(General sense) Stop cutting down the trees, and stop ignoring the elephant in the room of "developing" countries where emissions are completely ignored while everyone else bends over backward while shooting themselves in the foot to "save the planet"
we could cut 100% of emissions tomorrow, and it won't do any good if China, India, etc. increase theirs 400%.
Aka our sales suck because we cancelled the only thing people wanted in our product, so we're going to reverse course lol.
*cues Hemi Charger in 3.....2.....1......
About keeping Changan for exports. The only Changan-Ford exported is the Mondeo where it's badged as the Taurus in the Middle East. The most exported Ford model from China is the JMC-Ford Equator Sport, where it's badged as the (new) Territory for export markets. Unlike the Changan-Ford-built sedan, the Territory is sold in LHD Southeast Asian markets, South Africa (first RHD market), Middle East, Mexico, and South America.
Price is always the major factor and inversely proportional to volume. As price goes up the number of buyers who can afford it goes down. Design and other changes are marginal by comparison. Throw in CAFE and there is no reason to chase volume at lower prices.
Counterpoint-consumers really don't care? In the grand scheme of things ICE engines are nothing more then marketing exercises and at least in Ford's case, customers are willing to embrace say Ecoboost V6s in the F-150 vs Ram getting rid of the Hemi in the Ram 1500?
Long term it makes sense, since ICE is going to just shrink and shrink as time goes on.
Possible interpretation: We've been able to do this (outsourcing) in China and reduce costs, so why wouldn't we do this in our U.S. market?
Editorial: this is another example of everything wrong with Ford, which has historically been driven (behind the scenes) by the Finance function. Granted, Ford are in business to be as profitable as possible, but IMO engines (as long as they're used in vehicles) are absolutely a differentiator and arguably the heart and soul of any auto company worth its oats. After all, it's Ford MOTOR Company. Look at the example of Ford's original hybrid effort with the Escape, and the lengths Ford went to to point out that Ford developed its own hybrid system, that it wasn't simply building Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive on license. Engineering is at the heart and soul of a car company, and this jack wipe would sell Ford's soul to save a buck. /rant
1) Isn't the "tech" already in Hermosillo, with the plant-mate Hybrid Maverick?
2) Agreed, the back seat legroom in the current BS is a joke. Good luck trying to fit a rear-facing car seat behind the drivers seat, unless the driver is <5' tall.
HRG