Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TomCADem

(17,378 posts)
Mon Apr 30, 2018, 10:57 PM Apr 2018

FORD EXECS DEFEND DECISION TO CANCEL CARS THAT AREN'T THE MUSTANG

Source: Motor Trend

Last week, Ford shocked the industry when it announced a plan to discontinue the majority of its U.S. car lineup. The Mustang will stick around, and we’ll get the Audi Allroad-esque Focus Active hatchback, but that’s it. The Fiesta, Focus sedan, Fusion, and Taurus will all disappear. Since the announcement, Ford’s faced plenty of criticism, but executives are already pushing back.

Automotive News reports that according to Ford CEO Jim Hackett, sedans weren’t profitable for the American automaker. “We’re going to feed the healthy part of our business and deal decisively with the parts that destroy value,” he said. Other “value destroyers” include some of its international operations and most of Lincoln’s current lineup. By Ford’s calculations, making those cuts will save the company more than $25 billion by 2022.

Ford hasn’t said exactly how much money it loses selling cars in North America, but UBS analyst Colin Langan told Automotive News he believes it’s around $800 million a year. In contrast, Ford says its “high performing” divisions earned more than $3 billion in first-quarter profits this year.

According to Jim Farley, Ford’s head of global markets, critics are wrong to suggest this is a repeat of the same mistakes that nearly toppled the American auto industry last time gas prices spiked. “Customer view and experimentation on the utility side is so much more broad,” Farley told Automotive News. “Utilities are the preferred body style. This wasn’t the case before the downturn.”

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/news/why-ford-cancel-cars-us-lineup/



Congratulations for President Trump and Scott Pruitt for helping kill Ford cars. By committing to the roll back of auto-efficiency standards, there is less and less incentive to try to build sedans, particularly with the deemphasis on pushing alternative fuel cars and electric cars.

