Fastronaut Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 How about a Dune color option at least? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hermans Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 It's the only reason I didn't order a Ti FFH. I think missed the mark on this one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 They must have a good reason for it. Not quite sure what it is though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wazzul Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Agreed, I would've selected the Dune as well. Or if they had offered the push button start on the SE I would've already had my car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hermans Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Maybe one of these years they will, unfortunately all the Ti models Ford builds only has black seats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
probowler Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 I support this, even if it's only a custom-order option. More options are always best, if we're gonna spend 30k+ on a new car, we should be able to get it as close to our preferences as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mettech Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 http://www.toyota.com/img/vehicles/2013/avalon/gallery/full/int2.jpg The 2013 Toyota Avalon XLE Touring shown in Almond is one of the best I have seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusionTX Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Black is the color I would have chosen, so this doesn't upset me. but i agree that there should be a choice. If you are paying more for something, you should get more choices, not fewer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Even Ford employees seem baffled by the decision to only offer black on Titaniums. The only logical explanation is they're purposely limiting titanium trim sales and the only reason for that would be CAFE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaggy314 Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 It's like the wheel choices... For the Ti Energi you only get the 17" option. If you go to the hybrids, you gain an 18". Lower produciton = fewer options so they can build this easier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2b2 Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Even Ford employees seem baffled by the decision to only offer black on Titaniums. The only logical explanation is they're purposely limiting titanium trim sales and the only reason for that would be CAFE. I'm convincing myself that they'll only offer more colors like they did before, after FlatRock comes online. Until then imho it's a matter of: - they'll sell every one they build anyway - fewer choices can be a bit more profitable - giving all the extra attention they can to the MKZ Wonder if the Z's Bespoke Program is waiting for volume to increase too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechOps Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 "You can have any color you want, as long as it's black." - Henry Ford 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 At some point Ford has to get off the everyting for profit mode and start worrying about what the customer wants more. I know I like softer interior colors because of the hot summers we have now. Both my vehicles has light grey interiors and wouldn't have bought if only black was offered. I had a black on black Mustang and never again with black interior. Another issue is no heated seats without very expensive luxo luxury option. That is ridiculous. Fusion should offer winter package just like Focus with cloth seats. Not a fan of leather seats. Have it on my sports car and not a fan of cracks as leather ages and water stains if you happen to overlook water getting on your seat in hot sun. Heated seats though are great and should be low cost option. Customer choice is important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 At some point Ford has to get off the everyting for profit mode and start worrying about what the customer wants more So let me get this straight - giving customers what they want and selling more vehicles doesn't improve profits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pers69 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 (edited) So, let me get this straight - there is some data saying customers don't want choices in their interior colors? Wasn't aware of that. Put me down as skeptical that is so. Edited February 9, 2013 by Pers69 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 So, let me get this straight - there is some data saying customers don't want choices in their interior colors? Wasn't aware of that. Put me down as skeptical that is so. I think it's more like what is easier for the factory and thus more profitable for Ford.....one interior color choice only and option packages that make it hard to get what you want without paying a lot extra for stuff you could care less about. Not everyone is in love with black only, especially in areas that experience hot summers which is about everywhere nowadays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Since they already offer other colors on lower trim levels it doesn't reduce the factory complexity. This appears to be an intentional move to limit Titanium sales and the only reason I've been able to come up with is that Titaniums have more equipment along with heavier wheels and stickier tires. Selling a lot of titaniums could change the options and weight class used for EPA testing which could adversely affect the EPA ratings. If you don't think that's a concern - in 2000 Ford offered a Sport package for the V8 Lincoln LS that included an audiophile stereo with subwoofers, upgraded wheels and some other things. Later in 2000 they removed the audiophile stereo from the Sport package along with the rear headrests - yes, rear headrests - to reduce the weight of the vehicle for CAFE reasons. Manufacturing is complicated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pers69 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 All those concerns notwithstanding one can't point to customer demand (ie "giving costumes what they want") for reduced options as Ford's motives for offering no interior or wheel options at this trim level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastronaut Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 Was just at the MotorTrend Auto Show in Baltimore and Ford had virtually all Fusion models with Black Interiors. Only one Fusion SE Hybrid in Grey. I think there's a message here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 All those concerns notwithstanding one can't point to customer demand (ie "giving costumes what they want") for reduced options as Ford's motives for offering no interior or wheel options at this trim level. I was only referring to FB saying that Ford was going after profit instead of giving customers what they want. Which is ridiculous because giving customers what they want is how you improve sales