Like GM, Ford Decides They’d Better Start Producing Smaller, More Fuel-Efficient Cars
Gas Prices are Killing Large Cars and Trucks
Ford Motor Company announced today it will be scrambling to realign its North American Manufacturing operation with the realities of consumer needs today.
With gas prices above $4 / gallon, most Americans are shying away from giant gas-guzzling vehicles in favor of smaller fuel efficient models. Starting in December, Ford said it will accelerate production of new fuel efficiency technology, double their hybrid production and lineup, and downsize vehicles across the board. By 2010, Ford says 2/3 of its spending will be on small cars and crossovers, and it will pull six small European models to the US by 2012.
“While we have no intention of giving up our longtime truck leadership, we are creating a new Ford in North America on a foundation of small, fuel-efficient cars and crossovers that will set new standards for quality, fuel economy, product features and refinement,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas.
Ford will start by converting three existing truck and SUV plants into small car production facilities.
Ford will also begin implementing their “EcoBoost” technology in 2009. EcoBoost engines debuted at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, and according to Ford offer 20% better fuel economy through advancements in turbocharged direct-injection.
The company’s realignment was widely anticipated after earlier announcements of scaling back large truck and SUV production, and after Ford posted losses of $8.7 billion for the 2nd quarter of 2008.
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Via: Ford Motor Company
Photo Credit: Nrbelex via Flickr under Creative Commons License
Brilliant! Those genuises at Ford really know how to stay on top of things…
It’s about time! Perhaps China will love them too…as they love American cars…
It would be better if GM and Ford were ahead of the game rather than reacting only after they were forced to. They still have the mentality that what Detroit says the consumer should buy they will. Those days are long gone.
I think Ford is handling this better than the other two, and it will eventually pay off.
“Brilliant! Those genuises at Ford really know how to stay on top of things…”… and it stil 1995 yes? or it just 10 year too late…
it’s amazing how dim witted these folks are to just now ‘get it’!
no wonder we (the US) are sliding
Ford Decides To Start Producing More Fuel-Efficient Cars | nerdd.net…
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Yup the days of gas guzzling SUVs are long gone. I drove Suburbans until the Hummer came out then drove them until early last year, now I drive a much smaller 4 cylinder Jeep Wrangler. Im OK with 22 MPG.
JT
http://www.Ultimate-Anonymity.com
More shell games by auto makers. This is a cop-out.
All will just make smaller car’s. So when people ask we can say where trying. When all along they should have been making more hybrids. And hybrid plug-ins.
Your a little late in the game folks. Makes you think we have half-lobotomized monkey’s running the big 3 auto makers.
This was so obvious and expected that the announcement should have been delivered with the resignation of the entire board of directors. Except in New America failure has been redefined as success when it’s the bosses ass in a sling and honesty has been replaced with CYA and the unfailing illusion of never admitting mistakes.
Do not forget that these asses with the assistance of the Bush administration sued California to remove the requirement of producing electric cars about ten years ago. When they won they immediately removed their electric cars from the market. Boy that worked well.