FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: machoneman on September 10, 2020, 08:07:04 AM
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https://money.cnn.com/2018/04/25/autos/ford-cars-north-america/index.html?iid=ob_lockedrail_longstory_pool
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Yep, article is from 2yrs ago. I realize that EVERYONE is buying crossovers, but seems a real admission of failure that they can't even compete with the Japanese sedans and keep what there is of that market space. But all it takes is looking in parking lots in my area, try to find a Taurus or Fusion amongst the multitude of Accords and Camrys is tough.
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It is their own fault. The Fords just don't get the mileage, or ride as well as the "Accords and Camrys", and the Lexus and Avalon are miles ahead of the Fusions in every way. When is the last time you heard anyone brag about their Fusion going 250K miles without major work? I would buy a Ford car again if they made one like the Crown Victoria or Gran Marquis, but what are the choices? Japanese or Korean or German. Sad. Joe-JDC
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The world is drunk on cheap oil and the millennials are going electric.. One good economic shock and the world will be looking for cheap cars and the storage lots in Dearborn will be choked with Navigators and F-350 King Ranch trucks with no buyers.. This will bite them in the end...
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Yep, article is from 2yrs ago. I realize that EVERYONE is buying crossovers, but seems a real admission of failure that they can't even compete with the Japanese sedans and keep what there is of that market space. But all it takes is looking in parking lots in my area, try to find a Taurus or Fusion amongst the multitude of Accords and Camrys is tough.
Yes, Ford made it official this September 2020 per other media.
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The world is drunk on cheap oil and the millennials are going electric.. One good economic shock and the world will be looking for cheap cars and the storage lots in Dearborn will be choked with Navigators and F-350 King Ranch trucks with no buyers.. This will bite them in the end...
I still remember our chief engineer Hank Lenox storming through the drafting room yelling, "What the hell am I going to do with 100,000 V8 engines??" This was the day the first bombs were falling on Baghdad - Desert Storm.
You make a good point, Royce! History has a way of repeatedly whacking us in the nose.
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Amazing how quickly people forget. One thing I didn't see coming was the used car market prices. With the pandemic I thought prices would plummet. Just the opposite, I buy crashes and that market is insane. Everything is at least double. The Ford Manheim auction is nuts. All the internet stores (carmax, vroom, trucar) are buying everything at 1 to 2k over dealer wholesale high. I can't imagine buying a car without driving it, but the mills don't care. Around here the little used lots have nothing. They sold their inventory and can't bring themselves to pay the current wholesale prices. As one told me, what I was selling them for it now costs me that to buy them.
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Lots of SUV's and pickups get upper 20's to low 30's mpg now so to most people that is good enough and great compared to the old days so why buy a reduced functionality sedan? It would take some pretty high gas prices I suspect to convert everyone's thinking to needing 40 mpg which is where the sedan market is now. The higher mileage SUV offerings did not exist during the last couple price spikes.
And yes, I admit I am one of those that feels some of the other manufacturer's are still a step ahead. As an older reference point I compared a 2005 Ford 500 to a Acura TL back in the day, prices were close but no comparison quality wise it appeared, turned out the TL went 200K with virtually zero maintenance before I sold it, rode and handled very nicely as well.
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It is sad news. Over the years, I have become much more of a car person, perhaps to the point of even having an unhealthy love affair with big sedans. I still have an '85 F350 6.9 IDI Dually for hauling the big stuff, but a new diesel with all the emissions bits and pieces scares the crap out me, despite the obvious performance advantage. The wife and I have a 2015 Taurus Limited and a 2016 Focus. The Taurus is a great car, quiet, powerful, good handling, but get's terrible mileage (3.5 V6 + AWD = 23 mpg hwy) and the AWD system can't hold a candle to Subaru's drivetrain, especially in Northern Minnesota winters. The Focus is a great commuter car, gets 40 to 42 mpg and has been problem free through the first 90K miles. However, it does have a clutch recall that needs to get addressed. Ford can build a quality car, and there is obviously still a market for full size sedans, I just don't think they want to take the time to properly understand the market and feel the profit margin is too tight compared to SUV's and Trucks. It is a lack of long term vision, the judgement get's clouded by the fat profits on trucks and SUV's.
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Sad news!
So, I guess I'll be keeping my Grand Marquis a while longer. It's been trouble free for the last 10 years it gets 26 mpg on the road and I love the big gas tank.
I dislike FWD (of any brand) and I would NEVER have a Toyota, of any kind!!! I've had 3 Nissan's (510 and two 240SX) I like the 240's and still have one. They are the best handling factory car, I've ever had but, lack power and will only do 115 mph. I also took it around PIR, in practice.
But, I'm a Ford guy!!! At 76, in 2 months, I'm considering restoring either a '54 or '57 two or possibly, fordor for my last car.
Ford has always stayed above water and I'll always wish them the best. Maybe they will come out with a fordor Mustang, for family guys ;)
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I can see it. Not particularly sad at all.
Fusion is a great car but the Escape is much better in a similar footprint. Fiesta is a great car for two people with no babies and if neither not real tall - like under 6'. Focus tries to make up for the lack of space in a Fiesta and Taurus I could care less about. Fusion blows those away IMHO. I can see Lincoln going the same way - a Lincoln MKZ is an Escape with about $12K in luxury upgrades. We've owned two Escape Titaniums and they are really great cars. The Fusion Hybrid was a great car - until it had power train issues. And it had terrible trade/resale value. Loved the Fiesta, but at 6' 1" and 220 lbs, it was a bit like falling out of a clown car. Kinda felt like the japanese guys in Cannonball Run. Put a child safety seat in the back and my knees rubbed the dash.
My daily right now is a 22' long F-350 DRW that gets 12.5 MPH and can pull 24,000 lbs and seat 5 easy. Whats not to love? :)