Read all about it!, Ford to stop making cars in North America with exception of the Mustang & one other car Focus Active.

[easyrider]

Further reports may be found on CNN Money.
Report posted Wednesday, 4-25-18 8:01PM.

 

http://money.cnn.com/2018/04/25/autos/ford-cars-north-america/index.html

Edited April 26, 2018 by easyrider

[drolds1]

From our earlier discussions, an MKZ replacement isn't looking too likely unless they decide to utilize the new platform for a sedan.  IDK.  

[R2D2]

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ford-stop-selling-every-car-205243027.html

 

Here is a link to a similar article

[jmcgliss]

Hard to believe. We see Fusions everywhere. Taurus and Flex, not so much.

 

Ford: There is no business case for a Fusion - MKZ wagon

Me: We still drive two 2005 Subaru wagons with turbo's and manual transmissions

Ford: Subaru owners keep their cars too long to be profitable for us

Me: Because Ford never built a wagon we have asked for since 2004

Ford: But people want SUV's, crossovers, and trucks

Me: People cannot buy what you do not make

Ford: Our research dictates that we stop production of all cars

Me: Our research indicates the Big Three believe in selling vehicles by the pound

[fusionff]

Don't stick a fork in Lincoln sedans yet, hopefully...

 

https://www.carscoops.com/2018/04/lincoln-committed-sedans-despite-fords-decision-drop/

[drolds1]

Well, that's a glimmer of hope.

[Zalvern]

That article mentions Lincoln does plan to revive the Continental's suicide doors. That will be interesting to see.

 

My dealership is hinting a mustang platform coupe will join Lincoln's portfolio as one of those new vehicles. It will boast a minimum of 500/500 rating and even debut it's own unique motor. Of course I keep it at "I'll believe it when I see it, but hope it happens".

 

At least we do have a hope to go by, as I would be disappointed by Ford. I get they're going where thier average market sales are for newer generation folk and women buyers are playing a big factor in Ford's decision. They are more likely to lease/trade sooner than your male who especially knows his way with automotive basics. Just another eye opening thing really, given how some of thier marketing choices are...themed.

Edited April 27, 2018 by Zalvern

[MKZMark]

I think they have to offer sedans to be taken seriously as a luxury marque. Otherwise they should just re-name it the Lincoln Truck Company.

[brucelinc]

Ford:

Trucks  (Ranger, Bronco, F series)

SUVs (Expedition, Explorer)

CUVs (Edge, Escape, Focus Active)

sports car (Mustang)

 

Lincoln: 

SUVs (Navigator, Aviator, Nautilus)

sporty Luxury (MKZ replacement on RWD CD6 platform)

Flagship luxury (Continental on stretched RWD CD6 platform)

[bbf2530]

Hi guys and gals. I also hope Lincoln and Ford do not discontinue their cars. CUV's, SUV's and trucks are nice for those who like them, but they are not for me.

Every vehicle I have owned since 1976 has been a Ford or Lincoln car, purchased new. If they cut back to essentially no car other than Mustangs, they would lose me as a lifelong customer.

Don't get me wrong, I love Mustangs. In fact, it has always been my favorite car since I was a little kid.  And back in my younger and crazier days of buying a new car every 2-3 years, I owned a series of 5 Mustang GT's in a row (all black...lol). However, nowadays I enjoy a more comfortable everyday driver with power, exactly like the MKZ 3.0T I now have on order and am impatiently waiting for. And on a side note, I had even cross-shopped the Fusion Sport before deciding on another MKZ. Lincoln/Ford eliminating cars would eliminate me as a customer, unless I give in to looking like a later middle-aged guy in a sad, mid-life crisis with his shiny new Mustang GT. At least I'm not bald with gold chains too. :hysterical:

I also tend to wonder if those at the top are really taking into consideration how times, tastes and fads change? Big cars used to be all the rage, then small cars, then minivans, then SUV's, now CUV's and SUV's. And all sorts of other iterations in between. Fads and trends come and go, But no matter what, there is always a market for car buyers. So when tastes change again, or the next spike in fuel prices comes, what will draw customers to the showroom? Not CUV'S and SUV's.

