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What about the future of Ford Inc?? - READ ONLY

1858 messages,  Last post on Oct 16, 2006 at 6:25 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford


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#270 of 1858
Fusion by mirth
Oct 20, 2005 (8:45 am)
Fusion commercials are suppose to start next week, and the cars should start coming to dealers in steady numbers starting next week as well. They had a problems with parts supplies from the bankrupt Collins and Aikman (sp?) this month, so they've only cranked out about 20,000 Fusions so far. But apparently the supply problem is fixed.
#271 of 1858
Re: Fusion/Fairmont Connection [jefferyg] by varmint
Oct 20, 2005 (8:59 am)

Replying to: jefferyg (Oct 20, 2005 6:37 am)

The handle Varmint is the result of being a ferret owner. I figured it fit my cantankerous nature, as well.
 
Perhaps Lincoln or Mercury needs something like the CTS Spec V. Is that what you're thinking with a Mustang sedan?
#272 of 1858
Re: rumors link Ford to Nissan [mariner7] by carguy58
Oct 20, 2005 (9:25 am)

Replying to: mariner7 (Oct 20, 2005 3:44 am)

It wouldn't make sense for Nissan to merge with Ford since Ford already owns 34% of Mazda. I mean Mazda is a direct competitor to Nissan so that wouldn't make any sense. Besides I thought Ghosn was going to take more of an interest in developing Renault's products soon and moving away from developing Nissan's future products.
 
Sure Ghosn has made Nissan one of the most profitable automakers but in the US they still are not outselling Honda or Toyota. Besides, Nissan needs to work on improving their quality/reliability anyway. Their reliability has been dipping since Ghosn took over. In my opinion Nissan has to get back to being on the most reliable nameplates in the automobile industry like they were in the 80's and 90's. It was just 5-6 years ago their cars were just as reliable or nearly reliable as Honda and Toyota. Infiniti's quality is still up there though.
#273 of 1858
Re: chuck [nippononly] by carguy58
Oct 20, 2005 (9:31 am)

Replying to: nippononly (Oct 18, 2005 3:48 pm)

"Besides, I looked it up, and the Escalade is outselling the Navigator this year. "
  
"Price may have been the thing, but really, for the younger set it often comes down to how much bling it has. How much does it show off the wealth? The G and especially the Escalade do this well, while the Navigator is more conservative."
 
You know when the original Navigator first came out somewhere around 97-98 it was a popular car in the rap video's. The newer one you never see in the rap video's. You always see Benz sedan's or Caddy;s(Escalades)in the rap video's now. Your theory on how much bling it has is right on at least on the current Escalade vs current Navigator topic. Beaides, the First Escalade which was released for the 99 model year I think was basically a rebadged Chevy Tahoe. Gm just put a Caddy emblem onto the Tahoe I think and said here's our new Caddy SUV which is basically a Chevy but just with a Caddy emblem on it.
#274 of 1858
Re: 3.5l [2zmax] Fix or repair daily??? [nvbanker] [2zmax] [nvbanker] by carguy58
Oct 20, 2005 (9:38 am)

Replying to: nvbanker (Oct 17, 2005 11:54 am)

"The Asians make the best cars from a cost to own point of view - they're not always exciting, in fact rarely are. Ford, IMO, makes the best domestic cars. Oh, they have put out a clinker or two, but for the money, generally they are high tech, well engineered, and reliable. At least that's how I see it."
 
Uh I agree with you for the most part but I;m kinda nuetral with you on the Asians don;t make exciting cars. The reason being Mazda was very influential in developing the Escape SUV for Ford(see Mazda Tribute.) Also, Ford's new Fusion is based off the Mazda 6 platform.
#275 of 1858
Re: note to above poster [grbeck] by igor2
Oct 20, 2005 (9:44 am)

Replying to: grbeck (Oct 19, 2005 6:54 pm)

well Fusion will get Edge.. hopefully it will not be too SUV like and will be identifiable as Fusion cousin. That will be the wagon. I do not think they will make it any other body stile especially with mustang in the showrooms.
 
Other than that, I think Ford is doing well. They need to restyle Focus and make it more refined do they catch the non-traditional buyers that was a 3door, 5door or a wagon in a compact... (more traditional compact buyers will go to Mazda to give Ford $$).. and for midsize the roles reverse: if you want nontraditional choices go to Mazda and get 6. For the traditional loking cars go to Fusion.
 
