RSS RSS Twitter Twitter
Leftlane - news, reviews, and info for the auto-industry
 
 

Ford losing thousands on current Focus; New model in 2008…

06/09/2006, 2:56 PM

By admin

In May, Ford sold an impressive 20,000 Focus compacts. Unfortunately, it lost $4,000 to $5,000 on each unit it sold, reports BusinessWeek. The report attributes the loss to “high labor costs and tired product design.” The report indicates that Ford will rectify the problem by offering a new Focus in 2008. Instead of building it in the United States, it will be built in Mexico. (On June 1, Leftlane brought you exclusive spy shots of the much-praised European Ford Focus in testing in Mexico). Ford should have brought a new Mexico-built Euro Focus to America when it had the chance in 2004, says BW. “Ford clearly thought Americans were too dumb to realize they were getting an old car,” the magazine said. The article also reiterates reports that Ford’s 2008 lineup will include the Bronco subcompact.

    Print This Post

New car price quote

Zero obligation price quote from a trusted local dealer.
 
 

06/09, 2:59 PM

posted by:

Carnese

Where are those “dumb pricks” like Chad and his gang of Anonymous morons to extoll the virtues of American coporate mangement?

06/09, 3:00 PM

posted by:

Sharkeeshah Sheneequah Shi-Thead (its Shutheed)

Cynical marketing will come back and bite you in the ass Ford. Didn’t the Pinto debacle teach you anything?
you deserve to go broke.

06/09, 3:07 PM

posted by:

aj

I don’t believe labor costs are really that high. A neighbor of mine employed by GM has mentioned more than once that labor/parts for the previous generation GP was around 8K. Sticker was well over 20k. Tell me how (and why) Ford lost $4-5000 on each Focus. I just don’t believe it.

06/09, 3:10 PM

posted by:

Sharkeeshah Sheneequah Shi-Thead (its Shutheed)

marketing cost per sale was probably very high and warranty claims would have been enormous
incentives were needed for every sale

06/09, 3:12 PM

posted by:

Sharkeeshah Sheneequah Shi-Thead (its Shutheed)

I don’t inderstand the tired product design as a reason for the loss. All development costs should have been amortized long ago.

06/09, 3:14 PM

posted by:

Toy Yoda

Chad and his posse of Anonymous morons are too busy taking off their “Made in China” labels and gluing on their Ford “Made in Mexico” labels because it so much more American to do so.

06/09, 3:15 PM

posted by:

Mike

well, at least it appears that Ford confirmed they are pissing away another classic nameplate.

The bronco that would sell:
solid frame, V6 and V8, solid axles, removable hard and soft top, body style mimicking the 68 bronco, low range t-case

the bronco we get:
rebodied festiva.

sooo many names in their history that fit, and they piss on a ledgend.

06/09, 3:15 PM

posted by:

manny

ford! euro focus. here. NOW.

06/09, 3:23 PM

posted by:

Rick M

Another example of the retardo administration at Ford royally farking up their business. To cheap and shortsighted to bring over their new-generation Focus, they are now forced to offer massive incentives and fleet sales to keep their plants going. Meanwhile, a new Civic, loaded with cutting edge technology and design, actually sells 20% more units, at or above sticker price. I cannot believe how incessantly stupid Bill Ford and his minions have proven. What a total friggin disaster than man has become.

06/09, 3:26 PM

posted by:

Sharkeeshah Sheneequah Shi-Thead (its Shutheed)

Americans, The Truth.

YOUR FAVORITE DOMESTIC NAMEPLATE MANUFACTURERS THINK YOU ARE DUMBASSES AND PLAY YOU FOR SUCKERS.

06/09, 3:27 PM

posted by:

ss

How is the bronco a subcompact??? in pictures it looks maybe Jeep Liberty size or larger. Ford NEEDS to build the Reflex…the Euro Focus is a good start though

06/09, 3:31 PM

posted by:

Michael Spadaro

Memo to Ford: the jig is up. Bring the Euro Focus here. NOW.

06/09, 3:37 PM

posted by:

Chode Boy

Just why is the Reflex so Special?
Ford needs to sort out its potential big sellers

Focus, Fusion, 500

I suggest

Euro Fiesta and B-Max. Euro Focus (all models) Euro Mondeo and S-Max and Galaxy leavinf US engineers to do what they do best a large rear drive replacement for the the 500 Crown Victoria. Style it in Europe though.

06/09, 3:42 PM

posted by:

Zan

Maybe because peopel can get a fully loaded Focus that should be 18k for 13k. The truth is that its better for them to sell cars at a loss then to ot sell them. The machine must keep moving.

Lets hope they keep improving

06/09, 3:42 PM

posted by:

Name Withheld By Request

#2 labor is typically 12% of the cost and parts make up about 65%…..the remainder is indirect material, freight, warranty, etc.

06/09, 4:03 PM

posted by:

peter

“The new cars will arrive five years after Toyota Motor Corp. (TM ) launched the Scion brand to go after the same market and three years after Chrysler (DCX ) knocked out three new models to beat up on the Focus.”

Uhh…what Chrysler cars are beating up the focus?

06/09, 4:19 PM

posted by:

mohammed

the caliber, jeep compass and the jeep patroit for a start.

