Ford is probably the top name when it comes to pickups. The most popular full size pickup in North America is the F150, and for good reason. You will find other pickups that sold fairly well made by Ford. The Ranger was popular in its day, however the model is being retired. The only other pickup offered by Ford, the Sport Trac, is ceasing production this year. Shortly, only the F series will remain. Ford is washing house of all non-performing brands and vehicles.
Sport Trac history no more adequate
As of October 2010, there will not be one more Sport Trac made by Ford, as outlined by the Courier-Journal. The model is being retired, after performing dismally the last few years. The Sport Trac has a cult following, but not enough to justify continued manufacture. After holding steady at 60,000 units sold from 2000 to 2005, sales kept dropping. Fewer than 6,000 are sold so far this year. Trucks smaller than full size are down as a total market segment, making up only two percent of sales for the entire auto industry. Though the models cost less at the dealership than the F150, it would cost more to keep making the Ranger and also the Sport Trac. The F150 out performs them in sales too well.
Ford washing up
Brands and models that do not sell are facing the firing line. Ford will offer less than 30 different models worldwide, according to Automotive News. In 2006, Ford offered 97. Ford has also been selling off brands it had acquired. Jaguar, Volvo, Aston Martin, and Land Rover all belong to somebody else now. Mercury will stop existing at the end of the year.
Lean, mean vehicle making machine
Ford isn’t really going to waste money on making cars that do not sell. Ford is also redesigning automobiles to share more parts. About 65 percent of the parts on the Fiesta, of which there are 10 variants offered globally, are standard on other cars as well. Ford believes the turbo V6 within the new F150 will appeal to more people.
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
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