Full-size sedans could shrink at Ford, GM
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From: Charleston, WV
Full-size sedans could shrink at Ford, GM
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090...nk-at-Ford--GM
Full-size sedans could shrink at Ford, GM
The drive to simplify product lines at Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. may result in a modest downsizing of both manufacturers' full-sized sedans as they move these vehicles to global platforms.
Ford is just now launching a redesigned version of its Taurus flagship, but the Dearborn automaker is already thinking about moving it to a smaller platform at the end of the current product cycle, according to sources familiar with the company's plan.
The plan is to replace three different platforms that currently provide the foundation with most of Ford's mid- and full-sized vehicles worldwide with a single mid-sized platform that could be modified to accommodate larger vehicles.
The new platform would be an evolution of the European C/D-class platform that currently underpins several European mid-sized products, such as the Ford Mondeo and Galaxy. North American products like the Ford Fusion and Edge, which are currently built on the CD3 architecture, would move to this new platform, but so would larger vehicles like the Taurus, which is currently manufactured on the D3 platform.
The future Taurus would still be longer than the Fusion, but slightly shorter than the 2010 model currently being launched. Similar changes would likely be made to the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT, which are also based on a modified D3 platform; although, the aim would be to deliver the same interior room offered by the current models.
Ford would neither confirm nor deny moves, and sources stressed that a final decision had not yet been made.
In any event, these moves would not take place for several years. Ford still plans to introduce an all-new Ford Explorer built off the D3 platform next year. Its product plan also calls for a freshening of the Taurus about two years from now that will involve changes to the sheet metal, but not the underlying platform.
GM is weighing a similar strategy that could put the Chevrolet Impala on the same platform as the Malibu, according to people familiar with that company's plans.
It is considering moving the full-sized Impala to its planned Epsilon II platform, which is expected to provide the foundation for the next generation Malibu as well.
GM would neither confirm nor deny these reports.
Analyst Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics LLP, who has advised both companies on their product strategies, says such moves could prove real cost-savers. Fewer platforms mean lower design costs and also would allow automakers to share more common components among different types of vehicles.
"You are only doing the engineering one time," Hall said. "The economies of scale you realize from doing it are significant."
The drive to simplify product lines at Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. may result in a modest downsizing of both manufacturers' full-sized sedans as they move these vehicles to global platforms.
Ford is just now launching a redesigned version of its Taurus flagship, but the Dearborn automaker is already thinking about moving it to a smaller platform at the end of the current product cycle, according to sources familiar with the company's plan.
The plan is to replace three different platforms that currently provide the foundation with most of Ford's mid- and full-sized vehicles worldwide with a single mid-sized platform that could be modified to accommodate larger vehicles.
The new platform would be an evolution of the European C/D-class platform that currently underpins several European mid-sized products, such as the Ford Mondeo and Galaxy. North American products like the Ford Fusion and Edge, which are currently built on the CD3 architecture, would move to this new platform, but so would larger vehicles like the Taurus, which is currently manufactured on the D3 platform.
The future Taurus would still be longer than the Fusion, but slightly shorter than the 2010 model currently being launched. Similar changes would likely be made to the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT, which are also based on a modified D3 platform; although, the aim would be to deliver the same interior room offered by the current models.
Ford would neither confirm nor deny moves, and sources stressed that a final decision had not yet been made.
In any event, these moves would not take place for several years. Ford still plans to introduce an all-new Ford Explorer built off the D3 platform next year. Its product plan also calls for a freshening of the Taurus about two years from now that will involve changes to the sheet metal, but not the underlying platform.
GM is weighing a similar strategy that could put the Chevrolet Impala on the same platform as the Malibu, according to people familiar with that company's plans.
It is considering moving the full-sized Impala to its planned Epsilon II platform, which is expected to provide the foundation for the next generation Malibu as well.
GM would neither confirm nor deny these reports.
Analyst Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics LLP, who has advised both companies on their product strategies, says such moves could prove real cost-savers. Fewer platforms mean lower design costs and also would allow automakers to share more common components among different types of vehicles.
"You are only doing the engineering one time," Hall said. "The economies of scale you realize from doing it are significant."
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Albany, NY
Epsilon II Impala and Lacrosse are still very large cars. Cars in the 200' to 220" range are no longer in fashion thanks to the SUV. No family is going to buy a Crown Vic or DTS sized car when you can get more space, more seating, and similar fuel economy from something like a GMC Acadia or Ford Flex.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,870
There are people that are in the market for a full-sized sedan so the malibu wouldn't fit their needs. G8 on the other hand would make for a very good impala replacement since it offers comparable interior volume and space despite being 4" shorter than than current impala.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 254
From: OSHAWA
A lot of people like the larger Impala and are more comfortable in it.
