Mondeo to end production.
Discussion
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56526468
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ford-m...
Sign of the times and symbol of the end of an Era. I guess the 3 Series will be the last to turn the lights out?
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ford-m...
Sign of the times and symbol of the end of an Era. I guess the 3 Series will be the last to turn the lights out?
The most recent Mondeo seemed fairly tepid. No other car in the segment from a mainstream brand seems scarcer. All the same it's sad to see an end to Ford's offering within that segment, chiefly because of the history of their nameplates within it. Cortina and Sierra always seemed to hold a bit more cachet than Mondeo though; as early as 1997, with the first Grand Theft Auto game it was mocked as the 'Mundaneo.'
If only we could convince them to, purely as a passion project, figure out how to slap a four-door together on the Mustang platform and bung a smaller EcoBoost in to market under either of those deceased nameplates. Pitch it as an enthusiasts' car and aim to build a reputation for being something engaging to drive. Then accept the Vignale concept hasn't worked out and put it to sleep. Someone said they could see Ford pulling out of Europe entirely and were it not for the strength of the Fiesta I can't help but wonder if that's the eventuality.
If only we could convince them to, purely as a passion project, figure out how to slap a four-door together on the Mustang platform and bung a smaller EcoBoost in to market under either of those deceased nameplates. Pitch it as an enthusiasts' car and aim to build a reputation for being something engaging to drive. Then accept the Vignale concept hasn't worked out and put it to sleep. Someone said they could see Ford pulling out of Europe entirely and were it not for the strength of the Fiesta I can't help but wonder if that's the eventuality.
Ford say that saloons are not selling, yet BMW/Audi/Mercedes manage to shift vast quantities of saloons between them, so the market must exist surely?
I agree with the posters above that the latest Mondeo is just not interesting enough. I thought very seriously about buying the hybrid version, but the interior quality left something to be desired and the packaging of the hybrid version was terrible - the traction battery ate into the boot leaving a very oddly shaped space for your luggage. The car was clearly not designed to be a hybrid.
The styling was OK in saloon form, but the hatchback looked a bit strange to me, as if the hatchback version was an afterthought (which it probably was). The Insignia looked a lot smarter.
I think another issue is size. It's massive - basically the size of a BMW 5-series. You get a lot of car for your money but I can imagine that some people looked at it and felt that it was just too big.
Overall I felt that it missed the mark. I am sure that the market for saloons has shrunk but I think a lot of the problems are down to the product not the market.
I agree with the posters above that the latest Mondeo is just not interesting enough. I thought very seriously about buying the hybrid version, but the interior quality left something to be desired and the packaging of the hybrid version was terrible - the traction battery ate into the boot leaving a very oddly shaped space for your luggage. The car was clearly not designed to be a hybrid.
The styling was OK in saloon form, but the hatchback looked a bit strange to me, as if the hatchback version was an afterthought (which it probably was). The Insignia looked a lot smarter.
I think another issue is size. It's massive - basically the size of a BMW 5-series. You get a lot of car for your money but I can imagine that some people looked at it and felt that it was just too big.
Overall I felt that it missed the mark. I am sure that the market for saloons has shrunk but I think a lot of the problems are down to the product not the market.
The trouble I think for many with the Mondeo is it offers a paradise syndrome in many ways.
It looks good enough, drives well enough, is comfortable enough, has enough space, and is usually reliable enough and fairly easy to fix if something goes wrong. It does everything just well enough, and gives you everything you need with your sensible trousers on. I have one, I love it, but I can see why many people consider them just dull.
It's a shame. But large family hatchbacks and estates just can't seem compete with the appeal of crossovers, which is very sad.
Never got on with the looks of the Mk 5 either personally. A Mk4 with the Volvo 5 cylinder and six speed manual is peak Mondeo for me.
It looks good enough, drives well enough, is comfortable enough, has enough space, and is usually reliable enough and fairly easy to fix if something goes wrong. It does everything just well enough, and gives you everything you need with your sensible trousers on. I have one, I love it, but I can see why many people consider them just dull.
It's a shame. But large family hatchbacks and estates just can't seem compete with the appeal of crossovers, which is very sad.
Never got on with the looks of the Mk 5 either personally. A Mk4 with the Volvo 5 cylinder and six speed manual is peak Mondeo for me.
The Vambo said:
Ford stylists killed the Mondeo.
No they didn’tThe Ford badge killed the Mondeo.
30 years ago, reps drove Fords and Vauxhalls. Managers drove higher spec Fords and Vauxhalls. Only Directors and owners drove Mercedes and BMWs.
Now, everyone opts outs and buys something from the vastly expanded range in the German portfolio, because they can.
Why spend £25k on a Mondeo when you can spend the same money and have a BMW on the drive?
Not many cars remaining I don't think with that saloon appearance, yet with a massive hatchback boot.
The Mondeo ending production was inevitable. Tastes have changed to the 'SUV' market in general but for those who do want a saloon type car, as others have said the German's have that all boxed off with the PCP deals and lower depreciation.
The Mondeo ending production was inevitable. Tastes have changed to the 'SUV' market in general but for those who do want a saloon type car, as others have said the German's have that all boxed off with the PCP deals and lower depreciation.
dunc01965 said:
Badge snobs helped in the demise of the mondeo, people willing to pay extra for the less reliable German product because they thought it gave them more kudos amongst their peers.
Maybe. Maybe not. It's not as though the 3 or C are exactly crap are they? There isn't anything from an ability pov that the Ford does better. Maybe a bit more room inside but that's probably it.Gassing Station | Ford | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff