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Ford News

486 messages,  Last post on May 02, 2013 at 5:50 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKZ, Mercury Milan, Automotive News

    

Messages Page 48 of 49

#470 of 486 Re: My feelings on what Ford needs [steve_] by xwesx

Feb 18, 2013 (1:15 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Feb 18, 2013 1:04 pm)
Yes, but they have to make something people really want to buy. Remember, they shut down a whole plant (that's a lot of savings!) when they scrapped the Ranger in North America.
 
akirby has a point, for sure. There was a time when people liked small pickups because they recognized their utility and versatility. I think the market is itching for a good offering in this class, but are settling for compact/mid-size SUVs because there isn't anything compelling. Honda was on the right track with their Ridgeline, but the towing isn't good enough and the fuel economy stinks.
 
Get a midsize, four-door pickup with a 5'+ bed, add a solid 6,500# towing capacity, AWD optional, average FE of 25+, and priced in the 20s, and it would sell very well I think.

#471 of 486 Re: My feelings on what Ford needs [xwesx] by steve_ HOST

Feb 18, 2013 (1:24 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Feb 18, 2013 1:15 pm)
I guess it's too much to hope that Ford would let the Aussies build a third generation Ranger to US specs and ship 'em here. They seem to still be selling well there though. We came really close to buying a Courier back in the day.

#472 of 486 Re: My feelings on what Ford needs [steve_] by akirby

Feb 18, 2013 (2:04 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Feb 18, 2013 1:04 pm)
You underestimate the amount of work involved to build "a few niche vehicles". And it would be stupid for Ford to sell 50K new Rangers if all it did was cannibalize F150 sales.
 
Ford has far better things to spend money on including making the new F150 significantly better in terms of fuel economy which would be worth a lot more than a few Ranger sales.

#473 of 486 Re: My feelings on what Ford needs [akirby] by steve_ HOST

Feb 18, 2013 (2:13 pm)

Replying to: akirby (Feb 18, 2013 2:04 pm)
Well the other manufacturers are still cranking out their niche vehicles.
 
My brother has a new F-150. Have you seen the liftover height on those things? His came with a built-in step on the tailgate to help you climb into the bed.
 
I still think there's a market for compact pickups, and we'd likely be flooded with Thai ones if it weren't for the chicken tax.

#474 of 486 Re: My feelings on what Ford needs [steve_] by akirby

Feb 18, 2013 (7:09 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Feb 18, 2013 2:13 pm)
But nobody is investing anything in upgrades or remodels on those existing vehicles. Even Tata pulled out.

#475 of 486 Re: My feelings on what Ford needs [akirby] by xwesx

Feb 19, 2013 (10:40 am)

Replying to: akirby (Feb 18, 2013 7:09 pm)
It's no surprise. Government regs highly disfavor compact pickups, just like they do wagons. There's far larger margin of profitability, for many reasons, in other models.
 
Because of that, you're right... compact pickups are merely a niche with a heavy cost of entry (not so different from diesels).

#476 of 486 Re: My feelings on what Ford needs [xwesx] by steve_ HOST

Feb 19, 2013 (10:59 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Feb 19, 2013 10:40 am)
Obviously Ford needs a compact hybrid diesel pickup.

#477 of 486 Re: My feelings on what Ford needs [steve_] by xwesx

Feb 19, 2013 (11:06 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Feb 19, 2013 10:59 am)
Hahahaha; yeah, if you're going in, do it with conviction.

#478 of 486 Re: My feelings on what Ford needs [xwesx] by steve_ HOST

Feb 19, 2013 (11:15 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Feb 19, 2013 11:06 am)
Another one we won't get but the Aussies will - the Chevy/Holden SS UTE:
 

#479 of 486 Re: My feelings on what Ford needs [steve_] by akirby

Feb 19, 2013 (6:37 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Feb 19, 2013 11:15 am)
Don't be surprised if Ford comes out with something very similar to that. 1000 lb payload, 3000 lb towing.

Messages Page 48 of 49

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