Sadly, American auto workers will suffer with this rollback.
133 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
FORD EXECS DEFEND DECISION TO CANCEL CARS THAT AREN'T THE MUSTANG (Original Post) TomCADem Apr 2018 OP
FORD - Found On Road Dead Archae Apr 2018 #1
First on Race Day jalan48 Apr 2018 #2
That's "fucked on race day". docgee Apr 2018 #4
Oh, well, We always have FIAT. sandensea Apr 2018 #7
Fucked Over Rebuilt Dodge. nt Dr Hobbitstein May 2018 #28
No, Fix It Again, Tony. TlalocW Apr 2018 #5
Fix Or Repair Daily RainCaster Apr 2018 #10
Most rental agencies in my area rely on other automakers already like Toyota and Honda. cstanleytech May 2018 #20
Honda doesn't sell to rental agencies pstokely May 2018 #36
Sorry I meant hyundai lol cstanleytech May 2018 #37
Fucken Old Rebuilt Dodge Major Nikon May 2018 #110
I bought a Ford Escape a few years ago and it was one of the worst Luciferous Apr 2018 #3
Loved my Escapes DeminPennswoods Apr 2018 #15
The 2013 was the one I had Luciferous May 2018 #54
We loved ours. Great car Hangingon May 2018 #71
I got an Escort in 1986. no_hypocrisy May 2018 #42
I had one too tazkcmo May 2018 #102
About ten or twelve years ago I happened to get a Ford Mustang as a rental car. PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2018 #6
We had some sort of metallic Orange Ford Mustang hatchback TlalocW Apr 2018 #9
The only Mustangs worth buying were built between 1964 and 1972. SunSeeker May 2018 #31
Sorry to disagree, I had a 1967 mustang, it was the cheapest built car I have ever owned. Canoe52 May 2018 #44
There's people who have had bad experiences with every brand of car. SunSeeker May 2018 #70
Maybe the 65 was built better and then they made the 67 on the cheap Canoe52 May 2018 #73
My very first car was a 1965 Mustang in 1965. I drive a 2015 Mustang today. I've had 7 others over wasupaloopa May 2018 #80
Very cool. SunSeeker May 2018 #84
I bought a new 1973 Mach I. The last year of the "big" Mustangs. tonyt53 May 2018 #89
Damn. Sounds like a beast! SunSeeker May 2018 #90
A guy got a Mustang as a rental when he visited on business SkatmanRoth May 2018 #40
We rented a Mustang convertible in Texas in March. Atman May 2018 #45
I love my 2015 Mustang convertable. If you look on used car lots the Mustangs are always up front. wasupaloopa May 2018 #82
Does this include the CMAX and other fuel efficient autos? If so it might be interesting what will still_one Apr 2018 #8
From what I read the C-Max is on the list of vehicles getting axed. cstanleytech May 2018 #22
I really like the C-Max. A friend at work got the C-Max Energi plug-in and loves it. SunSeeker May 2018 #30
Toyota, Honda, GM, etc. still_one May 2018 #98
What mini-SUV plug-in does GM have like the C-Max? SunSeeker May 2018 #107
The Volt, but it isn't a mini-SUV, but it gets 50 mpg on all electric before kicking into the still_one May 2018 #108
I don't know if will file for bankrupcy, but the game that trump is playing with the Iran deal, and still_one May 2018 #39
They need to rethink it now though not later as a number of buyers are already cstanleytech May 2018 #57
The Mustangs with the 3.7L ecoboost are fuel efficient and fast. n/t oneshooter May 2018 #96
I know their big-assed trucks sell well but I switched to Toyota Tacoma years ago BeyondGeography Apr 2018 #11
I drove Ford Rangers for 23 years and never had a problem. In 2006 I bought a doc03 May 2018 #24
Take a look around you will see 100 American pickups 20 doc03 May 2018 #27
Cute anecdotes BeyondGeography May 2018 #43
The cost of buying shitty foreign cars is more than what you pay for it...it would include all the Demsrule86 May 2018 #47
I drove Rangers for 15 years pal BeyondGeography May 2018 #50
Maybe if American car companies were not forced to compete with countries that close their Demsrule86 May 2018 #95
Look at a current Consumer Reports. "Though the Tacoma is a tough as nails doc03 May 2018 #91
The Chevy looks nice BeyondGeography May 2018 #92
Apparently you got a bad one. I had 5 of them never a problem. My last doc03 May 2018 #97
One of my relatives has a 1995 Tacoma nitpicker May 2018 #113
I predict an epic fail. 2.85 a gallon today and 3.50 by mid summer sarcasmo Apr 2018 #12
I filled up my 20-year old Toyota Camry yesterday Plucketeer May 2018 #72
Even in Northern VA nitpicker May 2018 #114
Execs are crazy if they think they'll woo car buyers with Escape. KentuckyWoman Apr 2018 #13
they claim crossovers get the same mileage as cars pstokely May 2018 #49
We have seen this movie twice before. The American auto companies pushed doc03 Apr 2018 #14
Plus the cars they do or did have like the Focus were or are overpriced. cstanleytech May 2018 #23
Precisely Sherman A1 May 2018 #52
I've had my Fusion Hybrid since 2010. Staph May 2018 #74
They should bring back the 1964 Ford Falcon. C Moon Apr 2018 #16
Bring back the Ranchero! SunSeeker May 2018 #29
Yes. CentralMass May 2018 #55
Drove one to Woodstock. kwassa May 2018 #79
If I had one of the vehicles that Ford was planing to stop producing in the U.S. at the first still_one Apr 2018 #17
The opposite might be true genxlib May 2018 #51
I am only speaking for myself still_one May 2018 #62
I have a nice GM sedan that is getting axed. Ilsa May 2018 #59
As I replied above, I am just speaking for myself. still_one May 2018 #64
I just found out GM/Chevy is only axing Ilsa May 2018 #65
It wasn't that long ago when Chevrolet redesigned the Impala, and received all sorts of accolades still_one May 2018 #66
I have the redesigned Impala. Ilsa May 2018 #83
It is a great looking car, and I bet it is smooth and comfortable also with decent milage still_one May 2018 #86
I love the ride, comfort, spaciousness, etc. Ilsa May 2018 #87
That's terrific still_one May 2018 #88
I Kind of Thought Something Was Up! ... DoctorJoJo Apr 2018 #18
I get it Kilgore May 2018 #19
FORD backwards... OnyxSharpie May 2018 #21
FORD stands for ....Fix Or Repair Daily lunasun May 2018 #25
I drive a 2013 Fusion hybrid and for the most part it's been great. D23MIURG23 May 2018 #26
My 1996 Ranger is still rolling strong MrScorpio May 2018 #32
All your Fords are belong to us. ThoughtCriminal May 2018 #33
You win the internet today Sailor65x1 May 2018 #34
Funny JDC May 2018 #103
While Ford didn't receive TARP bailout money,... LudwigPastorius May 2018 #35
It's the 70's all over again rpannier May 2018 #38
After DT and Republicans duforsure May 2018 #41
GM Lordstown lost the second shift as a result of Trumps steel tariffs...thousands of jobs Demsrule86 May 2018 #48
100% correct Demsrule. Well said. Ohiogal May 2018 #104
Thanks Ohiogal Demsrule86 May 2018 #105
Lordstown went down a shift becasue the Cruze isn't selling MichMan May 2018 #106
It is a combination of factors...yeah the Cruze isn't selling no car is really doing well but Demsrule86 May 2018 #118
That is exactly why Ford is doing what they are doing MichMan May 2018 #121
Steel Tariffs have made a difficult car selling issue impossible for American car manufacturers. Demsrule86 May 2018 #123
GM hasn't rasied the price of the Cruze MichMan May 2018 #128
No one will buy it...the foreign cars have less expense. Demsrule86 May 2018 #131
MAGA! MAGA! MAGA! Vinca May 2018 #46
I love my 2011 Ford Taurus, It is the newest car I have ever owned and was gifted to me by a friend airmid May 2018 #53
Maybe Romney was right after all TranssexualKaren May 2018 #56
Ford has lost a loyal customer. cab67 May 2018 #58
Newer F-150s have better gas mileage Ilsa May 2018 #60
I have a Ford Fusion hybrid, and it's been terrific. MBS May 2018 #61
Trumpsters are all gonna buy Mustangs and expensive trucks with their additional 5 dollar paycheck RhodeIslandOne May 2018 #63
Add 6 dollar a gallon gas due to inflation from a poorly managed harun May 2018 #132
I don't see the issue... brooklynite May 2018 #67
Meh. Hondas are better anyway. Adrahil May 2018 #68
Might be a smart move melm00se May 2018 #69
To me, this is about only one thing...the FORD plant workers, their suppliers and Tikki May 2018 #75
Well, Ford. You just lost at least one customer. GoCubsGo May 2018 #76
Let's not forget... llmart May 2018 #99
If you are saying that anyone over 90 is a senior, Cold War Spook May 2018 #116
Well, there's the difference. llmart May 2018 #117
Ditto! I have a Focus too. I was going to eventually replace it with another Focus. 50 Shades Of Blue May 2018 #101
The buyer killed Ford cars. wasupaloopa May 2018 #77
Don't get your knickers in too much of a twist.... MicaelS May 2018 #78
Bring back the Edsel! kwassa May 2018 #81
This? sakabatou May 2018 #109
what a beauty. kwassa May 2018 #119
dumb.... Blue_Tires May 2018 #85
I wonder if anyone understands the auto industry at all MichMan May 2018 #93
I live where you probably don't, but cars, sedans, like Prius, Civic are all over the place... Tikki May 2018 #94
I'm sure Ford has no choice but to do this, but let's not sugarcoat this - dropping Midwestern Democrat May 2018 #111
Crossovers are the new sedans DeminPennswoods May 2018 #112
Gas is already spiking here in Florida 2.85. Typical nonsense with the GOP in the White House. sarcasmo May 2018 #100
The six best selling sedans in 2017 were Japanese models nitpicker May 2018 #115
Went into town today and saw very few sedans. Kaleva May 2018 #120
Yet according to many here, Ford should keep cranking out sedans regardless MichMan May 2018 #122
Out of 47 vehicles in 3 parking lots, 6 were sedans Kaleva May 2018 #125
I have a 2006 Ford Focus Proud Liberal Dem May 2018 #124
OE's generally keep parts in production for 5-7 years. DetroitLegalBeagle May 2018 #126
My daily driver is a '93 Ford Tempo. CanSocDem May 2018 #127
On a hill far away Marthe48 May 2018 #129
Back in the day, my brother said Marthe48 May 2018 #130
I think Ford's move is incredibly short-sighted. Owl May 2018 #133

