Here’s how Ford justifies phasing out sedans: 'Silhouettes are changing'
10-22-18, 06:15 AM
#46
Lexus Fanatic
The latest lines from Ford management says absolutely nothing more than what they said originally... "Market demand" is open-ended and could mean a million things. But in this case, it means the market is not demanding Ford Fusions. Why? They do not have the strong appeal their counterparts have. Of course Ford will not say that, even though that is reality. Once again, Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai have no problem selling their sedans today. It would be refreshing to see an honest business announcement when it comes to discontinued cars. Or if one cannot be honest, don't say anything at all.
It's simply a product that does not match up as well to it's competitors, and therefore sells poorly. Poor selling models get axed. THE END..
It's simply a product that does not match up as well to it's competitors, and therefore sells poorly. Poor selling models get axed. THE END..
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 10-22-18 at 06:33 AM.
10-22-18, 07:27 AM
#47
Agree. It was a long time ago when the Ford identity revolved around the Taurus and Mustang. They were beasts of the street.
All I hear these days is Ford trucks, trucks, trucks -- the F150 over and over and how they're killing it as a truck platform. The identity of a sedan or SUV is getting lost in the marketing.
The Escape/Edge/Explorer/Expedition line up are the main product offers. Yes they have 2 more but it gets lost in the shuffle. If you think Honda, they have a simplified line up (HRV/CRV/Pilot). Lexus has UX/NX/RX. Even Cadillac is revamping the SUV line up for a performance + sexy appeal among other SUV's out there via XT4 and XT5. IF you don't know your market, you shouldn't be in it or try to compete. I think Ford has fallen victim to trying to do too many things, with average or worse results. Better to get a few done well and build the brand through a great experience with those products.
All I hear these days is Ford trucks, trucks, trucks -- the F150 over and over and how they're killing it as a truck platform. The identity of a sedan or SUV is getting lost in the marketing.
The Escape/Edge/Explorer/Expedition line up are the main product offers. Yes they have 2 more but it gets lost in the shuffle. If you think Honda, they have a simplified line up (HRV/CRV/Pilot). Lexus has UX/NX/RX. Even Cadillac is revamping the SUV line up for a performance + sexy appeal among other SUV's out there via XT4 and XT5. IF you don't know your market, you shouldn't be in it or try to compete. I think Ford has fallen victim to trying to do too many things, with average or worse results. Better to get a few done well and build the brand through a great experience with those products.
10-22-18, 10:26 AM
#48
Lexus Fanatic
Agree. It was a long time ago when the Ford identity revolved around the Taurus and Mustang. They were beasts of the street.
All I hear these days is Ford trucks, trucks, trucks -- the F150 over and over and how they're killing it as a truck platform. The identity of a sedan or SUV is getting lost in the marketing.
The Escape/Edge/Explorer/Expedition line up are the main product offers. Yes they have 2 more but it gets lost in the shuffle. If you think Honda, they have a simplified line up (HRV/CRV/Pilot). Lexus has UX/NX/RX. Even Cadillac is revamping the SUV line up for a performance + sexy appeal among other SUV's out there via XT4 and XT5. IF you don't know your market, you shouldn't be in it or try to compete. I think Ford has fallen victim to trying to do too many things, with average or worse results. Better to get a few done well and build the brand through a great experience with those products.
All I hear these days is Ford trucks, trucks, trucks -- the F150 over and over and how they're killing it as a truck platform. The identity of a sedan or SUV is getting lost in the marketing.
The Escape/Edge/Explorer/Expedition line up are the main product offers. Yes they have 2 more but it gets lost in the shuffle. If you think Honda, they have a simplified line up (HRV/CRV/Pilot). Lexus has UX/NX/RX. Even Cadillac is revamping the SUV line up for a performance + sexy appeal among other SUV's out there via XT4 and XT5. IF you don't know your market, you shouldn't be in it or try to compete. I think Ford has fallen victim to trying to do too many things, with average or worse results. Better to get a few done well and build the brand through a great experience with those products.
