Why was the Ford Freestar discontinued?
The Ford Freestar, a minivan model produced by Ford Motor Company, was discontinued in 2007 after a relatively short production run. The discontinuation of the Freestar was due to a combination of factors, including declining sales, increased competition in the minivan market, and Ford's strategic shift towards other vehicle segments.
Declining Sales and Market Trends
The Ford Freestar was introduced in 2003 as a replacement for the Ford Windstar minivan. However, the Freestar struggled to gain traction in the highly competitive minivan market, which was dominated by models like the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Chrysler Town & Country. The Freestar's sales numbers steadily declined over the years, with only around 80,000 units sold in its final year of production in 2007. This was a significant drop from the Windstar's peak sales of over 200,000 units in the late 1990s.
The minivan segment as a whole was also experiencing a decline in popularity during the mid-2000s, as consumers began to shift towards larger SUVs and crossover vehicles. This market trend, combined with the Freestar's lackluster sales performance, made it increasingly difficult for Ford to justify continuing production of the model.
Increased Competition and Ford's Strategic Shift
The minivan market had become increasingly crowded and competitive by the mid-2000s, with established players like Honda, Toyota, and Chrysler continuously updating and improving their offerings. The Freestar struggled to keep up with the more modern and feature-rich designs of its competitors, making it less appealing to consumers.
At the same time, Ford was shifting its focus towards other vehicle segments, such as SUVs and pickup trucks, which were experiencing stronger sales and higher profit margins. The company decided to discontinue the Freestar in order to allocate more resources towards these more profitable and strategically important vehicle lines.
Conclusion
The discontinuation of the Ford Freestar was the result of a combination of factors, including declining sales, increased competition in the minivan market, and Ford's strategic shift towards other vehicle segments. While the Freestar was not able to achieve the same level of success as its predecessors, the decision to discontinue the model was ultimately a business decision made by Ford to better align its product portfolio with market trends and the company's long-term goals.
What is the problem with the 2004 Ford Freestar?
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL. What should you do: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE.
What is the Ford Freestar controversy?
A faulty torque converter was causing widespread and dangerous transmission problems for owners of the 2004-05 Ford Freestar. The problem was investigated and eventually recalled, but did the recall cover everybody it should have?…
Why did Ford stop making the Freestar?
After selling far under sales projections, Ford discontinued the Freestar and Monterey after the 2007 model year. The final Monterey was produced by Oakville Assembly on August 25, 2006; the final Freestar was produced on December 29, 2006.
How many miles can a 2005 Ford Freestyle last?
With careful driving and good care you may get to 350,000 miles, but be prepared for that transmission crapping out unexpectedly.
What years of Ford Freestyle to avoid?
Several 2005 and 2007 Ford Freestyle owners have complained about transmission failure, some as early as a few months after purchasing their vehicle. Drivers report that as their check engine light illuminated, the engine would suffer from poor acceleration and would sometimes stall.
Why did Ford stop making Freestyle?
The current Freestyle, which went on sale just 10 months ago, will be discontinued after the 2007 model year, several supplier and industry sources say. With sales below expectations, the Freestyle was squeezed out by a proliferation of sport wagons in Ford's plans.
How reliable are Ford freestyles?
As mentioned previously, the Ford Freestyle is an incredibly reliable vehicle that's built to withstand collisions. Despite this, it's not invincible, and its parts are just as susceptible to damage and degradation as any other vehicle's.
How much is a 2005 Ford Freestar worth today?
A 2005 Ford Freestar has depreciated $25 or 1% in the last 3 years and has a current resale value of $1,718 and trade-in value of $545.
What replaced the Ford Freestyle?
When the Freestyle became the Taurus X, the styling improved, with Ford's then-trademark three-bar grille and some more interesting lighting equipment.
What is the successor of the Ford Freestar?
In 2009, the Ford Flex was introduced as the replacement for the discontinued Ford Freestar/Mercury Monterey. The Taurus X was discontinued for the 2009 model year, with the Flex unofficially serving as its replacement.
