https://jalopnik.com/ford-and-gms-decision-to-abandon-small-cars-is-already-1839858417
13 replies (most recent on top)
Honda & Toyota doesn’t have any problem building small / midsize Cars in the states. The principles to build a profitable small car applies to building an BEV vehicle. If we couldn’t get it done with the past lineup, we are not going to compete successfully going forward. Just smoke and mirrors, and yes, Hackett is a major disappointment.
Don't worry everybody, we have visionary at the helm now. I mean he's so far ahead of everyone, he creates markets. The Big Brain knows all, sees all, predicts all. Well, along with his army of consultants but he's still the bestest25. I feel better everyday with the Furniture Man in charge.
Have you seen the price of the new Mach E bs? As someone who just started working here right out of college. Imma be real, I get paid roughly $70K but with all the other sh– I have to pay like student loans, rent, Michigan's asine car insurance prices, etc, I couldn't be MORE F***ed than to spend my money on our ridiculously priced vehicles. I might be able to afford a Mach E in I don't know 3-5 years but by then, would I even want it? Wouldn't the Asian bois have a BEV of their own that could be cheaper or at the very least comparable to Ford's offerings but with the Asian guarantee of a reliable long-lasting vehicle?
After college in 2018, I needed a car. I really wanted a Focus RS or ST but those were going away after 2018. I won't buy a car that isn't going to be made going forward for multiple reasons I don't care to get into in this post. Long story short, I bought an affordable Honda and have been extremely happy since. When the time comes to get a new car, I'm much more prone to buying a Honda again, especially after seeing what went down with SRD and how we all got treated and the environment changed.
Ford can't even convince me, a young adult and an EMPLOYEE, who could be a potential lifelong customer, to buy our vehicles. I'm sorry but I'll take your money and funnel it to our competition until it hurts. I vote with my dollar.
As for the argument, we don't make money on small cars. Sure that is true in the numbers but maybe its cause UAW makes way more per hour than they should? Or maybe the executives rake in a ton of dough with no effort? Maybe its because we have so many recalls? Maybe its cause we couldn't be f***ed to make a working transmission? I don't know the reason but we COULD make money on small cars, but years of bad decision making and debt prevent that. A company that lies down and gives up without a real genuine effort is embarrassing and I'll choose to drive other brands that stick around and offer things I want to buy. It makes us look week and most everyone I talk to that is NOT a Ford employee or Ex-Ford employee thinks it is a good idea.
EVs make up 1% of automotive sales.
Too soon to say yet if dropping car models will hurt in the long run. As many more BEV and hybrids are introduced, small cars only real advantage will be price....and if enough electrics sold, that will come down, as well.
Ford and GM has to do something, as they were not making money on small or midsize cars, and large cars are not selling.
I don’t think there is “bad” info in this thread. People are expressing valid concerns about Ford’s decision to stop offering sedans.
Lots of bad, and I mean bad info on this thread :(
This move will only drive more and more young buyers into Asia automakers dealerships when shopping for their first new car. Bad idea IMHO.
@1228Uvnk-hdh I wouldn't consider myself a cafe expert but I did work at a Starbucks for a few years in college, although I'm not sure I understand your question or how it relates to cars.
It was, in my opinion, a bad decision to stop offering cars. I worked at Ford and years ago they made a decision to offer fewer cars and more trucks. In the meeting where that was being discussed I suggested it was a bad idea because when gas prices go up people trade in their big trucks for cars. They looked at me like I was crazy. Shortly after that discussion gas went to $4 a gallon and Ford was hurting. Apparently we don’t learn from history. In addition many people become brand loyal and, assuming they’re happy with their first vehicle, will buy future vehicles from the same manufacturer. Most cannot afford an F150 or Explorer as their first vehicle so Ford misses out on that segment.
In Ford's case, does anyone know if maybe CAFE standards affected the decision? Not sure if dropping cars lowers the overall needed numbers to be met or if its broken down and applied by the different vehicle groups? Maybe lack of overall profit from cars plus CAFE penalties made it difficult to profit off cars for Ford? Just curious here. CAFE experts feel free to comment.
From the customer's perspective dropping cars must have seemed like a desperate move by Ford. I think most customers want to buy from a strong company with an external focus on the customer rather than an internal focus on profits and bonuses.
I work at GM, and quite a few of us said this is a massive mistake surrendering market share to other companies. Such a short sightedness from leadership as usual. Especially since we got rid of Opel, something that we could have tapped into cars quickly if SUV sales tank which they will eventually. At least you have Europe you can pull from if need be.