10-22-18, 12:56 PM
#49
Lexus Fanatic
If Ford, knowing that Trump is slapping tariffs on domestic vehicles sold here in the U.S. that are built overseas, decides to open another Mexican plant and import those vehicles across the border, that that's on them. It is possible, though, that tariffs on some Mexican-sourced vehicles will be exempt (or lessened)......Wall or no wall, Trump still wants Mexican President-Elect Obrador to help control mass-immigration, and Trump may make some concessions in return.
It looks like the impressive Continental's demise, though, is probably a done deal. Even though I didn't buy one, I'll certainly miss it.
But, like it or not, nobody else bought one, either. I've seen maybe four or five on the road, even here in the car-rich D.C. area, where virtually everything sells. Normally my response is that one cannot sell what one does not build...but the Conti, sadly, was one of those unusual cases where it didn't sell even when it WAS built. And I still can't get over the fact that the auto press simply wouldn't write it up when it first came out a couple of years ago....you and I (and Steve) had to do it LOL.
It looks like the impressive Continental's demise, though, is probably a done deal. Even though I didn't buy one, I'll certainly miss it.
But, like it or not, nobody else bought one, either. I've seen maybe four or five on the road, even here in the car-rich D.C. area, where virtually everything sells. Normally my response is that one cannot sell what one does not build...but the Conti, sadly, was one of those unusual cases where it didn't sell even when it WAS built. And I still can't get over the fact that the auto press simply wouldn't write it up when it first came out a couple of years ago....you and I (and Steve) had to do it LOL.The new Mustang platform will also offer AWD, I think they are doing that so they can do a RWD Lincoln sedan/continental/coupe on that Mustang platform like they did before so the Continental may just be going away for a little while until it gets the new platform.
10-22-18, 01:30 PM
#50
One of my Aunts and her family were very loyal to Ford growing up they had a Tempo if I remember right then Taurus then Contour the car's always seem to have issues of some sort. In last decade they jumped ship to Toyota with a Camry and now Highlander and Sienna. My cousin's are grown and they all drive Japanese cars now. The only Ford sedan that ever appealed to me was the Taurus SHO but for obvious reasons. I travel a lot and even with Avis I hardly see Ford sedan options. I don't notice them as much on the road either. As others stated the Camry's and Accords are dominating the sedan market and for good reason. The Ford Sedan offerings just have no appeal it seems and yes the trend is for buyers to go with small to large SUV's.
10-22-18, 07:28 PM
#51
Lexus Fanatic
One of my Aunts and her family were very loyal to Ford growing up they had a Tempo if I remember right then Taurus then Contour the car's always seem to have issues of some sort. In last decade they jumped ship to Toyota with a Camry and now Highlander and Sienna. My cousin's are grown and they all drive Japanese cars now. .
10-22-18, 08:16 PM
#52
Lexus Fanatic
https://www.autoblog.com/2018/03/15/...nental-to-end/
10-23-18, 09:44 AM
#53
I recall a while back, California was calling to ban all ICE in 10-20 years. I doubt a total ban would pass, but some kind of compromise maybe. I was surprised and delighted to see a cordless battery operated lawn mower. Those 2 cycle mowers are probably the largest polluters made.
As far as the truck sales go, I always think about the Chicken tax which puts a 25% tariff on all trucks imported to the US. So Ford, Chevy. Dodge has had a monopoly on the pickup sales for years. Maybe some competition could lower prices.
10-23-18, 10:29 AM
#54
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Do you know for sure the Continental is going away? That would be really dumb to re start a well known name and then just kill it after one generation. I have seen a couple on the road, it is the best looking most impressive sedan Ford/Lincoln has built in decades, they are nice, just priced way too high once you get into the highly optioned ones.
but unlike genesis, the continental likely doesn't see hardly any sales outside the u.s.