06/09, 4:22 PM

posted by:

Anonymous

HA HA HA Not only does Ford think that they can make money out of nothing by siung anyone using the mustang name, By selling the same car with a few modifications but THEY ALSO THINK ALL AMERICANS ARE A BUNCH OF DUMB ASSES WHO CAN’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OLD AND NEW. ANYONE WHO BUYS A FORD MUCH BE

06/09, 4:24 PM

posted by:

Mike

I think they are referring the the:
Caliber: Unabashfully Ugly, in fact it flaunts it’s ugliness well.
Compass: I know a number of tampons that wouldn’t even want to be seen in this thing.
Patriot: What happens when you cross a Neon with a XJ Cherokee?

I will never understand why ford allows its own name to squander while pouring $ and product development into Volvo, Mazda, and other subsidiaries.

06/09, 5:05 PM

posted by:

Chode Boy

The Caliber is a dressed up Neon with a crappy interior and no sophistication.
Nobody likes the Compass and it isn’t gonna sell.

06/09, 8:04 PM

posted by:

Phil

It took Ford this long to realize that Americans don’t want a ****ty washed-up product rather than the new stuff their European counterparts are getting?!

06/09, 9:24 PM

posted by:

Nick

Hopefully Ford will bring the Euro Focus here so they can move the Focus line up (in size and price) and then bring the Fiesta to fill the lower size/price market.

06/09, 10:09 PM

posted by:

Master Rebater

Hopefully is an adverb, you can travel hopefully i.e with hope. I think you meant with luck.

06/10, 5:37 AM

posted by:

mohammed

I would rather go with any vehicle from the chrysler group as they seem to know what customers want. Small efficient cars compared to ford who just want to knock out the same car for decade with minor modifications whicle GM only have time to improve one car and thats the vette. Explains why they doing so badly.

06/10, 1:42 PM

posted by:

stick

Hey Choade Boy. The Caliber is already outselling the Neon by a rather large margin

06/10, 7:59 PM

posted by:

Anonymous

Maybe they should focus (no pun intended) more on producing good cars and less on supporting questionable social issues.

06/11, 2:21 AM

posted by:

canut4ever

Bringing in the Euro-Focus is a no brainer, what took them so long? Instead using money to update the US Focus and spending more on incentives on it, they should have brought it in earlier. And maybe consider the next- gen Mondeo to instead of the hohum Ford Fusion to battle it out with the Japanese.

06/12, 3:17 AM

posted by:

bingethinker

My local Ford dealership had radio ads where they emphasized how much Mazda technology there is in the Fusion and some other vehicle I don’t remember the name of.

Think about that. “Really, they’re not totally Fords, they’re not as crappy as you think they are. Please buy our POS vehicles, PULLLEEEEEEZ!”

They’re doomed.

06/12, 1:37 PM

posted by:

robert susanka

After reading all your comments, I agree what is Ford thinking, Americans want the latest and hottest from Ford not left overs. During the 60s Ford was doing things the right way High performance, awesome looks and honest value. Now it seems their outsorcing all the cars, and thats ok but dont make a big deal about it, hell they all do that. The dealerships need attention and should take on some pride because they look just the way they did 30 years ago.
How long can you bleed Ford? and why? is the management so inept it cant see the industry? Why are you continually dumping money into the P.A.G cars and draining Ford? Why do you think people want Jaguar or land rover or austin martin? I cant think of one enthusiast that finds Jaguar or land rover appealing, they died twenty years ago. Isnt land rover a conflict of interest to Ford trucks? Friends we are systematically seeing one of greatist american companys being taken apart by poor amnagement. Stop chaceing and invent new segments but listen to the car guys not bean counters. As for maintianing the F series lead can you afford to let Ranger go? Its still the best small truck but its needs revamping, grab this market before its too late, hell its still the leader in MPG and has an eccellent reputation. And finnaly How about a new ad campaing and I dont want any money for this one ” FORD think of us as a truck company that also makes cars. BUILT FORD TOUGH! rs.

06/13, 7:37 AM

posted by:

JohnnyBlazE

God bless Ford Europe :)

 
 
You need to log in with your user name and password before you can leave comments.

    

Forgot your Password?

Don't have a user name yet? Simply fill in the form below and click the link provided in the
confirmation email. You must supply a valid email address to complete the registration process.

  
 
 
 
 
  • Login
  • About
  • Contact
Please note that you need to log in with your user name and password before you can leave comments.
  

login
cancel
Forgot your Password?
Don't have a user name yet? Click here to register now.

Simply fill in the form below and click the link provided in the confirmation email. You must supply a valid email address to complete the registration process.

  
submit
cancel
Leftlane is the leading source for automotive industry and vehicle news, new car research, future vehicle information, and reviews. Read by car shoppers, driving enthusiasts, autoworkers, executives, and investors, the website is updated throughout the day with the very latest auto news - as it happens.

Leftlane also provides consumers with accurate and media-rich information on every car currently on the market. In-market shoppers can review specs, read overviews, view high-resolution images, watch videos, and estimate pricing. No other automotive publication brings together the same degree of timeliness, thoroughness and accuracy as Leftlane.
 
submit
cancel