Ford made a strategic business decision to stop manufacturing the Fusion midsize sedan in 2020 and the Focus compact sedan and hatchback two years prior to that, with the intent of expanding its truck and SUV lineup. But with gas prices rising and rival brands like Honda and Toyota still heavily invested in sedans, the question is: Will Ford bring back a sedan, or will the Mustang remain the only official car the brand offers?
In an interview with industry publication Automotive News, Andrew Frick, president of Ford Blue and Model e, said the automaker will continue with its plan to “have a winning portfolio.” Frick went on to say that to achieve Ford’s goals means to be in the top two for “every segment we compete in.”
Automotive News asked Frick whether Ford would bring back the sedan, and he responded that the customer base for sedans has declined from 50% to around 16% or 17% while noting, “We have a really great Mustang that people consider a car. We look to expand on the Mustang family as we move forward.” Frick said that any potential sedan would be an extension of an existing Ford model, and it would need to be “very cost-effective for us to do it.”
Frick told Automotive News that the decision to move away from producing sedans was the right choice for Ford, which Frick said was “competing to compete” with some of its vehicles. Frick added that if Ford hadn’t shifted its focus and financial investments to newer vehicles like the Bronco, Bronco Sport, and Maverick, they might not exist.
Given the high costs, manpower, and manufacturing adjustments required to recoup the capital investment in a new vehicle, Ford seems content with its current plan.