docgee

(870 posts)
4. That's "fucked on race day".
Mon Apr 30, 2018, 11:06 PM
Apr 2018

Fucker only runs downhill.
Fix or repair daily
Full of redneck dicks

That's all I can remember.

RainCaster

(10,691 posts)
10. Fix Or Repair Daily
Mon Apr 30, 2018, 11:17 PM
Apr 2018

That was my Tore-Ass. What a horrible excuse for a car.

OK- so we all agree that Ford makes crappy cars. What will the rental firms do? Go to all Toyotas and Kias?

pstokely

(10,511 posts)
36. Honda doesn't sell to rental agencies
Tue May 1, 2018, 03:52 AM
May 2018

Last edited Tue May 1, 2018, 07:36 AM - Edit history (1)

I guess they'll go to GM or FIAT/Chrysler for cars that only rental agencies buy

Luciferous

(6,067 posts)
3. I bought a Ford Escape a few years ago and it was one of the worst
Mon Apr 30, 2018, 11:06 PM
Apr 2018

vehicles I have ever owned. After thousands of dollars in repair bills I finally gave up and traded it in for a Honda.

DeminPennswoods

(15,246 posts)
15. Loved my Escapes
Mon Apr 30, 2018, 11:38 PM
Apr 2018

I never had a problem with any of them except they're prone to rust over the rear wheel. They were great cars, but Ford screwed them up with a complete redesign in 2013 making them just another crossover.

I was recently in the market for a new car and looked at Fords, but the Tauras' interior was bulky and claustrophobic although the car handled well and the ride was smooth. Lincoln MKZ was similar. The Focus and Fusion were better, but no room in the backseats. I can see why the sedan class loses money, it's not a real well-designed class.

tazkcmo

(7,286 posts)
102. I had one too
Tue May 1, 2018, 08:38 PM
May 2018

Great car. Used it like a pickup truck as I was in construction at that time. It made several trips from KC to San Antonio and to Steamboat Springs. My brother had one also and it lasted almost 20 years.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,750 posts)
6. About ten or twelve years ago I happened to get a Ford Mustang as a rental car.
Mon Apr 30, 2018, 11:11 PM
Apr 2018

It was absolutely the worst car ever. In the week I had it, men were constantly admiring it. Once I pulled up to a rural grocery store, and two men pulled up in some genuinely down on its luck beater of some sort, and stared enviously at my Mustang. I told them that if it weren't a rental I'd have swapped it on the spot for their car. They laughed, but I know they didn't believe me as to how awful it was.

And a couple of months earlier my sister reported to me that she'd gotten a Mustang as a rental and it was a terrible car. She was so right.

So okay, that was more than a decade ago, and perhaps they're better now, but somehow I doubt it.

TlalocW

(15,359 posts)
9. We had some sort of metallic Orange Ford Mustang hatchback
Mon Apr 30, 2018, 11:15 PM
Apr 2018

A 1983 when I was growing up. That's my only experience with Mustangs, and that thing was a hunk of junk. I was kind of relieved when it was stolen though Dad was upset. We got it back a month or two later - some neighbor kids spotted its very distinct orange when they went to another town to play a baseball game.

TlalocW

SunSeeker

(51,377 posts)
31. The only Mustangs worth buying were built between 1964 and 1972.
Tue May 1, 2018, 01:40 AM
May 2018

Then they had a soul-ectomy. Might as well have called them a Taurus at that point.

Canoe52

(2,944 posts)
44. Sorry to disagree, I had a 1967 mustang, it was the cheapest built car I have ever owned.
Tue May 1, 2018, 07:03 AM
May 2018

Not much more than a bucket of bolts and sheet metal.

SunSeeker

(51,377 posts)
70. There's people who have had bad experiences with every brand of car.
Tue May 1, 2018, 11:51 AM
May 2018

I loved my 65. Wish I never sold it. So many great memories with that car. Beautiful, great handling and acceleration, and it never left me stranded.

Canoe52

(2,944 posts)
73. Maybe the 65 was built better and then they made the 67 on the cheap
Tue May 1, 2018, 01:03 PM
May 2018

after it had become popular? I was always curious to know others experience with them.

Or maybe just that time period with American cars...My mom bought a new 1970 Buick LeSabre and it was built cheap too, rusting out everywhere in three years.

 

wasupaloopa

(4,516 posts)
80. My very first car was a 1965 Mustang in 1965. I drive a 2015 Mustang today. I've had 7 others over
Tue May 1, 2018, 02:18 PM
May 2018

the years.

My 1967 fast back won the D stock national championship drag races in 1967. I bought after the original owner lost his job and had to sell it. It had a 390 352 horse power engine.

My 2015 has a 6 cylinder with 305 hp.

 

tonyt53

(5,737 posts)
89. I bought a new 1973 Mach I. The last year of the "big" Mustangs.
Tue May 1, 2018, 03:31 PM
May 2018

Since they knew that was the last of those, they put everything imaginable in them, powertrain-wise. Mine had the 351 Cleveland with a four barrel and ram air. After buying it, I looked at the heads and they were "Boss" heads. I drove the hell out of it for the two years I had it. Every time I took off I had to leave rubber. Bought a lot of tires. That car could move. Then I wrapped it around a tree.

