Ken Block and Ford part ways; is Ford totally out of their minds?

[Squatch]

I understand that they have had a good, long run together, but it seems that it was not an amicable split.

Is Farley leading Ford into some sort of "rebuilding year" to force all pf Ford into his personal vision?

It really seems as if Ford is heading in a different direction than in decades past and I think it spells trouble. I see Ford missing the mark if they think going after any other make's style is a smart move. They're going to hit bankruptcy and kill off the Bronco within 5 years in this direction.

I think they should stop trying to be Tesla or Toyota and just be Ford.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a35162410/ken-block-ford-contract-ends/

https://fb.watch/2Uv6g3-lN3/

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[Beef78]

Who’s Ken block? John Bronco’s nephew or something?
Maybe he is sad the new hot hatch at ford is for off-roading. If you consider the bronco a hot hatch.

 

[BlueBronco]

Anybody who can build a 1965(?) AWD twin turbo mustang making over 1000hp should be kept on the team. That Hoonicorn vs The World series is a pretty good watch over on the YouTube.

 

[Gamecock]

Very few Ford buyers by percentage have ever heard of him....good move on Ford's part, just throwing money out the window.

 

[Squatch]

Very few Ford buyers by percentage have ever heard of him....good move on Ford's part, just throwing money out the window.

Your source for this data?

 

[AcesandEights]

I don't know who he is, but you can't have an engine block without a block, so I'd probably have kept a guy with block in his name. You never know when you'll need one.

 

[vrtical]

Probably coming from the new Marketing Execs got to look good cutting costs.

 

[Jr87mustang]

Your source for this data?

I have bought quite a few new Fords, I just went and asked my wife who Ken Block was.......she didn't know. Personally I would have parted ways with the paint and interior crew on the Bronco before Ken Block, but you have to started somewhere.

 

[toughtoaster]

Had a 10 year run with Ford. It's possible he wanted to move on and Ford was willing to cut ties to save some cash. That or Farley wants to free up some cash flow for taking on the Le Mans even though Ford said they would be done with it.

 

[Spooled]

Shame. Definitely sounds like Ford wants to cut some costs after 2020... Ken literally has a garage full of Ford products ranging from an RS200 to a F-450 and everything in-between (including a Bronco).

 

[RG7]

Would imagine it has something to do with the boy racer types that affiliate with the Hoonigan brand not really being Ford customers outside of maybe the mustang.

I like Ken Block but it probably doesn’t make sense for Ford to keep someone on the payroll doing stuff in cars they no longer make to entertain an audience that doesn’t buy their products.

 

[Drex]

I never understood why any company would pay more for a 'name' as a shill then any other actor, everyone understands that they just say the words that they are paid to say. Do fans of people really buy products based on a specific paid endorser? In numbers than make additional profit in excess of the cost of the endorser (taxes and other costs included)? Shrug, I actually do the opposite, if I see someone who I assume is a costly spokesperson, I figure the product must be overpriced to cover the costs and I am less interested. I think it is a good move to get rid of as much advertising costs as possible

 

[OhhhhhhSnap]

Who’s Ken block? John Bronco’s nephew or something?
Maybe he is sad the new hot hatch at ford is for off-roading. If you consider the bronco a hot hatch.

If you are serious, you're missing out on some really good stuff. 1400HP 65 Stang. And that's just one of his many toys.

https://blog.dupontregistry.com/news/ken-blocks-hoonicorn-mustang-price-and-specs/

 

[Shotsy]

I like watching his videos, but I didn't buy my RS because of Block. Ford said he consulted on the design of the RS, but I doubt he had anything to do with it other than being in some promotional videos and racing his Comp RS.

I'd rather see Travis Pastrana anyways.

 

[frinesi2]

Sounds like he's had fun for a decade but wants to go drive some other cars. He's done a huge job helping Ford remind people that they still made fast cars (would the Focus RS have done nearly so well if it weren't for Gymkhana, and would any of the ST cars have been as popular?).

But at the same time, there's only so much left to do, especially since Ford, ya know, doesn't sell cars in the US any more.

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