Ford giving up on Fiesta, Focus and Fusion

[snooter]

If they muck up mustang i will never again even think of buying a ford..idiots will deserve to be managed by some chinesse owned corporation....

[92merc]

Problem is the market would love a 4 door Mustang and with theyd sell a ton of them.

That's like making the DQ Blizzard with yogurt. That just isn't a Blizzard!

 

Call it something else. I like the T-Bird idea. But I doubt any more "new" cars are really coming. CD6 car wise will likely be Lincoln only. Ford wise, I'm betting Focus, plus some sort of stretched Focus to cover the mid size market.

[mackinaw]

CD6 car wise will likely be Lincoln only.

 

And all of those "white paper" vehicles Farley is talking about.

[T-dubz]

So are any of these white space vehicles already in the the pipeline at ford? Hopefully there will be something to show at the auto shows next year. Wait any longer than that and you risk ford sedan buyers jumping ship.

 

Ive really enjoyed my fusion. To me its always felt much nicer than any of the competition. But what do I go to when its time to get a new car? I try not to spend over $30k on a vehicle. We already have a titanium escape. Eco sport is out, too small. Never been a fan of the edges styling, explorer is nice but would wait for the next gen and even then Id have to get a base one. Escapes legroom is pitiful so Im guessing the baby bronco would be the same or worse, so thats probably out. Bronco would be nice but I have no idea on its price or size. Ranger seems to fit the bill, but Im tempted to wait for the next gen in a few years.

[jasonj80]

That's like making the DQ Blizzard with yogurt. That just isn't a Blizzard!

 

Call it something else. I like the T-Bird idea. But I doubt any more "new" cars are really coming. CD6 car wise will likely be Lincoln only. Ford wise, I'm betting Focus, plus some sort of stretched Focus to cover the mid size market.

 

But globally the Mustang has way more brand appeal. The tbird was originally a 2 seat sports car, Ford changed that model as well and over tripled sales in one year. Porsche sells way more than 2 door sports cars and the 4 door Wrangler is by far the best selling configuration. Times change, companies must adapt if a 4 door mustang is profitable, has mustang dna, looks great Ford should absolutely do it. If they need to sacrifice what the Mustang name is then no they shouldn’t use it.

[2b2]

This. I agree. Mustang should only be 2-door rear driven coupe, convertible, or even hatchback. Not sedan, CUV, SUV, or anything else. I do like idea of Thunderbird being used on CD6 as a 4-door sportback sedan (think Audi A5 Sportback) as what Ford has been saying as 'white space' silhouette vehicle. But Mustang should retain its 2-door long hood/short deck rear drive layout.

other possible names imho - Galaxie, Taurino [little bull, not Italian city] even Mondeo - for places that haven't used that before

 

&

think I put this in the wrong thread

file under "Silence is Golden::DUCT TAPE is silver"

https://www.at.ford.com/en/homepage/news-and-clipsheet/news/2018/4/jim-farley-message-to-dealers.html

where Farley '''walks back''' much of their [kill-all-cars] announcement

[pffan1990]

other possible names imho - Galaxie, Taurino [little bull, not Italian city] even Mondeo - for places that haven't used that before

Galaxie is one good name. Falcon could be used for the smaller variant of this 'white space' while Fairlane could be for larger. Something like that. But I brought up Thunderbird because there have been discussions of the return in other threads on this forum and another forum. Also, the T-Bird was the most recent nameplate to be brought back and dropped as versus the Galaxie, Falcon, and Fairlane.

 

Edited to add: As for the link with Farley's 'retraction' video, I saw that on another forum earlier today and was both surprised to see this retraction in video form and a bit excited with what he had to say. I wonder why he and Hackett didn't release the info to the press with more details about this 'white space' silhouette he mentioned in more detail in the video rather than just a quick sentence or two for the press the other day. I wish they had put more thought on what to say and give a better PR spin the first time around the few days ago instead of having to do the quick retraction video which oddly was for dealers only. They need to do another press release to clarify some things in order to not cause more confusion. I already see lots of auto magazines reposting their articles about Ford 'giving up cars' sky-is-falling craze which is going to keep being re-posted in my feeds and others feeds. The sooner Ford does a proper press statement with the clarifications, the more understanding everyone will be.

