Since taking over the reigns of The Blue Oval a few years ago, Ford CEO Jim Farley has made it quite clear what his vision for the company consists of. Farley – an avid part-time vintage racer himself, as well as a noted collector of cars – believes that the automaker’s lineup should be full of what he considers to be “passion products,” not just models focused on filling a gap. During a recent appearance on the Bring a Trailer podcast, Farley shed more light on his feelings in this regard, too.
“I really felt like every car company has its natural state. When it wakes up in the morning metaphorically on Monday and does without trying really hard,” Farley said. “And you know, Ford does enthusiast products, off-road, and commercial almost better than any company I’ve ever had to compete, as I said. And I really believe that the best way for a car company to be its best self is to lean into what it does naturally well, instead of looking at it as kind of a full lineup, and you have to do everything.”
As for what comes naturally to Ford, Farley has touched on those subjects time and time again over the years. It’s no secret that the Ford Pro business is incredibly successful across the globe, but Farley is also laser-focused on ditching what he considers to be “boring” vehicles from its lineup, too. The exec has stated this on multiple occasions as of late, and even made the mantra “no boring products” part of his X bio back in February.
In terms of fortifying its already-strong position in regard to off-road-focused vehicles, Farley is also quite keen on growing that part of the business, too. In fact, he recently said that he envisions Ford as becoming the “Porsche of off-road,” and he also believes that the current Raptor program could influence future passenger cars, too.
Comments
What should come naturally is showing him the door, and fast.
LOL
Let me guess: 50 shades of grey/white/black. Shitty option package bundling. Ridiculous pricing. Dubious quality.
….it be great if fixing / preventing the numerous quality issue came “naturally”.
Good on Farley. Yes, you have to make enough of what sells, but we are currently in the auto industry’s Brutalist Era. Crossovers and/or EVs for old women and usually white/grey/silver/black. You have to make at least some fun things.
Farley doesn’t know squat constantly raising MSRPs zero quality control and SUVs not a lot of people can afford. Ford dealer lots are full of 80k plus SUVs and trucks 2024s and 2025s no one can afford.
4 door and suv Mustangs aren’t natural for Ford either but hey.
The only thing that comes naturally to Ford and a greater extent gm is making dumb decisions like dropping out of segment after segment and handing Hyundai and Kia their market share.
They all say it before me, but I’ve learned over the years that Ford naturally likes to kill good products. EX: Fusion, and Edge.
And Focus and soon to be Escape.