The death of the Base Model '24 ... take 2!

[RodNSA]

Ok ... just a tiny bit of venting as I see that the 2024 BS is no longer available in the Base Model ... and it will not be returning. For my no frills generation (I'm 65) who have been used to scripting and saving and making "deals" for decades at our local car dealership ... well, I was pleased to get my new '22 BRONCO SPORT BASE MODEL for $28,900 this past January '23. I had been driving my Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited for 6 years but between getting a bit older and hip and knee surgery ... I needed another "boxy" vehicle (my favorite) that came standard with AWD and was just a little lower to the ground ... and I saw the BS, drove it ... and knew it was the right vehicle for me. I sold my 6 yo Jeep for 32k( 3k more than I paid for it) and started looking for the best cash deal for my $. I was pleased with all of the standard safety features, touchscreen, android auto and Bluetooth ... and a few more standard options. I discovered the no name/badge option in the BASE trim ... it was perfect (for me). I live in South Texas, am retired and don't really care about heated seats or even a heated steering wheel but I do like nice AT tires and wheels, a nudge bar, crossbars, and dark window tinting on my AWD vehicle. I made the deal and turned my BASE BS into something that fit my needs and am still 100% satisfied. So ... what is the issue? From the beginning ... posting in groups people were almost surprised that my nice looking badgeless vehicle was a base model ... many didn't even know that they existed. Truthfully, I had wondered why the Big Bend didn't serve as the original BASE model and simply have options for additional convenience packages BUT with a similar pricing structure as the BASE MODEL ... makes sense ... like so many other auto makers do. For that matter ... many other vehicles that I've since looked at had the choice of engine sizes in various trim levels. You see, I may not be much on interior creature comforts but I definitely would have paid an extra 2k to get the 2.0 4 cylinder in my BASE ... which is basically now the 2024 Big Bend. I guess my venting is over ... but I'm just a bit sad that Ford is basically charging another 2k for the Big Bend but pretty much turning it in to the entry level model. In a World of getting MORE CHOICES with our vehicles ... I am saddened that Ford actually took one away. (Posting pic of my finished "22 BASE BRONCO SPORT before and after ... still love it!

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[Bucko]

I'm thinking it will only continue as this BS moves forward.

You have a nice BS base model. Keep it.

 

[Mark S.]

It's probably down to sales. The more different trim levels you offer the higher your manufacturing costs. My guess is Ford wanted to sell Heritage editions, but didn't want the added cost of another trim level on the manufacturing line. The Base trim likely represented the lowest percentage of sales, so Ford deleted it to make room for the Heritage editions.

 

[RodNSA]

It's probably down to sales. The more different trim levels you offer the higher your manufacturing costs. My guess is Ford wanted to sell Heritage editions, but didn't want the added cost of another trim level on the manufacturing line. The Base trim likely represented the lowest percentage of sales, so Ford deleted it to make room for the Heritage editions.

True ... but the new Big Bend IS the old BasecModel because you have to pay for the optional convenience packages so it was a way to raise the cost of the previous Base Model by $2000 and slap a badge on it and call it a Big Bend. For everyone who starts purchasing the BS 2024 models ... they will be non tge wiser that a Base Model previously existed. So in truth ... they didn't really eliminate the Base Model ... they just eliminated the name. My guess is most people now will purchase the Big Bend for an additional $2,000 and most of them will pay even more $ for the additional added packages for a heated steering wheel, seats, etc ... thus raising the cost of the Big Bend even more.

 

[Mark S.]

True ... but the new Big Bend IS the old BasecModel because you have to pay for the optional convenience packages so it was a way to raise the cost of the previous Base Model by $2000 and slap a badge on it and call it a Big Bend. For everyone who starts purchasing the BS 2024 models ... they will be non tge wiser that a Base Model previously existed. So in truth ... they didn't really eliminate the Base Model ... they just eliminated the name. My guess is most people now will purchase the Big Bend for an additional $2,000 and most of them will pay even more $ for the additional added packages for a heated steering wheel, seats, etc ... thus raising the cost of the Big Bend even more.

I seem to recall there were a number of upgrades between the Base model and the Big Bend with no options. In the video below the presenter notes a roughly $1500 difference in price, but that got you features like Intelligent access, push-button start, Securilock keypad, automatic climate control, etc., none of which were available for the Base model Has Ford done away with those features for the Big Bend trim level on newer cars?

