what will save ford?

[whd507]

there is next to nothing on the lot I would want to make a payment on,and I dont seem to be alone.

what does ford need to do to bring us back?

for me, I'd like to see the Ranger EV come back,
obviously the Marauder is on my list.also crown vic sport.
my Diesel escort was nice on fuel
a panther stationwagon and ranchero would sell i think.(sedan delivery too)
the 09 F-150 looks as nice to me as anything since 1996, but $35K? damn its a pickup...

need a bronco (old style bronco)
a mustang based cougar

a 61-69 Continental looking Lincoln would be nice

[baltimoremm]

need a bronco (old style bronco)



They came out with a concept that resembled the 66-77 broncos, I wonder if it will ever get produced.

I think ford needs to scrap their business plan and start from scratch. Spend less of their money trying to market the same cars they've had in their showrooms for the past 20 years and instead spend the money on R&D to develop a fleet that sells itself. The "three bars" design changes (that I'm sure they spent millions coming up with) doesnt cut it.

Personally, I think ford should do the following
1. Hybrid minivan under $35k
2. Hybrid focus w/ mpg to compete with prius
3. Keep the panther (but give it suicide doors, like the continental)
4. Market the hell out of SYNC and make it standard equipment
5. Reduce the number of small SUV/Crossovers/Wagons (you dont need Taurus X, Flex, Edge, Explorer AND Escape, pick two and focus on quality)
6. Lincoln needs a 2 door sports coupe!

[TiTo35]

I agree with a hybrid ANYTHING right now...

In this time of day hybrids are on back order at the Toyota dealer...


Ford need to step up...Make a Mustang hybrid and bring the Marauder back!!!

[whd507]

one of the big problems is that they have lots full of FWD cars that dont get any better mileage than a Grand Marquis. a 70s pinto wagon gets better mileage than a car of comparable size now.

they want to euro-ize the lineup, why then pick the crap of the crop from europe to send over? I for one dont want euro cars from an American company.

[GODFATHER]

i would say the taurus like it did in the late 80's
fleet vehicle as it was marketed for and the middle class people :cool:

[Marawder]

Although Hybrids seem to be the current flavour, a small, comparably sized econocar will get as good highway economy in a lighter package, so city economy might be a small issue. However, the extra cost of a hybrid means a 5-6 year recovery cycle on the initial cost, based on current fuel efficiency levels. How many would pay the extra now? I'd buy the econocar first since I do 80-90%+ highway driving anyway.

And I doubt you'll see the Taurus X and Flex together much longer - the X will probably go soon.

[Iowa Rick]

The proposed F100 looks interesting. It will probably get crapped up and priced too high though.
I need a pickup but I dont need my gig, in sync, satellite radio, navigation, power everything. I want a small DOMESTIC pickup that drives from point A to point B with minimal fuss. I want it to get better than my Dodge Rams 10 mpg in town. Did I mention I want a DOMESTIC pickup, preferably one made en los Estados Unidos.

The Taurus X was interesting. I looked at it when it first came out but wanted no part of a CVT transmission. I remember all the developmental problems they had with belts surviving high torque and question long term durability.

Ford needs a somewhat smaller packaged 5/6 passenger 4 door. How about an updated 49/50 Ford styled car. The 67/68 Mercury Cougar was in my opinion a stunning vehicle (my first new car). The 67 Fairlane was also a nice sized and looking package.

I hope that the new direct injection 4 and 6 cylinder engine live up to their promise. A Mercury Milan stripper with a direct injected twin turobo v6 would be a worthy companion to my Marauder.

Ford needs designers who are people of size (tall and overweight) to package interiors for someone larger than 5'6" 140lbs so when I find my dream car it will fit my tall and overweight body.

Ford needs new product, maybe Ford Europe has what is needed for the near term to help them survive.

[crabby125]

The slightly redesigned 2005 focus should have been the current Euro Focus/ Mazda 3 platform.

(puts on Flame suit) the panther platform needs to be axed. It just doesnt make sense when you have a Large car with a midsize interior and a V8 that produces less power than Midsize V6's.

As far as a Minivan, the Flex does an excellent job albeit pricey.
Can the Taurus X
Mustang, F series trucks, Taurus, Fusion are fine for now.

[Aren Jay]

A miracle or a bolt of lightning that takes out the entire upper management.

[Green96]

Functionally the cars they have are fine althought they could use more RWD models (read - bring over the Austrailian Falcon ASAP), it is their styling that is in the toilet. Lets count the good and the bad as I see them from a styling standpoint.
Good:
Mustang

Bad:
Everything else including the last CV that the public could buy (they screwed it up when they made the last front end/headlight change.
Fusion, Taurus, Edge, Flex - ugly front end, I hate the new grill that they came up with.
Focus - What the hell are those stupid looking vents on the side for anyway. Bring back the previous one in my opinion.
F150 - side panels are to tall and flat. From the windows down it looks like a brick on wheels.

