Ford Considering More Affordable Models

[DeluxeStang]

https://fordauthority.com/2023/04/exec-says-more-affordable-ford-vehicles-under-consideration/

 

Wonder what these new models could be. Maybe a new EcoSport or fusion. I don't see the focus or fiesta making a return, but I could see the case for a new midsized sedan. 

[AGR]

They could bring back the Fusion with (relatively) minimal investment. The most expensive part, the R&D, is already done. They have a factory that is underutilized and can't build tall vehicles anyway. 

They can't rely on their hot new products to stay that way. Sooner rather than later, a brand like Chevy, Ram, or Toyota with truck cred will start selling a Maverick competitor here. Other companies are already adding "offroad" packages to their CUVs in response to Bronco Sport. And the Bronco/Wrangler segment will get crowded with ICE powered (new 4Runner and maybe baby Defender) and EVs (Scout and smaller Hummer) entries.

Edited April 30, 2023 by AGR

[jpd80]

The irony being that a production constrained Ford is now talking about more production.

[T-dubz]

21 hours ago, DeluxeStang said:

https://fordauthority.com/2023/04/exec-says-more-affordable-ford-vehicles-under-consideration/

 

Wonder what these new models could be. Maybe a new EcoSport or fusion. I don't see the focus or fiesta making a return, but I could see the case for a new midsized sedan. 

GM has several new SUVs that start in the low 20’s and top out in the high 20’s. The new trax for example looks like it could be a real winner for them.  It’s a bit low on power with the 3 cyl, but it looks pretty good and comes with most of the features you’d expect on more expensive vehicles. 

[Rick73]

20 hours ago, DeluxeStang said:

Wonder what these new models could be.

Based on quotes in article, whatever “affordability” represents at Ford, it seems to exclude BEVs.  Also, GM announced cancellation of the relatively affordable Chevy Bolt, and will focus on more expensive electric trucks and SUVs; and Tesla still does not have an affordable sub-Model 3 they have talked about for years.  At least for now the industry seems to be conceding that an affordable entry-level BEV is not economically feasible.

 

If we exclude BEVs, affordability would have to come from fuel-efficient compact ICE and mild hybrids, but I’m not sure Ford can compete with Civic, Corolla and Korean sedans.  Ford may be “considering” affordable models, and I hope they are successful for many reasons, but won’t hold my breath.  Obviously, their definition of “affordable” may be very different than mine, and may refer to reducing cost a few percent on existing models and not all-new vehicles.

 

[akirby]

1 hour ago, Rick73 said:

Based on quotes in article, whatever “affordability” represents at Ford, it seems to exclude BEVs.  Also, GM announced cancellation of the relatively affordable Chevy Bolt, and will focus on more expensive electric trucks and SUVs; and Tesla still does not have an affordable sub-Model 3 they have talked about for years.  At least for now the industry seems to be conceding that an affordable entry-level BEV is not economically feasible.

 

If we exclude BEVs, affordability would have to come from fuel-efficient compact ICE and mild hybrids, but I’m not sure Ford can compete with Civic, Corolla and Korean sedans.  Ford may be “considering” affordable models, and I hope they are successful for many reasons, but won’t hold my breath.  Obviously, their definition of “affordable” may be very different than mine, and may refer to reducing cost a few percent on existing models and not all-new vehicles.

 

Maverick is affordable.  Doesn’t have to be a car and Ford did not exclude BEVs.

[rperez817]

1 hour ago, akirby said:

Ford did not exclude BEVs.

 

It would be nice if Ford becomes the automotive industry pioneer introducing a BEV at the $20k - $25k price point for the U.S. market, fulfilling what Kumar Galhotra said was Ford's "ultimate goal" back in 2021.

Edited April 30, 2023 by rperez817

[Rick73]

41 minutes ago, akirby said:

Maverick is affordable.  Doesn’t have to be a car and Ford did not exclude BEVs.

Maverick is indeed affordable, but existing.  Wording can be interpreted as “more affordable” new models or “more affordable” existing models.  Article and OP seem to refer to additional  “new” affordable vehicles, which excludes Maverick in my opinion.  I could be wrong since language is ambiguous.

 

Regarding BEVs, it comes down to price point that is still considered affordable, which IMO is 100% subjective.  The quote below suggest $20,000 was a target, but adjusted for inflation maybe +/- $25,000 today, or price range of a Civic, Corolla, etc.  

 

“The concept of more affordable Ford vehicles has been batted around a bit over the past couple of years, dating back to 2021, when then-president of the Americas and International Markets Group, Kumar Galhotra, said that the automaker’s ultimate goal was to make and sell a $20k all-electric vehicle at some point in the future. However, roughly a year later, Galhotra also said that the automaker’s certified pre-owned lineup had essentially taken the place of the new, entry-level vehicle.”

 

 

It’s difficult to guess what more affordable means.  A lower-cost regular-cab Ranger with a base NA 4-cylinder engine could save $1,000s, but I’m guessing that while Ford may consider, chances are pretty low.

