It’s no secret that the U.S. auto industry is under-performing, but nowhere is this as evident as in the full-size truck and SUV segments. Market conditions and ever-rising fuel costs have forced many consumers into smaller, more efficient vehicles, which has drastically reduced demand for trucks and SUVs. General Motors has already addressed sagging demand for its large vehicles by cutting production and Ford announced on Tuesday that it will be following suit.
In order to keep supply in line with demand, Ford will idle its Wayne, Michigan plant for five weeks, beginning in late June. The Wayne factory produces the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator.
There has also been speculation that the Toyota Camry could overtake the Ford F-150 as the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. this year. The F-150 has held that title for the last 31 years, but could be in serious jeopardy of being dethroned due to sagging demand. Camry sales outpaced Chevrolet Silverado sales in the month of April, the perennial number two vehicle to the F-150.
05/21, 1:43 PM
posted by:
injunraiv
LOL, ’speculation that the Toyota Camry could overtake the Ford F-150 as the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. this year’. I love it when news sources quote themselves for a story!
05/21, 1:52 PM
posted by:
xyunya
Duh?! You think it is time to reduce production of V-8 trucks that can’t be sold to baseball dads due to $4/gallon prices? Nah.
05/21, 2:08 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
And so what if the Camry outsells it? Really, who cares? Totally different markets, totally different vehicles. Should anyone eventually care if I start making motorcycles that outsell every car made? What if everyone bought gold, became rich, and then bought a GTR making it #1 … who the **** cares? Sales #s mean nothing as a stand-alone indicator.
The market dictates a trend and manufacturers have to respond … simple. Adapt or die.
05/21, 2:53 PM
posted by:
bolex
adapt or die, yes. but the camry/F150 topic is in the spot light for that exact reason. ford didnt adapt in time… so youre right, but it is a concern because its another sign that the domestic automakers are losing more ground. thats why people ‘care’.
05/21, 3:46 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
‘bolex’, my angle was the incessant talk of the Camry taking the lead, period. You’re looking at the bigger picture which those here ignore. I don’t dispute the company’s failure in foresight as I’ve commented on that many times.
05/21, 4:06 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Oh but it must sting. So much profit; so little technology.
05/21, 6:20 PM
posted by:
Bimmer
Why not start selling it in the Middle East like Toyota will with their SUVs?
05/22, 8:30 AM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
In Quebec, if you go on leasebusters all you see are SUVs – no cars!!! LOL!!!
05/22, 8:48 AM
posted by:
ihustle
so wait you think it a bad decision? Gas is $3.50 a gallon in NJ. So obviously people arent looking for a gas guzzler. The expedition is no different from other lines full sized SUV’s. If anything its a smart decision. You post a bigger profit, and adress the gas issue on full sized SUVs before it becomes an even bigger problem. Kudos for Ford