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Ford drops plans for new RWD sedans

Ford drops plans for new RWD sedans

Alex Kaufmann January 12th, 2009 Alex Kaufmann By Alex Kaufmann Author January 12th, 2009
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December 31st, 1969 The Blue Oval has been vocal about its plans to develop a new generation of RWD sedans for both its Ford and Lincoln brands, but with demand for big and powerful sedans on the decline management have revised those original plans. In light of rising fuel costs and toughening fuel economy standards, Ford has decided to drop plans for new RWD sedans. Speaking with Automotive News at this week’s Detroit Auto Show, Ford design chief J Mays said the RWD future was “out of the cycle plan.” He went on to reveal that Ford would focus its design efforts on other segments and that the path it was going down at the moment was all about fuel efficiency. “We're not talking about RWD," he said. Ford CEO Alan Mulally and product chief Derrick Kuzak confirmed the development of a new RWD platform last year, but six months after the original announcement managers were already beginning to rethink the feasibility of the project. The new platform was expected to be jointly developed with engineers in Australia and would have spawned models for both the Ford and Lincoln brands.
The strategy revealed today will have Ford breaking even or in the black by 2011 if all goes as planned

The strategy revealed today will have Ford breaking even or in the black by 2011 if all goes as planned

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The Blue Oval has been vocal about its plans to develop a new generation of RWD sedans for both its Ford and Lincoln brands, but with demand for big and powerful sedans on the decline management have revised those original plans. In light of rising fuel costs and toughening fuel economy standards, Ford has decided to drop plans for new RWD sedans.

Speaking with Automotive News at this week’s Detroit Auto Show, Ford design chief J Mays said the RWD future was “out of the cycle plan.” He went on to reveal that Ford would focus its design efforts on other segments and that the path it was going down at the moment was all about fuel efficiency. “We're not talking about RWD," he said.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally and product chief Derrick Kuzak confirmed the development of a new RWD platform last year, but six months after the original announcement managers were already beginning to rethink the feasibility of the project.

The new platform was expected to be jointly developed with engineers in Australia and would have spawned models for both the Ford and Lincoln brands.

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Posted in: Ford, Lincoln, News, Sedans


Comments (7 total)

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  1. By mlevere1992 #1, Posted: 7/14/2008

    Are front wheel drive cars really that much more economical than rear wheel drive cars? I thought rear wheel drive cars would be better beacuse the fronts don't have to do all of the work. Or is it that rwd cars have too much drive train loss compared to fwd?

  2. By Michael D. #2, Posted: 7/14/2008

    I hope they continue and move forward with this, they're fools if they stop!
    An addition of Eco-Boost power-plants in RWD lines would be of some help, too.
    Also, it's essential for the current Panther based line will end it's long life-cycle; they've been around in some form or another since MY1978!

  3. By LJS #3, Posted: 7/14/2008

    Bring Falcon.

  4. By Knight3058 #4, Posted: 7/14/2008

    I want whatever that is that's pictured up there!

  5. ma_Michael D avatar by Michael D #5, Posted: 1/12/2009

    It's a bummer, but then again, the D3-based vehicles are large and have AWD with the Eco-Boost V6s, so, I feel that this makes up for the lack of RWD sedans.

    I suppose that the Mustang will be the only RWD ford product, outside of BOF trucks and SUVs.

  6. ma_NoNameDenton avatar by NoNameDenton #6, Posted: 1/12/2009

    Michael D, there is a big difference between rwd and awd cars. For one thing rwd cars are lighter and have 50/50 weight distribution (usually some exceptions, like the GT500), and are better handling for sports cars and such, or for the Charger. Thanks Ford for proving that smart of moves you have been making lately, you still have idiots running that company.

  7. ma_NaturalD avatar by NaturalD #7, Posted: 6/23/2009

    Michael D, there is a big difference between rwd and awd cars. For one thing rwd cars are lighter and have 50/50 weight distribution (usually some exceptions, like the GT500), and are better handling for sports cars and such, or for the Charger. Thanks Ford for proving that smart of moves you have been making lately, you still have idiots running that company.

    how can a real wheel drive car be lighter?

    rwd cars, need a differential case + cardan axle.

    fwd cars put the differantial in the gearbox, no cardan axle needed.

    your are right about the weight distrubution.
    but fwd cars are better is most conditions, like rain and snow.
    a fwd car puls your around a corner, while a rwd pushes your true the corner.
    that's why fwd cars are better for the far most of the consumers.

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