10-23-18, 11:48 AM
#56
Super Moderator
It also doesn't see hardly any sales to individuals, even within the US. I think I've seen two that weren't bearing livery plates.
10-25-18, 09:37 AM
#57
Lexus Test Driver
BrettJacks has a Fusion...but I don't remember what year it is.
And the fact that the Fusion is a good mid-size sedan certainly is not poppycock. It formed an excellent base for the Lincoln MKZ, though I'll admit that the MKZ's quality control (as with the Lincoln MKC) could be improved.
I strongly considered an MKZ, BTW (you probably remember the post)..but the lack of a N/A, non turbo V6 was one of several reasons for going with Buick. With the MKZ, it was all or nothing in the engine department....a turbo 4 or twin turbo V6.
And the fact that the Fusion is a good mid-size sedan certainly is not poppycock. It formed an excellent base for the Lincoln MKZ, though I'll admit that the MKZ's quality control (as with the Lincoln MKC) could be improved.
I strongly considered an MKZ, BTW (you probably remember the post)..but the lack of a N/A, non turbo V6 was one of several reasons for going with Buick. With the MKZ, it was all or nothing in the engine department....a turbo 4 or twin turbo V6.
Ford is definitely guilty of not giving sedans much love (Fiesta, Focus, Taurus all had issues or inefficient design in the case of the Taurus), but the Fusion is a good vehicle. I'm definitely sad to see it go.
10-25-18, 02:10 PM
#58
I've been loaned a friend's 2010 Ford Fusion sedan recently. It's just your basic four cylinder non-turbo variant with a conventional 6-speed automatic. It's nothing special but it's a very solid little car that handles decently and it is pleasant to drive.
A Ford EcoSport or current-gen Escape do not at all appeal as potential replacements for this sedan or a Fiesta or Focus. If I like all of those models, why would I want something much taller that looks incredibly ugly, has a much higher center of gravity, has zero possibility of a manual option and isn't an off-road machine like a Wrangler/FJ Cruiser/FJ70/G-Wagen/Bronco?
This would just make me look to Hyundai, Toyota, Honda or Chevrolet for hatches and sedans. And for rear-drive seadans that aren't astronomical there are options from Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Lexus, Infiniti and probably Cadillac.
This will bite Ford in the rear in a few years when there is no remaining local production tooling for smaller vehicles that aren't SUVs and CUVs. Sharpening your product portfolio is commendable but wiping out every single type of model in a certain category save one sports car (thanks for that, Ford) is another.
Those Focus ST's and RS's, while very niche and not segment leaders, are just going to become ever more expensive to find in good condition on the used market now that they'll be offered in all other markets but the USA. Same for the Fiesta ST's.
And the Fusion, while not an affordable sedan class leader, was a pretty good car. I really like those. I utterly abhor the EccoSport that replaces them.
A Ford EcoSport or current-gen Escape do not at all appeal as potential replacements for this sedan or a Fiesta or Focus. If I like all of those models, why would I want something much taller that looks incredibly ugly, has a much higher center of gravity, has zero possibility of a manual option and isn't an off-road machine like a Wrangler/FJ Cruiser/FJ70/G-Wagen/Bronco?
This would just make me look to Hyundai, Toyota, Honda or Chevrolet for hatches and sedans. And for rear-drive seadans that aren't astronomical there are options from Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Lexus, Infiniti and probably Cadillac.
This will bite Ford in the rear in a few years when there is no remaining local production tooling for smaller vehicles that aren't SUVs and CUVs. Sharpening your product portfolio is commendable but wiping out every single type of model in a certain category save one sports car (thanks for that, Ford) is another.
Those Focus ST's and RS's, while very niche and not segment leaders, are just going to become ever more expensive to find in good condition on the used market now that they'll be offered in all other markets but the USA. Same for the Fiesta ST's.
And the Fusion, while not an affordable sedan class leader, was a pretty good car. I really like those. I utterly abhor the EccoSport that replaces them.
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