Ford Aims to Become ‘The Porsche of Off-Roading’

CEO Jim Farley’s commitment: ‘No dull products.’

Ford made waves when it drastically cut its U.S. car lineup a few years ago, leaving only the Mustang. The same trend has occurred in Europe, where the Mondeo (Fusion) and Fiesta have been discontinued, and the Focus is set to follow suit this year. In September, CEO Jim Farley defended these bold moves, declaring that Ford is shifting from “boring cars” to “iconic vehicles.” Now, the company is doubling down on that vision.

At the 2025 Detroit Auto Show, Farley revealed to Automotive News his ambition to make Ford the “undisputed No. 1 off-road brand in the world,” even likening the company’s aspirations to becoming the “Porsche of off-road.” Ford plans to strengthen its Tremor, Bronco, and Raptor brands, aiming for off-road models to surpass their current 20% share of total sales.

Why Did Ford Exit the Car Market?

Farley explained last year that models like the Fiesta, Focus, and Mondeo/Fusion weren’t profitable enough to warrant further investment. However, Ford hasn’t completely abandoned traditional cars. The Mustang remains globally available, while the Mondeo is sold in China, and the Taurus continues to serve markets like the Middle East.

The Mustang’s Future

Speculation about a four-door Mustang (separate from the electric Mach-E crossover) has persisted for years. Farley hinted at the Detroit Auto Show that “there’s really no limit” to what the Mustang could become, pledging to keep the iconic car alive under his leadership.

Meanwhile, the Mustang lineup is already evolving. The track-ready GTD aims to compete with high-performance GT3 versions of the Porsche 911, while the upcoming RTR version features a four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. Intriguingly, Ford’s off-road focus may even extend to the Mustang itself.

Reports from last year suggested Ford had showcased a lifted, all-wheel-drive Mustang with rugged tires in a private meeting with dealers. If Porsche can create an all-terrain 911 Safari, Ford could follow suit with an adventurous Mustang. Rumored to feature a combustion engine, this off-road Mustang could debut alongside another potential addition to the lineup—a four-door sedan known internally as the “Mach 4,” marking Ford’s reentry into the U.S. car market after years of absence.

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  • Growing up with a father who was a mechanic I had an appreciation for cars and motorcycles from an early age. I shared my first bike with my brother that had little more than a 40cc engine but it opened up a world of excitement for me, I was hooked. As I grew older I progressed onto bigger bikes and...

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