The car that will save Ford?

[Goat Roper]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=131096?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..3 .*

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2009/ford.fiesta/09.ford.fiesta.340.jpghttp://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/firstdrive/2009/ford.fiesta/09.ford.fiesta.int.dash.500.jpg

"After years of resistance from Ford's various divisions around the world — especially the U.S. — Mother Ford has finally decided that the most profitable way to build cars is to create one really good one and sell it to everybody. After all, look what it did for the Model T, which celebrates its centenary this year."

[Waver]

Funny, since ford isnt in as deep as some manufacturers...Especially they have 40+ of the top cars in the us

[88Nightmare]

aint nothin gonna save ford. pretty soon everything will just be a part of GM :D

[Waver]

I am willing to bet that the merger will take out gm

[michelle]

The Taurus did it once, the Taurus will do it again!




































I kid, I kid.

[Al]

Or this will explode like the Pinto...

[Smokey1226]

The Taurus did it once, the Taurus will do it again!


http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j315/PREDATOR87/Funny/kicard.gif




:rolf:thumbsup

[Exitspeed]

The fiesta is a fantastic car actually and yes has the potential to save Ford if marketed right. The thing is dependable, and has something that most Ford cars don't have here, good looks.

Ford will be going away from their separate design languages and have one global language. This will help them on many levels including manufacturing, and brand image.

The ugly ass Focus sells well here right now. Can you imagine if they have a car that is even better built and designed and looks the part too?

The only negative right now, is they need this car yesterday but changing over useless SUV and Truck factories isn't an overnight process. So we won't see the Fiesta until 2010.

I'm hopeful for GM and Ford that they can get it together if they can just stick it out another few years and get their portfolio's switched over to the smaller vehicles.

Chrysler on the other hand is the red headed step child of the industry and I frankly see no hope for them any more.

[Karps TA]

First thing they need to do is pick a name that isn't gay. No Hetro male is going to buy a car named Fiesta. Everytime I say it I think of the Hot Hot Hot song.

[shoooo32]

needs the diesel. the fiesta on sale now in europe gets 60+ mpg.

[johnny--2k]

Um, if anything, GM and Chrysler are the ones in the shitter. They are both reporting LOSSES in the BILLIONS, while Ford Motors reported a loss of $195 Million, but Ford Motor Credit reported a GAIN of $95 Million. They are in a better position than any of the Domestics right now. They have not tightened up their credit stips either like GM has. GM will no longer finance anyone with under a 700 bureau score, and will not finance anything over 100% of invoice. So, no neg equity, no over book. GMAC is pretty much sh!tting on themselves.


The Fiesta should be a cool car when it finally gets here though. I'm excited to see what kind of business it will bring in to the dealerships.

[07ROUSHSTG3]

ford is ok. they sell like hotcakes in china, russia, and europe.

if the EPA would lift the "clean" car bullsh!t regualtions, and the IIHS would lift some of the "safety" regulations, all 3 of our automakers could be in the black in less than 3 years, especially ford. i am not saying to lift ALL the regulations, but i mean come on. some of them are crazy, and they raise the cost to produce greatly. imagine how much money gm and ford would save if they could cross-sell EVERYTHING and not have to worry about it.

[Exitspeed]

ford is ok. they sell like hotcakes in china, russia, and europe.

.

So does GM. Buick is China's #1 brand.

[Karps TA]

The problem is nobody can predict the car market and what would sell. The big 3 were building what was selling, Trucks and SUV's. Why wouldn't you concentrate your business on what is making you money. Nobody could have predicted that gas prices would double within a year. The Japanese were just better prepared for it because they sell those types of cars to begin with. The Japs were rushing into production trucks and SUVs to try and get in on the sales that the Big 3 were getting. Now even they are sitting their wondering what are they going to do with all that inventory.

Now look at the price of gas is back down, granted nobody knows for how long, but it's going to make people stop for a second and wonder if they really want a little tiny car or not.

[Windsors 03 Cobra]

I hope it has the diesel.

Ford and GM have too much money they will never die.

[88Nightmare]

even with GM's big losses, I couldnt picture the entire company just disappearing..... we may see some serious changes with their platforms over the next few years though

[Car Guy]

The Festiva (:gay) will DEFINATELY help Ford but it's not going to replace the Focus that's out now, which is worthless. However, Michelle is right in saying that the Taurus is going to be the one (again!) to hit a grand slam. It's not going to 'save' Ford (that's what the gov't is for :rolleyes: ) but it will be the one that brings them out of the red and back making money again.....

[07ROUSHSTG3]

The Festiva (:gay) will DEFINATELY help Ford but it's not going to replace the Focus that's out now, which is worthless. However, Michelle is right in saying that the Taurus is going to be the one (again!) to hit a grand slam. It's not going to 'save' Ford (that's what the gov't is for :rolleyes: ) but it will be the one that brings them out of the red and back making money again.....

if the taurus is going to do anything for ford they will need to completely redesign it and bring the cost WAAAAAY down. the taurus they have now is nothing like the taurus of old that truly did rescue ford. the current taurus is in limbo right now. not really hitting any one demographic. the price and complexity of the thing turns away the old, and the looks turn away the younger crowd. it is truly a great built car, and super safe, but if ford can;t lower the price and offer a few "basic" models, it will not do anything for ford other than take spots away from cars that are good, like the fushion and focus. the fushion was supposed to be the holy grail for ford, and while being a great seller, it hasn;t done what ford hoped it would do. i think once it gets the twinforce and hybrid technology, it will become more of a hit, but that is a couple years out yet.