I know I am missing a lot of them, but these are the ones that stand out. I don't really even like the looks of the Milan that I got for my wife. It was what she wanted and I liked it slightly better that the Fusion. I could rattle off some cars that I like, but they can't copy someone else at this point in the game. They need to come up with something exciting that compells people to choose them. Maybe that is what they were trying with the new grill style, but it doesn't work for me. Keep some of the platforms, but go back to the drawing board on the styling.

[Aren Jay]

Hatchbacks and wagons, lose the centre console.

[Bradley G]

The public purchase their products.

[Bradley G]

Look for a new Taurus, Soon!

[Mike Poore]

I drove a '69 Fiesta Sport for 150,000+ miles. It was a German made little gem that was virtually indestructible, and they replaced it with a POS Korean made Festiva, (read bigger profit) because of emissions issues, as I recall.
They have and continue to make huge corporate blunders, mostly, I believe, because, apparently, they think there's some genetic magic in the Ford name, when it comes to upper management, and decision making. I hold up that nut case, Elana Ford (how can I kill off the Mercury Division) as an example. Of course there has been a long line of Ford family members with the seeming bent on destroying the company. Remember the Edsel, or the Probe, followed by the new Thunderbird and the Ford GT? They may have been good vehicles; but were marketing and financial disasters.
Perhaps the only thing that might save the company would be the sale to an Asian company who would come in and send the lot of 'em packing.

[TooManyFords]

I think we need more cars that only have a 1-star crash approval rating. Less weight means more MPG. Tell people they are for in-town commuting and they get 80 mpg! Why carry around 3500 lbs of weight just to go to the grocery store. Make them sell for $8500 tops.

You couldn't make them fast enough!

[Mike Poore]

I think we need more cars that only have a 1-star crash approval rating. Less weight means more MPG. Tell people they are for in-town commuting and they get 80 mpg! Why carry around 3500 lbs of weight just to go to the grocery store. Make them sell for $8500 tops.

You couldn't make them fast enough!

I think you're right, John. Look at the volume of motorcycle and scooter sales, and condidering crash worthiness provided by a scoot, it boils down to: you crash - you die.

[03mara300b]

Ford/Mercury management have no clue as to what the buying public wants. Their answer is to streamline, drop models and try to squeez a profit that way. They are not in the business to make vehicles they are in the business to make money. That is how it should be, but they need to think long term and start bringing some vehicles to market that people will want to buy. The Marauder is a great example of the incompetence of management. It was never advertised. The proposed tv commercial was awful the "move over one". Fill out a post card at your dealer for more information. What were these guys thinking? Proper advertising would have made the Marauder a hit in my opinion. I know some will disagree and say lack of performance etc, etc . Advertising and perception is key in moving any product.

[FastMerc]

New management!!!:tongue:

[Rocknthehawk]

The EV Ranger was a great idea, horrible execution. I'd like to see a similar return, but with the closing of the plant, we'll see if there even IS a ranger past 2010.

I would love to see the ranger stay basically the same (as it has since 1993, minues front end changes). A redesigned interior would be a huge selling point for many current ranger owners to upgrade. Seriously...the dashboard has not changed since 1995 (1993 if you count the radio growing from single to double din) The changes in gauges and steering wheel are cosmetic, while what we need is something new and more functional.

BUT

add a 4 or 6 cylinder turbo diesel...great mpg's good towing numbers. Make it a compact truck with midsize power. The ranger is easily the only COMPACT pickup left. All the other "compacts" have grown to midsize.


i love my ranger(s).

[Aren Jay]

The GM Canyon is a great truck.

If I were going to buy a new truck it would be one of those.

The ranger is too small for me.

Mind you 98% of people are short compared to me so, that might have something to do with it.

[sailsmen]

Reduce their labor cost to those of the Japanese companies producing autos in the USA.

Their dependence on a market segment where there was little competition was a risky move although they may have had little choice.

W/ the income tax incentives gone the hybreds are not an economical option for those that can do simple math. Soon all those who are math challenged will have purchased the hybreds and that market will have reached a saturation.

[Aren Jay]

I think they should move to company owned dealerships. Make small assembly lines, all robotic at each company dealership, phased in over time, and have a "Minority Report" like car manufacturing facility at each site.

Customer comes in and picks the size of modular chassis they want, then goes through the modular options that they want, the car is assembled while they watch, a design programme lets them customize portions, paint and interior options. The car is assembled for them, and custom paint applied, with a next day delivery. Credit in house on site arranged, The process is then tuned to the customer expectations and said customer leaves that day or the next with the car of their dreams.

Modular parts will all be made to design limits that have been tested to ensure safety and legal requirements, Each person gets the car they want, prices are all clearly marked and car manufacturing costs are minimal with little overhead.

