Ford to take all-wheel drive lead from Subaru?
Watch out Fuji Heavy, Ford Motor Company is out to nab your claim to fame. The Detroit Free Press states that the automaker working its way toward becoming the leading producer of all-wheel-drive (AWD) cars and crossovers in the North American market. Ford says that it will offer AWD variants of the Lincoln MKZ, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, bringing its total AWD offerings to 22 vehicles and sales to 500,000 by next year.
The trick, Ford thinks, is to offer up models in the middle range of the market -- vehicles a little above entry-level, but not reaching the high cost of luxury vehicles such as BMW and Audi's AWD offerings.
[Source: The Detroit Free Press; Ford Motor Company]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
P.L. 11:12AM (5/22/2006)
"The trick, Ford thinks, is to offer up models in the middle range of the market"
Tricks, slogans and gimmicks will not win costumers over. Ford should try the honest approach by delivering quality, reliability, functionality at an unbeatable consumer price. Remember people are not entertained by tricky rip-offs!
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Gardiner Westbound 11:13AM (5/22/2006)
If the Ford AWD system is reliable, a dubious proposition for Ford, it will yield a solid marketplace advantage.
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doug 11:24AM (5/22/2006)
Ford will have a major advantage over key competitiors. Toyota, Honda, Nissan, GM, Chrysler - none offer AWD in mid market sedans, some not at any price. Ford will have 5 including 500/Montego, as well as 3/4 mid size crossovers. If only they could have a solid entry car - cheap bastards - and a competitive minivan - given their prior success in family vehicles their total failure here baffles me, they would be back in the game.
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Ryan 11:28AM (5/22/2006)
Dang, the Edge is one sharp looking SUV
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G. Snyder 11:31AM (5/22/2006)
"If the Ford AWD system is reliable, a dubious proposition for Ford, it will yield a solid marketplace advantage."
Are they not using the Haldex systems currently employed by Volvo? Those are certainly being used on the Five Hundred. These units have proven to be reliable, but the cars function mainly as FWD and then transfer power to the rear as necessary. This is a different proposition than an Audi or Subaru setup. I did not say "bad", just "different". It depends on what you want the AWD to do for you.
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Nick 11:37AM (5/22/2006)
Should be careful, though. Chrysler's already offering AWD in the 300/Magnum, with more availability coming, the Sebring/Stratus replacements will offer AWD, and even the lowly Caliber has it.
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Bob 11:48AM (5/22/2006)
Yes, G. Snyder, they are using the Haldex systems used by Volvo, Land Rover, Audi (some models) and Volkswagen.
I bet Ford bashers didn't realize they may be also bashing one of their favorite import car's awd systems.
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Oolon Coluphid 11:52AM (5/22/2006)
You can't just offer AWD as an option, you've got to make it standard.
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Bill 11:57AM (5/22/2006)
If they can make a system that his minimal MPG penalty, they might have something.
I had a Subaru, and I don't know if the lousy mileage was a function of the AWD or the boxer engine. Some people won't care, but it was one of many factors that turned me off to the car.
I came to the conclusion that FWD and winter tires were good enough for me, and a better value.
Personally, I would prefer an old-school part time AWD system where you just engage it when you need it.
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Drewboy 12:12PM (5/22/2006)
I'm not interested in any more all wheel drive systems that are primarily front wheel drive. I have a Honda CR-V, and while I love it, I do NOT like the delay between front wheel slip and rear wheel grip. I'd much rather have a RWD biased AWD system. Say, 75% rear, 25% front.
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Mike 12:17PM (5/22/2006)
Freestyle = AWD, Crossover wagon.
Competition = Outback
Outcome = Failure.
Feel free to try again.
Subaru offers AWD anywhere from $18k to $40k Standard on everything from small sedans and wagons, mid size sedans and wagons, small suvs, sports cars, and midsize suvs. Ford will have a tough time making a profit in the "affordable AWD" segment. Subaru sales 37% of the AWD vehicles in the US. It's the only manufacturer that can play in that segment in mass. Even Audi sells a majority of 2WD models as opposed to quattro.
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WolfgangNC 12:31PM (5/22/2006)
#10, I couldn't agree more. AWD systems need to be just that, all-wheel-drive, not PAWD (part-all-wheel-drive). If you look at what AWD is used for or advertised for is performance and safety. Front wheel partical AWD system don't really accomplish either performance or safety compared to just plain FWD systems with traction control.
50-50 power to both front and back wheel would make sense in the safety department (control) and a rear wheel partical AWD system would make sence in the performance department (weight distribution when accelerating).
Not really bashing these new FWD derived AWD systems (I'm a Ford fan, and Ford isn't the only one making these systems); but I just don't see the point on a safety/performance basis, unless it is totally an advertising ploy to the customers.