SunSeeker

(51,377 posts)
90. Damn. Sounds like a beast!
Tue May 1, 2018, 04:10 PM
May 2018

Glad you survived the crash!

I put Boss 302 heads on the 289 small block of my 65 Mustang Fastback, which really upped the compression. I chirped tires in all 4 gears. Had a Hurst shifter and McLeod pressure plate, otherwise everything else was stock. Loved that car. Then I needed money for college and it was getting harder and harder to find the premium leaded gas it needed, so I sold it to some rich kid. He promptly wrapped around a light post. He was fine, but my poor baby was totaled.

SkatmanRoth

(843 posts)
40. A guy got a Mustang as a rental when he visited on business
Tue May 1, 2018, 05:17 AM
May 2018

He complained that the rear tires were worn down and had very little tread. He also complained his clothes and the whole car constantly smelled like burning rubber.

Atman

(31,464 posts)
45. We rented a Mustang convertible in Texas in March.
Tue May 1, 2018, 07:08 AM
May 2018

What a piece of garbage. Terrible layout of controls, which were all super-cheap plastic. Couldn’t even reach into the back seat to put down a package or anything. It was just a big toy, I couldn’t imagine owning one. We own a Sonata 2.0 Turbo Sport Limited with the Tech package — I couldn’t wait to get back to it. Everything about it is 10x better than that Mustang junk.

 

wasupaloopa

(4,516 posts)
82. I love my 2015 Mustang convertable. If you look on used car lots the Mustangs are always up front.
Tue May 1, 2018, 02:24 PM
May 2018

They do sell well.

My wife isn't found of my mustang. She just got a Lincoln MKX.

I can understand folks not liking Mustangs but I am not that type of person.

still_one

(91,965 posts)
8. Does this include the CMAX and other fuel efficient autos? If so it might be interesting what will
Mon Apr 30, 2018, 11:12 PM
Apr 2018

happen to fuel prices if trump pulls out of the Iran nuclear deal

I suspect also a lot of folks will lose their job with this decision



cstanleytech

(26,080 posts)
22. From what I read the C-Max is on the list of vehicles getting axed.
Tue May 1, 2018, 12:15 AM
May 2018

Because of this change my prediction is the next time gas prices spike extremely high that Ford will end up filing for bankruptcy.

SunSeeker

(51,377 posts)
30. I really like the C-Max. A friend at work got the C-Max Energi plug-in and loves it.
Tue May 1, 2018, 01:36 AM
May 2018

It has a total range of 600 miles, amazing for a plug-in. I was actually thinking of getting one next year. I guess there will be no next year for them.

It's crazy for Ford to get rid of their entire line of compact cars. Toyota must be loving this news.

still_one

(91,965 posts)
108. The Volt, but it isn't a mini-SUV, but it gets 50 mpg on all electric before kicking into the
Tue May 1, 2018, 11:04 PM
May 2018

internal combustion engine. GM has said they will be incorporating the Volt technology in all their vehicle line ups in the next two years.

The Chrysler Pacifica is a plug-in mini van which gets about 35-40 miles on all electric.

Mitsubishi is about the only plug-in SUV that I am aware of that gets reasonable all electric mileage before kicking into the internal combustion engine, but it isn't an American car.

I believe in the next two years you will see a reasonable number of plut-in hybrid mini SUVs

I currently have Honda Clarity plug in hybrid, which gets about 50 miles all electric before kicking into the internal combustion engine. Previous to that I had a 2013 Volt, so as you can see I pretty sold on the PHEV concept, because you have the most flexibility






still_one

(91,965 posts)
39. I don't know if will file for bankrupcy, but the game that trump is playing with the Iran deal, and
Tue May 1, 2018, 05:12 AM
May 2018

alienation of the European allies, not only on the Iran deal but the threat of tariffs and a trade war, point to significantly higher fuel prices sooner than later, and if that occurs I wouldn't be surprised if Ford backs away from this before it even gets started



cstanleytech

(26,080 posts)
57. They need to rethink it now though not later as a number of buyers are already
Tue May 1, 2018, 08:42 AM
May 2018

deciding to not buy a Ford vehicle now like my older brother and as time goes by more and more will reach that conclusion.

BeyondGeography

(39,284 posts)
11. I know their big-assed trucks sell well but I switched to Toyota Tacoma years ago
Mon Apr 30, 2018, 11:28 PM
Apr 2018

after a comically bad experience with a 2001 Ranger that often wouldn’t start unless I slammed the door really hard. Long story.

The two aren’t even close in terms of reliability. The Ranger has since been killed. Long live the Taco.

doc03

(35,148 posts)
24. I drove Ford Rangers for 23 years and never had a problem. In 2006 I bought a
Tue May 1, 2018, 12:29 AM
May 2018

Tacoma, I have had more recalls on it than all the Rangers combined. They recalled it to check the frame for rust,
and found it was rusted clear through. They had to replace the frame, front and rear springs, A-arms and the tire carrier
for rust. Last week I had to have the shift cable replaced $329 (rust). I never drove it when their was salt on the road the first 5 years I owned it.

doc03

(35,148 posts)
27. Take a look around you will see 100 American pickups 20
Tue May 1, 2018, 01:02 AM
May 2018

years old still on the job for every 1 Toyota. Toyota re-called nearly all the Tacomas made from 1995 to 2004 and scraped them from 2005 on they have been replacing the frames. How many Toyota 100s you see on the road?

BeyondGeography

(39,284 posts)
43. Cute anecdotes
Tue May 1, 2018, 06:49 AM
May 2018

Read it and weep:

Why Are People Paying So Much For Used Toyota Tacomas?

“The Tacoma has a tremendous reputation for reliability,” Nick Kurczewski, senior multimedia content editor for CR, tells Consumerist. “In the car world, the joke is that after the zombie apocalypse the only things to survive will be cockroaches and Tacomas.”

Indeed, a look at Consumer Reports’ ratings for the Tacoma show that the small, compact pickup truck show it has a long history of strong reliability among testers and customers.

