Ford to Reduce Focus Options in Next Gen

[jasonj80]

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2016/09/14/ford-autonomous-car-sales/90346662/Please carry the autonomous posting in the other thread.

What I found was interesting was this line.

"It is also re-focusing how it sells small cars, trying to reduce its cost footprint in a segment that not many customers want. It reduced Ford Focus buildable combinations from 200,000 in 2015 to approximately 300 for the 2017-model year and 30 for the next-generation Focus.

That’s saving the company about $300 per car, Ford said."

Looks like they are going to the Civic/Corolla small car model, wonder if that is going to carry over into other lines.

[Pioneer]

I've ordered my last Focus. Now that I can't get what I want from it anymore, in combination with it being built in Mexico, it's not on my shopping list anymore.

[fuzzymoomoo]

Hey akirby, still think they aren't de-contenting the Focus?

[akirby]

Hey akirby, still think they aren't de-contenting the Focus?

 

Reducing option combinations isn't the same as de-contenting.

[Pioneer]

It is when some options aren't available anymore.

[Anthony]

30? I hope that does not include paint color.

[akirby]

I believe they only removed a couple of options.

[92merc]

"The juice just ain't worth the squeeze."

 

Compact car market is shrinking. CUV's are where the profit is currently. Just the next evolution to keep things profitable.

[fuzzymoomoo]

It is when some options aren't available anymore.

Right, like not being able to get a sunroof on anything lower than a Titanium, ST or RS....

[jasonj80]

I've ordered my last Focus. Now that I can't get what I want from it anymore, in combination with it being built in Mexico, it's not on my shopping list anymore.

So this statement leads to the next question, what are you going to buy?

[BORG]

Since all Focus mules spotted in the US are testing with a solid rear axle this seems to indicate a regionalized approach with an emphasis on sticker economy in the US. I'm sure this version won't be in Europe for example. My guess is that Focus is just too expensive in the US and it's largely purchased cheaply as basic transportation while customers looking for more will just graduate to an Escape or Fusion. I'm sure there will be premium versions but I think Focus is likely heading in a direction Focus fans are going to hate. It's also possible we'll see alternative suspensions similar to the Jetta, VW is actually a very good precursor to Ford's global product strategy from engines to platforms.

Edited September 14, 2016 by BORG

[Pioneer]

So this statement leads to the next question, what are you going to buy?

I'll figure that out when the wheels fall off my '16. Probably an Escape. Our maybe I'll be retired by then and won't need a go-to-work car.

[grbeck]

What's old is new again...I have brochures of the North American Escort for almost all years of the 1980s. Ford reduced the number of trim variations and available options (such as wheels) as the decade progressed. Which parallels this era, as that Escort was introduced during a severe recession when fuel prices hit inflation-adjusted highs (that wouldn't be surpassed until 2005). As the decade progressed, fuel prices dropped, and Americans drifted back to larger vehicles.

 

Americans balk at paying top dollar for cars of this size. The answer is to either sell the 21st-century equivalent of the old Plymouth Valiant with a proven (read, ancient) platform and technology. This is what Toyota appears to be doing with the Corolla. Or try to move the car upscale and have it share a basic platform with other, pricier, vehicles to make it more cost-effective. That appears to be Honda's approach with the Civic.

Edited September 14, 2016 by grbeck

[silvrsvt]

. Or try to move the car upscale and have it share a basic platform with other, pricier, vehicles to make it more cost-effective. That appears to be Honda's approach with the Civic.

 

The only problem is the Civic is now the size of a 1989 Accord

 

Make you wonder if we'll ever shrink back down again, given how CAFE is going to be working....

[Biker16]

30? I hope that does not include paint color.

color is The number factor in number of combinations.

 

ford has 11 honda never has more than 6.

[630land]

It's not the 1960's, where one could get a plain car with top of the line V8 and 4 speed on the floor.

 

{edit: removed fan-boy-ish comments}

Edited September 16, 2016 by 630land

[fuzzymoomoo]

It's not the 1960's, where one could get a plain car with top of the line V8 and 4 speed on the floor. Car guys want 'collector cars' aka one-of-one billion combinations. "I want it my way!"

 

But car companies need to make money to survive and keep workers paid. Not "entertain" and are certainly not "non-profit car art curators", and don't bring up "Paris Hilton comparisons for money making".

 

Ford cancelled new compact platform for India, China, and emerging markets. So, don't get all "Americans don't want compacts" snarky. CUV's are a global product.

 

Expecting to order a purple Focus S with crank windows, manual trans and the RS turbo motor, for "under $19,000" ain't going to happen.

Nobody is saying that....

[630land]

"I've ordered my last Focus, now I cant get what I want" <----

[RichardJensen]

color is The number factor in number of combinations.

 

Wrong.

 

There are 8 different Focus models. An average of 6 colors per model leaves well under 7 degrees of freedom (on average) for other option package, engine, transmission and suspension choices on each individual model.

 

Burden of proof is on you to show that the color options for the Focus are part of the ~300 distinct build combinations available for this model year.

Edited September 14, 2016 by RichardJensen

[Biker16]

 

Wrong.

 

There are 8 different Focus models. An average of 6 colors per model leaves well under 7 degrees of freedom (on average) for other option package, engine, transmission and suspension choices on each individual model.

 

Burden of proof is on you to show that the color options for the Focus are part of the ~300 distinct build combinations available for this model year.

 

I don't care to argue with you about something so pointless like the number of paint colors, you are obviously still sore about our previous interactions.

 

The predicament Ford has put itself in is its own making, the market For compact cars has contracted mostly at the expense of weaker entrant like the Focus and Dart, while stronger and newer products like the civic and Cruze have had major increases in market-share, volume and Pricing.

 

The focus simply isn't a Strong product at this time ,making it cheaper will not change it's fortunes, just reduce its profitability.

Edited September 14, 2016 by Biker16

[RichardJensen]

 

I don't care to argue with you

 

You don't have to post an *argument*

 

You just have to post *facts*

 

However, since you have *no facts* to back up your claim that color is a component of build options, you're going to back down.

[Biker16]

 

You don't have to post an *argument*

 

You just have to post *facts*

 

However, since you have *no facts* to back up your claim that color is a component of build options, you're going to back down.

 

Are you done?

 

BTW how does it feel that ford's profit decline is beause they are investing so much in EVs and Robot cars?

 

Ford says 2017 performance will fall from 2016 levels as costs rise

By Bernie Woodall and David Shepardson

Ford Motor Co's 2017 financial performance will decline from this year as it increases spending on "emerging opportunities" like self-driving cars and other costs rise, the No. 2 U.S.-based automaker said on Wednesday.

Ford, like most of its chief rivals, is seeking ways to profit as the industry moves toward self-driving vehicles and ride-sharing. The company is taking a cautious path on this course, its chief executive, Mark Fields, indicated in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday.

[RichardJensen]

 

BTW how does it feel that ford's profit decline is beause they are investing so much in EVs and Robot cars?

 

You don't do a very good job reading what other people write either, do you?

[Biker16]

 

You don't do a very good job reading what other people write either, do you?

 

you have said this numerous times.

[RichardJensen]

 

you have said this numerous times.

 

I only say it when it's obvious that you didn't read something.