Ford is probably the top name when it comes to trucks. For a long time, the F150 has been probably the most popular full-sized pickup. . The Ford Ranger, soon to retire, was also a popular model for a when. The only other truck Ford makes is the Sport Trac, which is ceasing production this year. All brands and automobiles under the Ford banner are being done away with, and shortly only the F series will stay.
Sport Trac closing down
By the end of October, 2010, Ford won’t make another Sport Trac, as outlined by the Courier-Journal. The model just is not selling. That’s why Ford is jettisoning the model. Like just about any auto, 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. Small pickup trucks are a declining market segment, making up only two percent of all auto sales. 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.
Ford cleans house
Brands and models that don’t sell are facing the firing line. Ford is paring down the models the business makes by a lot. As outlined by Automotive News, the business is trimming the lineup to fewer than 30 cars. That is a significant reduction. In 2006, Ford had 97 models on offer. Since then, Jaguar, Volvo, Aston Martin and Land Rover were sold. Mercury will stop existing at the end of the year.
Slim and mean
Why keep making automobiles that don’t sell? Ford isn’t really. Ford is also redesigning cars to share more parts. The Fiesta, which has 10 versions offered worldwide, shares 65 percent of its parts with other Ford automobiles. There will not be a truck offered by Ford more small than the F150 by the end of next year, as Ford believes the turbo V6 within the new F150 will appeal to more customers.
Citations
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