[DeluxeStang]

2 hours ago, T-dubz said:

GM has several new SUVs that start in the low 20’s and top out in the high 20’s. The new trax for example looks like it could be a real winner for them.  It’s a bit low on power with the 3 cyl, but it looks pretty good and comes with most of the features you’d expect on more expensive vehicles. 

Yeah, let's go over what we can rule out. Another affordable truck model isn't happening, that would just undercut the maverick. A cheaper van also isn't happening most likely, Ford has a ton of demand for the vans it currently makes, and dominates the commercial market. So there's no need or incentive to go lower in pricing. 

 

I mentioned a new EcoSport, but now that I think about it, I don't see a cheaper SUV coming either. The maverick makes a better affordable utility vehicle than a new EcoSport or Chevy Trax that you mentioned ever would. 

 

I think whatever we see, it'll be c2 based. That platform has been a massive winner for Ford. All the plug and play bits for that platform have already recuperated their development costs and then some, so it wouldn't be super expensive to make a new product using those components.

 

I want to see Ford make these more affordable products aspirational products, not just meh generic stuff like you usually see on the bottom end. I've thrown out the idea previously of Ford expanding the mustang sub-brand with a compact c2 based foxbody inspired mustang hatchback. All wheel drive with the 2.0 and 2.3, and 80s inspired styling. Could see that appealing to enthusiasts, and casual buyers looking for an affordable AWD hatchback. 

 

A new focus wouldn't make much of a splash. But the return of an affordable, yet practical mustang would set the world's hair on fire. 

[akirby]

1 hour ago, Rick73 said:

Maverick is indeed affordable, but existing.  Wording can be interpreted as “more affordable” new models or “more affordable” existing models.  Article and OP seem to refer to additional  “new” affordable vehicles, which excludes Maverick in my opinion.  I could be wrong since language is ambiguous.

I was only pointing out that affordable didn’t limit it to subcompact sedans as you mentioned.

 

Ford already said it was looking at BEVs with smaller batteries to make them more affordable.  

[Rick73]

5 hours ago, DeluxeStang said:

A cheaper van also isn't happening most likely, Ford has a ton of demand for the vans it currently makes, and dominates the commercial market. So there's no need or incentive to go lower in pricing. 

I don’t know how much more affordable a Transit Custom van would be compared to present full-size US Transit, but it would be a great option to have in North America.  With same FWD powertrain as Maverick, it should cost significantly less to purchase, and also less to fuel.  I know it’s unlikely we will get it in US, but at least it has been photographed during testing.

[GearheadGrrrl]

Transit Custom would be a hit here, a functional minivan/cargo/work van with the options of PHEV and full BEV already engineered in. And unlike big Transit, it fits in garages and is easy to park!

 

 

[ice-capades]

The Transit Connect was the most successful of the minivans and outsold the competition by a wide margin. Unfortunately, there just isn't enough potential sales volume to justify production in North America of either a next generation Transit Connect or Custom and the "Chicken Tax" is a big factor in imports. With a new Transit Connect XL Van LWB at $35,000 MSRP for the most popular work configuration, Ford would rather push customers to the full-size Transit. 

[CKNSLS]

On 4/29/2023 at 11:11 AM, DeluxeStang said:

https://fordauthority.com/2023/04/exec-says-more-affordable-ford-vehicles-under-consideration/

 

Wonder what these new models could be. Maybe a new EcoSport or fusion. I don't see the focus or fiesta making a return, but I could see the case for a new midsized sedan. 

They would do well not to call it "EcoSport"......

[Rick73]

5 hours ago, GearheadGrrrl said:

Transit Custom would be a hit here, a functional minivan/cargo/work van with the options of PHEV and full BEV already engineered in. And unlike big Transit, it fits in garages and is easy to park!

 

 

Agree.  With two lengths and two roof heights, it offers even more than a regular minivan.  Ford Europe specs show cargo volume between 5.8 and 9 cubic meters, so roughly 200 to 320 cubic feet.  The long WB high roof variant has as much or more cargo volume than the discontinued extended Econoline; and  in a much smaller footprint.  The PHEV with Pro Power Onboard is the one I’d be interested in evaluating.

[bzcat]

Ford is probably looking at the new Chevy Trax and Buick Envista and thinking that there is a missed opportunity here with Ford Territory or Equator Sport. Territory and Escort are both past the sell-by date in China and in desperate need of replacement. Also with Focus going out of production in Europe this year, China will carry on as the main market for Ford's ICE cars - I would be shocked if Ford doesn't have something already line up in the pipeline to replace them (Territory, Escort, Focus)

 

Ford cannot import them from China to sell in the US because of the 25% Trump Tariff - it will eat up all the margin on cheap cars (it's probably barely breaking even on Nautilus). So will they assemble these low costs models in Mexico for sale throughout the Americas? There is probably a business case there but it depends on whether Farley is interested in shoring up the low end of the market.