Broncofan7 Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 Success of Mustang and Bronco Sub-Brands Means More Spin-Offs to Come (motortrend.com) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rperez817 Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 (edited) Good article, thanks for sharing Broncofan7 sir. Ford has always had some of the slickest, most clever marketers in the automotive industry. Expansion of sub-brands as mentioned in the article is brilliant. Edited April 12, 2021 by rperez817 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jqa1824 Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 It is interesting. Ford (or at least the design department) has being toying with this idea for years. I remember reading around 1999-2001 that designers in wanted to create a KA sub-brand with the basic city car, the SportKA/StreetKa (which happened), and a Ka wagon/CUV (which didn't). I thought that was a good idea at the time. Also, remember the 24/7 Concepts? Those cars were HATED by the automotive press but actually were really accurate looks into our future. They had touchscreen controls, connectivity to the internet, and two of them were essentially tall hatchbacks/CUVs, and another was a mini-truck. Other than a Mustang Family (coupe/convertible, CUV, 4dr-sedan) and Bronco (Sport, 2/4dr, Truck, Bronco Max)...what else could Ford do? I always liked the idea of the "Model-E" name (it annoyed me years ago when Tesla co-opted the 'Model' prefix) and perhaps that could turn into an affordable range of small EVs in various bodystyles. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 (edited) Lest we forget the other "sub-brand" that has been out there for a while now...Transit, Transit Connect, Transit Custom, Transit Courier... ...and the "Torneo", "Trail" and "Active" variants... Edited April 12, 2021 by twintornados 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 So, this article blurred the line between trims and sub-brands. Obviously Ford has made Mustang and Bronco into sub-brands. F-series and Transit already were. But them talking about "Raptor" becoming a sub-brand is inaccurate - it's a trim level, not a model on its own. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew L Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 *Mercury sits in the corner crying* 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 43 minutes ago, Andrew L said: *Mercury sits in the corner crying* Mercury was the original "up-market" car created by Edsel Ford himself. Created as a "bridge" between Ford and Lincoln. It was less a "sub-brand" and more a separate marquee that at the end of it's span became nothing more than a Ford with a different grille. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rperez817 Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 10 minutes ago, twintornados said: Mercury was the original "up-market" car created by Edsel Ford himself. Created as a "bridge" between Ford and Lincoln. It was less a "sub-brand" and more a separate marquee that at the end of it's span became nothing more than a Ford with a different grille. Maybe Merkur could be considered a sub-brand of Lincoln-Mercury? ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomcat68 Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 (edited) Other than Mustang, Bronco, Transit and F series, there is nothing else they have that could be a sub brand. If they didn't bungle Taurus so badly over the 3rd generation and later, that could have been a crossover brand as the wagon was a strong seller early on and could have evolved into a CUV. Then Taurus could have been a fifth. Edited April 12, 2021 by atomcat68 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 21 minutes ago, atomcat68 said: Other than Mustang, Bronco, Transit and F series, there is nothing else they have that could be a sub brand. If they didn't bungle Taurus so badly over the 3rd generation and later, that could have been a crossover brand as the wagon was a strong seller early on and could have evolved into a CUV. Then Taurus could have been a fifth. I agree with this as well. I mean, I guess the only other existing (in use) nameplate that could possibly justify use as a sub-brand would be Explorer, but they already have other established names for other crossover models. Some have thought Thunderbird would've been a good EV name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.I. Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 Taurus, Thunderbird, Fairlane... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 7 minutes ago, falconlover 1 said: Taurus, Thunderbird, Fairlane... Fairlane has no clout in the marketplace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pffan1990 Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 8 minutes ago, falconlover 1 said: Taurus, Thunderbird, Fairlane... Agreed with this. But don't forget the Falcon, too, the namesake of your username. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarneyFord Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, atomcat68 said: Other than Mustang, Bronco, Transit and F series, there is nothing else they have that could be a sub brand. If they didn't bungle Taurus so badly over the 3rd generation and later, that could have been a crossover brand as the wagon was a strong seller early on and could have evolved into a CUV. Then Taurus could have been a fifth. I’ve owned quite a few Fords. I forgot about the red 1990 Taurus Wagon we had. I really liked that car. My family out grew it and we went to an Aerostar. But the wagon was well done. Edited April 12, 2021 by barney9014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 (edited) I can see Ford adding more vehicles to existing sub-brands but launching new ones? Seems like we will hit a point of diminishing returns pretty fast. Will Escape sell better as Explorer Scout? Will Edge see resurrection