Ford cancels, delays vehicles in the interests of bolder design
A favorite adage of the particularly deadline-oriented is, "80 percent on-time is better than 100 percent late." The idea behind it is that you'd better turn something in when it's due, even if it's half-assed. Good thing for Ford that turnaround guru Mark Fields isn't so deadline-oriented.
Among the delays and cancellations, Automotive News says, are the following:
The Ford Mustang will get a mid-cycle refresh a year later than planned in 2009.
SVT has pared its future offerings down to just two (confirmed, anyway).
Mercury's Freestyle-like crossover has been killed (again).
Automotive News also reports that Fields has pushed off a Fiesta-like subcompact positioned below the Focus for two more years in the interests of making sure it has bold, American styling. The drawback to that is the fact that similar vehicles made by Nissan, Honda and Toyota are already on the market, but Ford's take on it is that European styling and bland little boxes just aren't design cues that work in the U.S.
[Source: Automotive News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jeff 8:40AM (6/06/2006)
all of this is old news... except maybe the mercury freestyle... but that one's getting confusing now, what with cancellations and uncancellations. I've seen this "news" on a couple sites in the past few days, and it makes me think its just rehashing old news about plans that have since changed. We heard about SVT being brought down to two vehicles, a mustang and a truck, a few weeks ago, and have since heard that an SVT Fusion and Edge could show up.
I've also knows about the delays for the mustang and the B-car for at least a month as well.
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Alan 8:44AM (6/06/2006)
The Five Hundred doesn't sell because it's styling is "too European"? It seems too "Crown Vic" to me. The better-selling Fusion looks more European to me, as does the Five Hundred's close cousin the Volvo S60. In any case, it sounds like we'll be getting more aggressively-styled cars from Ford.
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Igor Holas 8:45AM (6/06/2006)
http://www.blueovalnews.com/plugins/p17_image_gallery/images/42.jpg
Auto news (well Autoweek, who was the first to publish this yesterday) cite a "product analyst" as saying many of the product predictions ...
above is a strong prediction in the other direction...
The Mercury Meta one was seen testing in April 2006 alongside the restyled Montego.
Igor
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MikeInNC 8:59AM (6/06/2006)
I personally think this is a good move. Love to see an SVT Fusion as well. Always thought the Contour SVT was interesting. I do think it's better to deliver a better designed product later than deliver junk on time.
I think GM would be wise to spend more time on design than they have in the past as well. It seems like they are starting to think that way but, turning something as large as GM, Ford takes a lot of space/time. Hopefully it will be quick enough to keep them in the hunt. I'll admit to being someone who used to bash GM. Now that they are on the ropes, I find myself starting to pull for them (and Ford/DC). Design will lead the way.
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mk 9:03AM (6/06/2006)
Yah.... those european traits that americans hate so much, the reason we don't get the new Focus RS/ST, or the Australian Falcon RWD Sedans.
The Ford car lineup is a joke to anyone not completely wedded to buying only Fords. The Five Hundred is the biggest joke of them all. What an ugly boring car.
The Fusion is decent looking (not great) but doesn't have anything substantially new about it over the grandad tempo and father contour before it. Pure grocery getter.
Freestyle is going nowhere, especially considering established models like the Volvos and Subaru Outback.
Aside from Ford's answer to the "fit is go", what "Bold Moves" does this say Ford has?
An honest sport sedan... (not a one-off mid engined Five Hundred GT-R... joke, could never be built and sold) and a Mercury version of the mustang, with a MUCH more plush and modern interior, modern bodywork and an actual rear suspension, as in Independent, would be a start. Look toward the Iosis and Reflex concepts, and the Ford Falcons from down under.
The problem is not "too European for american taste", it is that they have no grasp on what "American Taste" is. But then neither does GM...
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Steve 9:05AM (6/06/2006)
I have to give credit to Mark Fields and Bill Ford on this one. Maybe they have finally figured out what needs to be done. They have finally realized that the Japanese figured out how to make the best 'appliances' for getting from point A to point B 10 years ago. Now the Koreans may be the only ones able to undercut them. But this is surely not the right path for US companies to follow. They've been beaten at this game.
American cars need to be bold and distinct. Look at the Chrysler 300 family of cars. Totally American. Heck, they should look at the trucks they make. Absolutely American and well engineered, which is why they sell so many.
Where is it written that cars, especially family sedans, have to be boring and cheap. Ever see what BMW does with them? Mazda? Again, with the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum? I totally agree that Ford needs to be aggressive and bold with their designs. Even if they don't sell the MOST cars, maybe they can at least make some profits selling some INTERESTING cars.
You don't have to make the most cars to make money. Look at Porsche. They make very few cars, comparatively speaking. But they also make more money per vehicle than anybody. Therefore they have plenty of money to put back into R&D and make more desirable cars. Something to be said about having a truly defined brand identity. This is what Ford and GM desperately need to find again.
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Hank 9:05AM (6/06/2006)
I still think the Mercury's coming because it's far better than the current Freestyle, even if not the boldest design. I also don't see why Ford would need the Edge, Freestyle, and Fairlane (if it's still coming?).
One other thing, why not use some of the smaller Fords from Europe (like the Fiesta) to fill the gap until the new design comes along? The problem with the 500 isn't that it's "Euro", but that it's too bland for most to appreciate it (I actually like the Merc version). Their true Euro designs, it seems to me, would do better than they perceive.
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Howard Kerr 9:11AM (6/06/2006)
"...Ford's take on that is that European styling and bland little boxes just aren't design cues that work in the states."
