Art of Gears
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Is Ford making a huge mistake?

Ford have hinted they want to kill off their larger models, but are they making a big mistake?

By Eshan Miller

Could this spell the end for the Ford F-150
Could this spell the end for the Ford F-150 / Sjoerd van der Wal/GettyImages
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If you're a human who is aware of cars, you'll instantly recognize two types: the pickup and the muscle car. Now, if pressed to answer what brand they most associate with these two types of cars, only one comes to mind.

Any guesses? Of course, it could only be Ford. If you're in America, it is impossible not to be aware of Ford. The F-150 was the best-selling car in America for much of the 2010s, and the Mustang is only the most iconic muscle car of all time.

So why am I asking extremely obvious questions?

Ford CEO Jim Farley has said that Americans need to "get back in love with smaller cars," stating that "It's super important for our society and for EV adoption." Farley claims this is for weight purposes.

So what does this mean for Ford?

Ford has already announced that they will be dropping both of their most iconic European nameplates, with the Fiesta having stopped production in 2023 and the Focus being dropped by 2025.

I am well aware that neither of these are big or high displacement cars, but it is a start for Ford who seem to be shedding their skin to make way for the EV revolution. The American giant has already announced at least two more electric crossover/ SUVS, (because we don't have enough of them already).

If, like me, you already feel like screaming into a pillow at Ford's decisions, just wait until you see what they've decided to name their newest EV Crossover. This makes me feel unclean to say, but the new electric SUV by Ford will be called the 'Capri.'

Back to the subheading, what does this mean for Ford, especially with their iconic models? Whilst Ford hasn't made any comments about the Mustang, it is very quickly becoming clear that Ford has no interest in continuing with internal combustion. The facts are that whilst we car people find the Mustang 'Mach-E' sacrilegious to the Mustang name, the soulless SUV sold pretty well. This is because the average consumer can half-heartedly say they got to buy the car they had a poster of as a kid (even if it looks like it has had a severe allergic reaction), and they can feel sensible and like they're saving the planet all at the same time.

It's the same with the F series, too. Whilst the F-150 sort of made some sense having an electric variant, it looks like it'll be the last 'big' car that Ford makes, and with that, enjoy your supercharger whines whilst you can because you, reader, are no longer who Ford wishes to appease.

Just to clarify, so I don't get accused of being a tinfoil hat, yes, I am against climate change, and yes, I would like to see a greener future. However, it looks like corporations such as Ford would rather punish us, the consumers, to give us their version of a greener future.

So is Ford making a mistake?

Yes and no. Yes, they're making a mistake for two reasons. The first reason is that, factually, it isn't settled that EVs are the only alternative for a green future. I've written previously about Porsche's alternative zero-emissions fuel they're working on, which would keep petrol engines alive. With developments in alternative fuels, brands such as Mercedes and Toyota have backtracked on their plans for a full EV future. Ford, however, has put all their eggs in the EV basket, and that might not work out so well in the long run.

The second reason Ford is making a mistake is purely the fact that they're threatening to completely alienate their enthusiasts and people who care about the brand. For example, I'm from England, and growing up, cars such as the Escort Cosworth, Focus RS, Fiesta ST, Mondeo ST220, Sierra Cosworth, and then, of course, cars such as the Mustang and the GT all played a huge part in making me a car person. So, with its latest decision, Ford risks completely losing my interest and that of millions of others just like me.

However, there is one reason why Ford isn't making a mistake—money. Of course. In the short term, the average person wants to buy a grey crossover that doesn't make any noise, so if Ford can completely corner the EV SUV market, why wouldn't they—even if it risks losing enthusiasts?