Ford plans to eliminate most of its sedans from its lineup by 2020... in the United States

Ford plans to gradually phase out, by 2020, practically all of the sedan models currently included in its product portfolio, according to reports published by various North American media following the release of the brand’s financial results for the first quarter of 2018. The decision would affect models such as the Fiesta, Fusion (the name of the Mondeo in the North American market), C-Max and Taurus.

Although the decision seems to affect only the product portfolio of the North American manufacturer in its home market, it is nonetheless especially worrying for the interests of its European subsidiary. Since the announcement made by the former president of Ford, Marc Fields, that the brand would focus in the future on producing a new generation of electrified and highly technologically advanced vehicles, the arrival of new models in the brand’s range has clearly been slowed.

According to American media, Ford will keep two of its current models in its car lineup, the Mustang (its most recent launch) and the new Focus Active, the crossover variant of the new Focus produced in China. The latter is a clearly risky decision in light of the recent confrontation between the Trump administration and the Chinese government over the tariffs that the US government wants to impose on certain materials (basically aluminum and steel) and products imported into its market from the Asian country, the final consequences of which are still unknown.

Ford wants to withdraw these models from the market in order to make way for a new range of products that would be manufactured at the brand’s plants in North America (most of the models set to be discontinued are built outside the United States). The oval brand plans to introduce a new generation of models in a product offensive running until 2022, which includes up to 16 new electric vehicles powered by their batteries, as well as incorporating electrified powertrains into current models in its range such as the F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Escape and the future SUV to be developed from the current Bronco.

Although initially the measure would affect only the brand’s positioning in the North American market, it remains to be seen what plans Ford has for the direction of its European subsidiary, where, in addition to producing some of the models that will disappear there, these models enjoy strong popular roots and commercial success.