Edited April 28, 2018 by pffan1990

[RadicalX]

Galaxie is a good name

Taurino is a hideous name

[RadicalX]

I suggest as names "Quarab" or "KONIK", which are names of horse breeds

[RadicalX]

But globally the Mustang has way more brand appeal. The tbird was originally a 2 seat sports car, Ford changed that model as well and over tripled sales in one year. Porsche sells way more than 2 door sports cars and the 4 door Wrangler is by far the best selling configuration. Times change, companies must adapt if a 4 door mustang is profitable, has mustang dna, looks great Ford should absolutely do it. If they need to sacrifice what the Mustang name is then no they shouldnt use it.

How to kill the Mustang = put 4 doors on it. Done! Then you just throw it in the same Escort ditch

[atomcat68]

I agree on Galaxie!!! Falcon is also a great nameplate!

[MKII]

So are any of these white space vehicles already in the the pipeline at ford? Hopefully there will be something to show at the auto shows next year. Wait any longer than that and you risk ford sedan buyers jumping ship.

Yes, the Focus ACTIVE is one of those white space vehicles.

[ehaase]

I suggest as names "Quarab" or "KONIK", which are names of horse breeds

 

Worse than Taurino

[itguy09]

 

It can't help that the fusion hasn't had a serious update in forever... of course people are buying different vehicles!

Honda is not moving the "all new Accord". Toyota is only barely moving the "all new Camry" because of huge incentives. Nissan dumps the sedans in rental fleets. People are nit buying sedans.

[Trader 10]

People aren’t buying sedans? What Ford nameplate other than F150 sells as much as Camry or Accord? Sedans are declining but Ford will still sell about 175,000 Fusions this year and the model is long in the tooth. Ford brass is looking like a bunch of idiots the way they have handled the sedan cancelation announcement. Why, other than to impress analysts would Ford announce the cancelation of the Fusion 2 or 3 years before it happens? The announcement insures lots of buyers will look elsewhere. If they truly do have some sort of replacement simiIiar to what they are doing with the Focus, why would you not wait till your ready to announce the new vehicle before announcing the end of the Fusion?

[tbone]

I was counting FCA as American since everyone else does.

 

I didnt even know Subaru had a plant here

Subarus plant is in Lafayette, Indiana off I65. Ive driven by it many times. I65 is a terrible road btw, avoid it if you can.

[Harley Lover]

Ford brass is looking like a bunch of idiots the way they have handled the sedan cancellation announcement. Why, other than to impress analysts would Ford announce the cancellation of the Fusion 2 or 3 years before it happens? The announcement insures lots of buyers will look elsewhere. If they truly do have some sort of replacement similar to what they are doing with the Focus, why would you not wait till your ready to announce the new vehicle before announcing the end of the Fusion?

 

Amen brother. LOL @ Farley's video, having to trot something out quickly to explain "what we really meant to say". Shanks screwed the pooch royally - he should have his tail kicked for how this was mishandled. But hey, he was a big shot on the conference call.

[jpd80]

Did anyone stop to think that it was deliberate, to create chatter regarding new product and also cars facing the axe?

Edited April 28, 2018 by jpd80

[tbone]

.

A four door Mustang on CD6 should be called anything other than Mustang...Fusion, Taurus, Torino, Thunderbird, Falcon.....anything but Mustang.

People said we would never see a four door Porsche yet we have the Panamera. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Mustang right, wrong, or indifferent.

[fuzzymoomoo]

People said we would never see a four door Porsche yet we have the Panamera. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Mustang right, wrong, or indifferent.

