Ford plant dumps SUVs, goes small

CNN.com ^ | May 6, 2009 | By Ben Rooney

[antiRepublicrat]

None of the SUV’s I’ve owned have gone off-road. They have however pulled boats and a trailer, hauled our gear camping, and most importantly - have been top notch each Western NY Winter.

I rarely see evidence of that either with SUVs. Most people who do that here tend to have trucks.

[CSM]

The Excursion is actually going to continue to be in Ford’s product line, it was just moved to Kentucky. The old plant “Michigan Truck Assembly” is being converted to produce the new C platform, Focus replacement. The current Focus is produced at Wayne Assembly, which is on the same complex as “Michigan Truck.”

So, Michigan Truck will become Michigan Car. Wayne will be shut down and Kentucky will continue producing the large SUV.

Now, I’m trying to figure out why you are associated President Obama with Ford......These plans were made a couple of years ago.

[CSM]

“The Navigator and Expeditions would seem to replace the Excursions previously built at KTP.”

Doh, you are correct. My previous post indicated the move from Michigan Truck to KTP was the Excursion. It is the Expedition/Navigator that is moving to KTP. All 3 will be built at KTP, so the Excursion is not being dumped completely.

Now that I think of this further, the title of this CNN article makes me think that this “news” article is trying to claim that Obama’s plans for GM and Chrysler are spot on. See, even Ford is taking the same actions. BO is so smrt!

[Sig Sauer P220]

Trucks are for off roading and hauling.

Where I live trucks are the cleanest, shiniest, most spotless vehicles on the road next to SUV's. They are all extended cabs with four doors and short beds and the beds have those covers over them, so they don't haul anything. Again, they don't want to mess them up after spending so much for them.

[karnage]

We’re changing from a company that tries to produce profitable products to one that makes stuff no one wants to buy.

Excellent!

[karnage]

I’m witchoo.

I have an Escape hybrid. 32 MPG, plenty of space for the three kids + all their gak.

We have a good Ford dealer out here in LA, Galpin.

[LibertarianLiz]

Okay, so did you ever have a non-hybrid Escape? Mine has a V6 engine, and my hubby (and I, to tell the truth) do like the peppiness of the engine. How is the hybrid Escape on exceleration? I’m beginning to think that I need to trade in my current Escape for a new one before the “O” decides I cannot be allowed to drive such an evil vehicle and then I won’t be able to get another one.

[Landru]

"'We're changing from a company focused mainly on trucks and SUVs to a company with a balanced product lineup that includes even more high-quality, fuel-efficient small cars, hybrids and all-electric vehicles,' said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas, in a statement."

It'll be the first mistake Ford's made since all this baloney started.

IIRC once oil crashed Ford was reported to have had SCADS of hybrids sitting, unsold, across the Republic at their stealerships.

Methinks *somebody* got Ford's ear.
The stink of this *decision* --CNN the source, notwithstanding is not only overwhelming, but quite familiar.

[Freedom56v2]

If I was buying a GREEN CAR....Given a choice between Obama Motors and FORD........I would choose Ford.
We need to send BHOle and his Union thiefs a message ...... you steal from Americans only once.....then we shut you down.

---

That is actually a good idea—buy Ford or Honda, etc. I was told that 70% of my Honda’s parts were manuf. in US and car plant is in US as well.

[karnage]

No, previously I had an Explorer. I wouldn’t call the hybrid “peppy,” but it’s not a total dog. I don’t leadfoot very often...

[COBOL2Java]

"We're changing from a company focused mainly on trucks and SUVs to a company with a balanced product lineup that includes even more high-quality, fuel-efficient small cars, hybrids and all-electric vehicles," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas, in a statement.

[SunkenCiv]

Ford Motor said Wednesday it will spend $550 million to convert a plant, which previously produced trucks and SUVs, into a "green" manufacturing complex building small fuel-efficient and electric cars.

[grellis]

If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.

Quick note to all, I'm taking a "Gone fishin'" day tomorrow so I'll probably pile on the pings Friday morning.

[GatorGirl]

Guys I know take good care of their trucks, but they haul stuff too.

The best off-roading vehicles are old Broncos, full size Blazers, and Jeeps. Those are usually all beat up and mudded up around here.

Of course they race school buses in these parts so we’re pretty red.

But there’s a reason a Suburban is called a Suburban!! LOL!

[meatloaf]

That’s why by the end of the year I hope to have a Ford pickup converted to run on natural gas along with gasoline. I get free gas so all I need is the compressor for home fillups. If gasoline hits $8 per gal. Obama is dead politically. Any optimism on the part of consumers will be history. There will be no economic recovery.

[jenk]

well, Ford, I guess this is just like when my dad threw me in the pond and yelled “Sink or Swim!”

[jenk]

will we see “ping pile ping” on Friday?

[Lancey Howard]

I’m sure the Japanese will gladly fill the void and sell real Americans the trucks and SUVs they want.

[grellis]

will we see “ping pile ping” on Friday?

I'll try to avoid it. A lot depends on how well the fish are biting today. I have a meeting tonight so I can't catch up then.

[commish]

Did anyone actually read the article and understand what For is doing before spouting all the nonsense I am reading here?

Of course not, it was easier to just go off on a tangent and blabber about Government conspiracies and crap.

This is a simple business decision — FORD IS SELLING LESS SUV’s than they were, and has a new line of cars they want to build.

This plant is being retooled to build the newer cars for Ford to REMAIN COMPETITIVE in the current market.

The SUV’s are already being built in plants in Kentucky, Kansas City, etc -— AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE BUILT! But in a volume that represents the current market.

And the F-150, 250, 350 is GOING NOWHERE!!!! It is the best selling line Ford has and will continue to be.