More Ford trucks are on the road than nearly every other automaker. The most popular full size pickup in North The United States is the F150, and for good reason. Ford has made other models that sold well. The Ford Ranger was quite popular for a while. However, the Ranger is being retired after 2011. The only other truck Ford makes is the Sport Trac, which is ceasing production this year. Only the F series is going to stay within the Ford truck line, as the automaker is washing house.
Sport Trac will cease to be
By the end of October, 2010, Ford won’t make another Sport Trac, as outlined by the Courier-Journal. The model is being retired, after performing dismally the last few years. Like just about any car, there is a cult following for it. However, it just isn’t enough to keep making them. Initially offered in 2000, sales held steady for several years at around 60,000, however afterward steadily declined afterward. Fewer than 6,000 are sold so far this year. Small pickup trucks are a declining market segment, making up only two percent of all auto sales. The F150 performs so much better in sales that it would cost more to keep making the Ranger and the Sport Trac.
Ford cleaning up house
Ford Motor Co. is getting rid of every brand and automobile that does not sell well. According to Automotive News, Ford is paring its offerings down to no fewer than 30 autos. That is a substantial reduction. In 2006, Ford had 97 models on offer. Ford has also been selling off brands it had acquired. Jaguar, Volvo, Aston Martin, and Land Rover all belong to someone else now. Mercury will stop existing at the end of the year.
Lean and mean
Why keep making vehicles that do not sell? Ford isn’t really. Ford is also redesigning autos to share more parts. Take the Fiesta, which has 10 variations offered worldwide. About 65 percent of the parts of that car are shared with other automobiles. Ford is also getting rid of pickup trucks that do not sell. After next year, the smallest pickup Ford will offer is the F150, and also the company can be emphasizing the turbo V6.
Information from
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
