2025 Broncos... 2-door going extinct?

[bf4445]

I think this is technically a 2 door

Nope, its a 4dr wishing it was a 2dr.

My favorite color

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[UncleBrad]

Here's my rant....in case some dude in East BF might care-

What the bean counters and execs inevitably miss is the stigma and appeal of the 2-door (and the manual for that matter) on the market as a whole. I drooled over FJ40s, Scouts, Defenders, and Broncos in the '70s. AMC built CJ-5s were cool, too, even though AMCs problems in Toledo were shown daily on the news in NW Ohio. Good thing the government bailed out Chrysler in the '80s so they could buy the Jeep brand from failed AMC then crash the whole company again. What's Jeep now...Italian...French...who knows and Stilantis is doing a fine job.

Ford ponying up on a 2 door is what led me to buy a G6 Bronco. The fact that the 2 door exists showed a dedication to the segment because EVERYONE knows 2-doors are NO WHERE NEAR the bulk of the market. It puts the Bronco head to head with Jeep and brings a unique product interest that draws in buyers. In the end, many of those people drawn in will inevitably purchase a 4-door automatic for obvious life style reasons, even if they secretly lust for a 2-door manual. If I only had one vehicle, I'd have had to compromise with a 4-door, if I bought a Bronco at all (probably not).

If the 2-door (which represents the true Bronco heritage and tradition from Gen 1 thru Gen 5 that Ford markets so hard) ceases to exist or becomes uber rare, the Bronco becomes very ho-hum in a very crowded but small market space. Jeep is still king of the hill with a hardcore following. Land Rover has a 2 door and picks off the luxury lot or those that want something special with 2 or more doors. Then Toyota takes the rest with 4runners and Land Cruisers that are capable, will never die, and hold their value like crazy. The masses continue to buy *insert name here* unibody stuff. Removable top and doors are only taking it so far to stand out for general sales. The capable off-road truck with many compromises in the name of capability is a niche market space and small things like a 2 door option matter for posers and hard-cores alike.

IMHO, the Bronco line without the 2-door is just another SUV. "No more boring cars" Ford says....prove it and keep the 2-door in the forefront of the Bronco line. The 2 door is THE cool or fun or cute or bad a$$ or whimsical "F it, I love it" choice, forgetting life's daily constraints. Alas, the Bronco is likely doomed to become a square bodied Explorer in a future generation because these execs CANT HELP THEMSELVES when it comes to the effort required to invest in and build a unique product/brand having a dedicated following.

I sense it's the beginning of the end. I highly doubt it will get "better" as a whole with G7. So, get 'em while you can as G6 might be a flash in the pan!

Well said - excellent points. I think you nailed it. Did those crisply-dressed execs who can't help themselves, sitting at their shiny boardroom tables, sipping their lattes, also come up with the idea that everybody wants their vehicles in white, black or a shade of grey? Or that nobody wants a manual transmission any more? Are these proclamations by them true simply because it came from their lips?


By continuing to making available the enduring attributes of the classic, simple 2-door manual platform, Ford differentiates itself from the rest of the crowd.

 

[ThunderFlash]

By continuing to making available the enduring attributes of the classic, simple 2-door manual platform, Ford differentiates itself from the rest of the crowd.

For sure! I understand costs need to be managed and profits are a priority for any business, but they always miss the more obscure long term investment dividends. Maybe axing the BD as a standalone model in favor of an option package has some efficiencies to it. OK, fine. The Stroppe is cool, but it's basically a Wildtrak like I have with expensive paint. It looks cool, but that's not building the brand or bringing something new. I can get a custom wrap. What they should be doing is offering something MORE niche, like a "Super Sasquatch" package. Maybe a Shelby like off-road product line. Partner with Saleen on their Big Oly (THAT is cool BTW, particularly in the PNW). Lift some parts from the BRaptor, put 37" rubber on it, provide an OEM backseat delete option, offer a rack like the Gobi as stock, etc. Yeah, there is cost to it, probably a lot of work with gov requirements, and it may not be hugely profitable as a stand alone, but it creates buzz and interest keeping momentum and loyalty for the brand. Even as a financial break even proposition, it will have significant appeal and influence on this market. A lot of people waited A LONG TIME to get their Broncos and some did not even get what they asked for. There is still genuine interest in the brand. It's probably less than 5% of the people on this forum (probably the hard cores) that create 90% or more of the posts. Keep them excited about what's next. How many V6 or even GT Mustang buyers would not take a GT500 or a Dark Horse if money were no object? The Mustang by itself is already a huge compromise as a vehicle to live with, but it has legacy that overcomes all of that for many because of special offerings. COVID, supply chain issues, and Fords own quality challenges hampered the G6 for sure. But they have a lot invested in it already and pulling back now could be brand fatal. The Bronco can be another timeless model like the Mustang for Ford over coming decades, but they need to WORK FOR IT.

https://www.saleen.com/saleen-bronco/

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