Ford won't show vehicles at car shows???

[Dsc]

Seems to be the trend all over.
I haven't gone to the Toronto show in about twenty years. Loved it when it was out at the Airport Centre, lots of free parking and easy to get to. But once it moved downtown, parking was harder to find and the attending cost went way up. Could get mostly the same experience going to local dealers on a Sunday when they are closed.
The OEMs are disappearing from lots of shows like SEMA. Use to see them at NASCAR races but they are missing or have a greatly reduced display.
Just another sign of changes that won't stop.

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[gfitzge2]

I guess I am old school (correction: I am old school and make no apologies.) I will miss the big auto shows if they go away. I have driven from KY. to Detroit to see the NAIAS in 2019 and 2022. Five and a half hours each way. I had just ordered my Ranger in 2019, and went to the NAIAS to see them on display. Went again this year to see the just revealed 2024 Mustangs. Yes the show was smaller this year but still pretty good.

The best day to go to NAIAS is on "Industry/Tech" day. It is interesting to see folks with cameras, measuring tapes and note pads scoping out the competition. Note the picture below. This lady needed to get a close up look at the underpinnings.

I understand that manufacturers don't want to spend millions if the public interest is not there. But it is still sad.

 

[OC4095]

Is this the begging of the end of car shows?

I have lots of good memories going to the LA auto show with my pops.

 

[JimG_AZ]

I was at the Phoenix Auto Show over the Thanksgiving weekend and Ford was there. I was at the show on Black Friday morning and there was pretty good attendance. The show size is getting smaller each year though. I do not recall seeing Honda or Subaru at this year's show. Ford did have a Lightening, a couple Broncos, some F-150's. a few Super Duties and a Ranger. They also had a bunch of SUV's, a Maverick and a couple mustangs. Oh, and a Mach-E. The Ranger was the current gen. Both my son and I were surprised that the new gen Ranger was not there. Also, no new generation Tacoma, just a current gen. There was a new gen Frontier and a new gen Colorado. Chevy had the current and new gen Colorado side-by-side. The new Colorado is really nice! Huge improvement in the interior and the front legroom is excellent. I am 6'4" and I rarely get in a vehicle that has more legroom than I need. I put the driver's seat all the way back in the Colorado and I was barely able to touch the pedals. Of course, when the seat was all the way back, there was almost no legroom for any rear passengers. The new Frontier was very nice too. Nicer interior than the Ranger, but the back seat is terrible. The rear seat back is similar to the original Tundra where there is no rake to the seat back. It is almost straight up and down.

My overall impressions of the show: (1) The price of trucks and SUV's are going through the roof. A high-end, full-sized, half-ton 4x4 stickers @ $75K. I recall walking by an Explorer with a $58k sticker. (2) GM is very serious about the mid-sized truck market. The new Colorado is very legitimate competition, and it is going to sell well.

 

[Dereku]

How many people have bought a vehicle because of an auto show display or showing? I'd guess very few. So that, combined with the invention of internet vehicle debuts, pretty much makes attending an auto show a waste of money. Auto shows should be for unique and rare vehicles, something you wouldn't see anywhere else. Not your average Explorer or Ranger or F-150.
Just my "hot take"....

I might be a ford guy because of the auto show as a kid. I bought fords in an indirect way. Could be seeing my dad double the payload regularly on all his trucks my whole life. Either way auto shows had a profound impact on my choice of vehicles I believe.

 

[Rp930]

If you ever had to work one of the car shows you would know why somebody made a decision to reduce or eliminate going to them. The theft is unbelievable along with damage. If it can be unscrewed or pried off some kid will do it.

 

[shred5]

I was at the Phoenix Auto Show over the Thanksgiving weekend and Ford was there. I was at the show on Black Friday morning and there was pretty good attendance. The show size is getting smaller each year though. I do not recall seeing Honda or Subaru at this year's show. Ford did have a Lightening, a couple Broncos, some F-150's. a few Super Duties and a Ranger. They also had a bunch of SUV's, a Maverick and a couple mustangs. Oh, and a Mach-E. The Ranger was the current gen. Both my son and I were surprised that the new gen Ranger was not there. Also, no new generation Tacoma, just a current gen. There was a new gen Frontier and a new gen Colorado. Chevy had the current and new gen Colorado side-by-side. The new Colorado is really nice! Huge improvement in the interior and the front legroom is excellent. I am 6'4" and I rarely get in a vehicle that has more legroom than I need. I put the driver's seat all the way back in the Colorado and I was barely able to touch the pedals. Of course, when the seat was all the way back, there was almost no legroom for any rear passengers. The new Frontier was very nice too. Nicer interior than the Ranger, but the back seat is terrible. The rear seat back is similar to the original Tundra where there is no rake to the seat back. It is almost straight up and down.

