Category: Ford

Ford Sedans Gone  When Ford announced years ago that it was dropping sedans, the industry gasped.  In the November 18, 2019 issue of Automotive News the monthly summary of North American production showed goose eggs for Ford sedans for the first time.  Zero for Fiesta.  Zero for C-Max.  Zero for Focus, Zero for Fusion, Zero for Taurus.  Since the Lincoln MKZ is built alongside the Fusion, it too shows Zero.  The only 4-door sedan left in the Ford Motor Company lineup is the Lincoln Continental.  One interesting data point on the chart is a last gasp surge in production for the Ford Flex.  Ford produced almost 3,000 Flex XSUVs in October.   That is more than twice the rate in September.

Using 2018 production as a comparison, Ford has dropped 365,345 units from its production.  All are “cars”; [...]

The Mustang Mach E adds a needed electric vehicle to the Ford lineup. It uses iconic Mustang DNA to give it emotional appeal. It is more than an appliance, it is a fun to drive sporty crossover SUV.

The reveal of the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E shows that Ford is finally serious about entering the electric vehicle space. They have chosen to introduce an electric crossover SUV with the styling DNA of the Ford Mustang pony car. The performance specifications and price positioning of the vehicle appear to be spot on. At first, the Mach E will be eligible for the federal $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles. It appears that Ford has not missed a trick with its new electric XSUV.

Ford just officially announced what the industry has known for years.  The Ford Flex has been discontinued following its eleven year run.  2019 is its last model year.  I owned two Flex models.  A 2009 Flex Limited and a 2011 Flex Limited with EcoBoost.  While the 2009 was an outstanding vehicle, the EcoBoost powertrain in the 2011 transformed the product.  It was extremely fun to drive.  It was one of those vehicles that you could just think of where you wanted to be on the freeway and, voila, you were there.

They used to call them "ASAP Running Changes". That is what the all new 2020 Ford Explorer needs in relation to its high volume base 2.3L EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine. While the powertrain, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, feels pretty good. All of the goodness is dampened by engine noise. This needs to get handled before word gets out that the high volume XLT is a noisy alternative in the competitive SUV wars.

Cadillac enters the 7-passenger premium brand crossover SUV market with the 2020 Cadillac XT6. With a distinctive Cadillac front end, but otherwise conventional styling, XT6 will not offend anyone. The interior package is generous and comfortable. Finally, Cadillac gets a 7-passenger SUV with a fold-flat 3rd row seat. That is a big, big deal.

Chevrolet revealed its all new 2020 C8 Chevrolet Corvette at a live-streamed event in Tustin, CA. The mid-engined sports car is an impressive engineering achievement available at an affordable price.

The Ram HD lineup includes six price classes (starting at $33,395 plus $1,695 delivery). The Ram Power Wagon package can be added to any one of them. Ram contends the Ram Power Wagon is the "Most Off-Road Capable Pickup" available.

2020 Ford Super Duty gets a mid-cycle freshening that is intended to keep the product ahead of heavy duty competition from GM and FCA's Ram. GM and Ram products launch early in 2019 with Ford launching later in the year.

Passport Fills Excess Capacity at Honda’s Lincoln Alabama Plant  Honda realized it had a gap in its crossover SUV lineup. They were losing customers who wanted mid-size XSUVs (crossover sport utility vehicles) but did not want seven passenger capacity.They estimate they have lost at least 35,000 sales to competitors every year they did not have a competitive 5-passenger, two-row crossover SUV in their product mix.  Hence the all new 2019 Honda Passport.

Derivative of Popular Pilot Crossover SUV  Honda’s usual methodological approach led to the development of the all new Passport – a five-passenger derivative of the popular Pilot 7-passenger XSUV.

In terms of big SUV programs, Honda has taken a very efficient approach. Think of the 2019 Honda Passport as a Pilot from the C-Pillar forward. Passport’s wheelbase is equal to the Pilot’s. Losing the [...]