Where have all the Fords gone?
Discussion
When I was growing up in the 70s and 80s Fords were ubiquitous: Cortinas, Escorts, Fiestas and Granadas were everywhere. Nowadays there are still Fords on the road but they seem few and far between.
I just checked the numbers. It seems that in 1980, four of the ten best selling cars were Fords. Surprisingly the best selling car in 2024 was a Ford (Puma), but it was the only one in the top ten. However the numbers were very different. There were 190,000 Cortinas sold in 1980 compared to just over 40,000 Pumas in 2024.
Probably for the best as Fords in the 70s and 80s were a bit s
te (like most other cars of the time). I think much more choice today and a much more fragmented market.
I just checked the numbers. It seems that in 1980, four of the ten best selling cars were Fords. Surprisingly the best selling car in 2024 was a Ford (Puma), but it was the only one in the top ten. However the numbers were very different. There were 190,000 Cortinas sold in 1980 compared to just over 40,000 Pumas in 2024.
Probably for the best as Fords in the 70s and 80s were a bit s
te (like most other cars of the time). I think much more choice today and a much more fragmented market. I've also noticed this. When I was a nipper I thought the Orion looked ace and I wanted to own one when I grew up. But when I grew up I realised that there were no Fords I wanted to own, and at the time the Mustang looked a bit crap too and wasn't on sale in the UK.
British tastes have evolved massively and we are a very much a "keeping up with the Joneses" kind of society, where the car you drive says a lot about you as an owner/driver. With the advent of leasing deals making previously unattainable cars available to the masses, everyone wants to own a premium car, and Ford has never been a premium marque. So Ford has lost market share in the UK. The only people who tend to buy them these days are people who either don't care at all about cars and will buy anything that will move them from A to B, and people who want something very specific and niche that Ford makes - or used to. For example the Fiesta ST or Focus RS, or the Mustang.
I used to absolutely LOVE the Capri, but I saw the modern appliance they have called "Capri' on Ford dealer forecourt last week and I was overcome by a strong wave of dismay and disgust. No wonder nobody buys Fords any more.
British tastes have evolved massively and we are a very much a "keeping up with the Joneses" kind of society, where the car you drive says a lot about you as an owner/driver. With the advent of leasing deals making previously unattainable cars available to the masses, everyone wants to own a premium car, and Ford has never been a premium marque. So Ford has lost market share in the UK. The only people who tend to buy them these days are people who either don't care at all about cars and will buy anything that will move them from A to B, and people who want something very specific and niche that Ford makes - or used to. For example the Fiesta ST or Focus RS, or the Mustang.
I used to absolutely LOVE the Capri, but I saw the modern appliance they have called "Capri' on Ford dealer forecourt last week and I was overcome by a strong wave of dismay and disgust. No wonder nobody buys Fords any more.
Problem is Ford Europe is the massively missed the way the market was going. The now only selling 5 car models and two of those are warmed up VWs.
Kia sell 12 (2 of those are just about to go on sale) with further models on the way. Even MG have a wider range of cars than Ford.
Out of the current Fords on sale, I can't think of why you would choose one over the competition, other than convenience.
Kia sell 12 (2 of those are just about to go on sale) with further models on the way. Even MG have a wider range of cars than Ford.
Out of the current Fords on sale, I can't think of why you would choose one over the competition, other than convenience.
Silvanus said:
Problem is Ford Europe is the massively missed the way the market was going. The now only selling 5 car models and two of those are warmed up VWs.
Kia sell 12 (2 of those are just about to go on sale) with further models on the way. Even MG have a wider range of cars than Ford.
Out of the current Fords on sale, I can't think of why you would choose one over the competition, other than convenience.
The Puma is worth having over most of its rivals - certainly much nicer to drive than all the rest and does ok on the practicality and comfort side too. It's also the best selling car in the UK at the moment, so they haven't got everything wrong.Kia sell 12 (2 of those are just about to go on sale) with further models on the way. Even MG have a wider range of cars than Ford.
Out of the current Fords on sale, I can't think of why you would choose one over the competition, other than convenience.
However, Ford as a whole now falls into the gaps between badge snobbery (beaten by VW, Audi, BMW etc), cheapness (beaten by MG, Citroen and Dacia) and expected high reliability (beaten by Kia and Toyota).
Well, a) there is a lot more competition these days as you say, and b) they've decided to stop chasing the mass market sectors and seem to have more of a niche offering these days.
