Ford Culls Mondeo.

[csv8]

"Ford will further reduce its range of models, with the Mondeo set to be the next on the chopping block.

The news comes after Volkswagen’s announcement in June that it will likely join forces with Ford to strengthen both companies’ overall performance in the commercial vehicle arena, and Ford's plans to cut underperforming models such as the mid-sized Mondeo from its range.

News agency Rueters reported this week that Ford of Europe will cut the Mondeo, as well as the Galaxy and S-Max people movers that share the same mid-sized underpinnings, from its line-up, potentially as soon as next year." https://m.drive.com.au/motor-news/fo...ls-119366.html

[IanC]

Until Ford officially announce it its a rumour. Quite a plausible one but still a rumour which Ford has denied.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/n...d-model-axings

Big sedans and estates seem to be vanishing more is the pity.

[jpd80]

Ford Europe's July sales of Mondeo were just 5,100 and 34,100 for year to date,
that's down 4.100 from last year. A long, long way form the days of 300,000 a year.

I think Ford should try a near sedan with a Crossover not unlike a BMW X6
If based on the new RWD/AWD CD6, think it could prove to be quite clever....

[SpoolMan]

https://www.caradvice.com.au/682056/...death-reports/

[jpd80]

Unlike American production, the current Mondeois produced at Ford's Valenca, Spain plant
along with five other different models. maybe Ford's proactive consolidation a few years ago
was enough to give it enough savings to support lower but richer sales mix compared to Fusion.

[Sprintey]

What are Australian sales per month? In the 100-200 range?

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

What are Australian sales per month? In the 100-200 range?

Was 300-400 but has dropped down into the 200's lately, but it is getting pretty old now. The update, if it comes here, should help but mid size cars are dying a slow death.

[EBSXR6]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

mid size cars are dying a slow death.

I read an article that about how bad sales are in the USA for mid size cars, when Toyota released the latest Camry it was on a 0% finance offer.

[jpd80]

I posted these figures on GM US website, caused a bit of concern

Chevrolet Cars...Aug '18.........Aug '17....Aug %
Bolt........................1,168............2,107 ......-44.6%
Camaro..................3,779...........5,017 ......-24.7%
Caprice (I).....................2................60.......-96.7%
Corvette..................1,574...........1,748... ...-10.0%
Cruze ...................10,106..........16,500......-38.8%
Impala.....................4,253............9,452 .....-55.0%
Malibu....................12,571.........22,725... ....-44.7%
Sonic.......................1,839............2,181 .......-15.7%
Spark (I)..................1,850............1,855 ........-0.3%
SS (I).............................1................2 27........-99.6%
Volt..........................1,789.............1, 445.........23.8%

[jpd80]

Ford Cars...........Aug '18..........Aug '17....Aug %
C-Max....................377............1,714....-78.0%
Fiesta..................3,938............4,247.... ..-7.3%
Focus.................8,978.........12,850.....-30.1%
Fusion..............11,286.........17,378......-35.1%
GT............................14................13 ........7.7%
Mustang................7,487............5,535..... .35.3%
Taurus..................3,036............2,903.... ....4.6%
Total Ford car....35,116..........44,640.....-21.3%

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by EBSXR6

I read an article that about how bad sales are in the USA for mid size cars, when Toyota released the latest Camry it was on a 0% finance offer.

The latest model camry is so terrible looking, looks like an uglier, bigger version of the nissan pulsar. They'd have to offer a negative or zero interest rates for anyone to consider driving such a monstrosity

[anobserver]

I've long wondered whether Mondeo sales figures here are a reflection of the poor model range offered. Yes everybody wants an SUV, but look at the mid size sedans and hatches offered as an alternative.

A diesel. No turbo petrol. No hot Awd version, like the twin turbo 2.7l available for not too much longer in the US.

