The end of the Ford Mondeo

Arthur Daley · 25-03-2021 11:12pm #1

Worth marking this as the end of an era. Going all the way back to the Cortina in 1962

Ford has announced it will phase out the Mondeo early next year after nearly three decades of production.

The saloon car used to be hugely popular among executives and families, with about five million sold in Europe since its introduction in 1993.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/companies/arid-40251650.html

colm_mcm · 25-03-2021 11:38pm

SUVs will get the blame here, but Ford dropped the ball years ago on the Mondeo,

ongarite · 25-03-2021 11:44pm

Ford did the same in the US in 2018 stopping sales of sedans to focus on trucks and SUVs.

bazz26 · 25-03-2021 11:59pm

I though they announced this about 2 years ago as even The Grand Tour did a special on it. Auto Express had an article a few months back stating the Mondeo badge would live on as a new crossover. Then again Auto Express are as believable as The Sun newspaper when it comes to fact.

In fairness the last one wasn't a bad car, did nothing spectacular though. Europe just got it too late nearly half way into it's life cycle so it felt old from the off here.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime · 26-03-2021 3:27am

I don't think the SUV is to blame for this, Ford will still have the focus, fiesta to make and sell.

And probably to be fair, the saloon car is a dying breed anyway in favor of more practical hatchbacks and estate cars plus suvs. In a time where cars are getting very economical and environmentally friendly, a modern SUV won't be as bad to drive environmentally compared to years ago when it was mostly range rovers and land cruisers.

beauf · 26-03-2021 3:37am

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

I ....
And probably to be fair, the saloon car is a dying breed anyway in favor of more practical hatchbacks and estate cars plus suvs. In a time where cars are getting very economical and environmentally friendly, a modern SUV won't be as bad to drive environmentally compared to years ago when it was mostly range rovers and land cruisers.

Anything large and heavy will always be less economical and environmentally friendly than something smaller and lighter. So the trend of upsizing isn't really a good thing.

“Simplify, then add lightness”,

colm_mcm · 26-03-2021 1:30pm

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

I don't think the SUV is to blame for this, Ford will still have the focus, fiesta to make and sell.

And probably to be fair, the saloon car is a dying breed anyway in favor of more practical hatchbacks and estate cars plus suvs. In a time where cars are getting very economical and environmentally friendly, a modern SUV won't be as bad to drive environmentally compared to years ago when it was mostly range rovers and land cruisers.

The Mondeo was a hatchback and estate.

In the US it’s a saloon alright, and on some of the hybrids and Vignales they did a saloon here.

ba_barabus · 26-03-2021 1:34pm

To be fair Ford Europe must be getting twitchy bums at this stage that they won't be around in the medium future.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime · 26-03-2021 1:44pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

The Mondeo was a hatchback and estate.

In the US it’s a saloon alright, and on some of the hybrids and Vignales they did a saloon here.

Yes very true, but I would be under the impression that the fucus would be a good enough replacement for it now.

I see more and more focuses as a company car where as years age it was the mondeo.

I just get the impression the focus, fiesta, transit etc are much more popular than the mondeo.

I don't think it will be the end of Ford in Europe though. I think that's looking too much into it when you take in to account the amount of fiestas, focuses , transits, rangers, 7 seaters, compact suvs etc that are being sold by them

ba_barabus · 26-03-2021 1:50pm

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

I don't think it will be the end of Ford in Europe though. I think that's looking too much into it when you take in to account the amount of fiestas, focuses , transits, rangers, 7 seaters, compact suvs etc that are being sold by them

For all their sales, Ford themselves tell you they've been running Ford Europe at a loss for YEARS

Eric Cartman · 26-03-2021 1:52pm

I kind of like that the family saloon is dying and the exec saloons remain. It'll make for a lovely batch of cheap used ex company cars for enthusiasts.

FrankC21 · 26-03-2021 2:10pm

Does it mean, mondeo price will go down?

https://www.carsireland.ie/2771707

The J Stands for Jay · 26-03-2021 2:14pm

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Yes very true, but I would be under the impression that the fucus would be a good enough replacement for it now.

I went from a focus to a Mondeo, because the focus wasn't big enough. It's not going to be a suitable replacement.

bazz26 · 26-03-2021 2:14pm

I had one as a rental in the US a few years back:

They are called the Fusion over there. It was a 2.0 litre Ecoboost with AWD. It was grand, nothing special but felt small compared to the mass number of oversized SUVs and pickup trucks on the road. They are popular enough and Ford still built them up to last year for the likes of rental companies and federal agencies. They were used as police cars in recent times there too.