The 2013 Tacoma scored a 5-out-of-5 in reliability, a rating that scores how models have performed in the past. Subsequent models from 2014 and 2015 also scored 5-out-of-5 in reliability.

https://consumerist.com/2017/07/25/why-are-people-paying-so-much-for-used-toyota-tacomas/

Demsrule86

(68,352 posts)
47. The cost of buying shitty foreign cars is more than what you pay for it...it would include all the
Tue May 1, 2018, 07:29 AM
May 2018

American jobs lost as a result of those decisions... those who buy foreign contribute toward income inequality and the weakening of unions. And Japan totally screws Americans autos by selling them cheap here and then making up the difference in their closed markets in Japan..yes closed. They take no Americans cars. Enjoy your foreign car...I wouldn't ...it costs way to much...and I am not talking about what you paid for it but for what the country pays for every foreign car that is sold in this country. It is my opinion that the loss of American jobs as a result of bad trade paved the way for Trump.

BeyondGeography

(39,284 posts)
50. I drove Rangers for 15 years pal
Tue May 1, 2018, 07:42 AM
May 2018

They had me and they lost me. Build a better vehicle and you get the business. Duh.

Demsrule86

(68,352 posts)
95. Maybe if American car companies were not forced to compete with countries that close their
Tue May 1, 2018, 07:13 PM
May 2018

market and dump their cars here for cheap while making up the lost money at home...they would have more money to spend on manufacture and maybe if Americans bought American cars...in order to strengthen unions and combat income inequality as well as increasing our GDP...things would be better. And I would like to add that the idea that American cars are shit is simply not true. There are some really great American cars...consider that Japan knowingly killed people with the acceleration defect for years. The steel tariff makes it worse as American car makers will be further disadvantaged. In fact GM Lordstown (Ohio) laid off the second shift...couldn't keep going after the $1200.00 cost increase per car. so someday when American companies are gone...I wonder how much your vehicle will cost then...in the meantime, here in Ohio, thousands of jobs are lost.

doc03

(35,148 posts)
91. Look at a current Consumer Reports. "Though the Tacoma is a tough as nails
Tue May 1, 2018, 05:17 PM
May 2018

and delivers impressive off road prowess, it's primitive. The ride is stiff, handling is ponderous, the cabin
is very loud and the riding position is awkwardly low." "First year reliability of the redesign has been well below average."
The Tacoma road test score is 41, Chevy Colorado road test score 67-69! Explain how CR reports has body hardware as mush better than average on the Tacoma when literally 100s of thousands were recalled and crushed for scrap?

BeyondGeography

(39,284 posts)
92. The Chevy looks nice
Tue May 1, 2018, 06:00 PM
May 2018

But we were talking about Ford. My last Ranger had a malfunctioning computer chip that would very often render the truck incapable of starting. Only by slamming the drivers side door as hard as possible would it come to life. This was about once every four times I would get in the vehicle. When I explained it to the dealer he looked at me like I had two heads and, after I demonstrated it to him said there was nothing they could do about it. I still kept the truck because I liked it, but that was before the bottom rotted out at the nine-year mark. I switched to Toyota and haven't had a single problem in six years. Until it lets me down, that's where I'll stay. American cars are very often stylish and very often unreliable. The Colorado is a newbie; let's see what people are saying in five or ten years. Until then, I’ll stick with the known quantity unless it gives me reason to switch. That's how this business works for most people.

doc03

(35,148 posts)
97. Apparently you got a bad one. I had 5 of them never a problem. My last
Tue May 1, 2018, 07:45 PM
May 2018

one was a 1996 with 113,000 miles that I traded for the 2006 Tacoma. The last few years Ford never updated the Ranger. That is exactly what they are doing with their cars now, just crank anything out until they shut the line down. That is why I never bought a 2006 Ranger. But like I said the ones I owned were great. You will still see more of them from the 80s and 90s on the road than a Toyota. How was I supposed to give a CR review of the Ranger when they haven't been made in years?

 

Plucketeer

(12,882 posts)
72. I filled up my 20-year old Toyota Camry yesterday
Tue May 1, 2018, 12:18 PM
May 2018

Filled it with $3.29 a gallon regular at the cheapest station in town - this is in central California. I see premium brands elsewhere around town where regular is $3.70 or so and climbing.

nitpicker

(7,153 posts)
114. Even in Northern VA
Wed May 2, 2018, 06:01 AM
May 2018

Last week, the hunt was for gas under $2.50 a gallon.

Not the hunt is for sub-$2.70 gas.

KentuckyWoman

(6,666 posts)
13. Execs are crazy if they think they'll woo car buyers with Escape.
Mon Apr 30, 2018, 11:36 PM
Apr 2018

I own one and hate it. The engine is loud. The tires are loud and the ride is bouncy as hell. My Freestyle was mechanically a clunker and the styling was nothing to write home about but the ride was smooth and you could fit an Army and their gear in that thing. I still wish I'd paid for a new engine instead of trading it in.

And quite frankly I'm a little mad that my husband retired from Ford and not Toyota....

doc03

(35,148 posts)
14. We have seen this movie twice before. The American auto companies pushed
Mon Apr 30, 2018, 11:38 PM
Apr 2018

big SUVs and pickups and didn't build competitive small fuel efficient cars. Then the gas prices spiked and they came to the American taxpayer for a handout to retool to make small cars. If this happens again screw em. This CEO ran a f---ing furniture company before coming to Ford. Allen Malally turned Ford around now this asshole kills it. Where is the Ford family? Oh I own a Ford Fusion and love it
had it almost 3 years so far and never had one problem. I can't say that about the Toyota Tacoma I own, had more recalls on it than all my other vehicles combined.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
52. Precisely
Tue May 1, 2018, 07:48 AM
May 2018

When the gas prices go up and they already are doing so, Ford will be wishing that this decision wasn’t made. I owned many Fords over 4 decades and they were generally good cars and trucks for my needs, but I will be looking elsewhere when time comes to trade.

