Further proof that ford makes some of the ugliest vehicles

[CleanNeon98]

Originally Posted by Turbo s60R

we were already off topic!!! now were way way off topic thanks cleanneon for gaying up another 1

Yes sir mod...

[NJGOAT]

Originally Posted by Turbo s60R

NJGOAT... you really should research a little deeper or stand on your hands if your gonna talk out of your ass!!! ill keep this as short as possible but good old General Motors is about to put into affect there largest layoffs in their history as a car making power, and yes they do have assets to sell off which they will be doing starting with GMC but there doesnt seem to be any takers, atleast ford has a very very strong european market which many people in the united states fail to see and above that ford is share holders in many of the worlds fortune 500 companies..

Now going by your name im assuming for a GM guy and im not saying they dont make great cars but at the moment they are so far below the ground that a come back is few and far between, GM's stock will show you that.... and yes ford is now doing so hot but numbers wise ford is destroying chrysler and cheverolet in sales, the only company putting up any type of fight is toyota and there winning but im was avoiding camparing ford to toyota

I'm hardly the one talking out of my ass. I operate one of the largest private vehicle fleets in the area representing over 25 different makes and models. I've also owned vehicles from many different manufacturers including Ford. I know my cars and more importantly know my car companies. The only person talking out their ass here is you as you obviously spend way too much time drinking the Kool Aid at your FORD DEALERSHIP job to see what's going on in the greater industry. I could sit here for the next few hours linking articles, stock information, industry exec opinions, etc. but it really isn't worth my time.

GM and Toyota are virtually tied for first place in global auto sales. Ford is number three with Honda, Chrysler and Nissan nipping at their heels. Ford sold approximately 15% fewer vehicles than GM or Toyota (which is a little over 1 million fewer cars). At the end of the day, all of the major American automakers are in big trouble right now. However, IN MY OPINION (and many other's in the industry) GM is the one company who has good product coming online to turn it around, mainly the Volt, which uses technology that Ford doesn't have.

Also, yes, I know precisely how well Ford does in Europe, they always have, but you need to look at the global picture to see the overall strength. The things that make Ford strong in Europe (design, engineering and marketing) are rarely replicated in other markets. While GM is spending billions to copy the Toyota model of flexible truly global manufacturing and car models, Ford is failing to make any changes to improve their cost structure and manufacturing methods. Their N. American market is on life support and they have no plan in place to fix it. The discussion was focused on which American manufacturer had the best chance to compete with Toyota and that is GM.

[FocusDude]

My only beef with the Volt is that I need to plug it in... We aren't exactly building new power plants, or renovating old ones for that matter. We can hardly supply the electricity we presently use, and rolling brown out's just happen. Now we plug in 5 million cars in at 6pm to charge over night??

I wonder if we can build power lines across the Atlantic and plug in to the Mid-East plants?

Then the power goes out (like tonight) and my car has yet to charge and I'm stuck in New Orleans (or LBI) and it's sinking fast.

[Charged SVTF]

The big problem for Ford and bringing the Euro ST and future RS to the states is Price. The initial costs of developments would mean a huge loss. In addition, the price as it sits right in Europe would translate the same Focus in the states as a 20 grand and up car. Somewhat of a sticker shock for the base prices there are today. So as it keeps getting built for europe, costs for development decline and the returns increase. Then it will hit our shores...thats why they predict 3 years before it dawns us here in the states.

In addition, the new RS will not be sporting AWD. They want to save weight. However Gertrag has teamed up with Ford once again to develop a trick gearbox and Limited slip. This is very promising as compared to the electronic LSDs that use brakes and pulled timing for traction. Should be an interesting vehicle.

Oh one more thing....they cannot develop a car in the states to outperform its beloved Mustang GT....which the new Euro ST's could do with some bolt ons. Would be a real kick to the nuts for their mustang enthusiasts...which have outnumbered Focus enthusiasts.....welll....pretty much always outnumber Focus enthusiasts since the car has been around since the 60's!

[Oakes]

Ok, pertaining to the original topic. The guy who works at springfield ford nailed it. The car is more attractive on the outside than the scion****box and the element. Its not for everyone, nor is ANY car. However, having both driven them and been passenger (the new Flex) it is quite a crossover. Its on the Taurus chassis that is stretched a few more inches. The interior legroom is astronomical, especially in the back. The options are extremely plentiful, with alot of standard luxuries, you can even get a full functioning refrigerator and freezer. It rides great and feels powerful, I at first thought it was gonna end Ford, but now that its here, it can very well be the other way around. Its one of those, dont knock it till you try it kind of cars. I also work at Ford, in Paoli.

[Oakes]

Originally Posted by Charged SVTF

Oh one more thing....they cannot develop a car in the states to outperform its beloved Mustang GT....which the new Euro ST's could do with some bolt ons. Would be a real kick to the nuts for their mustang enthusiasts...which have outnumbered Focus enthusiasts.....welll....pretty much always outnumber Focus enthusiasts since the car has been around since the 60's!

QFT, another issue Ford is having right now, is what theyre going to do with their Mustang GT/V8 with the developments of the Ecoboost engines due to come out next year. The new V6 mustang might be putting out around 310 horse with an Ecoboost V6 as opposed to around 215, if it goes through. The current GT is putting out 300. But at the same time, they cant just put out all GT500s. Ford has alot of potential in front of them right now, its just how they play with it thats gonna make or break them.

[sean3]

Obviously the mustang is going to be an issue. They finally got out of the stone ages and figured out what a turbocharger is, now the V6 mustang will be pretty fast. All the diehard mustang enthusiasts will demand a V8. I think their only option will be make the base mustang an i4 ecoboost and the GT a v6 ecoboost. I wouldn't be surprised if the only V8 stang was another "GT500" type car.

[PhillySVT]

Originally Posted by sean3

Obviously the mustang is going to be an issue. They finally got out of the stone ages and figured out what a turbocharger is, now the V6 mustang will be pretty fast. All the diehard mustang enthusiasts will demand a V8. I think their only option will be make the base mustang an i4 ecoboost and the GT a v6 ecoboost. I wouldn't be surprised if the only V8 stang was another "GT500" type car.

Watch...might be 4.
basic 6
SVO TT 6
GT 302 (the 302 is going in the 2010 GT)
GT 500

[99SL2_Modder]

Originally Posted by PhillySVT

Watch...might be 4.
basic 6
SVO TT 6
GT 302 (the 302 is going in the 2010 GT)
GT 500

The only thing that could make me think that statement couldn't ever happen is if you put the sentence: "Ford's vehicles are the best ever" in there.

Garabge. The idea would be horrible, and no doubt will happen.

[461_SS]

Originally Posted by CHAOS

i'd buy it if it were available in the us.

[NJGOAT]

On the Mustang engine front it wasn't too long ago that J. Mays or one of those guys at Ford was discussing the "new" idea of using direct injection turbocharged engines with smaller displacement. The example they used was taking the existing 3.5L V6 and easily getting more power and better fuel economy out of it than the current 4.6L mod motor V8's.