Well, they are half-right, bland styling NEVER works for any car manfacturer. But European styling? If European styling doesn't work, how does Ford explain the styling of Volvos and Jaguars? Ford's Ka, a car several people would like to see here, needs a redesign (it is 10 years old) maybe that's why it wouldn't sell. The StreetKA is 5 years old, as is the Fiesta. Bring these cars up to date for Europe and "possible" sale in the 'states. Hell, is this "European styling doesn't work" supposed to be the excuse for why the U.S. Focus has evolved into such a bland little box with it's "Americanized styling"....that also doesn't seem to be working.
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Michael Karesh 9:27AM (6/06/2006)
We've heard this sort of talk many times before. The proof will (or won't) be in the products.
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BC 9:33AM (6/06/2006)
#7: I agree that no one is going to buy a POS whether or not it is 'agressively styled' or 'European styled'. A POS is still a POS in any clothing. The Focus is doing well in Europe because it's a good car there, the Focus isn't doing so well here because the NA version is an ancient watered down design with crappy build quality. I see no real evidence that Ford actually understands why people don't like their cars.
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RossL 9:33AM (6/06/2006)
> Ford's take on it is that European styling and bland little boxes just aren't design cues that work in the U.S.
Yippee! This must mean that Ford's going to continue to give us bland BIG boxes!
Seriously, how does Ford get off accusing any other manufacturer of producing bland designs? Especially European designers ... it boggles the mind.
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Tom Design 9:41AM (6/06/2006)
So, basically, Ford is delaying release of cars. What's up with the U.S. manufacturers, when they need a shot in the arm? They should be pumping money into R&D, and cobbling together the best of their best, putting exciting new cars out, FASTER than expected, not slower. The march to Asian metal has been steady by U.S. buyers. The Europeans are in the toilet. It's time to produce some new, highly styled, R&D forward, autos. I can't believe they're taking the luxury of delaying their product cycle. This is what killed Buick, looking at the same Regal and Park Avenue for 8 years, while they built the Terraza and Rendezvous. Their auto buyer base went elsewhere. Even though the Lucerne and LaCross are a cut above in elegant styling, and fit and finish is beyond reproach, the cars are not offering anything new other than the magnetic suspension bought by Ferrari and Audi. Big deal, basically you have the same underpinnings. Buick owners waited 8 years for this?!? You have to keep reliable, high tech, low profit products coming out the door to balance with your profitable, staid offerings. The Mustang should be on a very aggressive model change timeline to keep the customers interested and dedicated to the marque.
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Steve 9:56AM (6/06/2006)
Tom Design,
I agreee with most of your points, but I don't think the Europeans are in the toilet. BMW, Audi, and Porsche are enjoying record sales, and it looks like MB may be finally back on track. Volvo is doing pretty good, I think. The only ones I see as struggling are Jaguar, VW, and Saab. Most of them are doing poorly because they have lost their way and can't decide how they want to position their cars in the marketplace.
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Jason Johnson 10:09AM (6/06/2006)
FOR THE LOVE OF HENRY FORD - MAKE THE BRONCO!
A diesel - a small "sport" ute - Sub 20K Price range-
It would be a killer vehicle! - PLEASE FORD - Come to your senses and make this Rough N Tough, affordable, MPG consious, "Green," SUV!
Thank you... I've counted to 10 and said my piece.
Ahhhhh.....
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gbh 10:39AM (6/06/2006)
More excuses. No results until, well, we don't really have a timetable...
You would have walking papers on your desk within hours in any other scenario. It boggles the mind that anyone accepts these preposterous non-defined "plans" from upper management. The message from stockholders and board members should be rather simple: Fix it or we find someone who can.
Instead of a new generation of Mustang in 2009, it'll be a 'refresh'. Deliver 'bold' small car styling? - great goal. Meanwhile, if the Aveo can sell, then Ford could sell the Ka while it works on something 'bold'.
Though none of this is really 'news'. These stories are minor variations on the same theme of the past 30 years from the big2. Ford and GM will always be around - selling trucks and fleet cars. Beyond that, they just keep making themselves less relevant every day.
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P.L. 11:58AM (6/06/2006)
So basically Ford's "bold move" is to pathetically announce more delays & cancellations. A bold unsubstantial presentation as usual.
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MikeInNC 11:59AM (6/06/2006)
gbh, I think Ford is saying...'maybe we should step back to make sure we ARE relevant'. Dumping old models in the market to fill the hole while they design something new would likely cause more harm than good. The car nuts will slay them for bringing outdated models from overseas as a new US product. As they would be spending tons of money on launch advertising, all the car mags would be raking them over the coals for old crap and rightfully so. I think this is a wise decision. Only time will tell if they are right for doing this.
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guyincognito 12:29PM (6/06/2006)
If they said, "we are delaying this vehicle to come out with this new and much better vehicle 2 years later" with some degree of specificity, I might be convinced. Saying we are going to take more time to study this issue and determine what people want and then give it to them is not a plan. This is yet another example of schizophrenic management at Ford, I fear.
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SKluck 1:04PM (6/06/2006)
I don't understand why such a massive company like Ford can't refresh its vehicles more. The Ranger has been the same for what.. 10+ years? The escape will be 8 years when it gets its redesign. The Focus is going on 7 years. And they are going to be 3 years late to the party on the subcompacts. This is unacceptable.
Part of Ford's problem is they keep designs far too long until they are stale and no one wants them anymore.
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Dave 1:07PM (6/06/2006)
Put the Fusion next to the Five Hundred. You have a great-looking car (Fusion) sitting next to the most bland car on the market.
The Fusion and upcoming Edge are "bold." The Five Hundred is in need of a serious update to be considered anything near bold.
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