If you’re one of those people who thinks that Ford makes bad cars, you’re not alone. While it’s true that the company is no longer known for its automobiles, Ford is making a strong push to make more fuel efficient and electric vehicles. The company has several hybrid SUVs on sale, as well as an extensive eco-friendly lineup in development. Even better, the company is planning to add hybrid-electric powertrain options to several of its current models.
Ford has a reputation as a bad car maker
There is no doubt that Ford has a bad reputation. The auto giant has been involved in many recalls and admitted to several problems with its vehicles. But what does this mean for Ford owners? Is the company’s past history the cause of its current problems? Here are a few facts about the carmaker. First of all, let’s look at why it has a bad reputation. Ford had been a major automotive manufacturer for decades, but a financial crisis nearly forced it to bankruptcy. High healthcare costs, high gas prices, and a drop in profit margins all combined to make Ford an automotive giant that was barely recognizable.
Henry Ford was an anti-Semite who refused to label the Germans as bad guys. Ford had a reputation for being anti-Semitic, and his portrait hung in Adolf Hitler’s office in Munich in 1922. The dictator even acknowledged Ford’s role in his famous book, Mein Kampf. Ford was a strong influence on both Hitler and Adolf.
It’s made overseas
While the American automobile industry has been largely criticized for outsourcing some of its production processes overseas, the truth is that many of Ford’s products are still built in the U.S. Even the company’s smallest cars are often assembled overseas. The Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus are three examples of vehicles built overseas. According to the company’s latest Made in America ranking, the Ford Fiesta has the least amount of content from the U.S., while the Honda Civic 2.0-liter model scored 50 percent.
Despite the American reputation for quality cars, many models are actually manufactured overseas. The Ford Fusion, for example, has been built in Mexico for years, but the company just recently began producing this model in Flat Rock, Michigan. Meanwhile, Chrysler has been swooping up the tiny European compact car market. Most cars in this class are assembled abroad, and it’s not clear how much of a share Ford gets in these markets.
It’s affordable
In the quest to make its cars affordable for consumers, Ford has been pursuing various strategies. One of them is reducing the cost of maintenance by breaking down intricate auto parts into small, affordable components. For instance, the company offers more than 800 sub-assembly parts for its cars. This allows consumers to replace parts and maintain the car for a lower price. A third strategy is to develop a low-cost model, which will be sold for less than $35,000, and it’s not hard to see why.
One of the major complaints about new vehicles is the price. The cost of new vehicles is continuously rising as technology increases. A 2021 Ford F-150 Limited can cost up to $80,000, which would be unthinkable just a few years ago. However, if you want a car without sacrificing style, Ford is working to make its vehicles affordable for all budgets. The base price for a Fiesta starts at $14,205. The price of the Focus starts at $17,950. Ford’s SUVs start at $23,940. The F-150 is a full-size truck with a base price of $27,705.
It’s reliable
You may be asking yourself whether or not Ford cars are still reliable. Well, the good news is that the majority of the Ford models are highly reliable. According to J.D. Power, the Ford brand is one of the top 10 most reliable car brands for 2020. While the quality of Ford cars may be on the decline, the company has remained committed to improving their cars’ reliability. Whether or not this trend will continue is another question.
In Consumer Reports’ reliability survey, Ford ranked 22nd out of 26 brands, with a score of 38, just one point below Mini. Mazda and Toyota topped the list, with scores of 84 and 74, respectively. Buick and Lexus were also in the top five, while Honda and Lincoln fell to last. Ford cars are still relatively reliable, according to these ratings, which reflect feedback from thousands of owners.
It has innovative safety technology
When it comes to safety technology, Ford has a lot of options. The Ford Mach-E comes with advanced Co-Pilot360 technology. This active safety system includes blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist, as well as automatic braking in emergencies. In addition, the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist features voice commands to provide immediate steering assistance and avoid collisions with slow-moving vehicles.
The Ford automaker is constantly investing in new safety technology. Their investments in this area are vast, from collision-avoidance technology to structural modifications and restraint system improvements. Ultimately, they’re making the road safer and more enjoyable for drivers and passengers. The benefits of these technologies will be seen soon enough. In the meantime, you can start enjoying the benefits of Ford today. Take a closer look. We’ve got the details!