The old adage in Retail is “You can Never make up a lost sale”. Ford with this decision will not only lose my sale, but countless others.

Staph

(6,245 posts)
74. I've had my Fusion Hybrid since 2010.
Tue May 1, 2018, 01:47 PM
May 2018

I love it! It gets great mileage and has next to no problems. I got my first recall last month, for the passenger side airbag. That's the problem of Takata, not Ford.

I've been buying new American made cars since my first, a 1977 Camaro. Each car has had better gas mileage than the previous one. I don't know what I'll do, when I need to replace the Fusion in seven or eight years!


kwassa

(23,340 posts)
79. Drove one to Woodstock.
Tue May 1, 2018, 02:14 PM
May 2018

Lost the clutch on the way back, marooned in King of Prussia eating HJs saltwater taffy ...

still_one

(91,965 posts)
17. If I had one of the vehicles that Ford was planing to stop producing in the U.S. at the first
Mon Apr 30, 2018, 11:47 PM
Apr 2018

opportunity I would be looking to unload it while I get still get a reasonable price for it


genxlib

(5,507 posts)
51. The opposite might be true
Tue May 1, 2018, 07:46 AM
May 2018

When they are no longer available, the used market might go up to meet the demand.

Ilsa

(61,675 posts)
59. I have a nice GM sedan that is getting axed.
Tue May 1, 2018, 08:53 AM
May 2018

I'm not worried about aftermarket parts. Intend to keep it almost forever.

still_one

(91,965 posts)
66. It wasn't that long ago when Chevrolet redesigned the Impala, and received all sorts of accolades
Tue May 1, 2018, 09:38 AM
May 2018

for that revamping. GM also announced that they have plans to move Volt type technologies in their other lines.

I am surprised that Ford is putting the Fusion in that category to stop production. I thought the Fusion's were selling at least 200000 a year.

Ilsa

(61,675 posts)
83. I have the redesigned Impala.
Tue May 1, 2018, 02:25 PM
May 2018

People thought it was a European luxury car when they first saw it. Doesn't look like a rental car at all.

Ilsa

(61,675 posts)
87. I love the ride, comfort, spaciousness, etc.
Tue May 1, 2018, 02:34 PM
May 2018

Using cruise control, I get better than the rating for highway driving. I've gotten 32--33 mpg, but 22-25 around town.

Kilgore

(1,733 posts)
19. I get it
Tue May 1, 2018, 12:06 AM
May 2018

Our areas Ford dealership has a very large lot filled with trucks & SUV's of every size but very few cars.
They sell 10 F150,250,350 trucks for every car sold according to a salesman friend

Why build a product no one wants?

lunasun

(21,646 posts)
25. FORD stands for ....Fix Or Repair Daily
Tue May 1, 2018, 12:30 AM
May 2018

Ironic as I have had a couple of Fords last long with little repair issues but I always heard that saying

D23MIURG23

(2,833 posts)
26. I drive a 2013 Fusion hybrid and for the most part it's been great.
Tue May 1, 2018, 12:49 AM
May 2018

The only gripe I have is that it had a lot of safety recalls. This is sad news for me because I would have considered a fusion again next time I need a car. Beats the hell out of a prius, and don't even get me started on Honda. The worst car I've ever had was an accord. It was a total POS lemon that died in the middle of a highway drive and left me stranded. I'd get a moped before I bought another Honda.

LudwigPastorius

(8,944 posts)
35. While Ford didn't receive TARP bailout money,...
Tue May 1, 2018, 02:43 AM
May 2018

It did get $5.9 billion in very low-cost government loans through the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF). These loans helped the company avoid bankruptcy on the stipulation that it retool its factories to help meet the Obama administration’s plans of having a million electric cars on the road by 2015 (a goal that wasn’t met due to corporate foot-dragging).

Now, after the bailout backed by American taxpayers, Ford has the balls to snub the American market because those kinds of vehicles aren’t making them quite as much money.

Fuck Ford.

duforsure

(11,882 posts)
41. After DT and Republicans
Tue May 1, 2018, 05:42 AM
May 2018

Did a number on them with changing standards it was headed in the wrong direction of a unprofitable future, and loses more ground also with steel and aluminum pricing going to jump dramatically from trump. Then add to that all the economic policies they've made that'll hurt this economy it'll put them in a very bad position sooner than later. Bound to happen, especially with the help of trump. Many will lose their jobs over this as their market here evaporates.

Demsrule86

(68,352 posts)
48. GM Lordstown lost the second shift as a result of Trumps steel tariffs...thousands of jobs
Tue May 1, 2018, 07:35 AM
May 2018

lost. It is deeper than just the tariffs though...Japan doesn't take our cars...they have a closed market...so they can sell their cars cheap here and make up the difference at home...Trump is an asshat and doesn't understand the first thing about trade...but there is no doubt it needs to be addressed. Telling people the jobs aren't coming back won't work. We saw that clearly in 2016. Sure, some who voted for Trump were racist scum...but some were those that used to work good union jobs in manufacturing who now work at Walmart for pennies on the dollar.

MichMan

(11,790 posts)
106. Lordstown went down a shift becasue the Cruze isn't selling
Tue May 1, 2018, 09:42 PM
May 2018

The Chevrolet Cruze, built in Lordstown Ohio is also another sedan that has seen significant softening of sales. This has resulted in the 2nd shift being laid off as they need to balance production with demand.

This is exactly the same scenario that has caused Ford to make their decision as they would be in a similar situation. By dropping the sedans, they can retool the plant to manufacture hot selling crossovers and thus bring back all the laid off employees.

If was due to steel tariffs, why are the other UAW represented GM plants that are building Trucks, SUV and Crossovers working overtime and in some cases adding a 3rd shift? Those use as much or in some cases, even more steel than a Cruze.