Doubtless Ford would cite figures showing how costly it would be to offer more models due to parts, serving and maintenance overheads. But to offer a dull as dishwater range is to effectively timely limit the models appeal so much that it it appeals to noone.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by anobserver

I've long wondered whether Mondeo sales figures here are a reflection of the poor model range offered. Yes everybody wants an SUV, but look at the mid size sedans and hatches offered as an alternative.

A diesel. No turbo petrol. No hot Awd version, like the twin turbo 2.7l available for not too much longer in the US.

Doubtless Ford would cite figures showing how costly it would be to offer more models due to parts, serving and maintenance overheads. But to offer a dull as dishwater range is to effectively timely limit the models appeal so much that it it appeals to noone.

There are two levels of turbo petrol engines in the Mondeo. A 149kw version for Ambiente hatch and a 177kw version for Trend and Titanium hatch.

Going by the pathetic sales numbers of the similar in concept Holden Insignia VXR, a Mondeo ST wouldn't be worth the effort for Ford.

Mondeo doesn't sell in this market because the segment is a dying. Ford also don't pursue fleet sales (Toyota Camry) or bribe dealers to artificially increase sales numbers (ZB Commodore) for the Mondeo.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

mid size cars are dying a slow death.

Not necessarily,
but what do you call mid size?
Cars we previously considered small, have grown over the years, as has their list of features. So a "Family Car" is now something like a Mazda 3.
Plus every man and his dog wants to drive an SUV, even when its literally just the same fwd juice box with taller body.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

The latest model camry is so terrible looking, looks like an uglier, bigger version of the nissan pulsar. They'd have to offer a negative or zero interest rates for anyone to consider driving such a monstrosity

Before Trump imposed import tariffs, the head of Toyota was warning Toyota North America
that costs were increasing and in a familiar move, suggested that importing Camry would be
cheaper than building them there. Fortunately, tariffs seem to have saved the US plant for now..

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Not necessarily,
but what do you call mid size?
Cars we previously considered small, have grown over the years, as has their list of features. So a "Family Car" is now something like a Mazda 3.

Mazda 3 is still considered a small car (compact) and Mazda 2 a light car (subcompact)

Plus every man and his dog wants to drive an SUV, even when its literally just the same fwd juice box with taller body.

Strangely, the SUV that replaces a Mid Sized car is usually a Compact SUV
Mazda 6-----> Mazda CX-5 (Mazda 3 based)

and the SUV that replaces a compact car is based on a subcompact.
Mazda 3-----> Mazda CX-3 (Mazda 2 based)

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Mazda 3 is still considered a small car

No, and that's the issue.
If you go back a fair way, companies tended to have only a few models, each different, and in distinct market segments.
Now, not only is there increased competition from Korean and Chinese brands, even a single manufacturer has multiple overlapping models, and they are splitting hairs to put them in different categories.

The specific problem Toyota has, is that for decades they have ignored the fundamental problems with their cars. Namely that they are overpriced, boring, bland, and appeal mostly to people over the age of 70. They have traded on their reputation for quality, reliability, and resale. Unfortunately everyone else has caught up.

The problem with the Mondeo is similar.
I actually like the Mondeo wagon for a particular segment, and may yet wind up with one in the family. It's a very "practical" car.
But that's about it. It is favoured by local councils, etc, for that reason, but is basically as boring as bat****. Families would prefer to have an SUV, and again are being spoilt for choice.

The decision to make the mainstay Mondeo a Lift-back still befuddles me. That has never been a particularly popular market segment

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

No, and that's the issue.
If you go back a fair way, companies tended to have only a few models, each different, and in distinct market segments.
Now, not only is there increased competition from Korean and Chinese brands, even a single manufacturer has multiple overlapping models, and they are splitting hairs to put them in different categories.

The specific problem Toyota has, is that for decades they have ignored the fundamental problems with their cars. Namely that they are overpriced, boring, bland, and appeal mostly to people over the age of 70. They have traded on their reputation for quality, reliability, and resale. Unfortunately everyone else has caught up.

