The news is all over the internet right now, but here are a few articles for reference:
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2018/04...vs-and-trucks/
https://jalopnik.com/ford-will-phase...ica-1825544784
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/comp...tjG?li=BBnb7Kz
First and foremost, I blame the median American consumer. Thanks to those jerks, our beloved manual transmissions are rapidly going extinct, SUVs, trucks, and crossovers have all but taken over the roads, and vehicles are quickly becoming just an extension of the smartphone, not the driver.
Let me just say that for the most part, I hate SUVs, and have really come to loathe the flood of crossovers. While I completely understand that they don't have near the MPG penalty they used to carry, and they drive far better than they used to, with very few exceptions I just cannot bring myself to appreciate them. They're just SOOOOO lame. Here I am in the market for a peppy little fun city car, and then I see this news. I was eyeing the Volvo C30 (extinct), maybe going back to a Mazda 3 hatch like I used to have (thankfully still around with a 6MT), or a Ford Focus or Fiesta ST (soon to be extinct). And then I see this news today. Ford was FINALLY starting to bring us some great smaller cars like they've had in Europe for ages. They tease us with the Focus RS and the spritely little Fiesta, but then they're like "Lol, nope! Here's a Ferd Efteenhundred instead. Maybe you'd prefer an Escape?"
I'm sure they're just caving to market demands right now and an MBA fueled team of financial executives says it makes sense from a quarterly/annual perspective, but I find this really short sighted and kind of infuriating. But then again, perhaps I'm just one of the few weirdos out there (along with you guys) that craves a 3rd pedal, good driving dynamics, and a car that actually fits in a standard parking spot. I don't care what the crossover/SUV/truck loving masses think they want for their commute; I always found a small car SO much better for zipping around rush hour traffic, shopping, and especially going downtown.
Something else I've noticed lately? A SERIOUS increase in jacked up (and spotless/shiny) bro-dozers..in the city. . Do we need $10/gallon gas to get things back in check or what? Common, people! Common, Ford! :cussing: