Ford Euro models finally on their way to US?
A Ford spokesperson has told auto industry trade paper Just-Auto that the U.S. automaker is "eyeing Ford Europe products" but that no decisions have been made to import any of those models to the U.S. market. Motor Authority, which has a subscription to the trade news site, states the article particularly mentions the Mondeo, Focus, S-Max and Galaxy as possible imports for Ford's North American division. Many of us have waited for news like this a long time, and if Ford's turnaround is truly product driven then its competitive wares across the pond could be the jump start its recovery needs.
Not to spoil the speculative fun, but we have to mention that Ford's current line up is chock full of product except at the low end where a Fiesta or Festiva might do the most good, neither of which were mentioned in the Just-Auto article. As great a car as the Mondeo supposedly is, we're finding day after day how good the Fusion is, as well. The S-Max and Galaxy, both people movers, would enter a showroom already crowded with the Freestyle, Edge and upcoming Fairlane. The European Focus... well, that's a no-brainer. The current U.S.-spec Focus is old and due for a replacement, and Focus fans have been patiently awaiting the C1-based Focus car's arrival for some time now.
As much as Ford fans and even analysts might think it's a good idea to start importing models from the company's European arm, the Blue Oval must choose wisely which cars it wants to bring over. The North American lineup is full in some places and lean in others, so hopefully Ford can find appropriate places for these Euro models to fit.
[Source: Just-Auto: sub. required via MotorAuthority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Jay Evans 12:11PM (12/06/2006)
Gee this is easy... Change the grills and market them as Mercury's.
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Chris Goldrick 12:31PM (12/06/2006)
This is still speculative at best. Ford just spent some money facelifting the old Focus, so I doubt they're going to scrap that facelift for a completely new car. Or maybe they are just that "bold."
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Chris 12:15PM (12/06/2006)
This is a no-brainer. FoMoCo could do a better job distinguishing its brands if they didn't look the same. Say what you want, but the Fusion and Milan look like they were separated at birth. Same goes for the rest of the lineup.
Another option would be to bring over the Mondeo as a replacement for the aging Mazda6. Either way it would be a good car for the US market. Just remember to push at least some power to the rear wheels.
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Bennet Pullen 1:05PM (12/06/2006)
Exactly! they are always saying that Ford of Europe's product is to far up-market, while Mercury has NOTHING to sell here. DUH
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Steve 12:56PM (12/06/2006)
Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaase bring them over.
Unchanged.
Stop torturing us.
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doug 1:14PM (12/06/2006)
You don't even have to change the grills. Why does Mecury need a waterfall grill?? With Ford going to the tri bar grill, Ford of Europe's grill would be just fine.
The problem with this scenario is timing. Ford NA's product plan over the next few years is set, and most of Europe's product line just came out. Will Ford NA abandon its product plans mid-stream (again), or wait until the next Euro cycle (leaving another gap in the product plan as current product ages).
The styles of Ford NA and Europe are so different now, I think it would be hard to cherry pick individual models from Europe and drop them into the NA lineup as is.
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Louis Duran 12:34PM (12/06/2006)
As for the crowded people mover segment... For may already have several but the Freesytle isn't going to last long and the Edge and the Fairlane are not 7 seaters. The S-MAX and Galaxy can seat 7 and will likely be more versatile than the Fairlane or Edge. Finally, Ford needs a competitive replacement for the Windstar which is boring, and a sales laggard. Either the S-MAX or Galaxy would do well here. The one thing they may want to consider fixing is the rear doors. They should slide open like all other minivans rather than swing open like a wagon. If they could bring the S-MAX or Galaxy by 2008, I would definitely want to replace our old Sienna with one of those but not the Edge nor Fairlane nor Freestyle.
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Muhammedi 12:59PM (12/06/2006)
I believe this would be a good overall move for Ford, but they need to tread carefully. The Ford Countour and Mercury Mystique weren't exactly the most successful cars at the time, although they were both based on the Mondeo Platform.
The comment above where Jay suggests that Ford use the Mercury nameplate is an excellent idea. Another option would be to use Lincoln, but I suspect that too many buyers associate Lincoln with large cars.
Using Mercury would allow Ford to distinguish the Mercury name, and also have a unique lineup of cars. Mercury can become the "Euro Lineup" for Ford buyers. Those wanting traditional N.American Styling can buy from Ford, while those who want some Euro flair (in general a smaller car, but with better driving/handling) can opt for Mercury. It should boost sales for Ford as well as revive the Mercury nameplate.
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SOBESVT 12:45PM (12/06/2006)
M E R C U R Y
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Johnny 12:51PM (12/06/2006)
Is that James Bond driving that car?
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yeahright 1:05PM (12/06/2006)
>> The S-Max and Galaxy, both people movers, would enter a showroom already crowded with the Freestyle, Edge and upcoming Fairlane.
I think you're missing the point. Ford's Euro minivans are substantially smaller that those North American vehicles. The S-Max and the Galaxy weigh in at about 3700 lbs; the Freestyle and the Edge are over 4100 lbs; and the aging Windstar-now-Freestar weighs more than 4300 lbs.
From my perspective, as a North American buyer, I see Ford offering a number of pretty big, relatively inefficient vehicles without much utility and/or style. The S-Max, on the other hand, is smaller, more efficient and (IMO) beautifully styled.
The Galaxy seems ho-hum, but the S-Max deserves to be sold over here. If Ford needs to trim its lineup to make room for it, why not get rid of one of those larger vehicles?
As for the Euro Focus, I suspect we'll finally see it in our showrooms around the time Ford Europe is introducing its replacement. Sigh.
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DP 1:40PM (12/06/2006)
I suggest that Ford bring over Ford-of-Europe cars and badge them as Mercurys! Eliminating the "chromed Fords" as we once new them, transforming Merc into a hip and trendy Euro-style brand. Then Lincoln can go up market (chasing Caddy) and Ford can be Ford.
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mike 9:52PM (12/06/2006)
you couldn't be more wrong.
we focus fans have been anything but patient.
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Tony 1:22PM (12/06/2006)
I don't get you people when Toyota is in the descusion, everyone says not to buy it and keep the mony in the U.S.A. But bringing a car over that is built in Europe that doesn't employ US workers, is OK.
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glitched 1:18PM (12/06/2006)
yeah, i think that is james bond driving that car to!
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Chris 1:47PM (12/06/2006)
I wouldn't buy any of the current NA Ford offerings, but I'd definitely buy a Euro-spec (C1) Focus or a Mondeo. I can picture myself in either, whereas I can never see myself in a Fusion.
As for the old Contour, well to be honest it wasn't that attractive of a car, whereas the new gen Mondeo is quite the looker. Maybe it's personal preference, but regardless, bringing these over would make me put my money into a Ford product.
I agree with what others have said; Leave the current NA Ford model lineup as is, and bring them all over as Mercurys. Then it would actually justify a price increase over any comparable Ford models.
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CJ 1:41PM (12/06/2006)
It's been said before and I will say it again:
MERCURY!
Stop the badge cars.
It's a no-brainer.
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isrltrkfn 6:43AM (12/07/2006)
It IS James Bond driving that car... CASINO ROYALE... seen it? Its the the closest to the new mondeo that we've go, according to TOP GEAR.
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C. McFeeny 1:30PM (12/06/2006)
#13 -- That's not the suggestion. The idea is to being the designs over to the US -- whether or not the actual automobile will actually be manufactured here in the US is entirely up for debate and speculation. However, the CAD and Engineering data for these models is readily available for Ford of North America to adapt for NA production.
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Michael Karesh 1:32PM (12/06/2006)
Why do stories about future Detroit product so often include "thinking out," "considering," etc.
Actions count.
I'd personally like a manual transmission S-Max. But I'm not sure I'd want one at the prices they charge in Europe. Price is a big reason this hasn't happened sooner.
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