So you gals and guys in charge of these things at Lincoln/Ford, don't do it! You will lose many more customers than you realize. :thud:

Edited April 27, 2018 by bbf2530

[drolds1]

Hi guys and gals. I also hope Lincoln and Ford do not discontinue their cars. CUV's, SUV's and trucks are nice for those who like them, but they are not for me.

Every vehicle I have owned since 1976 has been a Ford or Lincoln car, purchased new. If they cut back to essentially no car other than Mustangs, they would lose me as a lifelong customer.

Don't get me wrong, I love Mustangs. In fact, it has always been my favorite car since I was a little kid.  And back in my younger and crazier days of buying a new car every 2-3 years, I owned a series of 5 Mustang GT's in a row (all black...lol). However, nowadays I enjoy a more comfortable everyday driver with power, exactly like the MKZ 3.0T I now have on order and am impatiently waiting for. And on a side note, I had even cross-shopped the Fusion Sport before deciding on another MKZ. Lincoln/Ford eliminating cars would eliminate me as a customer, unless I give in to looking like a later middle-aged guy in a sad, mid-life crisis with his shiny new Mustang GT. At least I'm not bald with gold chains too. :hysterical:

I also tend to wonder if those at the top are really taking into consideration how times, tastes and fads change? Big cars used to be all the rage, then small cars, then minivans, then SUV's, now CUV's and SUV's. And all sorts of other iterations in between. Fads and trends come and go, But no matter what, there is always a market for car buyers. So when tastes change again, or the next spike in fuel prices comes, what will draw customers to the showroom? Not CUV'S and SUV's.

So you gals and guys in charge of these things at Lincoln/Ford, don't do it! You will lose many more customers than you realize. :thud:

I'm inclined to agree.  I've been with Ford since 1986.  I had several Mercury Sables, then 3 Lincoln LSes.  (Still miss those LSes).  I'm on my 4th MKZ.  I love this 2017 3.0.  Even my wife told me the other day that  she loves this car more than any car we've had.  And we've had quite a few.

 

If there's no Lincoln sporting sedan available when my current lease is up, I'm going to have to, sadly, part company with LMC.  The KIA (yes, I said it) Stinger GT is competing for my affections right now. ;)  

 

WRT to changing tastes, I think they claim that this isn't going to be a repeat of 2008; that they are better-equipped to respond to shifting trends.  I hope so.  It wouldn't be the first time Ford ceded an entire market segment to other mfrs.  By that I mean the Ford Ranger, which took forever to return once they decided to resurrect it.

[easyrider]

I could be all wrong headed on this, BUT, The theme of the information presented by Ford appears to state that they plan to discontinue making cars in North America,with two exceptions.

With that particular information at the forefront, and feel free to correct me if I've missed something in translation here, as it won't be the first or last time I've interpreted something wrongly, but the last time I checked Mexico isn't part of North America, yet. That said, and unless Ford really means something else in there comments, the MKz, or whatever they plan to call it in the future should still be available for sale as it has. Not that I'm overly fond of the MKz I drive anyway.

 

 Best Regards,

Al Edsel ;)

Edited April 27, 2018 by easyrider

[bbf2530]

I could be all wrong headed on this, BUT, The theme of the information presented by Ford appears to state that they plan to discontinue making cars in North America,with two exceptions.

With that particular information at the forefront, and feel free to correct me if I've missed something in translation here, as it won't be the first or last time I've interpreted something wrongly, but the last time I checked Mexico isn't part of North America, yet. That said, and unless Ford really means something else in there comments, the MKz, or whatever they plan to call it in the future should still be available for sale as it has. Not that I'm overly fond of the MKz I drive anyway.

