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Ford Intends To Discontinue the C-Max, Grand C-Max

As if it wasn’t obvious that multi-purpose vehicles are on their last legs due to the soaring demand for crossovers, Ford of Europe confirmed that it’s talking with the German workforce over the future of the Saarlouis plant. More to the point, the Dearborn-based automaker intends to pull the plug on the C-Max and Grand C-Max.
Ford Grand C-MAX Diesel Estate 1.5 TDCI Titanium X 15 photos
Photo: Ford
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Based on the C1 vehicle architecture of the Focus Mk III, these models date back to the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Production of the C-Max Energi for the United States ended in September 2017 while the C-Max Hybrid came to a grinding halt earlier this year.

Speaking to Automotive News Europe, Ford assured that “the consultation process will include necessary adjustments to the workforce at Saarlouis." The higher-ups intend “to match production to consumer demand,” which is jibber-jabber that should be interpreted as “we’re not selling enough to break even.”

Combined sales of the C-Max and Grand C-Max totaled 68,019 units in 2017 in the Old Continent. In October 2018, the Ford Motor Company couldn’t do better than 3,875 examples of the breed. Given these circumstances, the Saarlouis plant will reduce production from three to two shifts, translating to a loss of 1,600 jobs from the current total of 6,190.

The Focus Mk IV will soldier on at the German plant, available as a five-door hatchback, station wagon, and four-door sedan in a handful of markets such as Turkey and Romania. The Focus ST should arrive in 2019 for the 2020 model year, and half a year after the unveiling, the Focus RS will level up to 400 horsepower or thereabouts.

The restructuring will be completed by the beginning of 2020, coming as a result of poor financial results in Europe. The European division confirmed at the earnings call that it had lost $245 million in the third quarter of 2018. As if that wasn’t enough, Ford expects a full-year loss in Europe for a few other reasons, including the weak pound sterling in the United Kingdom.

On that note, is Ford right to discontinue the C-Max and Grand C-Max as part of the global restructuring plan brought into the limelight by James P. Hackett?
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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