.

To be fair wasn't this a supplier issue with the wrong 2.3 head gaskets, not a design problem? Not that I wouldn't be fuming if it was my car.

 

[Johnbigdog]

To be fair wasn't this a supplier issue with the wrong 2.3 head gaskets, not a design problem? Not that I wouldn't be fuming if it was my car.

I do not know the answer to that question. I know there was some that if the gasket went there was warpage. So head and or block.

I heard some were studding the block for better clamping. But for the love of ford, you have a production 4 cylinder that makes darn near the power of our SHO and is smaller. Why do you need more?


Oh wait, I forgot.... AMERICA! (Insert screaming eagle cry)

 

[SHOdded]

http://www.thedrive.com/news/17939/...r-controversial-focus-rs-head-gasket-failures

 

[Juicybaka]

“Complete radio silence from Ford”
This is why I’ve purchased my final Ford. Try sending an email out to them for a legitimate claim. Oh wait, there is no email Address. Their customer relations is beyond deplorable...

 

[Johnbigdog]

There should be. I see responded from emails.... hmmm.

 

[SHOdded]

@FordService on Twitter has been helpful to many. Try that maybe?

 

[SHOinVa]

I test drove an S.T. I'm too fat for the Ricarro seats. Plus I like to make longer trips frequently. I don' think a 14 hour trip in an ST or an RS would be fun.

LOL - As I posted on another thread I once drove across country in the summer in a 1972 Firebird with NO air conditioning an leaking oil the whole way, BUT I would agree with you a little too small for a long drive, It seems we have gotten very old very quickly.

“Complete radio silence from Ford”

Sorry I must have missed something, what was your question, are you talking about the RS or your SHO, Seems my mind is going also. You are correct also, I have taken my Mom to the Nissan dealership for her Rogue, its a different world, I actually have a physical aversion to going to the Ford service department. Which is the horse I have been beating the whole thread, They could sale there cars if they tried.
C/

 

[Juicybaka]

I was quoting from article Shodded linked for the RS.
http://www.thedrive.com/news/17939/...r-controversial-focus-rs-head-gasket-failures
As far as my SHO, Ford has been negligent and unresponsive to resolve my issues. They want me to waste MY time, and resolve with (out of state) dealer first.
Ford’s CPO clearly states, “backed by Ford”. So why are they not backing me with a CPO that needs thousand of dollars in repairs and does not meet CPO status?
I’ve exhausted all my patience with the dealer and Ford, so this will be resolved legally now, with no dime out of my pocket.
Point is, Ford has lost a loyal customer. So after driving Ford trucks for over 20 years, I was in GMC dealerships over the weekend. The SHO will stay, simply because I enjoy the car. After bumper to bumper expires, service will be with non-ford shop. Ford’s pumping volume like others and service is left to suffer. Time some of these company’s revisit their roots. I’m not buying Chinese imports

 

[SHOinVa]

So after driving Ford trucks for over 20 years,

I'm in the same boat, been driving Fords for 35 years, I have a feeling of dread every time I go to the service department or even the parts counter. I'm kind of surprised with your case, usually they treat warranty work better then that, BUT Yea the dealership is way overprice, you don't get what you pay for and there seems to be nothing but apathy when it comes to customer service.
C/

 

[sperold]

Ford is down to 1 car in Canada, we don't get the Focus Active.
Of the 2,039,000 vehicles sold in Canada, 31 % of them were cars, does that not sound like a market?

Another fun fact is that if you take the big 3 out of the sales totals, cars represent 45% of the total for the remaining manufacturers.

The troubling question is not that why is the car dying, but why is the American car dying?

When trucks represented less than 31%, in years gone by, did they ever think of shuttering truck production?

Bob Shanks at Ford, claims they will save 11.5 Billion by not having to develop new platforms for their discontinued cars. That is nice, but what will the saved money be used for?
And they are only deferring it, as when the next crisis hits, they will have to do the development without the assistance the deleted car production would have provided. Because no one is suggesting that cars are money losers, just they are not as profitable as SUVs and trucks.

Short term thinking at its best.

 

[Lostneye]

Bob Shanks at Ford, claims they will save 11.5 Billion by not having to develop new platforms for their discontinued cars. That is nice, but what will the saved money be used for?
And they are only deferring it, as when the next crisis hits, they will have to do the development without the assistance the deleted car production would have provided. Because no one is suggesting that cars are money losers, just they are not as profitable as SUVs and trucks.

Short term thinking at its best.

It's for shareholder value first and foremost. And yes it is shortsighted.

 

[Juicybaka]

I'm in the same boat, been driving Fords for 35 years, I have a feeling of dread every time I go to the service department or even the parts counter. I'm kind of surprised with your case, usually they treat warranty work better then that, BUT Yea the dealership is way overprice, you don't get what you pay for and there seems to be nothing but apathy when it comes to customer service.
C/

With this in mind I put my ‘15 f250 up for trade Friday. I went to the dealer I purchased it (and previous) trucks from; and serviced there as well. Kbb and nada (rough) was 29500. They offered 27k. This is a low mile CC diesel that they could put on their lot as a CPO. They adjusted insult to 29k. Came down 5% on new truck msrp. Walked out the door...
Walked into gmc quoted a 57730 SLT Sierra 12% off msrp. 37500 for my trade! 60 minute, in and out the door sale. Finished buying from local pond scum. GM for me, here on out!