I don't know if you've noticed lately but there's daylight between Toyota
and second place Mazda's sales in Australia, they outsell the next top four
by at least double. Their strength is the ability to offer a wide range of vehicles
that don't polarize buyers - the bland, "old man" appeal that some perceive is deliberate
to achieve lowest common denominator buyers - it bloody works.

The problem with the Mondeo is similar.
I actually like the Mondeo wagon for a particular segment, and may yet wind up with one in the family. It's a very "practical" car.
But that's about it. It is favoured by local councils, etc, for that reason, but is basically as boring as bat****. Families would prefer to have an SUV, and again are being spoilt for choice.

The problem is not Mondeo, is not Falcon, is not Taurus,
Those cars just ran out of time as buyers move on mass to SUVs.

The decision to make the mainstay Mondeo a Lift-back still befuddles me. That has never been a particularly popular market segment

The sedan was dropped from most Euro markets so not built in RHD until the Hybrid.
Sedan and Stationwagon would have worked much better here in Australia.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Sedan and Stationwagon would have worked much better here in Australia.

But liftbacks are significantly more practical than a sedan. You have a much larger boot opening in a liftback making it much easier to load bulky items without having to manoeuvre it around the fixed rear parcel shelf.

Beats me why anyone prefers a sedan over a liftback.

[hackney]

Mondeo has never sold well in this country even from it’s intro in 1992.But in all it’s “wisdom” Ford persisted with the thing.Should have been axed years ago.It is not a bad car by a long shot.Sells heaps in the UK.Aussie buying public have never really been interested in it.You cannot blame SUV sales completely,it has just not taken off way back when introduced all those years ago.It even sells less than the ZB Commodore,that has to tell Ford something.Cheers

[russellw]

Originally Posted by jpd80

The problem is not Mondeo, is not Falcon, is not Taurus,
Those cars just ran out of time as buyers move on mass to SUVs.

It's en masse to be accurate and while SUV segments have seen substantial growth, it's not been the only one. Let's have a little history lesson.

Back in 2004, the large and small segments were about the same size with 20.16% and 20.11% of the total market respectively. The light segment was a little over 9%, the medium segment 5.55% and combined SUV sales had a 19.21% share.

In 2014, the large segment had faded to just 4% while the small segment had grown to 22.5%, the light segment was up slightly to 10%, the medium segment down slightly to 4.7% and combined SUV sales had cornered 33.2% of the market.

Fast forward to this year and the large segment has just about disappeared (1.18%), the light segment (including the new micro) is down to 7.7%, medium down to 2.7% and the small segment down to 18.86% while combined SUV sales are now 45.37% of the market and combined ute sales are 19.05% when they were under 15% in 2004.

It's likely that the medium segment will continue to decline the same way the large segment did and the small segment will stabilise around the 20% mark and the light segment ends up around 5% as the micro segment also wanes. That would leave SUV's with almost 50% of the market and utes with ~20% with the other segments fighting for crumbs.

Of course, only until the next shift in consumer tastes.

[hackney]

Originally Posted by russellw

It's en masse to be accurate and while SUV segments have seen substantial growth, it's not been the only one. Let's have a little history lesson.



Of course, only until the next shift in consumer tastes.

Or until the car companies decide.That is how SUVs gained traction.

[roddy1960]

The days of everyone driving boxes on wheels are getting closer every time another sedan or hatch is deemed to be failing . hackney hit the nail on the head IMO..As each year passes we are being directed down the SUV/crossover path and Ford are a leading player in this regard. Won't be too much longer and affordable cars not SUV/crossover will be rare beasts .

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by hackney

Or until the car companies decide.That is how SUVs gained traction.

They gained traction cause they sold. If they weren't popular you wouldn't have the amount of models that are out there. They would be a small segment like the mid/large car market.

When you think about it if you have a family they are quite practical (well large ones). If your old then they are easier to get in and out.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by NX74205

But liftbacks are significantly more practical than a sedan.