 

[RodNSA]

I seem to recall there were a number of upgrades between the Base model and the Big Bend with no options. In the video below the presenter notes a roughly $1500 difference in price, but that got you features like Intelligent access, push-button start, Securilock keypad, automatic climate control, etc., none of which were available for the Base model Has Ford done away with those features for the Big Bend trim level on newer cars?

No ... but they raised the cost of the Big Bend by $2000 ... but nothing really new at that starting point.

 

[Mark S.]

No ... but they raised the cost of the Big Bend by $2000 ... but nothing really new at that starting point.

I believe Ford raised prices on ALL the trim levels, not just the Big Bend.

 

[RodNSA]

I believe Ford raised prices on ALL the trim levels, not just the Big Bend.

But it is essentially taking the place of the Base Model ... PLUS additional $ for options that were previously in the Big Bend. ALL other models went up proportionately to each other ... except the Big Bend ... why? Because of the elimination of the Base Model.

 

[Mark S.]

But it is essentially taking the place of the Base Model ... PLUS additional $ for options that were previously in the Big Bend. ALL other models went up proportionately to each other ... except the Big Bend ... why? Because of the elimination of the Base Model.

Honestly, I haven't been paying that close attention, but I thought all the trim levels went up. MSRP for my Badlands in 2021 was just a bit over $33K. It now starts at over $38K. Did Ford increase the price on the Big Bend more than other trims?

EDIT: I originally typed $35k for current Badlands MSRP; it's actually $38k.

 

[Winds of Change]

It's probably down to sales. The more different trim levels you offer the higher your manufacturing costs. My guess is Ford wanted to sell Heritage editions, but didn't want the added cost of another trim level on the manufacturing line. The Base trim likely represented the lowest percentage of sales, so Ford deleted it to make room for the Heritage editions.

YES and NO. It comes down to higher trim levels and packages have a larger profit margin. This is what every article I am reading states and Ford has so much as said it as well. Manufacturing costs Yes because they cant rake in the Money. They are saving the parts for prifitable trims. The average transaction price keeps going up. Do not sugar coat this. Its simply a waste of their resources to put out an affordable product for people that can not afford a high end product. They even said your best chance of getting a 6G Bronco built is to get a HIGHER trim. This overlanding craze sweeping the country doesnt help either. If I have to buy another new car anytime soon I am nut sure who I would want to spend my money with. Its safe to say that manufacturers and dealerships have put a bad taste in the mouths of many.

 

[Winds of Change]

Honestly, I haven't been paying that close attention, but I thought all the trim levels went up. MSRP for my Badlands in 2021 was just a bit over $33K. It now starts at over $35K. Did Ford increase the price on the Big Bend more than other trims?

My BSBL builds about 2K more since September.

 

[Mark S.]

They are saving the parts for prifitable trims.

I think this is kinda saying the same thing; Ford wants to sell Heritage editions instead of Base models, but I agree--it's all about the bucks.

 

[Elegance]

In all reality, "Base" doesn't sound as exciting as "Big Bend," "Outer Banks," or "Badlands." I think aside from fewer models being cheaper to produce, most folks in the market for a Bronco really do eat up the outdoorsy theming and little touches like the badging. Sorry to say, but you are the odd one out these days not wanting all the bells and whistles. Both the Sport and the full size are marketed as "extra," mainly focusing on the gadgets and rugged capability in the commercials.

The entire reason for things like the Hertitage and Free Wheeling editions? It's to be "extra" and sell more units that make folks feel unique. The Base likely wasn't hitting that market quite as hard, so it was cut.

 

[RodNSA]

In all reality, "Base" doesn't sound as exciting as "Big Bend," "Outer Banks," or "Badlands." I think aside from fewer models being cheaper to produce, most folks in the market for a Bronco really do eat up the outdoorsy theming and little touches like the badging. Sorry to say, but you are the odd one out these days not wanting all the bells and whistles. Both the Sport and the full size are marketed as "extra," mainly focusing on the gadgets and rugged capability in the commercials.

The entire reason for things like the Hertitage and Free Wheeling editions? It's to be "extra" and sell more units that make folks feel unique. The Base likely wasn't hitting that market quite as hard, so it was cut.

Like I said ... I'm 65. It's really a generational thing. We don't give crap about the badge. There are MANY people who remove the badges regardless of trim levels. Ford just messed up from the beginning and are just finally fixing it ... but make no mistake about it ... the new Big Bend in 2024 is the old Base ... but now you pay more $ for it and even more $ for the packages to make it be as it was in '21-'23 ... just marketing for $ plain and simple.

 

[rocks]

More options = more profit.

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