In keeping with its current corporate policies, legacy automaker Ford (F) announced the end of an era, of sorts, recently. The Ford Focus is on the chopping block, and after November, will no longer be produced. While this really only means anything in Europe, where it is produced, it is still the loss of not only a line, but also an idea. The news had minimal impact on shareholders, as shares were down fractionally in Thursday afternoon’s trading.
Ford of Europe, reports note, will be paring back the Focus as of this November, to join such former major names as the Mondeo—which was known as the Fusion in the United States—and the Fiesta. And, there are no plans to replace it with anything in particular, which by itself is something of a surprise.
However, we know that Ford’s new policy of “no boring cars” likely extends to cars like the Focus, which was a modest, simple hatchback that served as a good way to get from point A to point B. And, on the weekends, potentially point C, as the old joke goes. And customers will still be able to get a Focus, through most of this year, but production is coming to a close. Thus, anyone who wants a new Focus should place their orders as soon as possible.
The Unexpected Use of a Ford Maverick Hybrid
You have likely heard the phrase “I live out of my car” at one point or another, particularly for those who do a lot of traveling. But how often do you hear about those who work out of their cars? As it turns out, noted one report, a Ford Maverick Hybrid makes a surprisingly good office space.
One journalist apparently gave it a try, using the car’s power systems to recharge professional gear like a laptop and such, and also for powering a seat warmer in the cold late winter temperatures a lot of the United States is seeing right now. And apparently, it worked, and quite well. Since the Ford hybrid system uses a gas engine as a generator to power the electric drive systems—as well as the batteries to run the internal systems—the end result proved smoother than expected.
Is Ford Stock a Good Buy Right Now?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Hold consensus rating on F stock based on four Buys, eight Holds and two Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 16.91% loss in its share price over the past year, the average F price target of $10.76 per share implies 11.39% upside potential.
