Let’s review a few facts before I launch into this mild rant; I am a Ford fan. I believe Ford has the best in-cab technology in the business. I believe Ford’s current product line is superior to the competition in most segments and that Ford is the best positioned of the Detroit 3 to actually survive the next several years.
End of disclaimer. Beginning of rant:
And so goes the American auto industry…the would-be new Ford F-100 will not be built after all. Motor Trend reports that the project has been killed.
Seems that Ford execs arrived at this decision based on the need to build a product that more-better-bigger-bubba-ford-toughs-the hell out of the competition, rather than merely competing well and taking a chunk out of the mid size truck segment. While I generally approve of this mentality, it was clearly counter-productive in this instance…
Reportedly, Ford execs decided that a mid-size F-100 would require a 7500lb towing capacity, rather than the generally accepted standard of 5500-6000lbs in the category. This resulted in a vehicle that was suddenly too heavy ,inefficient, and too expensive to be commercially viable as a mid-size truck…may as well just buy an F150 at that point, right?
Oh well, I guess to remain properly stagnant as a business you really have to stick to your guns.
End of rant.