Oh yes, that must be why so many people buy them, and why every manufacturer offers one in that market segment.
Oh wait...

[happy1]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Galaxy

This isn't the first time Ford have worked with VW.

Ford Galaxy was a badge engineered project from 1995 to 2006.
Some of the 'Ford' models had Ford engines and transmissions, but some of the Ford versions had VW engines too. The platform was by VW, and the model was built in Portugal. The name of the VW version was Sharan.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Oh yes, that must be why so many people buy them, and why every manufacturer offers one in that market segment.
Oh wait...

Well, it is why Ford dropped the Mondeo sedan since about 2010. People bought liftbacks amd wagons, not sedans.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by hackney

Or until the car companies decide.That is how SUVs gained traction.

I don't think that's how it works. SUV's were traditionally agricultural 4WD vehicles. car companies would have noticed the amount never taken off road.

start making them behave like a car and there's no looking back.
look at 1st gen RAV4 to now &

look at the transition from BA Wagon to Territory - Territory is a much nice car to drive.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Not necessarily,
but what do you call mid size?
Cars we previously considered small, have grown over the years, as has their list of features. So a "Family Car" is now something like a Mazda 3.
Plus every man and his dog wants to drive an SUV, even when its literally just the same fwd juice box with taller body.

Yes that is what is happening. Globally mid size cars, Mazda 6, Camry, Fusion/Mondeo, VW Passat etc are diminishing. It's a global trend.

Mazda 3 is a small car. And even small car numbers are slowly dropping too. The shift to SUV's is a real one.

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

The decision to make the mainstay Mondeo a Lift-back still befuddles me. That has never been a particularly popular market segment

They sold the Mondeo sedan and hatch alongside each other here and the hatch smashed the sedan in sales. Enough so that when the next model change occured Ford dropped the sedan.

Originally Posted by hackney

Mondeo has never sold well in this country even from it’s intro in 1992.But in all it’s “wisdom” Ford persisted with the thing.Should have been axed years ago.It is not a bad car by a long shot.Sells heaps in the UK.Aussie buying public have never really been interested in it.You cannot blame SUV sales completely,it has just not taken off way back when introduced all those years ago.It even sells less than the ZB Commodore,that has to tell Ford something.Cheers

Huh? Mondeo has regularily been number 2 or 3 in it's class in the last few years. It's really only this year it has started to drop off. Cause it's getting old.

Originally Posted by happy1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Galaxy

This isn't the first time Ford have worked with VW.

Ford Galaxy was a badge engineered project from 1995 to 2006.
Some of the 'Ford' models had Ford engines and transmissions, but some of the Ford versions had VW engines too. The platform was by VW, and the model was built in Portugal. The name of the VW version was Sharan.

From what I have heard there is still a lot of bad blood from Ford employees towards VW from these projects. Apparently VW employees acted appallingly and shafted Ford whenever they could. No idea why Ford are thinking it's a good idea now, especially with dieselgate proving VW have zero business ethics.

[hackney]

[QUOTE=Bossxr8;6187588]Yes that is what is happening. Globally mid size cars, Mazda 6, Camry, Fusion/Mondeo, VW Passat etc are diminishing. It's a global trend.








Huh? Mondeo has regularily been number 2 or 3 in it's class in the last few years. It's really only this year it has started to drop off. Cause it's getting old.

Mondeo has always ever sold in the hundereds in OZ.It has never been a big seller.As I alluded to in a previous post it should have been axed a while ago.Example:June 2009 Vfacts,356 unit’s.Hardly inspiring figures are they?At it’s peak when it was released it sold around 155,000 units across Europe.Last year it sold 55,000 odd units.In fact it’s head is on the chopping block(source Ford UK) It is not even in the top ten in the UK(& hasn’t been for quite awhile.)Tony Blair(former UK PM) gave people who drove them the nickname “Mondeo man”,but they are more likely to drive a Qashqai or C class Merc these days.Cheers