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CR-V vs Escape

8533 messages,  Last post on Nov 22, 2011 at 3:06 PM

You are in the Honda CR-V Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Car Safety, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV

Messages Page 751 of 855

#7492 of 8533 Re: Does anyone [dromedarius] by baggs32

Apr 08, 2006 (8:15 am)

Replying to: dromedarius (Apr 08, 2006 1:43 am)
This is one of Ford's major problems. They make a vehicle for so long it becomes obsolete, and by the time they get around to updating it (which usually involves coming out with a different model by a different name), the competition has went through two or three iterations and they are behind even further.
 
I know where you're coming from but it doesn't hold water across the board. That statement, and most about the big 2.5 here and around Edmunds, is too general. The Escape is a prime example because it is definitely old but still does well in sales and customer satisfaction. Ford is entirely too busy trying to get cars to market right now to spend it's already limited resources on redesigning a vehicle that leads its segment and maintains profits.
 
That, and Detroit only seems to be concerned with making big profit pickups and SUVs when gas prices continue to climb, and their competitors keep offering more and more fuel efficient vehicles...
 
Not true. Ford has been turning out cars and carlike vehicles over the past year or two which are up to the competition and leaving trucks on hold for the most part. The Fusion, Five Hundred, and Freestyle are perfect examples of what's new. Furthermore, they've killed one large SUV and only done minor updates on the rest of the larger SUV line. The next big thing in SUVs for them will be the 2007 Edge and a rumored "mini" SUV. Neither are bloated or gas guzzling and the Edge, along with most other vehicles using the new "hybrid ready" Duratec35, will in fact have a full hybrid version.
 
It was just announced recently that Ford is keeping the Freestyle in the lineup instead of tossing it over to Mercury. It is going to be re-styled and will use the Duratec35. This will complement the 5-seat Edge with a larger 7-seat crossover and IMO make the Explorer a niche vehicle again. They realize the days of their SUV profits are numbered and are reacting appropriately.
 
Just be patient as these things don't happen over night.

#7493 of 8533 Re: Does anyone [baggs32] by thegraduate

Apr 08, 2006 (12:22 pm)

Replying to: baggs32 (Apr 08, 2006 8:15 am)
Just be patient as these things don't happen over night.
 
You are right, but it seems that Ford has been working on that Duratec 3.5 L V-6 for several (3 or more) years now. I could be wrong, though.

#7494 of 8533 Re: Does anyone [thegraduate] by baggs32

Apr 09, 2006 (5:18 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Apr 08, 2006 12:22 pm)
I thought we went over this already?
 
It was ready a while ago but they put it back in the shop to add hybrid capability across the board.
 
I have no way to give you a link for this info as it came from a post in another thread written by a Ford employee. He has spilled the beans and been right on many other things so I have no reason to doubt him on this. Take it with a grain of salt.

#7495 of 8533 Re: Does anyone [baggs32] by thegraduate

Apr 09, 2006 (1:23 pm)

Replying to: baggs32 (Apr 09, 2006 5:18 am)
I hadn't heard ANYTHING about that being the reason for the delay. Thanks for the info . I feel better towards Ford knowing that.

#7496 of 8533 Re: Does anyone [baggs32] by dromedarius

Apr 09, 2006 (2:24 pm)

Replying to: baggs32 (Apr 08, 2006 8:15 am)
Not true. Ford has been turning out cars and carlike vehicles over the past year or two which are up to the competition and leaving trucks on hold for the most part. The Fusion, Five Hundred, and Freestyle are perfect examples of what's new. Furthermore, they've killed one large SUV and only done minor updates on the rest of the larger SUV line. The next big thing in SUVs for them will be the 2007 Edge and a rumored "mini" SUV. Neither are bloated or gas guzzling and the Edge, along with most other vehicles using the new "hybrid ready" Duratec35, will in fact have a full hybrid version.
 
Yes, it's true Ford proclaimed 2005 the Year of the Car, but what took them so long? Furthermore, the only two cars from Ford generating any buzz whatsoever are the Mustang (of course) and the Fusion, to some extent. The Freestyle, while a good vehicle, has been underwhelming to say the least, and people are picking the 300 over the 500 in droves, due to the 300s inspiring styling.
 
And again, it's very little, very late. The new Camry is coming out with a much anticipated hybrid model, and the current Accord, which C&D ranked better than the new Fusion, is soon to follow with an 8th generation.
 