The J Stands for Jay · 26-03-2021 2:15pm

Eric Cartman wrote: »

I kind of like that the family saloon is dying and the exec saloons remain. It'll make for a lovely batch of cheap used ex company cars for enthusiasts.

I'll have a look at the 5 series when it's time for a replacement.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime · 26-03-2021 2:17pm

McGaggs wrote: »

I went from a focus to a Mondeo, because the focus wasn't big enough. It's not going to be a suitable replacement.

I don't agree with it myself but maybe that's the way they'll play it. A few more estate focuses popping around. Still wouldn't be my thing anymore.

colm_mcm · 26-03-2021 4:36pm

Eric Cartman wrote: »

I kind of like that the family saloon is dying and the exec saloons remain. It'll make for a lovely batch of cheap used ex company cars for enthusiasts.

Laugh it up, but the large executive saloon will eventually be replaced with some sort of SUV too.

road_high · 26-03-2021 4:41pm

I thought they were going more SUV with it- https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/mondeo/354227/new-2022-ford-mondeo-evos-spied-winter-testing-pictures

colm_mcm · 26-03-2021 4:42pm

I think crossover/SUV buyers have lower standards,
i.e. they will tolerate shortcomings that wouldn’t be as easily forgiven in hatches and saloons.
The likes of the Golf was the pinnacle of everything for a long time, the interior was the benchmark that its rivals just couldn’t reach.
Then the likes of the Qashqai came along and none of that stuff mattered anymore.
Maybe the crossover thing was a big reset on traditional values, but the likes of Kia and Hyundai who couldn’t do a great mid range saloon to save their lives, are killing it in the crossover market.
The Nissan pulsar is generally derided, but it’s Qashqai sister is hugely popular.

That’s why I think Ford is getting out of the difficult models (which other manufacturers continue to do well in, see Skoda and VW for examples) where an average effort is a failure, and getting more into crossovers where any old toss will do.

FrankC21 · 26-03-2021 4:57pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think crossover/SUV buyers have lower standards,
i.e. they will tolerate shortcomings that wouldn’t be as easily forgiven in hatches and saloons.
The likes of the Golf was the pinnacle of everything for a long time, the interior was the benchmark that its rivals just couldn’t reach.
Then the likes of the Qashqai came along and none of that stuff mattered anymore.
Maybe the crossover thing was a big reset on traditional values, but the likes of Kia and Hyundai who couldn’t do a great mid range saloon to save their lives, are killing it in the crossover market.
The Nissan pulsar is generally derided, but it’s Qashqai sister is hugely popular.

That’s why I think Ford is getting out of the difficult models (which other manufacturers continue to do well in, see Skoda and VW for examples) where an average effort is a failure, and getting more into crossovers where any old toss will do.

In most countries, if you have a big SUV, you are seen as rich, well-off individual, for my taste a black shiny saloon car are far more luxurious to look at than a SUV/crossover.

Fck8n state of juke, ecosport and puma.

Eric Cartman · 26-03-2021 6:17pm

FrankC21 wrote: »

In most countries, if you have a big SUV, you are seen as rich, well-off individual, for my taste a black shiny saloon car are far more luxurious to look at than a SUV/crossover.

Fck8n state of juke, ecosport and puma.

I think all the low end fwd / barely awd crossovers are all fugly little things. The discovery, pajero, landcruiser, range rover, defender are the last real offroad machines left, most of the rest of it is just laughably sad.

CoBo55 · 26-03-2021 6:42pm

Eric Cartman wrote: »

I think all the low end fwd / barely awd crossovers are all fugly little things. The discovery, pajero, landcruiser, range rover, defender are the last real offroad machines left, most of the rest of it is just laughably sad.

Couldn't have said it better myself:D:D

nsnoefc1878 · 26-03-2021 8:27pm

CoBo55 wrote: »

Couldn't have said it better myself:D:D

The current discovery is absolutely hideous, an suv styled like a bus, and the new defender is the ultimate Chelsea tractor.

nsnoefc1878 · 26-03-2021 8:30pm

The current mondeo estate is a lovely looking bus in the right colour. Shame it has a typical ford interior.

AMKC · 26-03-2021 8:37pm

road_high wrote: »

I thought they were going more SUV with it- https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/mondeo/354227/new-2022-ford-mondeo-evos-spied-winter-testing-pictures

Looks like it might not be coming to Europe now either.