I think it will work.
 
Igor
#276 of 1858
Re: 3.5l [2zmax] Fix or repair daily??? [nvbanker] [2zmax] [nvbanker] [car by igor2
Oct 20, 2005 (10:10 am)

Replying to: carguy58 (Oct 20, 2005 9:38 am)

I do not think that Honda or Toyota is justified in their "reputation" anymore.. Their new models are no better than any other new car that comes out (maybe with the exception of GM) and yet they are able to charge 2-5 K more than Ford is.
 
I agree that Ford benefits from mazda.. I thin kthey are smart in doing so without killing the mazda spirit. However, I am upset that the only way for Ford to sell cars to average joe is to be CHEAPER AND BETTER than Honda.. and that is a market distortion..
 
Igor
#277 of 1858
Re: 3.5l [2zmax] Fix or repair daily??? [nvbanker] [2zmax] [nvbanker] [car by dieselone
Oct 20, 2005 (10:30 am)

Replying to: igor2 (Oct 20, 2005 10:10 am)

I agree that Ford benefits from mazda.. I thin kthey are smart in doing so without killing the mazda spirit. However, I am upset that the only way for Ford to sell cars to average joe is to be CHEAPER AND BETTER than Honda.. and that is a market distortion..
 
While I've always been a Ford fan, I don't know of one car Ford has had until the Fusion that was even close to a comparable Honda, and it remains to be seen how good the Fusion is.
 
Thank God the Taurus is gone. My wife has an '03 (company car) and while it is reliable it is a POS in every other area. Rattles, gutless v6, horrible trans shift quality, and an overall feeling of cheapness, it gets replaced in a few months, I hope it's not another Taurus. Ford let this car die on the vine and it should have been updated or replaced about 2-3 years ago. The fact that Ford still keeps the Vulcan 3.0 around makes me almost ashamed to be a Ford fan. An Accord with a 4cyl feels like a rocket compared to a Taurus with the Vulcan which is lucky to get 25mpg.
 
I find the 500 disappointing, sure it's on a good platform, but it sorely needs a better powerplant to be considered among the top sedans in its price range.
 
The Duratec 3.0 isn't impressive and even adding VVT it still won't match the Honda in terms of power and refinement. Honda's 3.0l v6 is very impressive and for '06 the freshened Accord sedan will offer the v6 with a 6 speed manual.
 
Mazda has always made impressive engines. I wish Ford would let Mazda develop Ford's v6s instead of the other way around. The best thing Ford ever did was use Mazda sourced 4 cylinders.
#278 of 1858
Re: 3.5l [2zmax] Fix or repair daily??? [nvbanker] [2zmax] [nvbanker] [car [igor2] by carguy58
Oct 20, 2005 (10:51 am)

Replying to: igor2 (Oct 20, 2005 10:10 am)

I don't like Toyota anymore. Their new models look awkward to me. Honda has always had better interiors than Ford even though Ford is catching up in that area. I mean but look at the Oddy;s reliability record in CR compared with the Caravan and Windstar. Honda's cars hold their value alot better than Ford or Chrysler right now. I agree Chrysler is a good automaker but again reliability. I know they are getting better but their reliability is very shaky from what I see in CR. All those X's meaning below average in reliability scare me. Chrysler needs to establish good resales values as well. The PT Cruiser has pretty good resale value though.
#279 of 1858
Toyota by stickguy
Oct 20, 2005 (10:59 am)
the mainstream cars might last forever, but I can't stand the lack of driving dynamics. They almost make a Buick seem like the driver is involved. Also not impressed with the insides of a Camry (layout, seat comfort, ergonomics n general). Same with the Corolla, which has a very uncomfortable driving position.
 
To be fair, I actually own a Toyota (ok, a Scion tC), which even though it has the same engine as a Camry, feels like a polar oposite car.
 
I do like the Accord quite a bit though, and seriously considered buying one (stickshift only, please).
 
That's why the Fusion interested me. I like the Mazda 6, but found the seats to be uncomfortable, otherwise I probably would have bought one, plus it had some headroom issues. Both things the Fusion cured.

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