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Automotive News & Views What about the future of Ford Inc?? 
1858 messages, Last post on Oct 16, 2006 at 6:25 AM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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Detroit Free Press, November 2, 2005 BY SARAH A. WEBSTER FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER "In contrast to terrible industry-wide auto sales last month -- the worst October in 13 years -- the Ford Fusion sedan appears to be a runaway hit. So much so that Ford Motor Co. is comparing the reasonably priced, nicely styled midsize sedan to the heart-pounding Ford Mustang. "I believe the Fusion has the potential to take the baton from the Mustang as this year's hottest car in the industry," George Pipas, Ford's U.S. sales analysis manager, said Tuesday. Comparing the new Fusion to the 41-year-old Mustang nameplate seems brave, especially after only one month of sales. But the fact Ford is talking about both cars in the same breath speaks to its high expectations for the Fusion... "Sometimes you can just feel it," (George) Pipas said. "These cars couldn't arrive at a better time as consumers shop for value and fuel economy. But I guess it doesn't hurt that these cars are stylish, too... Pipas said the company thought it would sell 2,700 of the vehicles in October. But Ford sold almost 4,100 -- 50% more than expected. Ford's boasting about the Fusion doesn't appear to be just corporate hype, either. 'The Fusion is going to be the 300C for Ford,' Art Spinella, president of CNW Marketing Research in Bandon, Ore., predicted, referring to the hit Chrysler had with its full-size sedan last year. 'This was essential for them to do this.' " |
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It's simple. I decided I liked it, and figured to wait a few months for supply to pile up and year end rebates to arrive. So of course it will be the hottest thing in years and sell without big rebates and discounts. Your thanks are enough, but if Ford would like to send a GT over as a little token of their appreciation, I will promise to take good care of it. |
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If the best Ford can offer for a car is a rebadged Mazda 6 their future is bleak indeed. The fusion is a very good competitive car, it just ain't a Ford. It simply shows that Ford doesn't have what it takes to engineer, develop and market a competitve, modern automobile. It may sell, but it's simply putting a figer in a dike that is leaking like a sieve. Ford and GM seem unable to come up with the goods to survive in the future. The target is simple engineer and build a car that is as good if not better than a Honda Accord for the same if not slightly lower price! Hyundai got the message and their latest effort is a very auspicious beginning, now its time for the big three to jump in the bandwagon. Moaning about legacy costs is BS, screw the bean counters and put some creative engineers to work. I'd fire the entire accounting section that oversees product development and put an engineer in charge, then I would fire every engineer that has worked for the big three for more than 20 years since they are probably so tainted by the big three mentality that they are probably useless anyway!
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| you can still get it. It's called the taurus. | |
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Replying to: 6spdtl (Nov 02, 2005 1:44 pm) The time for pride is over. Despite gains from the Fusion, Ford sales dropped more than 20% as soon as they cut back on incentives. They should be on their knees, begging for Mazda's help. |
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Replying to: 6spdtl (Nov 02, 2005 1:44 pm) |
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Replying to: 6spdtl (Nov 02, 2005 1:44 pm) Thirdly - Ford is a global company, owing companies and technology all over the world. If I were a stockholder, and I'm not, I'd be very upset if they developed 8 completely different platforms for a mid size car, when one would do, and make more profit. It's only smart to choose the best one, and leverage it. That's what smart business does, no matter the industry - electronics, toys, air-conditioners (one basic unit now sells under 7 brands in the US), light bulbs, or cars. And the company that can do that, survives. The only reason Toyota doesn't do it much, is they until recently bought a chunk of Subaru, they didn't have any other technology to leverage. But if they did do it, they would be hailed as the most brilliant company on the planet.
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Replying to: nvbanker (Nov 02, 2005 7:43 pm)  I think Ford is in a better off situation then Honda. They have alot more resources than them. They have R&D from all their newly acquired partners like Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover etc etc. 
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Replying to: rockylee (Nov 02, 2005 8:52 pm)
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Replying to: nvbanker (Nov 02, 2005 8:55 pm)  because they can't get em' fast enough ??????.....My mom had to wait 13 weeks to finally get hers. She had the only GTP Coupe that is Blue in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A city with approx. 600K people. Her dealership is also one of the biggest selling high volume GM dealers in the U.S. formly was #1 Olds dealer in the U.S. If Grand can't get em' nobody can. The Fusion is going to be a hit. They just need to make a high horsepower version ! The Explorer is going to hang on to it's crown of being #1 Rocky
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