Modular parts manufacturing in one plant per country, heavy robotics and distributed to the local "dealership" facilities.

Phased in over time slowly replacing the current this is our design love it or hate it system.

Even though many of the cars will look different on an engineering side they will all be very similar.

Modular is the way to go.

[MACFORD88]

35k pick up is loaded maybe 18 to 20 for the lower line.

[whd507]

The Ranger EV is still state of the art. the lease it and scrap it idea really sucked. I run a small fleet of Rangers, and 60-70 miles a day range , recharging for $2 a night would work great for me, and I suspect for thousands of other small businesses and commuters.

the platform still works much better than any other option for me and my competitors, and a cheap re-body would make everybody but the magazine editors happy.
I think the same of the Panther platform, the platform is great especially since 03, toss a new body skin on it, and even the idiot magazines would be fooled into thinking its a new platform. everything else ford sells as a car/crossover could be built on two platforms. the trucks need to merge back to one platform like pre-96.

[Rocknthehawk]

The Ranger EV is still state of the art. the lease it and scrap it idea really sucked. I run a small fleet of Rangers, and 60-70 miles a day range , recharging for $2 a night would work great for me, and I suspect for thousands of other small businesses and commuters.

the platform still works much better than any other option for me and my competitors, and a cheap re-body would make everybody but the magazine editors happy.
I think the same of the Panther platform, the platform is great especially since 03, toss a new body skin on it, and even the idiot magazines would be fooled into thinking its a new platform. everything else ford sells as a car/crossover could be built on two platforms. the trucks need to merge back to one platform like pre-96.

I agree with the EV, if you're only running a few miles a day, that's not bad.

The platform for the ranger is great, but it is seriously lacking in MPG's. I'm glad they finally axed the 3.0

[Dr Caleb]

A miracle or a bolt of lightning that takes out the entire upper management.

Deus Ex Machina. But, you made me say that. ;)

I was thinking 'Barbed wire enima'.

[Rocknthehawk]

Also...the price of buying a used EV Ranger is rediculous....

[whd507]

20K for a used EV that may require 10k in batteries soon? yeah , crazy, but people are buying priuses thinking they made a good deal too.. go figure.

with the cost of either, I could drive a 1976 Marquis with a 460 for 111, 000 @$3.70/gal before I lose money.

[Mike Poore]

In the news today. They took another hit, reporting losses in the .....BILLIONS. :eek:

It's interesting that Ford is reporting profits in Europe and Asia, why?

We like to point to the labor unions, but need to be reminded that European labor is far less productive than it's US counterpart and that the union contracts in Europe border on lunacy, by our standards.

Surely the problem can't be placed at the feet of the draconian anti-industrial regulation(s) of our government, could it? The EPA and OSHA alone have single handedly driven the industrial base of this nation off shore. I mean, if we want our children and grandchildren to suck lead paint off the toys we give 'em, it's necessary to buy from the Chinese, these days. Don't even get me started on pet food.:mad2:

[Dr Caleb]

It's interesting that Ford is reporting profits in Europe and Asia, why?

Because they make and sell vehicles that people actually want. Who wouldn't want a small car with 300 - 1000 HP? ;)

Apparently, no one knows of nor wants the Flex, or Taurus X (Lincon XKR. . . ).

I've been saying for years that things like the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Focus_(International)#Foc us_ST">Focus ST</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Escort_RS_Cosworth">Escort RS</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_RS200"> RS 200</a> would sell well. It's what the Japanese 'tuners' have been for years.

[Aren Jay]

The Flex costs too much.

Funny thing is I left Subaru and came back to Ford because of the 500 / Freestyle. And that tragic Tribeca (medusa). They shift my gaze, the Marauder locked in the heart and mind.

[Leadfoot281]

I think we need more cars that only have a 1-star crash approval rating. Less weight means more MPG. Tell people they are for in-town commuting and they get 80 mpg! Why carry around 3500 lbs of weight just to go to the grocery store. Make them sell for $8500 tops.

You couldn't make them fast enough!

Just look what the 'K car' did for Chrysler.

Ford needs one easy to manufacture platform that can do duty as Mini-van, sport hatch, and sedan across the whole FLM line-up.

I thinks it's time they dusted off Lee Iaccoa and put him in charge.

[quota]

There is definitely a lot to do and that will cost a lot.

But the first millions should go for a clever marketing that will make north americans buying the excellent FUSION rather than Camry, Accord, Azera and whatever similar.

JP

[quota]

Speaking about the Fusion, the idea of a hybrid model is certainly not a bad one.

But it could be cheaper and faster to fit in it one of the excellent diesel engines from the european range. A TDI Fusion would show about 40 mpg, without sacrifying too much the performance !

JP

[Rocknthehawk]

Ranger production has been extended to 2011.... :banana2:

The little hero truck comes through....