Subject: Re: No more affordable cars
In Europe Ford have some great small cars and trucks/vans.

Ford's EU line has imploded in recent years. The Focus, long a best seller, was discontinued last year, and the plant in Saarlouis closed. Outside of commercial vehicles, Ford has two ICE models remaining; the Puma and Kuga (same as the Escape Ford used to make in the US). Ford's two EV models, built at the Cologne plant, are built on a VW platform. Ford recently announced plans for new EV models that will be designed and built by Renault, with a Ford "brand" pasted on.

Renault Group and Ford form a strategic partnership for passenger and commercial vehicles, starting with two affordable electric cars in Europe

A cornerstone of this collaboration is a partnership agreement for the development of two distinct Ford-branded electric vehicles. The new models will be based on the Ampere platform, leveraging Renault Group's strong EV assets and competitiveness, and produced by Renault Group in the North of France, illustrating Ampere's ElectriCity's “state-of-the-art” manufacturing capabilities and expertise.

https://media.renaultgroup.com...

With the loss of the Focus last year, and the loss of the Fiesta the year before, Ford's Q1 2026 EU market share has fallen to 3.5%. As recently as ten years ago, Ford's EU share was over 8%.

Ford is trying to interest Chinese automakers in building their products in Ford's underutilized plant in Valencia.

Chinese auto giants eye Ford plant in Valencia as talks gain momentum

Источник: https://russpain.com/en/econom...

Ford closed all it's plants in Brazil some years ago.

Ford closed all it's plants in India a few years ago too. To great excitement, in 2024, Ford announced they would reopen the Chennai plant, to build cars for export only. Then crickets for several months. Then Ford announced the plant will build engines, not cars, for export only.

Ford will return to engine production in Chennai for export markets

https://www.automotivelogistic...

Ten years ago, Ford was selling over 800,000 cars/year in China, good for about a 3.5% market share. Last year, Ford China sales shriveled to 99,400 units, from about 247,000 the year before.

Welchism in action: cull the company down to only the most profitable models, in the most profitable market.

Steve