Missed opportunity.

[stmitch]

It's simple math @stmitch, If you produce less cars, you sell less cars, if you make more CUV/SUV's, you sell more. "Supply and demand" has ben replaced with "Supply". If you make only expensive products and very few inexpensive options, then your #'s show that the expensive stuff out sells the cheaper stuff. So ford says, we cant sell these cheap sedans at a profit, so all we're gonna sale is the upscaled expensive models. Then the numbers say" Look how well these expensive models we are selling! We should sale more of these and NOT the inexpensive one." so dealers only order the well equipped, expensive models and sale numbers on the cheaper one go down, and the cycle continues.

Yep. Except you forgot the part where marketing is like "Lets never tell people about these low end vehicles that we really don't want to sell, and instead have more commercials of people throwing things into truck beds, CUVs driving through 2 ft of snow, luxury vehicles with giant red bows, and mini-CUVs zipping through some hip neighborhood."

They offer what they want, and promote what they want, because it makes them the most money. They're not looking out for anybody but themselves. Customers should take the same approach.

 

[stmitch]

Actually comparing a Camry to a Spark is like comparing a Fusion to a Festiva. the Camry is a direct competitor to a Fusion in size and market segment. Even the Corolla is a much bigger car than the Spark. Not sure what Toyota has to compete with the spark, I don't think that they still make the Echo.

AJ

Not comparing them directly, simply trying to use Camry sales to show just how small sales of the Spark are. Selling fewer than 50k of a mass marketed model is usually a sales failure, and makes it really difficult to make money on that model. Especially if the price (and therefore profit margin) are low to start.

We could do the same comparison between a Spark and the Malibu or Equinox or Silverado. If we wanted to stick within the Toyota family we could look at Yaris sales vs Camry or Highlander and you'd see the same thing. Small, cheap vehicles don't sell nearly as well as other market segments is all I was trying to point out.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

They still make little crapperbox SUV's too.

The Ecosport starts at around $20k. Get some rebates on your side and I would think $15k would be very attainable.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Nobody will ever build the truck you want.

The only thing truck manufacturers understand is payload and towing capacity.

I can't buy a new midsize truck with programmable navigation to guide me on a trip up the Continental Divide, but it can leave bread crumbs to help me find my way back. Doesn't make sense to me.

But hey, if manufacturers built the vehicle you actually wanted, there would be no need for the aftermarket, and sites like this to help you.

And speaking of the Lone Ranger, I was contacted by someone that was inspired by my trip on the Trans America Trail in the 'Loan Ranger'. They apparently bought a new Ranger with the tent setup, and plan to have their own Trans America Trail adventure. So I'm grateful that we can still help and inspire people.

 

[stmitch]

They still make little crapperbox SUV's too.

The Ecosport starts at around $20k. Get some rebates on your side and I would think $15k would be very attainable.

Right. They didn't abandon the low end of the market, but they did move it up a little. The Ecosport is essentially a lifted Fiesta hatchback with optional AWD. It's MSRP basically starts at $20k, while the Fiesta hatchback it's based on starts at basically $16k.
Same holds for the Escape, which is mechanically just a Focus with optional AWD. Starting MSRP of the Focus hatchback is around $21k and the Escape starts under $25k.
That's why Ford is making the change and axing the small cars. In addition to the fact the small cars don't sell particularly well, they get more profit too.

With most people shopping based on monthly payments, that $4k difference in price isn't significant when you get easier entry/exit, better visibility and the option of AWD.

 

[Ranger850]

All of this from my question about William Tell's Overture. Love this forum

 

[ericbphoto]

All of this from my question about William Tell's Overture. Love this forum

Oh, yeah. That’s where all this started. I’m so confused.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

So it comes full circle...
And to a fitting end?

 

[Ranger850]

Without googleing it "What was Tonto's Horse's name?"

 

[RonD]

I was right, I guessed *****, but then did look it up

But did get Hi-Ho ****** stuck in my head now

 

[Ranger850]

I was right, I guessed *****, but then did look it up

was it "a Shooting Mechanism"? I honestly cant remember

 

[RonD]

No, that would be Roy Rogers

 

[Ranger850]

No, that would be Roy Rogers

OK then it must be "made by International"? right? didn't International build something, or was it AMC

 

[Dirtman]

His name, was Robert Paulson.

 

[Ranger850]

His name, was Robert Paulson.

Was Robert Paulson a boy SCOUT?