Dead Cougar - Ford Forums

HSE2 · 01-23-2002, 03:43

Ford has finally killed off the cat. But there's no need for Jaguar fans to worry � it's the Cougar 2+2 sports tourer which at long last has been given the chop by Detroit bosses.
The first 'new edge' design after the highly successful Focus, the Cougar never lived up to expectations. It's now been axed along with three other models, as part of a worldwide cost-cutting move. Despite good results in Europe, the blue oval recorded a net loss of �3,780million last year, forcing new chairman and chief executive Bill Ford Jr to act fast.

As well as the demise of the Cougar, taken off UK sale last year, a US version of the Escort, the Lincoln Continental and the Mercury Villager minivan will all go. And it appears no model is safe in Ford's bid to turn its finances around � even the hotly anticipated Focus RS is under threat. The reduction of vehicles goes hand-in-hand with the sacking of 35,000 staff worldwide and the closure of several plants.

Ford hopes the changes and sale of related businesses will stem the money loss. Tyre and exhaust specialist Kwik-Fit is expected to go, along with a chain of recycling centres and an accident-repair outfit. These moves could raise nearly �700million.

**Big Block Ford** · 01-23-2002, 15:27

I hope it works for Ford but it would hurt to see exciting vehicles get dumped like Focus RS.

FM · 01-23-2002, 17:30

If they kill the RS they need shooting. Too much development has gone into it to stop now!

The Stylist · 01-23-2002, 19:48

Guy's have heard that Ford is going to stop selling RHD versions of the new Explorer to the UK with stocks expected to dry up around the end of this year.:dead:

HSE2 · 01-23-2002, 21:13

Quote:

Originally posted by J-type
Guy's have heard that Ford is going to stop selling RHD versions of the new Explorer to the UK with stocks expected to dry up around the end of this year.:dead:

I was wondering how long before the SUV market of ford would come under fire. In the UK the explorer would be going up against Fords own land rover products!

Cobra · 01-24-2002, 06:09

Kill of the RS? The performance version of the best selling car in the world! That's the most ludicrous thing I've heard all week. I would be Very dissapointed if I heard this.
ALso on the Explorer does it mean they will stop making RHD version or only in the UK? It would be a shame if the revamped version of the Explorer doesnt make it down under to show us how much it's improved *sigh*

The Stylist · 01-24-2002, 14:19

Quote:

Originally posted by Cobra
Kill of the RS? The performance version of the best selling car in the world! That's the most ludicrous thing I've heard all week. I would be Very dissapointed if I heard this.
ALso on the Explorer does it mean they will stop making RHD version or only in the UK? It would be a shame if the revamped version of the Explorer doesnt make it down under to show us how much it's improved *sigh*

Unfortunately it sounds like all RHD production of the Explorer is going stop (though I'm far from sure about all RHD markets) and if this happens it means no Explorer for Australia an NZ.:oo1:

**Big Block Ford** · 01-24-2002, 16:05

Quote:

Originally posted by J-type

Unfortunately it sounds like all RHD production of the Explorer is going stop (though I'm far from sure about all RHD markets) and if this happens it means no Explorer for Australia an NZ.:oo1:

That seems daft to me.I mean everything is already in place and the markets have already taken on the Explorer ,tooling etc etc for RHD is all up and running and all they have to do is take the sales.It's not like a development of something new with associated risk.I don't see the intelligence in this.

HSE2 · 01-24-2002, 19:08

Quote:

Originally posted by Big Block Ford

That seems daft to me.I mean everything is already in place and the markets have already taken on the Explorer ,tooling etc etc for RHD is all up and running and all they have to do is take the sales.It's not like a development of something new with associated risk.I don't see the intelligence in this.

The company I work for has been going on a cost cutting exercise. No of the ideas make any sense, and fun enough it is management that are the only people that see it working.

Hope ford don't head down the same path

**Big Block Ford** · 01-24-2002, 23:04

I know what you mean HSE2.The bean counters at Ford have a history of poor cost cutting decisions that can take years to overcome.