Ford USA to kill all passenger cars except Mustang, Focus Active
The brand is switching to focus on SUVs and pickups
Ford North America has confirmed it's in the process of transitioning to a passenger car range comprising just the Mustang and Focus Active.
The company used its most recent financial release to confirm the North American-specific news, consigning the Fusion, Taurus, Fiesta, C-Max and regular Focus models to an early grave.
Production of the Taurus will end in March 2019, while the current-generation Fiesta will carry on until May of the same year.
According to the release, 90 per cent of Fords offered in North America will be "trucks, utilities and commercial vehicles" by 2020. There's also the potential for new cars combining the "best attributes of cars and utilities, such as higher ride height, space and versatility".
Along with the ramifications for the Ford range, the decision will likely impact luxury arm Lincoln, which shares platforms and technology with its Blue Oval parent. Along with the Continental sedan, the brand offers the mid-size MKX.
Above: One of two passenger cars to survive Ford's announcement
"We are committed to taking the appropriate actions to drive profitable growth and maximise the returns of our business over the long term,” said Jim Hackett, Ford president and CEO.
“Where we can raise the returns of underperforming parts of our business by making them more fit, we will. If appropriate returns are not on the horizon, we will shift that capital to where we can play and win.”
In other words? Passenger cars aren't making money, and crossovers/trucks are. As a result, the Ford is going to follow the money.
As the passenger car range diminishes, Ford will look to scale up its hybrid-electric powertrain offerings. Expect to see electrified versions of the F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Escape and Bronco, while the first battery-electric car wearing the Blue Oval will lob in 202o.
By 2022, the company wants to have 16 battery-powered vehicles in its line-up.
Australia
The Ford passenger cars we get in Australia come from Europe or Thailand. The next-generation Focus will come from Germany, as will the next Fiesta ST, while the Mondeo comes from Spain.
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