as Explorer Sport? As some point, it is about the actual product, not the name. F-Series: F150/250/350/450/550/600 - seems pretty saturated. The only logical extension would be going lower... F100 but Ranger is a much stronger name on a worldwide basis Transit: Transit, Custom, Connect, Courier - again seems pretty full line up already. Tourneo: Sub-sub-brand fun ? Mustang: Mustang, Mach E - I could see a performance sedan here but that market is dying. More "same but different" theme on Mustang is more likely e.g. GT500, Mach 1, Bullit, GT350 (if it comes back) etc. Bronco: Bronco and Bronco Sport - seems like Ford hit pay dirt here with all the interest in Bronco. I can see a Bronco Sporttrac truck being added but not much else. Maybe a 2 door Bronco Sport which will be kind of fun but probably too small of a market. Would Ford dare use the Bronco name for EcoSport replacement? That maybe going too far. Explorer: This used to be sub-brand when Sporttrac and Sport were sold as separate models under the Explorer sub-brand. I can see Ford going back to this idea if Edge continues to sink. For example, what if the mid size EV is launched as Explorer Sport instead of Edge (or some other name)? And instead of Mondeo Active or whatever name it was supposed to have, Ford names it Explorer Evos? I can see that working as long as Explorer Sport and Explorer Evos are good competitive vehicles like Mach E. Edited April 13, 2021 by bzcat 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 I think they should shy away from doing this too much. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 (edited) 15 hours ago, falconlover 1 said: Taurus, Thunderbird, Fairlane... I love the Thunderbird name, but it’s roots are Native American. I wonder if it would give Ford pause in resurrecting it (see Cherokee). There’s also Falcon and Galaxie. Mustang Mustang - Mach-E Mustang - Falcon Would be a cool sub brand Raptor Ranger Raptor Bronco Raptor Is a missed opportunity for one IMHO. Edited April 13, 2021 by sullynd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 24 minutes ago, sullynd said: I love the Thunderbird name, but it’s roots are Native American. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 28 minutes ago, sullynd said: Raptor Ranger Raptor Bronco Raptor Is a missed opportunity for one IMHO. Not sure that works as a sub brand though since those are just special models of other vehicles rather than separate vehicles. Maybe Ranger and Maverick could be a sub brand with another variant? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisgb Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 20 hours ago, Andrew L said: *Mercury sits in the corner crying* ...With Edsel's arm around her shoulder consoling, "I know, I know..." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paintguy Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 17 hours ago, atomcat68 said: Other than Mustang, Bronco, Transit and F series, there is nothing else they have that could be a sub brand. If they didn't bungle Taurus so badly over the 3rd generation and later, that could have been a crossover brand as the wagon was a strong seller early on and could have evolved into a CUV. Then Taurus could have been a fifth. Taurus was a practical alternate to SUVs of the time. Over 20 cuft of cargo space and awd. The short lived Taurus X tried to bridge the gap between wagon and SUV (ala Subaru). Failed miserably in sales. Those who bought seemed to enjoy them. BTW still own a Taurus SHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 9 minutes ago, paintguy said: Taurus was a practical alternate to SUVs of the time. Over 20 cuft of cargo space and awd. The short lived Taurus X tried to bridge the gap between wagon and SUV (ala Subaru). Failed miserably in sales. Those who bought seemed to enjoy them. BTW still own a Taurus SHO. Taurus X was also a rebadged Freestyle refresh, which itself was mediocre to begin with. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paintguy Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 16 minutes ago, fuzzymoomoo said: Taurus X was also a rebadged Freestyle refresh, which itself was mediocre to begin with. Much of the trouble with Freestyle was due to the mediocre engine (200hp Duratec) and transmission (CVT). Both of these were changed in Taurus X, but you are correct, as the damage to the reputation was done. Visually not much differentiation. I recall also the 2008 Taurus auto show car, could see the buffer marks where they removed the "Five Hundred" badging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew L Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 33 minutes ago, paintguy said: Much of the trouble with Freestyle was due to the mediocre engine (200hp Duratec) and transmission (CVT). Both of these were changed in Taurus X, but you are correct, as the damage to the reputation was done. Visually not much differentiation. I recall also the 2008 Taurus auto show car, could see the buffer marks where they removed the "Five Hundred" badging. I will NEVER understand that move by Ford at the time. I remember I used to get MotorTrend all the time and they had an article comparing large sedans and they said the FiveHundred would have won if it wasn't for the anemic engine. I know the 3.5 wasn't ready but come on they were able to get more power out of the 3.0 with the LS at 232. Granted it was RWD but still. A couple years later the Fusion debuted with 221. Anything would have been better than 200. I think the most they ever got out of the 3.0 was 240. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ice-capades Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 I came across this photo yesterday in one of the articles in the automotive press. Ironically, this Mustang "Family" photo isn't available at Ford's Toolbox advertising site. 3 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.