Ford are unusual in the current market as a manufacturer that they are not part of a larger 'group', which can't help. At the moment they just seem to be buying VW tech and re-bodying it, not great really. Shame, we are a two Ford household and they have been good cars - good to drive, well built and pretty reliable over the last 10-12 years... But getting on a bit now and not likely to be replaced with Fords.
The new Capri is horrible. I haven't seen one on the road, but in the showroom it seemed massive and weirdly proportioned.
Ford are unusual in the current market as a manufacturer that they are not part of a larger 'group', which can't help. At the moment they just seem to be buying VW tech and re-bodying it, not great really. Shame, we are a two Ford household and they have been good cars - good to drive, well built and pretty reliable over the last 10-12 years... But getting on a bit now and not likely to be replaced with Fords.
The new Capri is horrible. I haven't seen one on the road, but in the showroom it seemed massive and weirdly proportioned.
FilH said:
I own two, a 1990 Sierra and a 2005 Mondeo.
We have owned 9 Fords from Fiesta to Mustang.We currently have 3 Fords
Ford Kuga PHEV
Ford Explorer EV
Ford Puma MHEV
The Puma is a courtesy car from the dealer while we wait 3 weeks for the Explorer EV to be fixed after our first Explorer EV broke after 185 miles and was reacquired by Ford.
Oh and apparently the Kuga PHEV can't be "plugged in" while Ford work on a software fix.
SkodaIan said:
Silvanus said:
Problem is Ford Europe is the massively missed the way the market was going. The now only selling 5 car models and two of those are warmed up VWs.
Kia sell 12 (2 of those are just about to go on sale) with further models on the way. Even MG have a wider range of cars than Ford.
Out of the current Fords on sale, I can't think of why you would choose one over the competition, other than convenience.
The Puma is worth having over most of its rivals - certainly much nicer to drive than all the rest and does ok on the practicality and comfort side too. It's also the best selling car in the UK at the moment, so they haven't got everything wrong.Kia sell 12 (2 of those are just about to go on sale) with further models on the way. Even MG have a wider range of cars than Ford.
Out of the current Fords on sale, I can't think of why you would choose one over the competition, other than convenience.
However, Ford as a whole now falls into the gaps between badge snobbery (beaten by VW, Audi, BMW etc), cheapness (beaten by MG, Citroen and Dacia) and expected high reliability (beaten by Kia and Toyota).
I was a bit of a Ford fan in the 70s, 80s and early 90s. My last one was a Sierra Sapphire.
But mine were all RWD and later Fords weren't so I had a few Mercedes until I moved on to BMWs.
The only current Ford I would want is a manual Mustang GT Fastback.
All their other offerings seem to be the same sort of cross-over, SUV tat all other manufacturers are selling.
.
But mine were all RWD and later Fords weren't so I had a few Mercedes until I moved on to BMWs.
The only current Ford I would want is a manual Mustang GT Fastback.
All their other offerings seem to be the same sort of cross-over, SUV tat all other manufacturers are selling.
.As a ford tech im staggered in what ford are trying to acheive. They have 3 cars all pretty much filling the same market, with 2 being pretty much the same car underneath. The puma is disgusting in every way and the ev one is even worse. The kuga has a list of issues that are still causing issue it drives like a fking boat. The best car fiesta well lets get rid of that and do same with focus.
The only good thing atm is the ranger and transit but even then the transit seems to be plagued with software issues since the merger with vw commerical vehicles. The dealer network is fking trash and are scamming wkers in the most part but thats a dealer issue. Ford are also massively cutting its dealer numbers across the country. Been up to the training centre and we were told by the course teachers say what you want about the capri etc in the class rooms but be careful what you say in the main hall specially around big managers as they dont like it when ford employees attack ford products.
If money was no object the only ford vehicle i be having would be a ranger/raptor everything else can sit in the lots for all i care. Edit actually be a gtd mustang but thats about as much a ford as what the new ford tourneo connect is.
king boat. The best car fiesta well lets get rid of that and do same with focus. The only good thing atm is the ranger and transit but even then the transit seems to be plagued with software issues since the merger with vw commerical vehicles. The dealer network is f
king trash and are scamming wkers in the most part but thats a dealer issue. Ford are also massively cutting its dealer numbers across the country. Been up to the training centre and we were told by the course teachers say what you want about the capri etc in the class rooms but be careful what you say in the main hall specially around big managers as they dont like it when ford employees attack ford products. If money was no object the only ford vehicle i be having would be a ranger/raptor everything else can sit in the lots for all i care. Edit actually be a gtd mustang but thats about as much a ford as what the new ford tourneo connect is.
Jader1973 said:
One poster “Puma was the best selling car in 2024”.
Another poster “the car hire company had lots of them”.
