Ford drops hatches from US line up

Mustang and Focus Active to be only survivors as Ford prioritises SUVs and trucks

Yes, we understand the announcement that Ford is drastically shrinking its range in America won’t seem of paramount importance to enthusiasts in the UK. However, it certainly looks like a major move, and it could signal the start of a major shift in approach from US manufacturers.

The specific news is that all cars bar the Mustang and forthcoming Focus Active are being culled from the North American line up. So as of next year there will be no Fusion, Taurus, Fiesta, or Focus sold by Ford in the United States – that includes the current Focus RS, with absolutely no variants of the next generation Focus being taken stateside at all.

Ford had already announced that the new Fiesta ST would not be crossing the pond due to a lack of interest in the segment, but the main justification is, understandably, profit. Big trucks and SUVs generate more dollars per unit than cars, indeed Dearborn predicts that, by 2020, 90 per cent of its range will be “trucks, utilities, and commercial vehicles.” Expect more crossovers and SUVs, then, or cars that Ford describes as combining "the best attributes of cars and utilities”, as the brand switches focus. Up to five hybrid-electric SUVs as well as a hybrid Mustang are also projected to be on sale by the end of the decade, as new technologies increasingly break the link between a vehicle's size and performance and its efficiency.

While it doesn’t currently have any ramifications for the UK market, the decision by Ford does appear significant. Of course we know that trucks are popular in America, but this move demonstrates manufacturer belief that the current desire for SUVs shows no signs of abating either. With the financial implications being what they are, and bigger cars making bigger profits, it will be interesting to see if any other big players follow suit, and how the ripple effect of a US move away from regular cars impacts the global market.

"We are committed to taking the appropriate actions to drive profitable growth and maximise the returns of our business over the long term," is the view of Ford CEO Jim Hackett. With a plan to cut $5 billion in planned spending on his shoulders, it seems that now is the time for drastic measures.

Can you see Ford’s competitors following suit? Would a hybrid Mustang be of interest to you? Just think of the drag strip potential! And what should Ford's UK future look like? Over to you...