New vehicle affordability has suffered tremendously over the past few years amid soaring inflation, and consumers have watched as the prices of those vehicles have skyrocketed to alarmingly high levels. Making matters worse, many automakers gave up on building and selling entry-level vehicles years ago, leaving budget-conscious shoppers with few options in that regard. Ford has hinted that it wants to potentially bring back affordable vehicles in the recent past, and some new comments seem to indicate that it’s focused precisely on that mission right now.
“While I can’t go into the details of the product cadence, Ford is laser-focused on affordability. Ford has a robust plan for the entire consumer base, from electrification all the way to its Ford Pro commercial customers,” Eddie Stivers, chairman of the Ford National Dealer Council, told Automotive News in a recent interview. “We have Escape, Bronco Sport and Maverick that fill that segment, but we are concerned about what our future looks like in that segment that attracts first-time buyers. I think that’s a concern that all brands have. Ford’s been kind enough to give us a little peek behind the curtain, and I firmly believe the future is bright, and that Ford recognizes where that gap might be and is taking some steps to address that.”
This is certainly good news for consumers looking for affordable new vehicles in the near future, and we’ve got a pretty good idea of at least what part of Ford’s lower-priced lineup might look like over the coming years. For starters, the automaker is developing a low-cost EV platform that is set to potentially underpin a variety of models in the near future, starting with a mid-size pickup.
Rumors that the discontinued Fiesta might return as an EV riding on a new platform have swirled for some time now as well, with The Blue Oval reportedly admitting that it may need to sell small cars in Europe moving forward, after it initially planned to largely exit that segment. Other potential future products include a small van based on the Ford Maverick, as well as a bevy of Ford Mustang variants including a potential sedan version of the iconic pony car, too.
Comments
I don’t think a sedan version of the Mustang will help the cause of product cost. This vehicle has already crossed into what many would consider expensive, and under normal conditions, adding two more doors will only add cost, not reduce it. Plus, this potential further diluting of the Mustang brand will only serve to diminish the car provenance. Bring back the Fusion, and the Focus!!! Make them hybrid and let the price point of these become the entry level vehicles they were always meant to be!
I think building more vehicles with more options from the same platform is the right idea, but agree that there is NO need or reason to call every variant on the payform by the Mustang name. Ford has already diluted the Mustang name with the Mach E abomination.
To add, I think Dodge was on the right track with making a 2 and 4 door Charger platform car AND allowing it to accept ICE and EV powertrains. I think Dodge failed in the execution, especially not offering a V8 option on a “muscle car”.
Ford is probably hesitant to bring back sedans but they sure as heck need less expensive crossovers. Both the Escape and the Bronco Sport get pricey, real fast. Look at the Trax, for comparison. It tops out at $27K.
Just make more money bro.
But the Trax is pure garbage so it really does not compare!
Ford keeps talking as though only first time buyers want an affordable vehicle. Many people need more cargo room when starting out in life or moving frequently. A Fusion or MKZ wagon are sorely missed. There is too much focus on expensive image vehicles and no focus on reliability.
The last new car I bought is a 2017 Fusion. It has 95,000 miles on it. I am 81 years old, so I am not going to spend $40,000 on another new car. I might buy one if they get less expensive.
Affordability????? That’s a JOKE…… What’s affordable any more. And the Quality???? And the service situation????? Not sure any of this is ever gonna take place?? (Affordability), Seems like a JOKE nowa Day’s.
OK Boomer
The Ford Maverick was touted as an affordable vehicle. The barebones XL is $28,000 before taxes and fees. Ford had the right idea in the beginning, but prices soared with the popularity and limited availability of the Maverick. You can do better, Ford.
Make the Maverick cheap again! Don’t allow outrageous dealer markups in the name of supply and demand. When the Maverick first came out there was talk about an all electric model. I would still jump on that. My Maverick gets 30 mpg on highway. All my driving is highway. Why would I want a hybrid that gets worse highway mileage??? My daughters Hyundai hybrid gets 52 mpg highway better than city. Ford should give Hyundai a call about hybrids. Thanks to dealer outrageous markups because I had to have a vehicle immediately i still owe more on my 22 Maverick than it cost new and I’ve had it for over 2 years. I’m really trying to remain a loyal Ford customer because frankly all other auto makers are terrible in my opinion except maybe one that doesn’t even offer gas models. Come on Ford!!!
“the automaker is developing a low-cost EV” ahahahaha that one Jim said will cost 25k and meanwhile already changed to 30k, this new PD center opened in California because the guy hired from Tesla doesn’t want to go to the cold and cloudy Michigan and after near 3 years not even a new screw came from this team … Ford CEO is lazy and doesn’t want to leave 1 mm from the comfort zone, no strategy, no plan …
FORD, please fix the battery issues so they start reliably!!! I have had 3 batterys in 6mo’s and hold my breath each and everytime i go out to start mine. Drop all the crazy bells and whistles and fix the everyday use issues! Please Do Better! Loyal 50yr Ford driver here and i have never been sooo disappointed
Still running the original battery in my 2017 GT350
And while you’re at it Ford, please fix the UGLY ussue where your kiddos engineers messed with the face of this magnificent Lil truck.
Good thing you bought the one with a design you liked, right? No chance I’m sure.
Sedans will solve that problem. Ford made a mistake by not keeping any sedans in its portfolio. There was an article recently published by Business Insider stating that Americans are desperate for cheaper vehicles. They predict that sedans will do well this year for sales. Bring out an ICE/ hybrid small and midsize sedan and I think that people will buy those super quick.
Budget-conscious shoppers do have many options. They’re called used cars. But aside from that, how can Ford claim concern about affordability when every time I turn around it is increasing the prices all the while decontenting?
How about a new 2025 base Mustang starting at $24,797? It would be 95hp, 3 speed manual, and crank up windows. No A/C ,no power anything, no cruise control, no radio, but would not be hindered with nuisances like air bags, anti lock brakes, rear camera, crash avoidance system or emission controls. Who’s in? Any takers? I am describing a base classic 1965 mustang coupe ($2475 in 1965 dollars) adjusted for today.
Is the takeway from this supposed to be that a midsize EV pickup and an EV Fiesta are what Ford thinks is going to be affordable?
If Ford hadn’t greedily raised MSRPs over 40 percent, then raised the only affordable vehicle they had the Maverick $3000 there wouldn’t be an affordability crisis.
“affordable” and “EV” still don’t belong in the same sentence.
Everywhere you look, the EV variant is around a $10k markup from the ICE version of a car, and Ford is no exception.
Unless they’ve just been artificially inflating their prices there’s no chance their new EV will be affordable.
The 80’s Mustang was an economy car that they strapped a 5.0 to.
The modern mustang is this Nürburgring “how much faster can we make it go” science experiment.
Old trucks were work vehicles.
New trucks have replaced old Cadillac Broughams and Ford LTD’s. They’re just big cars.
And? They all cost too much because the regulations conveniently change and “force” them to design entirely knew cars and parts so nothing is compatible anymore.