Posted on 10/11/2016 10:09:56 AM PDT by Brilliant
Ford Motor Co. is idling its Flat Rock Assembly Plant, where the Dearborn automaker builds the Ford Mustang and the revived Lincoln Continental.
The site will be idled for one week, Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker said in an email.
"We continue to match production with demand," Felker said in response to a query about whether the idling was due to slower Mustang sales. "Mustang remains the top seller in its segment in total and retail sales..."
Sales of all Ford-brand cars fell by double-digits in the U.S. in September, as Americans continue to gravitate toward crossovers and SUVs, but the Mustang's decline was particularly abrupt. Its sales dove 32 percent to 6,429 units on the month.
Through the first nine months of the year, sales of the Mustang are down 9 percent to 87,258 units. During that same time, sales of all Ford cars were down 13 percent to 525,869 units...
Through the first nine months of the year, sales of the Camaro are down 11 percent to 54,535 units, and sales of the Challenger dipped 2 percent to 51,141 units during that time.
(Excerpt) Read more at mlive.com ...
These are the people who wake up in their 60s and realize that they have about $1000 in savings.
...and have 26 years left on their 30 year mortgage. But they made it to Cancun every year! And had new vehicles along the path of life’s journey.
And guess who is on the hook for them?
My personal experience with the junk IRS in my ‘03 Cobra has kept me from seriously considering the 2015 Mustang.
When I took my ‘06 in for the airbag recall, I told them I was looking to upgrade to a ‘13-’14 GT (last of the straight axles).
They told me they had plenty, but could not show them to me because they did not have their airbags fixed. They would have been happy to sell me a new one though. I guess I won’t be looking at Ford dealers when I ready for a newer used Mustang.
Age is DEFINITELY a factor. I would have to call 911 for some of the stuff I did back then. Hindsight is always 20/20.
:-)
As a guy who once got seven tickets in under three years, three tickets in a week, one on a Sunday morning on a deserted Southern California free going in excess of 125mph, I think I can explain this in terms that are reasoned.
I don’t speed. I follow the posted driving speeds at all times. I came to realize I wasn’t just putting myself in danger at times, but others too. I make a concerted effort to drive safely.
What is the point of having a 289+ under the hood, if you can’t use it. And if you do use it to get up to speed all you’re doing is burning off money at an excessive rate.
I picked up a small SUV (Mercury Mariner) in 2006. It was a hybrid. Heck, if I have 150 horsepower under the hood, it’s by accident.
I can get up to speed on freeways quickly with gas and electric motors engaged, but if I can I’ll do it slowly as long as I’m not impeding traffic.
I have the ability to haul tools and other things around if I need to. I get 25 to 32 miles per gallon. I get a kick out of the electric motor, and getting around for blocks at a time with my gas engine off. At the same time I had a Ford Mountaineer that was getting about 15 mpg, sometimes as low as 12.
Are there more virile cars out there? Heck yes. Do I care? Not really. I’m happy with myself and I don’t need to drive a more virile vehicle.
I don’t see this as a ‘pussy’ move, but if you think that, it’s okay with me.
At the time I bought the SUV gas was expensive and heading higher. I’ve been stalled in traffic a number of times watching others sit there burning gas by the thousands of gallons collectively, while I move alone under electric power not burning a drop.
Am I saving the planet? No. Am I saving tons of money? In the over scheme of things, probably not. I will tell you though, I’ve been very happy with the Mariner. It’s the best I’ve ever owned, and I get exponentially more enjoyment out of it than any other vehicle I’ve owned.
I’ve own a Mustang, a Firebird, a Trans-Am... none of them were nearly as fun as this vehicle is.
I have the 2016. Love it.
Yes, I can.
New Mustangs are mostly for young people, who don’t have much money or jobs right now.
My neighbor had two accidents in 15 minutes.
First, he hit a car backing out of his driveway. Then, he rear-ended a car at the intersection a mile down the raod.
The police officer at the intersection asked him, "When was the last time you had an accident?"
"Oh, about 15 minutes ago."
To each his own.
I meant it kind of tongue-in-cheek. But I have read where millennials just aren’t into cars like previous generations. They’re more than happy with just riding mass transit.
Henry Ford believed he had to pay his employees enough money to afford his cars.
Most of the younger generation likes used Hondas/Japanese cars. They can be had for little money, reliable and have tons of performance options. Nobody can afford a $35K mustang on a service industry salary. Especially when you have $100K student loans.
Additionally, the new Korean cars are a fraction of American cars and offer more options without sacrificing anything.
LOL. He was probably so shook-up he shouldn’t have been driving.
I feel bad for the guy, but there was something going wrong there.
I agree.
They’re trying to sell $40k~$60k cars to a near minimum wage market.
If it wasn’t for 0% interest loans on 6-7-8 year terms, and government/lease/rental sales, they would have to close their doors.
I’ve never heard that before but I don’t doubt it for a minute. Our entire modern economy from the ground up (literally; modern city planning is enabled by mass car ownership) and the place that builds all those cars is gonna be the canary in the coal mine.
I know my post probably seemed focused on you, but I wasn’t thinking bad thoughts toward you.
I understand your comment, and all the reasons behind it. I can identify with that type of thinking too.
You’re comment about vehicles and how folks see them isn’t that far off base. Some folks in New York City wonder why anyone really needs one.
Take care. I appreciate the response.
New Mustangs are mostly for young people, who don’t have much money or jobs right now.”
LOL! According to surveys the average owner is a male house owner with a household income of $72,000.
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