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think crossover/SUV buyers have lower standards,
i.e. they will tolerate shortcomings that wouldn’t be as easily forgiven in hatches and saloons.
The likes of the Golf was the pinnacle of everything for a long time, the interior was the benchmark that its rivals just couldn’t reach.
Then the likes of the Qashqai came along and none of that stuff mattered anymore.
Maybe the crossover thing was a big reset on traditional values, but the likes of Kia and Hyundai who couldn’t do a great mid range saloon to save their lives, are killing it in the crossover market.
The Nissan pulsar is generally derided, but it’s Qashqai sister is hugely popular.

That’s why I think Ford is getting out of the difficult models (which other manufacturers continue to do well in, see Skoda and VW for examples) where an average effort is a failure, and getting more into crossovers where any old toss will do.

I think Fords biggest problem was image. Unfortunatly Fird just do not have much of an image. In fact I would say Kia and Hyundai have a better image than Ford now. A pity as while Ford did make some turns like the Escourt and MK3 Mondeo both absolutely terrible cars they made some great cars like the Focus, C-Max, S-Max and even the B-Max was brilliant.
I am surprised the Mondeo got this far. It really should have been axed when they made the MK3.
Still it had a longer life than the poor Renault Laguna but then Renault brought that on themselves by rushing the Mk 2 Laguna to market without proper quality tests and that doomed the Laguna unfortunatly.

Arthur Daley · 26-03-2021 8:37pm

Apart from the Motor industry side of this announcement, there is a cultural element to the end of the line with the Mondeo.

The Cortina Mark I-V was one of those cars that defined the period from 1962 to 1982. The Sierra eventually finding favour in the 80s. Some Cortinas were assembled in Cork. Was there a car that screamed the 70s more than the MkIII Cortina, especially one with a vinyl roof.

I have a Top Gear book called 'My Dad had one of those', it defines the Cortina as the ultimate Dad car. Everyone's Dad had one, or so it seemed.

In the 90s and early 2000s Tony Blair relied on what was termed 'Mondeo Man' to sweep into Downing St at three elections running. It was the Cortina class, the Sierra class, the Mondeo class until fairly recently. So it's a changing of the times, at least for old nostalgic sods anyway.

nsnoefc1878 · 26-03-2021 8:40pm

Arthur Daley wrote: »

Apart from the Motor industry side of this announcement, there is a cultural element to the end of the line with the Mondeo.

The Cortina Mark I-V was one of those cars that defined the period from 1962 to 1982. The Sierra eventually finding favour in the 80s. Some Cortinas were assembled in Cork. Was there a car that screamed the 70s more than the MkIII Cortina, especially one with a vinyl roof.

I have a Top Gear book called 'My Dad had one of those', it defines the Cortina as the ultimate Dad car. Everyone's Dad had one, or so it seemed.

In the 90s and early 2000s Tony Blair relied on what was termed 'Mondeo Man' to sweep into Downing St at three elections running. It was the Cortina class, the Sierra class, the Mondeo class until fairly recently. So it's a changing of the times, at least for old nostalgic sods anyway.

FG here go after the Tucson/Sportage/qashqai on pcp brigade.

eggy81 · 26-03-2021 8:52pm

I’ll be disappointed to see the end of it personally. Always had a soft spot for Ford and particularly the Sierra/mondeo since childhood with the father having had a few. Still think the previous focus to the current one is a cracking looking car. Too many going the suv route imho.

RobAMerc · 26-03-2021 8:58pm

I think the Mondeo is seen as the epitome of the "3 box saloon" - Ford ending production is seen as the end of the line for an automotive styling concpet that spans back 50 odd years.

On a more specific note, the Mondeo was imo one of the few mid range family cars / saloons that was actually not a bad tool to pilot down a road - compare it to the equivalent GM product of the last 50 years it was invariably the better drive. For that I will regret the Mondeos demise.

Larbre34 · 26-03-2021 9:10pm

Truth is, the Mondeo is crap compared to the Mazda 6, the Passat and most importantly the Superb.

I don't think its so much the end of the market, more that Ford haven't given enough attention to the model in this current generation. Its cheap and nasty and utterly anonymous. In fairness they have done a great job with the current Fiesta and Puma and if thats where they want to focus their attention, so be it.

I love a nicely proportioned 3 box saloon, I've had loads over the years and I don't see that changing. Will probably trade in my older S60 for an S90 during the year.

CoBo55 · 26-03-2021 10:37pm

Larbre34 wrote: »

Truth is, the Mondeo is crap compared to the Mazda 6, the Passat and most importantly the Superb.

I don't think its so much the end of the market, more that Ford haven't given enough attention to the model in this current generation. Its cheap and nasty and utterly anonymous. In fairness they have done a great job with the current Fiesta and Puma and if thats where they want to focus their attention, so be it.

I love a nicely proportioned 3 box saloon, I've had loads over the years and I don't see that changing. Will probably trade in my older S60 for an S90 during the year.

