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AuHavrePro's post celebrating Ford's Nurburgring record sparks a fascinating discussion about the brand's evolving presence in the European market. This article delves into how Ford's racing triumphs, like the Nurburgring record, contrast with its strategic shifts in regional product portfolios. It highlights the complexities of maintaining brand heritage and market share in a rapidly changing automotive landscape.
I have huge respect for the ability of the team and the GT line has been a raft of engineering successes - so not with that. But given that under Farley the brand is practically killing the European business I didnβt think they would use the Nordschleiffe so prominently (they are doing it with the Mustang as well).
So they aren't willing to cut any corners there regardless of what may be happening in other regional subsidiaries etc. It frankly came as a bit of a surprise to me as well despite being a lifelong Ford fanboy ππ
Even though he was head of the European division in the past and should not have been able to plead ignorance π€·π»ββοΈ
The brand is dead for all intents and purposes π€¦π»ββοΈ
But based it around a small electric Explorer (on Volkswagenβs MEB platform) which has absolutely zero heritage in Europe and on a very similar (same platform) Capri - this used to be a very storied European junior pony car - turned into a bloated lazily designed SUV fastback π€¦π»ββοΈπ€¦π»ββοΈπ€¦π»ββοΈ Unlike with something like the Mustang there was no nameplate continuity and I believe the Capri left the scene in the late 1970s so likewise thereβs not much in terms of transfer.
On the types of vehicles that the vast majority of Europeans desire to purchase and drive.... I haven't visited often enough to get a sense of how Asian carmakers are now fairing there, but I think they also have an advantage over American manufacturers at this point in time....
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