Ford struggling to catch up with demand for all-wheel drive equipped vehicles
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Ford struggling to catch up with demand for all-wheel drive equipped vehicles
Ford struggling to catch up with demand for all-wheel drive equipped vehicles
AMY WILSON | Automotive News
Posted Date: 2/8/05
Ford Motor Co. underestimated the market's appetite for all-wheel drive.
Demand for awd versions of the Ford Five Hundred sedan and Freestyle sport wagon and Mercury Montego sedan is outstripping supply.
And the automaker can't turn up production quickly at its Chicago assembly plant because Swedish supplier Haldex AB has limited capacity to produce Ford's awd transfer cases.
"We can't build enough all-wheel drives and high series," says Ford Division President Steve Lyons.
All-wheel drive is an increasingly popular option. Newer awd entries include the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Cadillac STS.
Ford Division expected 15 percent of Five Hundred models to sell with awd. But since going on sale in September, the sales rate has been 25 percent.
Lyons says he has a 40-day supply of awd Five Hundreds, compared with a 70-day supply for front-wheel-drive versions.
Ford expected 40 percent of Freestyle buyers to choose awd, but the actual rate is 55 percent. Mercury expected 30 percent of Montego buyers to choose awd, but the actual rate is 34 percent.
Dealers want more awd cars.
"It's nearly impossible to get a retail order scheduled for all-wheel-drive," said Martin Gubbels of Big Sky Ford-Lincoln-Mercury in Torrington, Wyo.
In some cases, Ford's regional sales personnel have told dealers they can get an awd model if they take a handful of fwd vehicles, Gubbels said.
Ford spokesman Dave Reuter said that's not a nationwide practice.
"Clearly we have to give something to the dealers," Reuter said. "If we don't have enough all-wheel drives, you have to give them a front-wheel drive or give them nothing. You can imagine what our preference is."
All-wheel drive is a $1,700 stand-alone option.
Through January, Ford sold 36,510 Five Hundreds, Freestyles and Montegos.
AMY WILSON | Automotive News
Posted Date: 2/8/05
Ford Motor Co. underestimated the market's appetite for all-wheel drive.
Demand for awd versions of the Ford Five Hundred sedan and Freestyle sport wagon and Mercury Montego sedan is outstripping supply.
And the automaker can't turn up production quickly at its Chicago assembly plant because Swedish supplier Haldex AB has limited capacity to produce Ford's awd transfer cases.
"We can't build enough all-wheel drives and high series," says Ford Division President Steve Lyons.
All-wheel drive is an increasingly popular option. Newer awd entries include the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Cadillac STS.
Ford Division expected 15 percent of Five Hundred models to sell with awd. But since going on sale in September, the sales rate has been 25 percent.
Lyons says he has a 40-day supply of awd Five Hundreds, compared with a 70-day supply for front-wheel-drive versions.
Ford expected 40 percent of Freestyle buyers to choose awd, but the actual rate is 55 percent. Mercury expected 30 percent of Montego buyers to choose awd, but the actual rate is 34 percent.
Dealers want more awd cars.
"It's nearly impossible to get a retail order scheduled for all-wheel-drive," said Martin Gubbels of Big Sky Ford-Lincoln-Mercury in Torrington, Wyo.
In some cases, Ford's regional sales personnel have told dealers they can get an awd model if they take a handful of fwd vehicles, Gubbels said.
Ford spokesman Dave Reuter said that's not a nationwide practice.
"Clearly we have to give something to the dealers," Reuter said. "If we don't have enough all-wheel drives, you have to give them a front-wheel drive or give them nothing. You can imagine what our preference is."
All-wheel drive is a $1,700 stand-alone option.
Through January, Ford sold 36,510 Five Hundreds, Freestyles and Montegos.
Seems like they (GM) are doing a pretty good job overseas since Holden is supposed to offer AWD throughout their lineup, but GM N/A is dragging its feet it seems. Sad considering they have access to Subaru's excellent AWD tech. FWD definitly has its place in the marketplace, and the same goes for RWD, but AWD has become an increasingly popular option as of late and it is an excellent alternative to RWD and FWD for those of us who live in areas where the weather is less than ideal almost half the year. I dunno...personally, i'd like to see this option in Pontiac's top of the line high performance GPs and G6's, as well as the v8 powered montes and impalas. And if GM were to consider an ultra-high performance 250+ hp Cobalt or even malibu, AWD would make for a nice addition although such models are unlikely anytime soon.
Last edited by Gold_Rush; Feb 8, 2005 at 11:35 AM.
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Posts: 1,881
Re: Ford struggling to catch up with demand for all-wheel drive equipped vehicles
I think the AWD on the 500 is icing on the cake. Its a great family car. It may be boring but its handsome, roomy and compared to most cars luxurious. I drove the AWD hemi magnum.......the only reason its not sitting in my parking space right now is they wanted about 5 grand too much for it. I loved it.
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From: Chattanoga & Franklin
Re: Ford struggling to catch up with demand for all-wheel drive equipped vehicles
I doubt any W-bodys will get AWD. It was never considered when the platform was designed back in the late 1980's.
I would hope that the new Zeta cars will offer AWD, since it is a brand new platform.
Now can AWD be shoehorned into Delta and Epislon cars?
I would hope that the new Zeta cars will offer AWD, since it is a brand new platform.
Now can AWD be shoehorned into Delta and Epislon cars?
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