What's Behind Ford's Big Move?

Here are two links to articles from Autoweek Daily Drive (ADD) that reinforce a storyline you have been following in the Turbo Diesel Register. It is all about the change in customer preferences to SUV, crossover vehicles and trucks, and the demise of the sedan.

Ford to stop selling sedans in North America in face of unstoppable crossover onslaught
[URL="http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/ford-will-stop-selling-sedans-north-america-entirely-face-unstoppable-crossover"]Fiesta, Fusion, Taurus and non-hatch Focuses will disappear from new car lots by 2022; blame crossovers, SUVs and pickups[/URL]

What's behind Ford's big move?
And will Ford's crossover strategy work?
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This news reinforces what we’ve seen with the short lifespan of the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200.

So just how much longer lifespan should we expect from the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, cars that were new on the market in 2005 and 2006?

 

I am thinking they should save their molds for when the gas is $5.00 a gallon again.

Nick

 

Oh, no don't mention $5 a gallon... still have emotional scars from the last time fuel costs spiked...

 

Has anyone else noticed ( at least here in the Northeast) there has been a big decline in Ferd diesel used as Ambulances, Wreckers ect. All using a Dodge/Cummins 3500/4500/5500 Chassis.

Off topic: Where is everybody here?

 

Has anyone else noticed ( at least here in the Northeast) there has been a big decline in Ferd diesel used as Ambulances, Wreckers ect. All using a Dodge/Cummins 3500/4500/5500 Chassis.

Off topic: Where is everybody here?

I think thats everywhere. Arizona, Cali, back and forth to Tennessee thats all I saw recently. One exception was in Texas, quite a few Fords, but elsewhere RAM. I see amblances, tow rigs etc all RAM. Not to mention, a substantial percentage of horse trailers seem to be towed by RAM, where as when I bought my first 1997 3500 2wd 5 spd, the majority of horse trailers were Fords...I am guessing the diesel problems etc caused a percentage of people who don't have time to wait on good diesels went to RAM Cummins.

 

Brand loyalty is still strong, but the migration away from cars is true. The only new cars I see are Asian and European. Also true is that Ram is taking a big bite out of the commercial market, but if you are a Ford guy, you’re blindly buying a F and same if you wore a bowtie all these years.
I sort of agree about saving passenger car molds for the gas hike, but these little SUV’s and crossovers get pretty much the same economy. Gone are the 50+ mpg sedans.

 

Ford has always made good trucks, just lousy diesels. I have thought if Ford put a John Deere diesel in a SD, they couldn't build enough of them. I mean two of the most reputable and "American as apple pie" names in the world team up. I'd be first in line.

Really these moderate "SUVs" and cross overs are just the evolutionary design of the automobile. They just do what a car is supposed to better than sedans. Rugged, tough, off-road capable, truck chassis vehicles like the original versions they are not. Practical family vehicles - yes. Ford is just responding to the market.

 

Has anyone else noticed ( at least here in the Northeast) there has been a big decline in Ferd diesel used as Ambulances, Wreckers ect. All using a Dodge/Cummins 3500/4500/5500 Chassis.

Off topic: Where is everybody here?

Your're right they are moving on the heavy duty market, Dodge is doing well, I still see some Fords, but NOTHING like it used to be. The 4500-5500 Dodges are taking the market by storm.

 

Except the Chevy Cruze Diesel, I have an auto and a manual, both getting 50 MPG often, and total life average is in high 40's for both. But, I don't think many are buying them, which is too bad, they are great cars.