2 Ford Models Going Nowhere on Dealership Lots
Historically, Ford has been a powerhouse in American vehicle sales. For example, the Ford F-Series of trucks has been America’s best-selling vehicle for 41 consecutive years. With overwhelming success in the pickup truck market, continuing success with the next generation of the Mustang, and expanding EV success with the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning, it is no surprise that the American automaker is so successful in sales year after year.
Despite this success, a couple of Ford models are laying dormant on dealer lots, falling short of the other vehicles in the automaker’s lineup. Here is everything you need to know about the two Ford models going nowhere on dealership lots.
1. Ford EcoSport
The Ford EcoSport is experiencing an unbelievable drop in sales, according to GoodCarBadCar. So far this year, the EcoSport has only sold around 2,219 units, which is an 85.47% decrease in sales compared to this time last year. However, these sales numbers are actually to be expected, as the Ford EcoSport has been discontinued worldwide. Every EcoSport sold today consists of leftover inventory on dealer lots.
The Ford EcoSport has never been a strong seller for Ford. According to AutoTrends, the Ford EcoSport never lived up to expectations, only achieving around 60,000 units sold per year at most. The EcoSport was built in India, and a big reason for this discontinuation was that Ford lost more than $2 billion in India over the last 10 years. With lost sales in its manufacturing home country, a quirky three-cylinder engine, and an unconventional side-opening fridge-like rear door, the EcoSport experiment just didn’t pan out in the U.S.
2. Ford Transit Connect
The Ford Transit and Ford Transit Connect vans are not the same, despite their similar names. The Ford Transit can be seen throughout America working as delivery vans and workhorse vans for small businesses. On the other hand, the Transit Connect is a smaller, more city-friendly van made for tiny companies and personal use. Sadly, this smaller van simply never caught on in sales.
The Ford Transit Connect had issues not only on dealer lots but also in the courts. According to The Autopian, Ford attempted to sidestep some complex taxes by building these vans in Europe and then used American passenger-to-cargo conversions after production. This attempted circumvention of taxes ended up costing Ford around $1 billion in fines. These issues led to the discontinuation of the Transit Connect being announced following the 2023 model year, and as of right now, only 7,239 Transit Connects have been sold so far this year, a 40.16% decrease in sales compared to last year.
What are some good alternatives to these discontinued Fords?
The Ford EcoSport is one of the tiniest crossover SUVs on the market today. However, with its discontinuation, you can find a suitable alternative in the Hyundai Kona, Kia Soul, Nissan Kicks, or even the Buick Encore GX if you are looking for a subcompact crossover with a little more luxury in the interior.
If you are looking for an alternative to the Ford Transit Connect, you are out of luck, as the small van segment is ending with the discontinuation of the Transit Connect. The Nissan NV and RAM ProMaster City have also recently been dropped from their respective lineups. A Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey minivan could be a good alternative for a small work van, although they are not in the same segment as the Ford Transit Connect.
