Ford to Discontinue Almost All its Cars in North America

In a rather troubling press release, Ford announced that it will retire the Fusion, the C-MAX, the Taurus and the Fiesta on the North-American market by the 2020 model year. As for the new generation of the Ford Focus that has recently been unveiled, only the Focus Active version will be sold in the United States, but won't be available in Canada. According to the carmaker, the SUV craze has such an important impact on its industry that there is no more profit to be made with selling cars.

It’s so Sad!

Ford states that within the next two years, 90% of its model range will be comprised of utility vehicles, trucks and commercial fleet vehicles. This decision is a reaction to the dropping popularity of sedans and small cars. What we don’t know is when this transition will begin. One thing’s for certain, the future of performance products so loved by enthusiasts such as the Focus ST, the Focus RS and the Fiesta ST is doomed.

Luckily, the Mustang, which is still selling surprisingly well, remains within the Ford family for now.

Ford has observed important profit loses during the first quarter of 2018, with margins going from 6.4% to 5.2%. Profits before taxes have dropped from 2.5 billion to 2.2 billion, and in all regions of the world, Ford is currently noticing important loses.

Products such as the Ford EcoSport, the Focus Active, the Bronco, the Ranger and the eventual replacements to the Escape and Explorer should, according to the carmaker, help quell the financial hemorrhage. With so many SUVs in its lineup, Ford does nevertheless remain vulnerable to rising gas prices, but the Dearborn-based manufacturer has promised to incorporate at least one plug-in hybrid or fully electric version of each model by 2020.

This news is indeed shocking for our industry, but whether we like it or not, it’s an inevitable reaction to a current consumer trend. North Americans simply can’t get enough of their beloved SUVs.

Share on Facebook

More on the subject

NewsNew Ford Focus Unveiled!
In its current form, it’s been on the market in Canada and the United States since 2011, and it was due for a redesign. The Focus, one of Ford’s most popular vehicles of all-time from a global standpoint, has received a full redesign and will be on sale in North …
NewsA "Mini" Ford Bronco Confirmed for 2020
DEARBORN, Michigan – While Ford was busy talking about its upcoming hybrid Mustang and F-150 , we were given the opportunity to see the new Bronco! No, we didn’t actually see it. Well, we did, but in the form of a box hidden underneath a drape. There was, however, another …
NewsChevrolet Sonic Becomes the Latest Car to Get Axed
Another week, another car for which the bell tolls. Not long after Ford said it would drop most of its cars in North America and General Motors signaled the end for the Cadillac ATS sedan , Chevrolet has just announced that it will end sale of the Sonic in Canada …
First Drives2018 Ford EcoSport: the Fiesta Suits Up
SAINT-JOHN’S (Newfoundland and Labrador) – In 2018, when a consumer walks into a car dealership, the first acronym that comes out of his or her mouth is “SUV”! No matter the price. No matter the size. No matter the fuel consumption. The people request a sport utility vehicle. Understood? In …
NewsFord Fusion Rumoured to Come Back as Outback-Style Wagon
Much has been said and written about Ford’s controversial decision to eliminate all traditional cars from the North American market except for the iconic Mustang. Of course, some exciting new products will take their place, most notably an all-electric crossover set to debut in 2020. Now, according to the latest …
NewsExclusive Surprise! The Ford Fusion Isn’t Dead Yet
Around this time last year, Ford made the shocking announcement that it would eliminate all of its cars in North America except for the iconic Mustang. The Focus and C-MAX did not survive the 2018 model year and today we’ve found out that the Fiesta and Taurus will end with …
NewsFord, Chevrolet Dropping Compact Cars is a Mistake, Report Shows
As you know, Ford and Chevrolet have both terminated their compact cars and dealers across North America are running out of stock. The reasoning is that today’s consumers are much more attracted to bigger vehicles, namely SUVs, crossovers and pickups. However, a new report by Edmunds suggests that these automakers …