Ford announced that it is dropping passenger cars from its lineup in 2018. The vehicle market in the United States is moving away from sedans as consumers opt for crossovers. Ford is responding by meeting the growing demand for SUVs, crossovers, and pickups. It will keep only two cars, the iconic Mustang and the upcoming Focus Active. Here’s what’s being cut from the Ford lineup in North America. If you’re considering buying one of these cars, hurry down to your nearest Ford dealer before they’re gone.
Taurus
The Taurus is Ford’s full-size sedan, first introduced in 1986 as a midsize sedan. It quickly became a successful car for Ford, selling over 2 million units by the end of its first generation. The Taurus went out of production for a few years and then brought back as a full-size sedan. Today the Taurus is a stately sedan. It has a spacious cabin with ample leg- and headroom and one of the largest trunks in its class. The 2018 Taurus has four trims priced from $27,690 for the base SE to $42,865 for top end SHO.
Fusion
The midsize Fusion sedan came on the market in 2006, just before the 2008 recession. The Fusion was well-received and exactly what the motor company needed to see it through the economic slump. It also became popular on the NASCAR track. If the Taurus is too bulky, you may find the midsize Fusion a better fit. Your trim choices are extensive with six trims and various engines, including gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The 2018 model carries over from 2017 unchanged. The price difference is nominal; a base 2017 Fusion S cost $22,120 compared to $22,215 for a 2018 model.
C-Max Hybrid
If you’re looking for a hybrid, grab the C-Max before it disappears from the market. The C-Max is a multipurpose vehicle (MPV) and best described as a tall hatchback. It’s a bigger version of the Focus with spacious seating and a slightly larger cargo area. Its interior styling is also very appealing with good quality materials giving it a more expensive look and feel compared to similar vehicles in its class. The 2018 C-Max offers two trims: the Hybrid SE and Hybrid Titanium. If you’re keen on a plug-in hybrid, get the 2017 Energi model discontinued in 2018.
Fiesta
The smallest car in Ford’s lineup is the Fiesta, available as a sedan or hatchback. The Fiesta debuted in 1976 and has enjoyed robust sales through seven generations. The Fiesta remains a top seller internationally but sales are weak in the United States. However, for students and young people, it is an affordable vehicle priced between $14,205 and $15,735. Parents will like the MyKey feature that allows you to preprogram your teen’s vehicle. You can restrict the top speed, set seat belt reminders, set a low fuel warning, and keep the audio volume low.
Ford’s decision to cut passenger cars wasn’t an easy one. However, to continue producing sedans and small cars no longer makes financial sense, and Ford hopes to cut costs by as much as $25.5 billion by 2022. The C-Max is the first to go — production will end mid-2018. The phasing out of the other three cars will happen in 2019.
Image by hpgruesen, used under CCO 1.0
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