Saw what you did there:D

CoBo55 · 26-03-2021 10:40pm

nsnoefc1878 wrote: »

The current discovery is absolutely hideous, an suv styled like a bus, and the new defender is the ultimate Chelsea tractor.

That may well be so but when not broken down would actually manage to pull a trailer bigger than a matchbox. The other yokes are just toys.

colm_mcm · 26-03-2021 10:48pm

AMKC wrote: »

Looks like it might not be coming to Europe now either.

I think Fords biggest problem was image. Unfortunatly Fird just do not have much of an image. In fact I would say Kia and Hyundai have a better image than Ford now. A pity as while Ford did make some turns like the Escourt and MK3 Mondeo both absolutely terrible cars they made some great cars like the Focus, C-Max, S-Max and even the B-Max was brilliant.
I am surprised the Mondeo got this far. It really should have been axed when they made the MK3.
Still it had a longer life than the poor Renault Laguna but then Renault brought that on themselves by rushing the Mk 2 Laguna to market without proper quality tests and that doomed the Laguna unfortunatly.

I’ll admit I’m not crazy about Fords, but I think the biggest problem is that Ford seem to be oblivious to what makes a car interior feel special or even ergonomically good.
Small things like how switches work, the beeps when you leave keys in or lights on, fonts, it’s like they don’t care about how people interact with the car.
That’s just my own biased view.

FrankC21 · 26-03-2021 10:48pm

From sporty looking Puma to a suv/crossover dog ****e.

CoBo55 · 26-03-2021 10:51pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’ll admit I’m not crazy about Fords, but I think the biggest problem is that Ford seem to be oblivious to what makes a car interior feel special or even ergonomically good.

Been like that since the Consul Cortina, a reclining seat was a big deal:pac:

road_high · 26-03-2021 11:38pm

FrankC21 wrote: »

From sporty looking Puma to a suv/crossover dog ****e.

Have to say I hated the new Puma when I saw them in the press- but they’ve really grown on me big time. Think they look class in ST line with a lovely range of colours. Ditto the Focus. Really like them

elperello · 26-03-2021 11:57pm

FrankC21 wrote: »

Does it mean, mondeo price will go down?

https://www.carsireland.ie/2771707

Good question.

Furthermore, will non-exec saloons hold their value over the next 5-6 years as the market leaves them behind or will there be enough die hards out there looking for a good one?

As others have said I know a few older clients who swear they wouldn't be seen dead in a "mini jeep".

Larbre34 · 27-03-2021 12:06am

FrankC21 wrote: »

From sporty looking Puma to a suv/crossover dog ****e.

The missus took one out last Autumn, really nice motor to drive, great level of standard kit.

And I'd normally agree with you

colm_mcm · 27-03-2021 12:49am

Ah stop.

Larbre34 · 27-03-2021 1:09am

The Mk IV Mondeo (07-) was a very good looking car, especially in saloon body type, as big as an old Granada and distinctive. They lost the plot after that.

Bit like they have with the Focus, the current model is a rotten looking design.

Iodine1 · 27-03-2021 1:25am

Larbre34 wrote: »

Truth is, the Mondeo is crap compared to the Mazda 6, the Passat and most importantly the Superb.
/QUOTE]

Is a Mazda 6 not just a Mondeo with a different body? Drove Both a passet and a Mondeo. Mondeo was a much better and more confortable drive than the Passet. Mondeo was totally reliable tool. I

Larbre34 · 27-03-2021 2:28am

The current gen Mazda 6 has no relationship to Ford.

mickdw · 27-03-2021 11:46am

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think crossover/SUV buyers have lower standards,
i.e. they will tolerate shortcomings that wouldn’t be as easily forgiven in hatches and saloons.
The likes of the Golf was the pinnacle of everything for a long time, the interior was the benchmark that its rivals just couldn’t reach.
Then the likes of the Qashqai came along and none of that stuff mattered anymore.
Maybe the crossover thing was a big reset on traditional values, but the likes of Kia and Hyundai who couldn’t do a great mid range saloon to save their lives, are killing it in the crossover market.
The Nissan pulsar is generally derided, but it’s Qashqai sister is hugely popular.

That’s why I think Ford is getting out of the difficult models (which other manufacturers continue to do well in, see Skoda and VW for examples) where an average effort is a failure, and getting more into crossovers where any old toss will do.

Very well said. There is a complete mismatch and people are willing to pay silly money for high cars with cheap interiors.
I always believed that for any given budget, you are going down a class in terms of quality if going to an suv.
I see this dilemma now also with my parents - a higher car will suit them now due to age but coming out of a passat, they have to look at stuff like ford puma which appears to be mostly focus internally at passat money.
Other than that, its kia / hyundai. The likes of tiguan is silly money if you want it looking anyway decent.