That’s the catch: “Best selling” actually means “most registered”. I suspect private sales may be pretty low.
Indeed, same story for the MG HS. Hire fleets have bought thousands of them, along with the ones that go through Motability. I've had 5 MG HS's as long term hire vehicles, not a chance in hell I'd pay cash for one with my own money. Puma was to most disappointing car I've driven in a very long time.Another poster “the car hire company had lots of them”.
That’s the catch: “Best selling” actually means “most registered”. I suspect private sales may be pretty low.
MG CHRIS said:
As a ford tech im staggered in what ford are trying to acheive. They have 3 cars all pretty much filling the same market, with 2 being pretty much the same car underneath. The puma is disgusting in every way and the ev one is even worse. The kuga has a list of issues that are still causing issue it drives like a fking boat. The best car fiesta well lets get rid of that and do same with focus.
The only good thing atm is the ranger and transit but even then the transit seems to be plagued with software issues since the merger with vw commerical vehicles. The dealer network is fking trash and are scamming wkers in the most part but thats a dealer issue. Ford are also massively cutting its dealer numbers across the country. Been up to the training centre and we were told by the course teachers say what you want about the capri etc in the class rooms but be careful what you say in the main hall specially around big managers as they dont like it when ford employees attack ford products.
If money was no object the only ford vehicle i be having would be a ranger/raptor everything else can sit in the lots for all i care. Edit actually be a gtd mustang but thats about as much a ford as what the new ford tourneo connect is.
Can't disagree with any of that. The obsession with huge touch screens pisses me off too. I've just jumped in a Transit to check all's working before I get it delivered it and fking boat. The best car fiesta well lets get rid of that and do same with focus. The only good thing atm is the ranger and transit but even then the transit seems to be plagued with software issues since the merger with vw commerical vehicles. The dealer network is f
king trash and are scamming wkers in the most part but thats a dealer issue. Ford are also massively cutting its dealer numbers across the country. Been up to the training centre and we were told by the course teachers say what you want about the capri etc in the class rooms but be careful what you say in the main hall specially around big managers as they dont like it when ford employees attack ford products. If money was no object the only ford vehicle i be having would be a ranger/raptor everything else can sit in the lots for all i care. Edit actually be a gtd mustang but thats about as much a ford as what the new ford tourneo connect is.
k me! Couldn't find the volume screen, aircon is a fiddly mess and I gave up trying to connect the Carplay. And what's with the screen on the Custom pointing towards the passenger?Don’t the rangers and transits have wet belts that destroy the engine at 4 years old? 
Quality.
One occasional thought that crosses my mind is, once they could make a reasonably handling fwd car eg the focus, why in subsequent years do they manage to make cars that handle like turds? Surely once you know the geometry that works, using geometry that doesn’t is pretty stupid. One of life’s mysteries.
Also in answer to the op the steel quality was diabolical and so most of them rusted to st and are scrapped. Good riddance. Not sure about more modern fords, maybe they improved the steel protection but decided to make the engines (wetbelts as above) the thing that grenades. Probably all deliberate.
Quality.One occasional thought that crosses my mind is, once they could make a reasonably handling fwd car eg the focus, why in subsequent years do they manage to make cars that handle like turds? Surely once you know the geometry that works, using geometry that doesn’t is pretty stupid. One of life’s mysteries.
Also in answer to the op the steel quality was diabolical and so most of them rusted to s
t and are scrapped. Good riddance. Not sure about more modern fords, maybe they improved the steel protection but decided to make the engines (wetbelts as above) the thing that grenades. Probably all deliberate.Edited by CoolHands on Sunday 4th May 10:44
twing said:
MG CHRIS said:
As a ford tech im staggered in what ford are trying to acheive. They have 3 cars all pretty much filling the same market, with 2 being pretty much the same car underneath. The puma is disgusting in every way and the ev one is even worse. The kuga has a list of issues that are still causing issue it drives like a fking boat. The best car fiesta well lets get rid of that and do same with focus.
The only good thing atm is the ranger and transit but even then the transit seems to be plagued with software issues since the merger with vw commerical vehicles. The dealer network is fking trash and are scamming wkers in the most part but thats a dealer issue. Ford are also massively cutting its dealer numbers across the country. Been up to the training centre and we were told by the course teachers say what you want about the capri etc in the class rooms but be careful what you say in the main hall specially around big managers as they dont like it when ford employees attack ford products.
If money was no object the only ford vehicle i be having would be a ranger/raptor everything else can sit in the lots for all i care. Edit actually be a gtd mustang but thats about as much a ford as what the new ford tourneo connect is.
