http://money.cnn.com/2005/03/11/pf/autos/thunderbird/index.htm?cnn=yes


Ford to halt Thunderbird production
With sales falling, the roadster that returned with '02 model will again go on hiatus after July.
March 11, 2005: 3:00 PM EST

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Ford plans to again stop production of its Thunderbird sports car after the current model year ends production in July.

The company has sold more than 55,000 of the roadsters since it brought the storied car back into production with the 2002 model following a three-year gap in production. But sales have been slipping since its reintroduction resulted in sales of 19,085 in 2002.

Sales for the last six months, roughly in line with the roll out of the 2005 models, were 4,522, according to sales tracker Autodata, a drop of 33.7 percent from the same six-month period a year earlier.

The two-seater model brought back in 2002 was always seen as somewhat of a niche vehicle. But despite some good reviews for the reintroduction, even the best sales of the new model were seen as somewhat of a disappointment for Ford.

Ford said this is not the end of the line for its famous nameplate. Instead, its release referred to the decision as putting the name back in its "future-product vault."

"We promised all along that this Thunderbird would have a limited production run, and we're being true to our word," said Steve Lyons, Ford Division president. "Thunderbird was a terrific image builder for the Ford brand showroom at a time when we needed it."

Ford will now concentrate on its new Mustang sports car, which had its convertible version unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January.

The first Thunderbird went on sale Oct. 22, 1954, and during the last five decades it has gone through several design changes with coupes, sedans, convertibles, hardtops and even large-size configurations. The first four-seat version of the Thunderbird came out in 1958.


Comments: I bet if it was rotary, it wouldve sold 10x as many.

http://money.cnn.com/2005/03/11/pf/autos/thunderbird/index.htm?cnn=yes


Ford to halt Thunderbird production
With sales falling, the roadster that returned with '02 model will again go on hiatus after July.
March 11, 2005: 3:00 PM EST

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Ford plans to again stop production of its Thunderbird sports car after the current model year ends production in July.

The company has sold more than 55,000 of the roadsters since it brought the storied car back into production with the 2002 model following a three-year gap in production. But sales have been slipping since its reintroduction resulted in sales of 19,085 in 2002.

Sales for the last six months, roughly in line with the roll out of the 2005 models, were 4,522, according to sales tracker Autodata, a drop of 33.7 percent from the same six-month period a year earlier.

The two-seater model brought back in 2002 was always seen as somewhat of a niche vehicle. But despite some good reviews for the reintroduction, even the best sales of the new model were seen as somewhat of a disappointment for Ford.

Ford said this is not the end of the line for its famous nameplate. Instead, its release referred to the decision as putting the name back in its "future-product vault."

"We promised all along that this Thunderbird would have a limited production run, and we're being true to our word," said Steve Lyons, Ford Division president. "Thunderbird was a terrific image builder for the Ford brand showroom at a time when we needed it."

Ford will now concentrate on its new Mustang sports car, which had its convertible version unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January.

The first Thunderbird went on sale Oct. 22, 1954, and during the last five decades it has gone through several design changes with coupes, sedans, convertibles, hardtops and even large-size configurations. The first four-seat version of the Thunderbird came out in 1958.


Comments: I bet if it was rotary, it wouldve sold 10x as many.

Is this a bad thing?...such an ugly, ugly car. Does anyone actually drive these monstrosities quickly anywhere?? What's the point of them? Why can't they design a car that is desirable not blindly follow a gene pool of design 50 years old?! So much for the RETRO look.9100RPM :cool:

They turned a boring car into a classy retro vehicle. Drop the price $10k back to boring Tbird levels and you will have more buyers. IMO, damn ugly and should have stayed a concept. The baby blue Thunderbird is one of my most hated cars next to the Azcrack-all colors, and Element- half puke green/half plastic.

I would cruise around in this
http://www.wallesdator.com/Foose%20design/Speedbird/Speedbird%20page2/Dsc01168.jpg

maybe if I was a pimp and couldn't afford a cadillac

That's my situation!!

I wonder how much one of those windows would cost to replace.

My vote: Ugly car with middling handling.

Much sadder that VW is not building retro Microbus for the aging Dead fans out there.... :(

I must be one of the few who kind of liked it's retro styling. But it was pricey for the car you get, especially because you'd have to buy a whole new wardrobe of skinny ties, fedoras and sharkskin suits.

Good riddens to that Ford POS.

I was never a fan of the new thunderbird
even fixed up it didn't work for me

Good riddens to that Ford POS.


i second that

I was never a fan of the new thunderbird
even fixed up it didn't work for me


aren't you at 10,000 posts yet..i want in on that party action the forum is gonna throw you:p

Good riddens Have you ever "ridden" in one before? :p Seriously though, what you feel is a POS is a dream car to someone else. They couldn't make enough of these things to satisfy demand in the first year of production. The problem is that it doesn't appeal to most younger people. I would never consider purchasing this car, but to call it a POS is a little strong. I believe owner satisfaction is much higher for the T-Bird than it is for the RX-8.

I would never buy one but I thought it was pretty nice for what it was - a mellow cruiser for older people.

That's some funny crap that they using "temporary production run" instead of sales failure. C'mon if that thing sold 100,000 per year they'd never halt production.

Times are changing, and cars like this simply will not make it in today's generation of car buyers. They can't call it a Thunderbird, and make it a modern day sports car. It is what it is, and was built for those remaining diehards who love the looks and style of this car. We can't compare to Tbird lovers in their love for a certian car. There are people who purchased this car, that owned one in it's early generation, so I can see why they'd grow a love for this vehicle. No, it's not for me, but I'd never call it a POS. Like it or not, the tbird is a living legend, and will always have fans. Lets not hold our breath, because that day may come where Mazda scratches off the RX8 due to fading sales. I guess we have people on here who may actually like that to happen. ;)

It's funny how it took them so long to realize that car wasn't profitable. I've never met anyone that has a positive comment about the new thunderbird.

I drive the newer T-Bird all the time at work. Along with all the cheap plastic used inside, some have aluminium trim, i was supprised that its actualy metal and not just painted plastic. However i wasnt suprised to see it starting to peel off on a car with only 25K miles.

I also drove one that had the optional hardtop on it, inside, driving around a lvl parking lot it creaked so much and so loudly from just body flex...the chasie has to be pretty flimsy...almost scary.

Its clearly more of a blvd cruiser than a 'street rod' ... but even saying that, the build quality seems poor and the looks arnt my thing.

"Sure it looks like a car from the 50's, but it also drives like a car from the 50's" - thats what i was thinking when i was driving it.

Ugly car...won't be missed

To me it's still a head-turner, but will I miss it? Not really.

The car was profitable.

It was 55k to 60k.

Should have sold for 30k.

You can buy any car you want for 60k.