What's up with Ford?

Man, talking about not even trying. We've accused Detroit in general of not trying but it's never been more obvious than the latest from Ford. According to Autoweek, "Six months after CEO Bill Ford said U.S. market share would rebound this spring, Ford Motor Co. is throwing in the towel on any share gain in 2005."

Ouch, lowest market share since 1928? Looks like Ford is banking everything on a new line of cars coming out in the Fall. We looked over them at the NY Auto Show and they seemed, well, Fordesque. We're not sure if they are enough to beat down the Japanese competition though. We can also say it this way, when the company is still selling the Taurus... come on. Ford just isn't trying. Right now Ford makes: Thunderbird, Taurus, Mustang, Focus, GT, Freestar, Freestyle, Five Hundred and Crown Victoria. Three off the bat are irrelevant: Thunderbird is discontinued, GT (only 3,500 will be made... ever) and the Taurus. Can you even buy a Taurus at a dealer?

Now the Focus and Mustang are actually good cars. Even the Five Hundred is mostly good but the rest are weak. The Crown Vic? Please. Freestar minivan and that semi-crossover thing, Freestyle, are far, far behind (in terms of quality and features) the competition and sales are showing it (okay, Freestar/Freestyle sales figures are higher than previous year/month respectively but we swear they were lower!).

The only home run they've hit lately is the Mustang and, face it, that's not gonna be a major seller like the family sedan could be.

So, as far as Ford is considered, 2005 is over and they are training their sights on 2006. Time will tell if the Fusion and Zephyr and Milan were the saviors of Ford.

Meanwhile, we read a great article about Ford's Model A recently: Vintage Car Profile: Ford Model A

Comments

[dent removal]

Hi,

We really need to get on about the business of becoming energy independent. This past year and the record gas prices played a huge part in our economic meltdown and seriously damaged our economy and society.We keep planning to spend BILLIONS on bailouts and stimulus plans.

[TRex]

Ford sucks. Their European lineup is a lot more fuel efficient than ours. They have nice looking cars that get 50-60 mpg while we are stuck with cars that get 20 mpg. Didn't this company originate in America?

[Rex]

Ford's bread and butter has always been trucks. Everything else has been an afterthought. F150 is still king of sales, but comptitition is ratcheting up now. Mustang has also been good to Ford but I can't think of a single other car that is competitive sales wise with class leaders except perhaps for large SUVs.

[lm]

The 500 is our dream come true- but the engine sucks! everything else is well thought out- lotsa room, safe, american ( I always try..), yadda-yadda.

but when I took it out on the road from the dealership I actually thought something was wrong with it! the saleman explained it was the engine- I would have bought the thing on the spot except for that.

[Jay Stevens]

News says Ford is laying off on January due to BIG quarterly loss—Ford recently reported $284 million loss for this third quarter. For someone who's been a Ford fan I find this unfortunate. Ford will also be closing some of its plants early next year, too. Man, let's just hope it's hybrids and the soon to be released SUVs can really save Ford. A bit more info here: http://fordpartsonline.blogspot.com/2005/10/still-certified-ford-lover.html

[Mel]

Ford, I pray that you add options to the 500 and Fusion brands. American intelligence can beat Honda and Toyota at there own game. My dad works for a Ford dealership, and both of my inlaws are retired from GM. I am a Ford man, always have been, and wife is a Chevy girl. I definetely think alot of Ford models are better quality than GM. We own 2 chevys and a Ford now. I think beefed up, the Fusion and Focus (sell the European one here FORD!!!!) could rule the compact segment. Ford has many engines that are good and Mazda to work with. Honda and Toyota do not have as many options.. Come on Bill, if your Press conference was true a couple of weeks ago, run Ford like Toyota, then things will certainly turn around. Hey, maybe Ford could turn around and buy Honda----maybe not, but a thought. Bill watch Honda, they are the under dog (I live in Marysville, Ohio) and they copy others designs and make them there own---do what they do, beat them at there own game! Give the public what they want-Bill I have Faith in Ford. Stop the Helping Our Nation Destroy America!
Mel

[Brian]

Ford is hurting because:

A) Their product line.
B) If you have any other thoughts, simply refer to A)

Yeah, the mustang is strong (THIS year).

NO..no other item in their lineup is pulling #'s.

Service is down across the board.

Parts are down across the board.

So, one vehicle, with limited options is going to save Ford? Ask the investors and brokers why Ford is now JUNK paper...

I like slamming a company who has been slamming consumers since the mid 70's.
Ford, GM et al will make a QUALITY product when economics FORCE them to..possibly in the next few years.

Paintless Dent Repair Training at www.nodents.com

[Brian]

Ford has a chance..GM does not.
They havent made a quality product save Cadillac (barely quality mind you) for many years.
Ford has some decent models..
GM needs to remodel the management staff, and redesign the goals to shadow Asian car makers..
Other comments?
Brian
Paintless Dent Repair Training at www.nodents.com

[JP]

I have been buying Ford products for 50 years but it looks as tho I will have to buy elsewhere for 2006. With no significant changes to the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis I have to find a AWD/Rear wheel drive V8 elsewhere. The Ford 500 could have been acceptable with a little more thought from it's designers and a small V8 engine. Looks like Chrysler gets the nod.

[Dave]

Ford has always been slow to adjust to changes in style and the marketplace. And it often manufactures its products well beyond their market usefulness. The Fusion, Zephyr and Milan should have been on the market two years ago. Is it too late? There's no way to know. But Ford's walking a very dangerous line. Changes in the marketplace are coming faster than ever, and as usual Ford is stumbling to catch up.

[Dave]

DOn't you guys account for future product when making a post like the above? I'm not saying ford is in great shape but it is pretty moronic to start talking about their three irrelevant vehicles that ford itself has said are not working and they're replacing. The thunderbird is gone, the taurus is gone and the minivan, if rumors are true, will be replaced with a new crossover vehicle like the Fairlane concept. So your post sounds very odd to me.

The fusion is important. Let's see how well it does and how it drives before sounding the death rattle.

Also the Mustang not a major seller? Last year, the last year of the old model, sold what 120,000+? that sounds ok to me considering everyone had seen the new one.

[Jim Rockford]

I have a Crown Vic and I love it. A big car, with a big trunk, it's not gonna wrap around corners but for crusing the freeways which is what I do with it it's easy driving, holds lots of stuff, and has enough pep to get up and go on the onramp (or passing).

Some tweaks to the body style (and fixing the gas tank) could make it a nice "working mans luxury car" ... just cause it's rear wheel drive doesn't mean it's not suitable. Of course, I live in the Sunbelt.

[Tom DC/VA]

Pardon the language, but eff Ford for foisting the last generation (if slightly tweaked) Focus on the US market for another 5 years. They have a brand new one over in Europe which is getting good reviews. I just go through the roof every time Ford tries to get by on a product cycle longer than 5 years. Look at what that policy is has done to the Ranger and Taurus brands.

[theautoprophet]

Freestar is a minivan built on an ancient platform.

Freestyle is built in Chicago along with the 500 and Montego.

You can't cluster them together. The minivan sucks and is barely selling. The Freestyle is doing pretty well.

A pox on Ford for naming two products so closely.

The Taurus is still for sale, but it is being ramped out, and is probably mostly for fleet use at this point. They will kill it once the Fusion comes.

If the Fusion does not sell, Ford is dead. Period.