Can't disagree with any of that. The obsession with huge touch screens pisses me off too. I've just jumped in a Transit to check all's working before I get it delivered it and fking boat. The best car fiesta well lets get rid of that and do same with focus. The only good thing atm is the ranger and transit but even then the transit seems to be plagued with software issues since the merger with vw commerical vehicles. The dealer network is f
king trash and are scamming wkers in the most part but thats a dealer issue. Ford are also massively cutting its dealer numbers across the country. Been up to the training centre and we were told by the course teachers say what you want about the capri etc in the class rooms but be careful what you say in the main hall specially around big managers as they dont like it when ford employees attack ford products. If money was no object the only ford vehicle i be having would be a ranger/raptor everything else can sit in the lots for all i care. Edit actually be a gtd mustang but thats about as much a ford as what the new ford tourneo connect is.
k me! Couldn't find the volume screen, aircon is a fiddly mess and I gave up trying to connect the Carplay. And what's with the screen on the Custom pointing towards the passenger?CoolHands said:
Don’t the rangers and transits have wet belts that destroy the engine at 4 years old? Quality.
One occasional thought that crosses my mind is, once they could make a reasonably handling fwd car eg the focus, why in subsequent years do they manage to make cars that handle like turds? Surely once you know the geometry that works, using geometry that doesn’t is pretty stupid. One of life’s mysteries.
Also in answer to the op the steel quality was diabolical and so most of them rusted to st and are scrapped. Good riddance. Not sure about more modern fords, maybe they improved the steel protection but decided to make the engines (wetbelts as above) the thing that grenades. Probably all deliberate.
They have wet belts but issues mainly been sorted. Most issues is down to lack of servicing or using s Quality.One occasional thought that crosses my mind is, once they could make a reasonably handling fwd car eg the focus, why in subsequent years do they manage to make cars that handle like turds? Surely once you know the geometry that works, using geometry that doesn’t is pretty stupid. One of life’s mysteries.
Also in answer to the op the steel quality was diabolical and so most of them rusted to s
t and are scrapped. Good riddance. Not sure about more modern fords, maybe they improved the steel protection but decided to make the engines (wetbelts as above) the thing that grenades. Probably all deliberate.Edited by CoolHands on Sunday 4th May 10:44
t oil. Have had transits over 200k with original belts, short mileage kills them though. Rangers main issue is the 10 speed auto gearbox god knows what ford were thinking putting that thing into a ranger specially when the 6 speed box was so strong and never went wrong.Corporate self destruction with pushing people into the 1 litre ecoboom.
Had they still be making a Focus 2litre ecoblue (was my company car 2019 till 2023) and a Kuga with the same engine that would be 2 cars on my drive.
Instead I I opted out the company car for a 2023 Citroen C5 Aircross 1.5hdi and when the 2015 Kuga 2.0tdci goes or dies I don't know what I'll replace it with might be French, Japanese or Korean....
I'm aware of wet belt problems, but nothing extended warranty cant sort out. My main point is everyday reliability and power.
Had they still be making a Focus 2litre ecoblue (was my company car 2019 till 2023) and a Kuga with the same engine that would be 2 cars on my drive.
Instead I I opted out the company car for a 2023 Citroen C5 Aircross 1.5hdi and when the 2015 Kuga 2.0tdci goes or dies I don't know what I'll replace it with might be French, Japanese or Korean....
I'm aware of wet belt problems, but nothing extended warranty cant sort out. My main point is everyday reliability and power.
Edited by PisstNBroke on Wednesday 7th May 14:49
Fords used to be cheaper than the competition which made up for their crap interiors and love of rust, now all cars seem to be the same price but ford have continued with the crap interiors and ecoboom engines, for instance a focus ST Line with 155bhp is £31,410 and a golf R line is 150bhp and £31,350, and that’s before you account for the extra kit such as adaptive cruise control being standard on the golf
They drive pretty much the same as everything now, people have moved onto Kia’s and MGs as cheap cars. Fleets have deserted them as the popularity of the mondeo segment disappeared altogether.
Only one plug in hybrid in the kuga, no fiesta anymore and their electric models are nothing special compared to anything else out there
Crap residuals meaning they have a higher PCP cost than their rivals.
They drive pretty much the same as everything now, people have moved onto Kia’s and MGs as cheap cars. Fleets have deserted them as the popularity of the mondeo segment disappeared altogether.
Only one plug in hybrid in the kuga, no fiesta anymore and their electric models are nothing special compared to anything else out there
Crap residuals meaning they have a higher PCP cost than their rivals.
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