My overall impressions of the show: (1) The price of trucks and SUV's are going through the roof. A high-end, full-sized, half-ton 4x4 stickers @ $75K. I recall walking by an Explorer with a $58k sticker. (2) GM is very serious about the mid-sized truck market. The new Colorado is very legitimate competition, and it is going to sell well.

Yea the new trucks. Usually I am in the market about now for a new truck but decided to hold on too mine for a longer to see the new offerings like The Colorado, Ranger and Taco.. I like to buy a different truck to have something different. Last was a Colorado before the Ranger. My Colorado had more front leg room than the Ranger but I think the seats just go farther back, cab size seams the close.

I think the new Colorado looks totally cool and GM really did a nice job especially with the GMC Canyon WOW.. I think out of all the new models it may look the best so far. My thing is I owned one last and wanted something different. Combined they may be a challenger for the top spot over the Taco depending on what they do or how long till it actually comes out.

The Nissan looked really good till I saw the back seat. I liked the idea of a 6 cyl non turbo too but the back seat killed it for me.


Taco we have not seen much yet but rumors is 4 cyl turbo, that will be interesting. Wont be on my list unless they do something with the seat position. I take so many long trips so I need comfort and that is what the Ranger does best and honestly may influence my decision most for next gen. It wont be looks or features it may be comfort.

I wish Ford would start showing the new Ranger in the USA. Almost makes me wonder when it may actually release. We went through this with the current gen and why I ended up with a Colorado for a couple of years. Got tired of waiting for the Ranger to actually release..
Being a American Company just baffles why it comes here last. Looking at the newer Ranger makes me wonder a little on some of their design choices.

I think when it comes to the shows for really does not have much to show other than the Bronco stuff.

 

[halligan1201]

Not sure what they are thinking....

https://driving.ca/auto-news/auto-shows/ford-cancels-all-appearances-at-canadian-auto-shows-for-2023

They're not alone or unique - about half of the manufacturers skipped the show tour last year. When you don't have enough inventory to meet demand, what's the sense in spending millions on additional promotion?

 

[wanted33]

"learning new ways to connect with customers", so they're not going to attend car shows. That actullay makes sense coming from the Farley people. Seems to me Ford is doing it's best to shun us lowly ICE owners, and perfecting ways to kiss the ass of the EV fanatics. I wish them luck with that......

Now that I got that off my chest, I'll try to say something constructive. It may be because the younger generations aren't that interested in car shows, so it's becomes a moot point for them to show their vehicles. I have to face the fact that I'm not in the "target consumer group" anymore. But one would think Ford would at least show the new Mustang.

 

[gfitzge2]

"learning new ways to connect with customers", so they're not going to attend car shows. That actullay makes sense coming from the Farley people. Seems to me Ford is doing it's best to shun us lowly ICE owners, and perfecting ways to kiss the ass of the EV fanatics. I wish them luck with that......

Now that I got that off my chest, I'll try to say something constructive. It may be because the younger generations aren't that interested in car shows, so it's becomes a moot point for them to show their vehicles. I have to face the fact that I'm not in the "target consumer group" anymore. But one would think Ford would at least show the new Mustang.

Ford did have a large presence at the Detroit auto show (NAIAS) this year. The 2024 Mustang was featured. I hope they continue with these shows.

On a side note. The big car shows are great for seeing the newest stuff, but for those of us that are car crazy the auctions like Mecum are great for checking out the older and classic rides. You do not have to be a registered buyer to attend. All the vehicles to be auctioned are on display before the auction. Just like a big classic car show. Every thing from antique to new.

 

[D Fresh]

That new Mustang looks like a Camaro.?

 

[John Earley]

Actually, more than the state of New York (~20 million), more in line with California (~39 million), as we’re now at ~38 million.

But your point is well taken, it is crazy expensive to have big exhibits at the larger auto shows.

Don’t worry. Your leader up there likes to brag about 80-90% are vax’d!!!! In a few years the population will be more like Rhode Island.

sorry. Not sorry!

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Don’t worry. Your leader up there likes to brag about 80-90% are vax’d!!!! In a few years the population will be more like Rhode Island.

sorry. Not sorry!

What!!?? You mean we’re going to be half Irish and start dropping the letter “R” when we talk?

 

[John Earley]

What!!?? You mean we’re going to be half Irish and start dropping the letter “R” when we talk?

well strokes are common. Let’s hope the pop that survives can still talk. Lol. Good luck up there. Eh! Get your boosters. No one else in North America is. Just the Canadians. Ouch. That was rough. Or should I drop that R outta rough for ya.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

well strokes are common. Let’s hope the pop that survives can still talk. Lol. Good luck up there. Eh! Get your boosters. No one else in North America is. Just the Canadians. Ouch. That was rough. Or should I drop that R outta rough for ya.

Prediction: John Earley

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