Ford: Goodbye to Freestar Minivan

[doh]

Source: Ford

Please be advised that effective immediately production of the Ford Freestar has ended at our Oakville Assembly Complex. The Oakville Assembly Complex also produces the new Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX and demand for these new products is extremely strong with the growth of crossover vehicles.

Earlier this year we announced that the 2007 Model Year was to be the last year of Freestar production. The decision to end Freestar production now was made due to the need to re-align our production capacity to concentrate fully on meeting the strong demand for our all new Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX. We are committed to building the best automobiles in the world and changing the way we do business to ensure we deliver the products customers want to buy.

[Xeper]

I dont see anything in Ford's current stable that I'd liek to get.

Either way, great move for Ford to end the freestar finally. When can we expect the Uplander to get the axe? In favor of a new Lambda vehicle that is with no similarities to the current ones.

[igor]

thanks for the news ... is the Edge/MKX demand really that strong? wow.. I hope that is so ..

Ford needs it.

Igo

[johnnyangelb]

Originally Posted by Xeper

I dont see anything in Ford's current stable that I'd liek to get.

Either way, great move for Ford to end the freestar finally. When can we expect the Uplander to get the axe? In favor of a new Lambda vehicle that is with no similarities to the current ones.

Yeah... me neither. They don't have anything with any desire factor in them. They are all just bland to me.

[Ming]

The Ford minivans were much like the CSV's if not quite as bad looking; refreshed in looks but not improved enough for customers to care or be diverted from buying an Odyssey or Sienna. With the cheaper Korean minivans on the scene, these bargain bin specials with dated engineering in their underpinnings - and a Union Made price tag - had no chance for success.

[cfch3399]

How long until GMFord give up on small trucks. They might as well.

[Xeper]

Originally Posted by cfch3399

How long until GMFord give up on small trucks. They might as well.

That sad (and Ive mentioned this before), the domestic small trucks arent what they used to be. In size they have kept that aspect. But if you put them next to a Frontier or Tacoma... its a very noticeable difference in size. GM should give them steroids to able to compete.

[TiburonJT]

Originally Posted by cfch3399

How long until GMFord give up on small trucks. They might as well.

I suspect Ford will drop the Ranger soon. I don't expect a replacement for several years, if there is a replacement.

[t-rex]

Originally Posted by cfch3399

How long until GMFord give up on small trucks. They might as well.

Ford gave up on the Ranger about 8 years ago. They just kept building it.

[t-rex]

Originally Posted by Xeper

That sad (and Ive mentioned this before), the domestic small trucks arent what they used to be. In size they have kept that aspect. But if you put them next to a Frontier or Tacoma... its a very noticeable difference in size. GM should give them steroids to able to compete.

I'd have to respectfully disagree with you there, Mr. Xeper. I think part of the reason for the decline in the compact truck market (overall), is because they've made them so close to the fullsize trucks it's hard to justify paying the same money (in some cases, more) for them. I mean why buy a Frontier when your local dealer will put you in a Silverado for less money? The Colorado is the perfect size (imho).

[t-rex]

Oh yeah.......Good riddance to the Freestar/Monterey.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by Ming

The Ford minivans were much like the CSV's if not quite as bad looking; refreshed in looks but not improved enough for customers to care or be diverted from buying an Odyssey or Sienna.

Let me just add that Ford and GM both used to suffer from an "if we build it they will come" mentality that brand loyalty was an everflowing spring.

I saw it slipping out from under them before they apparently did. My old boss has been a life-long Ford buyer, but was on the fence about buying a new Ford or a Toyota. He ended up getting a Taurus, but unfortunately I think that will be his last Ford. He is already talking about how the new Camry is light years ahead of his current ride, and is unwilling to give Ford another chance with a Fusion or Five-Hundred.

I think both companies are waking up from this decades-long stupor now, but the Freestar (and Mercury version) and CSVs were the last example of GM and Ford thinking that a half-baked refresh effort would keep them in the game.

[likearock00]

The Edge started selling like 2 days ago!! Strong demand my ass! They just wanted to get rid of that POS!

[chevydlrmn]

Originally Posted by Xeper

I dont see anything in Ford's current stable that I'd liek to get.

Either way, great move for Ford to end the freestar finally. When can we expect the Uplander to get the axe? In favor of a new Lambda vehicle that is with no similarities to the current ones.

we really mean it, NOTHING SIMILAR to the csv's.

[chevydlrmn]

and nice folding seats, even the Tahoe's seats fold like crap. They are inferior of the 800's. Stolen from the Trailblazer EXT, yuk.