and profits. So there must be another reason (such as the ones I mentioned) for only offering black. I think we can all agree that Ford would sell more Titaniums with more choices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salva Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 (edited) This appears to be an intentional move to limit Titanium sales and the only reason I've been able to come up with is that Titaniums have more equipment along with heavier wheels and stickier tires. Selling a lot of titaniums could change the options and weight class used for EPA testing which could adversely affect the EPA ratings. . Interesting... All this while, my speculation has been that Ford appears to be dragging their feet on the Hybrid Titanium because it couldn't possibly meet the 47/47/47 mpg claim Ford seems intent to plaster on the Hybrid Titanium windows stickers. But that's because I assumed the Hybrid Titanium on its own (at least a minimally configured one) had to meet whatever what's in the sticker. From what you said, it seems this assumption was wrong. Now, part of the reason I assumed that is Toyota has different EPA ratings for the Camry Hybrid trims (43/39 LE, 40/38 XLE if I recall correctly). So I thought this is what everybody is supposed to do. Aparently, it's more complicated than that. Akirby, care to elaborate how different trims (and, god forbid, options) of a model have to be reflected on EPA ratings? And, would Ford have discretion to mimic Toyota and have a separate rating for the Hybrid Titanium (presumably lower)? Edited February 10, 2013 by Salva Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BondMan007 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Once you get a black car, you can't go back to any other color. Seriously though, this also was one of the reasons I went 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE instead of Titanium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pers69 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 (edited) I was only referring to FB saying that Ford was going after profit instead of giving customers what they want. Which is ridiculous because giving customers what they want is how you improve sales and profits. So there must be another reason (such as the ones I mentioned) for only offering black. I think we can all agree that Ford would sell more Titaniums with more choices. Agreed ... to a point. I think they would sell more HyTi with more options if they kept the price as is. But, my theory is they would have to charge more and with a higher sticker sales may slip. I like the Energi - but consider it and many other 40+K cars too rich for my needs/budget. Not that I think offering interior or wheel choice would raise the price to anything close to 40+. My take is they realize they have to keep the price point low in this highly competitive segment and their calculation is that minimizing available options at this trim level will help to do so. I imagine their calculation is they will sell more this way than if they offered more options and charged a bit more. You seem to operating on the thought they want to minimize HyTi sales ... I think the opposite. I think they opted to add the Titanium trim as they didn't want to cede additional market share in the quasi luxury family sedan arena and have been scrambling since to make this late decision a reality that doesn't blow up in their face (less than stellar quality). My theory is that the more options with interior and wheel choice the more expensive the production chain. It is less streamlined and simple. I could be wrong but it makes the most sense to me. One could plausibly argue they satisfying one customer 'want' (low price) over another (expanded choice). Edited February 10, 2013 by Pers69 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Agreed ... to a point. I think they would sell more HyTi with more options if they kept the price as is. But, my theory is they would have to charge more and with a higher sticker sales may slip. I like the Energi - but consider it and many other 40+K cars too rich for my needs/budget. Not that I think offering interior or wheel choice would raise the price to anything close to 40+. My take is they realize they have to keep the price point low in this highly competitive segment and their calculation is that minimizing available options at this trim level will help to do so. I imagine their calculation is they will sell more this way than if they offered more options and charged a bit more. You seem to operating on the thought they want to minimize HyTi sales ... I think the opposite. I think they opted to add the Titanium trim as they didn't want to cede additional market share in the quasi luxury family sedan arena and have been scrambling since to make this late decision a reality that doesn't blow up in their face (less than stellar quality). My theory is that the more options with interior and wheel choice the more expensive the production chain. It is less streamlined and simple. I could be wrong but it makes the most sense to me. One could plausibly argue they satisfying one customer 'want' (low price) over another (expanded choice). But they already build other models with dune interior so not offering it on Titaniums won't save Ford anything in production or inventory costs. And I wasn't talking about the Titanium Hybrid specifically - I was referring to all Titaniums. Also one reason they might want to limit hybrid sales in general is lack of components (batteries, ecvts, etc.). It's a complicated balance between production capability, CAFE compliance and consumer demand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Interesting...All this while, my speculation has been that Ford appears to be dragging their feet on the Hybrid Titanium because it couldn't possibly meet the 47/47/47 mpg claim Ford seems intent to plaster on the Hybrid Titanium windows stickers. But that's because I assumed the Hybrid Titanium on its own (at least a minimally configured one) had to meet whatever what's in the sticker. From what you said, it seems this assumption was wrong. Now, part of the reason I assumed that is Toyota has different EPA ratings for the Camry Hybrid trims (43/39 LE, 40/38 XLE if I recall correctly). So I thought this is what everybody is supposed to do. Aparently, it's more complicated than that. Akirby, care to elaborate how different trims (and, god forbid, options) of a model have to be reflected on EPA ratings? And, would Ford have discretion to mimic Toyota and have a separate rating for the Hybrid Titanium (presumably lower)? I don't know all the rules but I know they look at the weight of each model and the take rate on the options and they are required to test the most common version. Maybe they allow the mfr to do separate tests on different models or maybe they were forced to do that on the Camry because of the option package take rate or weight. It's really complicated and manufacturers do strange things to maximize results while staying in compliance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.