You'll never see the police services using Malibus or anything similar in size.
I remember people here on this very board whining about GM getting rid of the previous rearwheel drive Impala/Caprice saying how GM had just basically given Ford the full-size car market with their Crown Victorias.
And now people don't see a need for the current Impala????
While the Impala looks dated (only after 3.5yrs), it still has its place.
You'll never see the police services using Malibus or anything similar in size.
I remember people here on this very board whining about GM getting rid of the previous rearwheel drive Impala/Caprice saying how GM had just basically given Ford the full-size car market with their Crown Victorias.
And now people don't see a need for the current Impala????
While the Impala looks dated (only after 3.5yrs), it still has its place.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 148
From: Southeastern PA
I think with a minor refresh that this version could still manage to sell a decent amount of units for a few more years. I know they still sell a high number, but I imagine a large percentage of that goes to fleet sales. I could be wrong, but at least at the dealership I work at the cars don't move until there are heavy incentives placed on the hood.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 254
From: OSHAWA
My problem with the Impala isn't so much with the exterior, but with the interior. The looks of the car are somewhat bland, but at least agreeable. It's not going to wow people, but at the same time, we aren't talking about the Aztec here. The interior is it's real weakness in my opinion. The seats offer zero lateral support and the instrument cluster and hvac controls looks like they belong on something from the late 90s or early 2000s, not something being sold in 06, let alone 2009.
I think with a minor refresh that this version could still manage to sell a decent amount of units for a few more years. I know they still sell a high number, but I imagine a large percentage of that goes to fleet sales. I could be wrong, but at least at the dealership I work at the cars don't move until there are heavy incentives placed on the hood.
I think with a minor refresh that this version could still manage to sell a decent amount of units for a few more years. I know they still sell a high number, but I imagine a large percentage of that goes to fleet sales. I could be wrong, but at least at the dealership I work at the cars don't move until there are heavy incentives placed on the hood.
I completely agree with you.
I really doubt GM is going to keep the interior in it's present form until 2013, at least let's hope not.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
The Chevrolet Impala is 200" long.
The new Ford Taurus is 202" long.
Chrysler's 300 is only 196" long.
Chevy's Malibu is only a couple tenths under 192".
The 300 is roughly mid-way in size between the Impala and Malibu.
Points:
1. The story is essentially a non-issue, and nothing more than space filler.
2. The Taurus just came out, so it's going nowhere for likely another half decade... well beyond what any responsible should be speculating (think back to Camaro's status 6 years ago, let alone GM's RWD program.... get my point?).
3. Ther Impala's going to Espilon because GM is phasing out the W-chassis. Even guys hiding out in caves in Afghanistan knew that from the moment GM announced the RWD Impala was dead last summer. Saying GM is "weighing" this strategy is pretty stupid being that they pretty much said what they were doing about a year ago.
Sure, in 5-8 years, big cars might lose a inch or 2 in length.
Ae the risk of sounding like a spoiler, in 5-8 years, V8s might also get better fuel economy than the current Camaro V6, and large cars might even be the craze, replacing SUVs.
Or in 5-8 years, all 3 automakers might not even have big cars anymore (if fuel prices explode and stay sky high) or (God forbid) the big 3 might even be extinct.
You just can't tell that far out.
Again, not to tinkle into anyone's ceral, but the story's space filler.
All fluff. No substance. Nothing new.
The new Ford Taurus is 202" long.
Chrysler's 300 is only 196" long.
Chevy's Malibu is only a couple tenths under 192".
The 300 is roughly mid-way in size between the Impala and Malibu.
Points:
1. The story is essentially a non-issue, and nothing more than space filler.
2. The Taurus just came out, so it's going nowhere for likely another half decade... well beyond what any responsible should be speculating (think back to Camaro's status 6 years ago, let alone GM's RWD program.... get my point?).
3. Ther Impala's going to Espilon because GM is phasing out the W-chassis. Even guys hiding out in caves in Afghanistan knew that from the moment GM announced the RWD Impala was dead last summer. Saying GM is "weighing" this strategy is pretty stupid being that they pretty much said what they were doing about a year ago.
Sure, in 5-8 years, big cars might lose a inch or 2 in length.
Ae the risk of sounding like a spoiler, in 5-8 years, V8s might also get better fuel economy than the current Camaro V6, and large cars might even be the craze, replacing SUVs.
Or in 5-8 years, all 3 automakers might not even have big cars anymore (if fuel prices explode and stay sky high) or (God forbid) the big 3 might even be extinct.
You just can't tell that far out.
Again, not to tinkle into anyone's ceral, but the story's space filler.
All fluff. No substance. Nothing new.
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