This might be a bad move ford...

[rusty ol ranger]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna869256

Espicially if someone decides to up CAFE standards again or fuel prices really spike for a extended time.Sounds like GM is going to follow suit.

If this pans out onr good fuel crisis or other economic mess could kill the US auto industry.

 

[Plum Ranger XLT]

I think it would be stupid. Not everyone wants to own a truck or suv and a car is maybe something only some people can afford.

 

[rangerenthiusiast]

I’m sure that Chinese automakers and the petrol giants are all rubbing their hands together...

 

[planeflyer21]

Interesting article.

The first few articles I read about this seemed to imply that Ford was stopping manufacture of all but two models in North America.

I got the impression from thoses that we here are going to see Ford marketing their "world vehicles" to make their job easier.

 

[Captain Ledd]

I’m sure that Chinese automakers and the petrol giants are all rubbing their hands together...

Not just the Chinese, but the Japanese and Europeans as well. I drive about 40K a year commuting to work, there's no way I could afford an SUV or larger truck doing that.

Not that I make enough to really afford some of these cars/trucks out there now anyways.

 

[Ozwynn]

This is definitely a bad move

 

[1990RangerinSK]

When I bought my Ranger, it was actually my second choice. SaskBill will confirm that in Saskatchewan we get a lot of snow, and we tend to get large amounts all at once. The town I live in now, there is no guarantee that the streets will be plowed quickly after a snowstorm, and where I live in town, it could blow in quite badly.

In my next vehicle, I want a few things. I want it to be small enough to be easy to drive and park. I want room to haul stuff. I want higher ground clearance, and either FWD or 4WD so I can get through the snow. On the other hand, my Fit, with studded winter tires could get through a fair bit. Could it get through the foot of snow we got at the end of February? I don't know. But I think winter of 2015 we had a storm that gave us 6 inches, and it barely flinched.

So, where does that leave me? Focus hatchback (will soon be replaced by a crossover), Escape, Edge (I think they still make those), or Explorer. Yep, I can still buy a Ford. Either way, I'm really not interested in a four door sedan.

 

[Ozwynn]

People that buy a Focus Hatch at the same price point as a Mustang don’t want a Mustang, they want a Focus Hatch. Most people buying sedans don’t want an SUV or a crossover....

 

[Jim Oaks]

I've never cared much for Ford cars. Ford did give me a Fusion once as a loaner and I liked it, but never owned one. Probably would have been the only passenger car I would have bought from them.

I drove a Crown Vic when I was a Trooper and loved it, but I'd never own one as a personal car.

Most of my cars have been Pontiac's, but GM had to drop that line.

I love my 2016 Ford Expedition, but I think the cost of new trucks has gotten crazy, along with the length of some new car loans.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I never much cared for ford cars either (besides the vic, if it wasnt for crappy winter performance id have one as a daily) but putting all your eggs in one basket doesnt make alot of sense, spicially since history shows quick and sudden changes in "fads"

 

[Ozwynn]

For us the cost of a new SUV is out of reach.... but the cost of a focus is doable. This will force us back into the over inflated used car market or into a foreign

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

For us the cost of a new SUV is out of reach.... but the cost of a focus is doable. This will force us back into the over inflated used car market or into a foreign

I don't know if the new market is any less inflated than the used.

 

[Ozwynn]

The new car market is over inflated but used cars are commanding almost new prices.... soon as cheaper small sedans are not available new.... the prices will skyrocket

 

[1990RangerinSK]

People that buy a Focus Hatch at the same price point as a Mustang don’t want a Mustang, they want a Focus Hatch. Most people buying sedans don’t want an SUV or a crossover....

I partially agree with you. Where I disagree is in people who have two vehicles. If I could afford to keep two, I might have a comfortable sedan for highway trips, and the SUV for a mainly winter vehicle (although the sedan would be taken on road trips in the winter when the highways are dry. The SUV would also be used, of course, when I needed to haul something that wouldn't fit in the car.

Where you're right, though, is that people buy a sedan because they WANT the sedan, or they don't NEED the SUV or truck. But, I'd say that generally, people buy the vehicle that provides the best balance of their needs or wants.

 

[saskbill]

Front wheel drive and decent snow tires do wonders in snow, if snow depth doesn't exceed your clearance. Had a variety of dodge/plymouth vehicles over the years (Acclaim/shadow/Spirit) and they were pretty impressive in city street snow.

Been driving a semi-borrowed Windstar the last few years - would rather be driving my Ranger or a fox-body Mustang but ya play the cards you're dealt.

Van is actually a pretty decent compromise of hauling capacity and mileage - can be flexible if you swap seats in and out. In summer I can get 500 km out of a full tank highway driving, 400ish in the city. Windstars are not in any way perfect, and do have somewhat weak transmissions, but worth considering for a driver/hauler. And, put grip rubber on the front, really not too bad in city snow (back roads/farm lane snow is a different kettle of fish, fortunately not one I currently have to deal with much)