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Dr. Woo 12:33PM (5/22/2006)
Haldex, while not offering the functionality or performance of a Torsen or the other, mostly electronic systems, is compact, lightweight, offers good fuel economy, and will get you out of a pinch, which is all Joe American would need. This is the demographic Ford is aiming for.
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JB 12:42PM (5/22/2006)
I still fail to see the need for most people to have AWD. I agree with an earlier comment about FWD and snow tires being more than adequate. My Volvo FWD 850 with snow tires is very solid in the snow and ice, especially compared to my friend's Volvo V70 FWD with all season tires. Of course, if the snow is very deep, I'll be in trouble, but most AWD cars don't have a lot of clearance either.
I just get nervous with all that extra stuff that can break, CV boots, transfer devices. I've heard som stories about tire diameters needing to be very close, say when a tire fails, all must be replaced. That is an unforeseen cost for many people. Four tires can be expensive, especially if you want OEM replacements.
Also, I think some people will be begin to rely on AWD to bail them out of trouble, like these stability control systems. "No need to be a good driver, the computer/AWD/ABC/XYZ system will correct for my lack of skill. Yee Haw!"
Finally, it's unlikely that any AWD system will help improve fuel economy. The added weight (about 400 lbs) has an effect. Subarus don't tend to be as good mileage-wise as other Japanese makes, because of the AWD system. For example, the Impreza gets much less MPG than a Corolla. If we are trying to conserve fuel, AWD won't help.
I admire Ford for trying to get AWD out there in the market, but most people don't understand it. They just want the car to go and stop, not use a lot of gas, and not break down.
I like the 500, its incredibly roomy inside, even for me, 6'4", about 250-ish. I don't need a car now, but its nice. I even think the 3L is fine. I don't need 300 hp to go work. I was just remembering when a Mustang GT had 225hp, and it was like a miracle. That and the GNX with 235 I believe. Now even minivans have 260 hp. What was I ranting about then?
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devi8i 12:47PM (5/22/2006)
In the world where Fords number 1 selling car is the Taurus being sold for fleet use is the move really wise for them to try and offer up an option that is lost on most American car buyers? Do Americans really clamor for AWD in their sedans? When I think of Ford I think moderatly priced bland vehicles. If I want AWD I think Subaru. I think this is another example of Ford loosing touch with its base market, grasping at straws to regain market share, and in the process dilluting its brand releavance.
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mike 12:53PM (5/22/2006)
#8 Why do HAVE TO make it standard? so some people that could otherwise afford the FWD model can no longer afford the car? That makes no sense. Let people that want AWD pay for it and other that don't want it, don't have to come up with the extra cash and can also get better mileage. I'd like the option to be honest.
I've driven the Volvo/Haldex cars and they are excellent. My brother-in-law has an S60R that uses the system and he has yet to break the tires loose and he drives like a maniac. That car handles like a cat on a shag rug. If Ford uses the same system, it will be far more than adequate.
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Howard Kerr 1:21PM (5/22/2006)
Just as there are parts of this country where you can almost get by without a heater, some where you don't really need air conditioning, and some where you don't need rear view mirror defrosters, there are parts where you won't NEED a car with AWD...but there are also parts of this country where it will be great to have the option.
My doubts about this feature center around the fact that about the time Subaru decided to switch from offering AWD exclusively, in this country, ALL the major car companies had at least one model with AWD. Doesn't anyone remember Ford's AWD Tempo? Toyota had several AWD models, including a Camry, Corolla, and Tercel, and Nissan and Honda also had AWD models. Customers that really wanted this feature migrated to SUVs. With more crossover SUVs in the pipeline, why would customers buy them if a regular, albeit mid-upper priced sedan offers AWD?
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Corey W. 1:50PM (5/22/2006)
I agree with Wolfgang and Drewboy, part time is ok, but not worth it on the performance side.
I loved my 95 Eagle Talon TSI AWD, 50% per axle, all the time.... now that's AWD.
If this is not the type of system offered, it's not going to make me look at Ford over Subaru for AWD.
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G. Snyder 2:10PM (5/22/2006)
". I agree with Wolfgang and Drewboy, part time is ok, but not worth it on the performance side."
You say part-time as if it means you have to get out and lock the wheels. The advantage is that you get little degredation in fuel economy and the AWD capability is there when you need it. Haldex engages in a fraction of a wheel rotation. So if foul weather traction is your goal, this setup works great. The biggest downside is that the car is FWD based and the handling dymanics follow suit. The S60R references above has some fiddling done to the Haldex system vs. other implemntations to make it more performnace friendly, but there are still a lot of FWD understeer characteristics present. Is that bad? Most people don't drive anywhere near the thresholds required for these things to become obvious.
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jb 3:04PM (5/22/2006)
Sounds like a smart market move to me. Consumers get the predictability and economy of FWD with the winter benifits and 'showroom appeal' of AWD. And Ford gets to make money off a reliable and proven system. If you want to drive like a hooligan, get a Suburu, these Fords are meant to be improved regular cars, not rally cars.
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