They also dont try to pretend its a 911. A 4 door Mustang isnt going to fly.

[jpd80]

A four door won't work on Mustang's proportions, they would be better off grafting the RWD engine bay onto a Fusion/Mondeo/Taurus.

Go back to the old Falcon-Fairlane formula, one basic car with short/long wheelbases

 

The main reason Falcon/Territory failed as a start point for Mustang was the control blade IRS, the links got on the way of rear seating.

With virtual link IRS, there's no such issue...so now Ford has its own "DEW Lite" in th form of CD6. If you look at the proportions and

size of MKR concept, it was near identical to Aussie Falcon without any parts association, I believe that sized vehicle would be

perfect as a "one car" strategy for Ford and Lincoln.

Edited April 28, 2018 by jpd80

[ice-capades]

Galaxie is one good name. Falcon could be used for the smaller variant of this 'white space' while Fairlane could be for larger. Something like that. But I brought up Thunderbird because there have been discussions of the return in other threads on this forum and another forum. Also, the T-Bird was the most recent nameplate to be brought back and dropped as versus the Galaxie, Falcon, and Fairlane.

 

Edited to add: As for the link with Farley's 'retraction' video, I saw that on another forum earlier today and was both surprised to see this retraction in video form and a bit excited with what he had to say. I wonder why he and Hackett didn't release the info to the press with more details about this 'white space' silhouette he mentioned in more detail in the video rather than just a quick sentence or two for the press the other day. I wish they had put more thought on what to say and give a better PR spin the first time around the few days ago instead of having to do the quick retraction video which oddly was for dealers only. They need to do another press release to clarify some things in order to not cause more confusion. I already see lots of auto magazines reposting their articles about Ford 'giving up cars' sky-is-falling craze which is going to keep being re-posted in my feeds and others feeds. The sooner Ford does a proper press statement with the clarifications, the more understanding everyone will be.

 

I haven't had a chance to see the video released to Dealers but unfortunately, the damage is already done and it's all anyone I run into is talking about! As for all the references to "white space" silhouette vehicles... to me it sounds like "code" for "We have no idea what we're doing"!

[ice-capades]

I suggest as names "Quarab" or "KONIK", which are names of horse breeds

 

My boss lives on a 100 acre Arabian horse farm and bought the only World Champion Arabian to come out of Wayne Newton's ranch in Las Vegas as a wedding present for his wife years ago. They have 8-10 Arabians at all times and won Canadian Nationals a few years ago and his wife travels around the country judging Arabian competitions. My dad was a horse trainer too and I've never heard of either of those horse breeds you reference. Regardless, the only think people would think of with "Quarab" is Arab. Neither would be suitable for a Ford name.

[jpd80]

 

I haven't had a chance to see the video released to Dealers but unfortunately, the damage is already done and it's all anyone I run into is talking about! As for all the references to "white space" silhouette vehicles... to me it sounds like "code" for "We have no idea what we're doing"!

Or maybe it's deliberate to draw out discussion in the press. we often call Ford stupid for doing things and that may be justified

but also, that ensuing discussion in social media and the press gives Ford a lot of publicity over what is nothing at this time....

 

One RWD vehicle that can cover the remaining larger car buyers in Ford NA, Lincoln and say, Australia's niche HP RWD market.

They sold over 9,000 Mustangs there last year as opposed to 2,200 in the UK.

Edited April 28, 2018 by jpd80

[akirby]

People aren’t buying sedans? What Ford nameplate other than F150 sells as much as Camry or Accord? Sedans are declining but Ford will still sell about 175,000 Fusions this year and the model is long in the tooth.

There is a difference between selling a lot of vehicles and making a significant profit on them. People stopped buying the expensive ones and there is huge competition for the cheaper ones which have pretty much killed profits.

 

I’m sure they’re making a little but it’s nowhere near the 8% they want. Utilities can deliver higher profit margins.

 

Camry is probably in the same boat but Toyota is ok with lower margins in the US.