Why It’s Okay to Let These Fords Go

Here at Kings Ford, we love our customers – while a lot of people come to us looking to buy a new vehicle, we also have some people who come in to talk about Ford and different models. Few things get us more excited than discussing Fords, so this is always a good time. Among some of our customers, we have noticed concerns about the fact that Ford has discontinued the vast majority of their car lineup. It’s understandable that saying goodbye to some of these Ford models can be difficult, but there’s no need to worry.

Ford is a business, a business that produces products for its customers – and like any other manufacturer, they have to look at what people want and are buying. At the end of the day, discontinued models really stem from a reaction to what the market shows it wants through the purchases that customers make. While we will certainly miss some of these Ford models, these changes will make Ford stronger as a company. A tighter focus on the vehicles that customers demonstrate they want means a stronger product overall.

Models You Won’t See in 2020

If you look at the lineup of 2019 Ford models in the car category right now, you will see there are four options: the Fiesta, the Fusion, the Mustang, and the Taurus. Last year, however, Ford announced that three of these would be ending their run this year. In other words, what you will not see next year are 2020 models of the Fiesta, Fusion, or Taurus. As of right now, Ford plans on continuing to support the Mustang, as well as their lineup of SUVs and trucks.

So, you might wonder why the change of direction and the end of these popular Ford models? Well, quite simply, they are not actually as popular as they used to be. In the early 2000s, cars were steadily becoming less popular; many American manufacturers gave up on producing sedans and focused on the booming SUV market instead. As gas prices surged in the 2000s, however, customers started looking for cars to help offset the cost of gas, and fuel-efficient cars became popular once again.

Over the last decade, the market has shifted again, as gas prices have fallen to a more reasonable level. Now, customers want SUVs and trucks again – as sales on cars have declined steadily. In response to this, Ford announced in 2018 that they were ending production of all their cars, other than the Mustang. While some doomsayers might see this as an indicator that the auto industry is in trouble, in reality, it is simply a company shifting focus to meet the demands of its customers. There’s nothing unusual or apocalyptic about that.

The Mustang Lives On

If you liked the Ford Taurus or the Fusion, then this is certainly bad news – but the reality is that Ford’s sale numbers clearly showed that people shopping for those cars were in the minority. The Mustang, legendary pony car that it is has continued to be popular and will be made for the foreseeable future. It helps that Mustangs are already something of a niche item in the auto industry, so no one expects them to sell to every customer that walks through the door onto a lot.

Cars like family sedans and compact models are marketed for a wide range of customers, but when people do not show up looking for them, then that means something is off. What is ultimately happening is that the market has returned to the trends that everyone saw earlier this century, now that gas prices have gone back down. The ability to quickly adapt to changing market conditions is one of the things that makes Ford a leader in the American auto industry. Setting the Mustang as its flagship car indicates they recognize that customers still want powerful sports cars, but most family vehicles have become SUVs and trucks.

Renewed Focus on SUVs and Trucks

Speaking of SUVs and trucks, it’s no secret that that’s where Ford is putting all of their focus. There are more Ford models of SUVs than ever before, and the future looks bright for this market. In 2019, there were four cars available and five different SUVs to choose from: the Ecosport, the Escape, the Edge, the Flex, and the Expedition. The 2020 Explorer has already been announced, and we’re sure more exciting SUVs, and crossovers will be revealed for next year.

The 2019 Ford Ranger has continued to be a very popular truck among a lot of our customers, and the Ford F-Series of pickups are not only the most popular Ford models on the market, but have been the highest selling vehicles since the Reagan administration. The Ford F-150 is the most popular full-size truck on the road, while the Super Duty series of trucks provide even more power and reliability for our customers that need it. In other words, the most popular Ford models from the last few years aren’t going anywhere.

Should You Be Concerned?

At the end of the day, there’s no reason to be concerned. If you love Ford cars, then yes this is going to be a difficult time to find a new vehicle – unless you’re looking for a Mustang, in which case you’re in luck. The first-quarter sales numbers at Ford, however, have been strong and show that Ford has made the right decision. Their SUV and truck sales are up over last year, while some considered the discontinuation of many of their big-name Ford models a gamble, it is already paying off.

If you prefer SUVs or trucks, as most of our customers do, then what you will find is that Ford is more committed to meeting your needs than ever before. There’s something to be said for a company having a broad range of products to work for as many customers as possible. There’s also something remarkable about a company refining its vision to provide precise support for a specific market. By taking its energy, money, and efforts away from cars that fewer and fewer people are looking to buy, Ford can focus on the SUVs and trucks that meet the needs of the deepest pool of customers. Expect to see a lot of innovation and fantastic development in this sector in the years ahead, as Ford continues to push beyond its competition.

Looking Ahead and Embracing Change

The end of something can always be a scary or sad time – even when it comes to inanimate objects like Ford models of cars. That might seem weird to some people, but our vehicles are more than just the thing we sit in to get from one place to another. We form relationships in our vehicles, watch our families grow in them, and make memories together that last the rest of our lives. For our customers who spent the last decade making those memories in a Taurus or a Fiesta, this can be a difficult time.

Ultimately, however, the key here is to embrace the changes that are happening and look at how they will positively impact our future. We can say goodbye to those Ford models that served us well for years and greet our new options with a renewed sense of optimism. Here at Kings Ford, we’re more excited than ever before to see what Ford has planned over the next few years. It might not be as many cars, but the innovations they’ll make in SUVs and trucks will be more than worth it. If an upcoming model, or even an old favorite that will continue on with Ford sparks your interest, come on down to our Cincinnati, OH dealership to speak with our experienced staff.