2lazytogetup · 27-03-2021 12:06pm

ive a mondeo 2013, so the model from 2007-2014

good looking car and loads of space. but felt it very cheaply made, engine was fine but problems with the car fob, the stereo and countless others.

bazz26 · 27-03-2021 12:29pm

Iodine1 wrote: »

Is a Mazda 6 not just a Mondeo with a different body? Drove Both a passet and a Mondeo. Mondeo was a much better and more confortable drive than the Passet. Mondeo was totally reliable tool. I

The Mazda 6 and Ford Mondeo never shared platforms. Some generations shared certain engines alright but the platforms were always independent of each other.

bazz26 · 27-03-2021 12:39pm

mickdw wrote: »

Very well said. There is a complete mismatch and people are willing to pay silly money for high cars with cheap interiors.
I always believed that for any given budget, you are going down a class in terms of quality if going to an suv.
I see this dilemma now also with my parents - a higher car will suit them now due to age but coming out of a passat, they have to look at stuff like ford puma which appears to be mostly focus internally at passat money.
Other than that, its kia / hyundai. The likes of tiguan is silly money if you want it looking anyway decent.

Ford Puma is based on the Fiesta rather than the Focus. The Kuga is based on the Focus. Also cars in each segment have jumped in price in recent time. A Puma starts at around 26k whereas a Passat starts at 36k these days. The only newly launched model that seems to be coming in at a half reasonable price now is the ID.4 SUV which starts @ just over 36k. Of course being an EV it's not going to suit everyone.

AMKC · 27-03-2021 1:18pm

Larbre34 wrote: »

The Mk IV Mondeo (07-) was a very good looking car, especially in saloon body type, as big as an old Granada and distinctive. They lost the plot after that.

Bit like they have with the Focus, the current model is a rotten looking design.

I disagree. I think the current Focus while no where near as radical a the MK1 is a classy looking car. Take the badges off and I would say most people would think it Is a BMW. I am however not gone on the latest Ford interior designs very dull.

The Mk IV Mondeo was indeed a good looking car and its replacement the Mk V too but the interiors could be a lot better. I think Ford have also suffered from a lack of quality with there Mondeo and it has damaged its sales the same way the MK 2 Laguna damaged the Lagunas sales even when the MK 3 was far superior and much better built the damage was unfortunatly done

road_high · 27-03-2021 4:05pm

I’m a big fan to of the latest Focus. Really like the ST line in a nice colour. It’s improved massively on the previous generation interior quality which was a big Achilles heel. An ex work colleague has an estate and tbh it’s as big now as older Mondeos were. There’s a good reason why it’s in the top 5 sellers

nsnoefc1878 · 27-03-2021 6:15pm

mickdw wrote: »

Very well said. There is a complete mismatch and people are willing to pay silly money for high cars with cheap interiors.
I always believed that for any given budget, you are going down a class in terms of quality if going to an suv.
I see this dilemma now also with my parents - a higher car will suit them now due to age but coming out of a passat, they have to look at stuff like ford puma which appears to be mostly focus internally at passat money.
Other than that, its kia / hyundai. The likes of tiguan is silly money if you want it looking anyway decent.

Have you seen the price of the Honda crv? Ok, its nice inside but even a Honda dealer told me its way overpriced!
Deffo the way with suv's for sure.
I think they are starting to cop on with the interior quality, at least the likes of Hyundai and Kia have certainly upped their game there. Tho that probably wasnt hard. The latest Rav4 is miles ahead of the previous one interior wise, tho again thats not hard to achieve.

nsnoefc1878 · 27-03-2021 6:18pm

AMKC wrote: »

I disagree. I think the current Focus while no where near as radical a the MK1 is a classy looking car. Take the badges off and I would say most people would think it Is a BMW. I am however not gone on the latest Ford interior designs very dull.

The Mk IV Mondeo was indeed a good looking car and its replacement the Mk V too but the interiors could be a lot better. I think Ford have also suffered from a lack of quality with there Mondeo and it has damaged its sales the same way the MK 2 Laguna damaged the Lagunas sales even when the MK 3 was far superior and much better built the damage was unfortunatly done

Will you stop using the word classy!

And I'd never confuse the focus with a bmw, not a hope. The Focus Active I think it is isnt far up from a dacia interior.

Wishbone Ash · 27-03-2021 6:21pm

So much for me hoping that they'd re-launch the Granada.

The end of the Ford Mondeo

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