Demsrule86

(68,352 posts)
118. It is a combination of factors...yeah the Cruze isn't selling no car is really doing well but
Wed May 2, 2018, 06:27 PM
May 2018

the addition of a $1200.00 cost per car made it happen now. The shift was holding until then...And as for Ford. I think it is very shortsighted of them. But Trump's tariff has really hurts autos...Ford can't really afford to make cars here. The steel tariffs will send better paying auto jobs overseas in the end. Trump is too stupid to manage trade. We have to compete with foreign companies who can get cheaper parts as the asshole fake Russian appointed president put a tariff on steel. This no doubt helps our foreign competitors and hurts American autos by increasing the price of manufacturing.

MichMan

(11,790 posts)
121. That is exactly why Ford is doing what they are doing
Wed May 2, 2018, 11:21 PM
May 2018

"It is a combination of factors...yeah the Cruze isn't selling no car is really doing well"

That is exactly why Ford is doing what they are doing

MichMan

(11,790 posts)
128. GM hasn't rasied the price of the Cruze
Thu May 3, 2018, 08:13 PM
May 2018

I still don't understand why you keep talking about steel tariffs. GM has not raised the price of the car what so ever. The only reason the production was cut is due to sales being down because it just doesn't appeal to consumers nd they aren't buying them. Nothing hurts the profits more than a big assembly plant running just one shift a day

The Crossovers, trucks and SUV that are selling like hotcakes have more steel in them than the Cruze; if it was due to tariffs wouldn't they be more affected?

I would think that the workers at the Lordstown plant would be better off building something much more popular? Don't you?

Demsrule86

(68,352 posts)
131. No one will buy it...the foreign cars have less expense.
Fri May 4, 2018, 07:28 AM
May 2018

The fact is the additional $1200.00 per car ended any hope for the second shift. No doubt poor sales contributed...but autos will be really hurt because of the tariffs.

airmid

(500 posts)
53. I love my 2011 Ford Taurus, It is the newest car I have ever owned and was gifted to me by a friend
Tue May 1, 2018, 08:00 AM
May 2018

who had inherited it and just didn't need another car. That being said, I despise the PATS system Whenever it gets really cold it will engage without notice and I am stranded until I pull the battery for a few hrs to reset the system.

cab67

(2,963 posts)
58. Ford has lost a loyal customer.
Tue May 1, 2018, 08:46 AM
May 2018

Of the four cars I've owned, three have been Fords. That includes the 2009 Fusion I'm currently driving (1).

I've been happy with them. They've been reliable and no more expensive to maintain than the Honda I had in grad school.

I'm going to be trading in the Fusion fairly soon. I'd assumed it would be for another Ford. But not anymore.

This is perhaps the most boneheaded business move I've ever seen. Not only will it drive customers to competitors, it will cost Ford big time when more responsible leadership is in office and efficiency standards again increase.

(1) I'm not driving the Fusion at this very moment.

Ilsa

(61,675 posts)
60. Newer F-150s have better gas mileage
Tue May 1, 2018, 08:55 AM
May 2018

than ever before, so I doubt they'll be sold off for subcompacts when gas prices rise again.

MBS

(9,688 posts)
61. I have a Ford Fusion hybrid, and it's been terrific.
Tue May 1, 2018, 09:01 AM
May 2018

I'd already assumed that my next car would also be a Ford hybrid (or perhaps an even cleaner next-generation plug-in hybrid or electric), but they've now lost me. I certainly have zero interest in their remaining lineup.

This is a phenomenally bad decision; I can easily see it as a future business-school case study, much as Coca-Cola's "New Coke" debacle has provided plenty of educational fodder for MBA students for the last 30 years.

The thing is: will Ford wake up in time to reverse themselves, as Coca-Cola did? It doesn't seem likely alas.

Trump (including also - especially - the people who brought us Trump and continue to enable him) has sent my beloved country backwards on every front.

 

RhodeIslandOne

(5,042 posts)
63. Trumpsters are all gonna buy Mustangs and expensive trucks with their additional 5 dollar paycheck
Tue May 1, 2018, 09:08 AM
May 2018

It'll be great until Papa breaks his back on the job and no one has health insurance or disability. Then they can all live out of it.

harun

(11,348 posts)
132. Add 6 dollar a gallon gas due to inflation from a poorly managed
Fri May 4, 2018, 09:56 AM
May 2018

artificially inflated economy.

Somehow they will still blame it on Hillary and Obama.

 

Adrahil

(13,340 posts)
68. Meh. Hondas are better anyway.
Tue May 1, 2018, 10:13 AM
May 2018

I bought a new 2018 Accord Touring a few months ago. My favorite car ever. It's great in just about every way. I wish they offered a Hybrid in that trim level. The Clarity came out after I bought, or I would considered that.

melm00se

(4,974 posts)
69. Might be a smart move
Tue May 1, 2018, 10:28 AM
May 2018

as there is going to be a complete revolution in personal autos (autonomous, alternative fuel vehicles) over the next decade or so.

this will allow Ford, if they are smart, to throw their savings into new car R&D and come out like gangbusters with a completely new platform.

Tikki

(14,539 posts)
75. To me, this is about only one thing...the FORD plant workers, their suppliers and
Tue May 1, 2018, 01:55 PM
May 2018

if this will further hurt local economies.

I believe they will still build SUV's, Trucks and Light Utilities.

Maybe now they can wrangle out some innovations in these lines that will compete with
vehicle manufacturers who are taking the environment seriously.

Tikki

GoCubsGo

(32,061 posts)
76. Well, Ford. You just lost at least one customer.
Tue May 1, 2018, 02:00 PM
May 2018

Not everyone wants to drive a goddamn truck, including me. Nor, do I have any use for a muscle car. When my Focus dies, I will look elsewhere. And, yes. I consider SUVs to be trucks.

llmart

(15,501 posts)
99. Let's not forget...
Tue May 1, 2018, 08:00 PM
May 2018

the fact that the population is aging. Do they really think that seniors want a pickup truck? Or can afford an SUV or the gas to put in it? I live in a senior community and most everyone in here drives a car and not a truck. Lots of Fusions, especially for the women. I bought a new car four years ago and test drove the Focus and Fusion but ended up with a Honda. It's been a great car!