The problem with Ford's cars is they don't stick by them, probably because they don't put a lot of thought into them. How else can you explain all the nameplates? I grew up with the Escort, Tempo, Taurus and the Crown Vic. The Escort was replaced by the Fusion with all of its initial quality problems, the Tempo was replaced by the Contour, which also had numerous problems and consequently died very quickly, the Taurus has been relegated to rental fleets and replaced by the Fusion, and the Crown Vic is a dinosaur which only old, old people and policeman will drive.
 
Meanwhile, the Civic, Accord, Corolla and Camry soldier on and continue to get better and better. The Escape is soon to follow the fate of it's car brethren. It's been in production for ages now and there are no plans to replace it with a next generation. It says all Ford cares about is the almighty buck, all the while missing the big picture that you can't make money if no one will buy your car, no matter how cheaply you can make it or sell it.
 
With the new RAV4 and the upcoming 3rd generation CR-V, there is no doubt the Escape will continue to see bigger rebates and more places in rental fleets. And people wonder why we don't care about buying American anymore...
 
 
 
PS - GM and Chrysler ain't any better.
 
 

#7497 of 8533 Re: Does anyone [dromedarius] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Apr 09, 2006 (2:29 pm)

Replying to: dromedarius (Apr 09, 2006 2:24 pm)
they don't stick by them
 
Smells like marketing to me. You just mentioned that the CR-V is on the 3rd generation - why didn't Honda stick with the first? Or is it just sticking with the name that matters?
 
Old Beetle/New Beetle. Old Charger/New Charger. Soon to appear on your dinner plate - the new Fairlane. Toyota doesn't seem to mind changing names either (Tercel/Echo/Yaris comes to mind immediately), so maybe it's just some different marketing philosophy at work with the naming conventions.
 
Steve, Host

#7498 of 8533 Re: Does anyone [steve_] by dromedarius

Apr 09, 2006 (2:52 pm)

Replying to: Stever@Edmunds (Apr 09, 2006 2:29 pm)
Smells like marketing to me. You just mentioned that the CR-V is on the 3rd generation - why didn't Honda stick with the first? Or is it just sticking with the name that matters?
 
Because that's what Ford does, and it doesn't work. Of course it's marketing, but you don't change your name unless you have to. If you were proud of your vehicle, you want your customers to identify with it. If you're not, you change models and market it aggressively, hoping your customers don't remember the last debacle.
 
Also, changing names, like offering rebates and radical styling (with some exceptions) hurt resale values. The domestics STILL don't grasp this aspect. That's why Hondas and Toyotas still hold their value, and domestics are a dime a dozen.
 
And yes, you bring up the Tercel/Echo/Yaris, which is a good example of Toyota screwing up. The Echo was absolutely hated. The Tercel had a good thing going, but Toyota tried to capitalize and lost big time. Now they are gong more traditional with the already tried and true Yaris twins, so I'm sure they'll be just fine. In addition, Nissan is releasing the Versa and Honda the Fit. So where's the Ford competitor? Good question.
 
 
 
Check this article out.

#7499 of 8533 Re: Does anyone [dromedarius] by explorerx4

Apr 09, 2006 (4:24 pm)

Replying to: dromedarius (Apr 09, 2006 2:24 pm)
i grew up with toyota names like cresida, corona, corolla, celica, supra. the corolla is still around.
where are the 600, prelude, crx, del Sol, s2000?

#7500 of 8533 Re: Does anyone [dromedarius] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Apr 09, 2006 (4:33 pm)

Replying to: dromedarius (Apr 09, 2006 2:52 pm)
So, why is Honda bringing out the Fit? Shouldn't they be sticking with the tried and true, dare I say it -- more traditional CR-V? I suppose they really should have called the Fit the Odyssey, but Honda already upsized the name.
 
Interesting article; they really didn't pick up on the history of GM, which gathered up some 200 car makers (and brands) when they started.
 
Oh, and if you liked the Maverick brand name, you can buy one in China. But it's an Escape.
 
You forgot the Passport, Explorerx4. My old '82 Toyota was a Corolla Tercel come to think of it. Great car, but my brand loyalty lasted about 6 minutes at the dealer when shopping for a new ride.
 
Steve, Host

#7501 of 8533 Re: Does anyone [steve_] by explorerx4

Apr 09, 2006 (5:00 pm)

Replying to: Stever@Edmunds (Apr 09, 2006 4:33 pm)
steve, actually i skipped the passport since it was really an isuzu. model lineage is more important than brand lineage? i'll let someone else do that.

Messages Page 751 of 855

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