More Ford trucks are on the road than nearly every other automaker. The most popular trucks among full size models is the F150, and there is a reason for that. It has been for some time. Ford has made other models that sold well. The Ranger was popular in its day, however the model is being retired. The only other truck Ford makes is the Sport Trac, which is ceasing production this year. Shortly, only the F series will remain. Ford is cleaning up house of all non-performing brands and cars.
Sport Trac getting shuttered
As of October 2010, there won’t be an additional Sport Trac made by Ford, as outlined by the Courier-Journal. The model is being retired, after performing dismally the last few years. Like just about any vehicle, there is a cult following for it. Nevertheless, it just isn’t enough to keep making them. After holding steady at 60,000 units sold from 2000 to 2005, sales kept dropping. This hasn’t been a great year for it either. Fewer than 6,000 have been sold so far. Smaller trucks have actually been non-performing. Only two percent of sales for the entire car industry are for small trucks. Though the models cost less at the dealership than the F150, it would cost more to keep making the Ranger and the Sport Trac. The F150 out performs them in sales too well.
Cleaning house by Ford
Ford, just like GM, is trimming away the fat. The auto maker is getting rid of models and brands that aren’t selling. Ford is paring down the models the company makes by a lot. As outlined by Automotive News, the company is trimming the lineup to fewer than 30 cars. In 2006, Ford offered 97. Since then, Jaguar, Volvo, Aston Martin and Land Rover were sold. Mercury will stop existing at the end of the year.
Move it or lose it
Ford is not going to waste cash on making automobiles that don’t sell. The business is also retooling many of its automobiles so that more parts are standard. Take the Fiesta, which has 10 variations offered worldwide. About 65 percent of the parts of that vehicle are shared with other automobiles. Ford believes the turbo V6 in the new F150 will appeal to more people.
Articles cited
Courier Journal
courier-journal.com/article/20100925/BUSINESS/309260013/1008/NEWS01/Ford to end Sport Trac production in December
Auto News
autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100927/OEM04/100929868/1257