 

Cold War Spook

(1,279 posts)
116. If you are saying that anyone over 90 is a senior,
Wed May 2, 2018, 09:40 AM
May 2018

you might be right. Under 90, and they are still driving pickups here in Eastern NC. They need a pickup for their hunting dogs.

llmart

(15,501 posts)
117. Well, there's the difference.
Wed May 2, 2018, 03:28 PM
May 2018

You're in NC. And no, I don't mean seniors in their 90's. I'm not quite 70 and there are some in here in their early to mid 60's. Many more single women than men (that's usually the case when you get older) and I highly doubt the women want a pickup truck. Even the men in here don't have pickup trucks and they're not 90 either.

Plus, I'm in the Detroit area so add that to the equation. I guess we won't know the outcome of Ford's decision right away.

50 Shades Of Blue

(9,777 posts)
101. Ditto! I have a Focus too. I was going to eventually replace it with another Focus.
Tue May 1, 2018, 08:19 PM
May 2018

Now I'll be choosing among several other makes.

MichMan

(11,790 posts)
93. I wonder if anyone understands the auto industry at all
Tue May 1, 2018, 06:15 PM
May 2018

Ford is dropping these sedans because, news flash, consumers are not buying them.


Sedans are no longer popular as Crossovers are very popular right now. 20 years ago, everyone wanted Minivans, now it is Crossovers. A decade from now, it will probably be something else. For those that don't understand, Crossovers are car based chassis and engines with SUV type bodies & are NOT the big Truck based SUV.

Apparently many posters think that auto manufacturers should ignore consumer preferences and keep building more and more of the ones already not selling. Do you understand the massive amount it costs to keep an assembly plant operating only one shift a day or being idled for weeks at a time due to poor sales?

Just because there are lots full of unsold small sedans because customers prefer crossovers, Ford should continue to keep cranking them out anyway. Someday, when gas prices continue to rise, they will have a plentiful supply of 2 year old unsold cars to sell.

How would American workers suffer if their employers are building the products that are selling well? The reason that there were layoffs at the GM plant in Lordstown is exactly because sedans like the Cruze are not selling. Their UAW counterparts at the truck, SUV and Crossover plants are working overtime and hiring workers

Tikki

(14,539 posts)
94. I live where you probably don't, but cars, sedans, like Prius, Civic are all over the place...
Tue May 1, 2018, 06:59 PM
May 2018

between my husband and I we have already seen a dozen Tesla 3's.

True, people are buying the vehicle they need. But many don't need a SUV or
Crossover.
Many need a vehicle that gets stellar mileage and is reliable.

FORD, for the most part, makes a reliable truck, et al...


Tikki

111. I'm sure Ford has no choice but to do this, but let's not sugarcoat this - dropping
Wed May 2, 2018, 02:21 AM
May 2018

a core product line - sedans - isn't a little thing - I'm a current Ford Taurus owner and Ford will literally not be offering anything I'm willing to buy. I'm willing to accept that my preference - full size sedans, which by the way, used to be the very backbone of the automobile industry, is going away (times change and for some, it's not always for the better) - but I'm shocked Ford isn't going to at least offer a midsize sedan like the Fusion - I wouldn't be happy if that was the largest American sedan that was on the market, but I could probably suck it up and live with it - but I'm not buying a Mustang (I'm not a young man anymore) and I'm certainly not buying a Chinese made compact car like the Focus is going to be, and I'm sure not buying a truck, SUV, or crossover.

DeminPennswoods

(15,246 posts)
112. Crossovers are the new sedans
Wed May 2, 2018, 05:30 AM
May 2018

Recently bought a crossover and it's just a conventional hatchback that has an SUV look, fold down rear seats, sits at about the same height as a sedan and gets over 30mpg combined driving. I've owned original Explorers and Escapes and this car is not at all like them.

Kaleva

(36,147 posts)
120. Went into town today and saw very few sedans.
Wed May 2, 2018, 09:14 PM
May 2018

Most vehicles were crossovers, SUVs and pickups. I hadn't paid attention to this before until I read this thread and when I went to town, I was quite surprised by how few sedans there were compared to the other types of vehicles. Another rarity was the minivan.

MichMan

(11,790 posts)
122. Yet according to many here, Ford should keep cranking out sedans regardless
Wed May 2, 2018, 11:23 PM
May 2018

if people are buying them or not.

Kaleva

(36,147 posts)
125. Out of 47 vehicles in 3 parking lots, 6 were sedans
Thu May 3, 2018, 11:32 AM
May 2018

Went to town again this morning and I counted the vehicles at the parking lots of the post office, Family Dollar and the grocery store. Just 6 sedans. Crossovers/SUVs dominated followed by pickup trucks and then minivans.

 

CanSocDem

(3,286 posts)
127. My daily driver is a '93 Ford Tempo.
Thu May 3, 2018, 11:55 AM
May 2018

Need I say more? Of course I get NO respect, not even from the dealership that sold the car to my ol'pappy last century.

.

Marthe48

(16,692 posts)
129. On a hill far away
Thu May 3, 2018, 09:35 PM
May 2018

Stood an old Chevrolet
Its fenders all tattered and torn
Along came the Lord
In His Model A Ford
And towed that old Chevy away
(sung to the tune of The Old Rugged Cross)

I learned the sung from my Dad, whose only new car was a 1957 Chevy Nomad.

Marthe48

(16,692 posts)
130. Back in the day, my brother said
Thu May 3, 2018, 09:37 PM
May 2018

If Ford has a better idea, why don't they use it?

FORD: Fix Or Repair Daily

and

How do you spell Ford? RUST

He had a friend who had a Ford convertible and my brother had a '57 Chevy. So they razzed each other a lot
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»FORD EXECS DEFEND DECISIO...