 

 Best Regards,

Al Edsel ;)

 

 Hi easyrider. Although the title of the OP's CNN linked article clearly states, "Ford dropping all but 2 cars from its North American dealerships", that is only the CNN writers interpretation of what they have seen, read, heard.

There have been many articles concerning this subject, and at best, the wording in all of the articles, and the Ford executives interviewed, is a bit vague and leaves a lot of room for interpretation. It seems at the vary least, Lincoln will continue to have at least two sedans, Very likely on the CD6 rear drive platform.  I hope Ford will also continue to have more than just the Mustang and a compact car.  The Fusion and Focus still sell well.  They simply need to be kept updated as they were when Alan Mulally was running things.

Let's hope so.

Edited April 28, 2018 by bbf2530

[MKZMark]

I could be all wrong headed on this, BUT, The theme of the information presented by Ford appears to state that they plan to discontinue making cars in North America,with two exceptions.

With that particular information at the forefront, and feel free to correct me if I've missed something in translation here, as it won't be the first or last time I've interpreted something wrongly, but the last time I checked Mexico isn't part of North America, yet. That said, and unless Ford really means something else in there comments, the MKz, or whatever they plan to call it in the future should still be available for sale as it has. Not that I'm overly fond of the MKz I drive anyway.

 

 Best Regards,

Al Edsel ;)

 

You might want to check again, Mexico is part of North America.

[easyrider]

Some of the Google maps had shown Mexico as part of Central America, but other info. clearly places the country in North America.  Thank you.

I.m still learning something each and every day. :)

[easyrider]

 Hi easyrider. Although the title of the OP's CNN linked article clearly states, "Ford dropping all but 2 cars from its North American dealerships", that is only the CNN writers interpretation of what they have seen, read, heard.

There have been many articles concerning this subject, and at best, the wording in all of the articles, and the Ford executives interviewed, is a bit vague and leaves a lot of room for interpretation. It seems at the vary least, Lincoln will continue to have at least two sedans, Very likely on the CD6 rear drive platform.  I hope Ford will also continue to have more than just the Mustang and a compact car.  The Fusion and Focus still sell well.  They simply need to be kept updated as they were when Alan Mulally was running things.

Let's hope so.

Hello BB,

I suspect there will always be room for misinterpretation within the news agencies,

for whatever reasoning, or personal agenda.  : )

Edited April 29, 2018 by easyrider

[MKZMark]

Some of the Google maps had shown Mexico as part of Central America, but other info. clearly places the country in North America.  Thank you.

I.m still learning something each and every day. :)

I was surprised too, I don't usually think of Mexico as in the north!

[JoeBrown]

North America is a continent. Mexico is geographically located in that continent.

Edited April 30, 2018 by JoeBrown

[drolds1]

Mexico is a signatory to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).  This enabled Ford to sell you an MKZ with no tariffs imposed.

[Zalvern]

This article came out:

 

https://www.carscoops.com/2018/05/ford-executives-shed-light-killing-cars/

 

I don't really like hearing how "Most Lincoln Products" are now being labeled under as destroyers. This does not bode well.

 

I will never consider a CUV or SUV as a primary vehicle. I may get a real truck on the side if I want to properly tow things in the future. The I will always prefer the aerodynamic advantage that coupes and sedans hold.

[Smokestone10]

I still daydream about a Lincoln based on the current Mustang platform. Call the 2-door version a Mark 9 if you want. ? That would give them a RWD luxury performance offering to go up against the likes of BMW and Lexus, and the Cadillac CTS. Just take the Mustang platform, refine the ride, re-skin it and appoint the interior and I think they'd really be onto something. Sure, the market for luxury SUV's is viable, but you can't get away with an all-luxury-SUV lineup unless you're Land Rover. Come to think of it- if the Mustang platform could be adapted to house AWD, you could probably use it to underpin a pretty good performance-oriented CUV too. 

[Jim Ayres]

https://electrek.co/2019/01/16/lincoln-electric-car-based-ford-mustang-inspired-ev/