[Windsors 03 Cobra]

Did the Taurus really save Ford in the 80's ? I mean prit near everyone that had one had a trans go out or a headgasket blow.
If anything the F series has kept Ford around.
I do agree with keeping name recognition like Camry, Taurus, Cvcc. But if the name garners memories of bad transmissions and blown headgasket and not realible and trouble free service well than that name is as useless as tits on a bull.

[boostaddict14]

Focus's and fiesta's are huge here as well as the KA which i personally hate. GM is lacking in all of europe and although they own OPEL people here don't like them.

[Windsors 03 Cobra]

So basically, Save Ford=Pull out of North America.

[Rocket Power]

and the IIHS would lift some of the "safety" regulations, .
IIHS is just about saving insurance companies money and making car companies look bad. NHTSA is the one they have to worry about with compliance regs. Hope it can pass a 50mph rear impact, cuz they're phasing it in now. NHTSA is changing some of the tests now too, different dummies in different positions. So now cars that did good before may or may not with the new style tests.

[Breecher_7]

The govt wont let them fail. They will just write another check against money that doesnt exhist and out of trouble they will be. Kinda like our stimulous checks or the 700+ billion dollars they have already shelled out.

And people wonder why our dollar isnt worth shit. Remember that thing called the "gold standard"... Yeah... That is in the shitter.

Wonder if obama will write me a big stinky check? If I pretend to be in need and say I fucked all my money away do I qualify?

I love this country, but fuck, people dont take responsibility for they things they do an just expect that there "county" should take care of them...

"Ask not what your country can do for you-Ask what you can do for your country"

Unfortunatly thinking like that doesnt exhist anymore.

Ive got an idea of progress, but alot of you wouldnt like it so ill keep it to myself.

But who the fuck cares what I think. Im just another tax payer getting fucked out of my money so others can sit at home, pop out children while doing drugs and suck up my money.

And yes, I am a heartless mother fucker. I believe that you make your bed, now sleep in it. Its no one elses problem that your to ******* stupid to make the right decisions in life. No one has ever givin me shit in my adult life, Ive worked for everything I own. I dont understand how people can ask for handouts and still have self pride.

.....Yes, this post was initially related to the thread, it cascaded, sorry.....

[07ROUSHSTG3]

Did the Taurus really save Ford in the 80's ? I mean prit near everyone that had one had a trans go out or a headgasket blow.
If anything the F series has kept Ford around.
I do agree with keeping name recognition like Camry, Taurus, Cvcc. But if the name garners memories of bad transmissions and blown headgasket and not realible and trouble free service well than that name is as useless as tits on a bull.

yes. the taurus did save ford IMO.

[07ROUSHSTG3]

Focus's and fiesta's are huge here as well as the KA which i personally hate.

in muskego :confused you guys have KAs and fiestas down there?

seriously....are you in europe? not trying to be a smartass, honest question.

[michelle]

:rolf:thumbsup

<3 <3

[michelle]

yes. the taurus did save ford IMO.

Agreed, it really did.

[DFJ6000]

Hell yes breecher_7 I agree 100%

[Waver]

here is what I have noticed is selling well at the dealership. The focus is selling like hotcakes, we have a lot of them going out the door, followed by the fusion. As far as suv's/trucks go, you cant beat the escape as far as sales go, followed by believe it or not the F150 cant wait till the 09's hit the lot....standard with a v8 and soon will have the ecoboost engine...the fiesta is only one of three cars comming here from ford of europe in the next few years...I have a feeling that Ford, once again, will be the strongedt manufacturer, and more than likely will be the first one out of the red...

[Sprayaway Fox]

FORD=JUNK. NEW FORDS=NEWER JUNK... THAT COMES WITH A DVD PLAYER:rolf

[Waver]

FORD=JUNK. NEW FORDS=NEWER JUNK... THAT COMES WITH A DVD PLAYER:rolf

well all cars are junk, some are just junkier than others...ford,not as big of junk as say other brands.....

[88Nightmare]

in muskego :confused you guys have KAs and fiestas down there?

seriously....are you in europe? not trying to be a smartass, honest question.

You beat me to it.



I mean I know muskego isn't exactly around the corner, but i didn't think it was a whole different country over there :thumbsup

[boostaddict14]

in muskego :confused you guys have KAs and fiestas down there?

seriously....are you in europe? not trying to be a smartass, honest question.

Yea im studying abroad in Germany this year.

[Waver]

Yea im studying abroad in Germany this year.

ah, that explains it. so I supose you see a lot of euro spec escorts like the cosworth

[Stangman98]

I'd buy one of those cars if it were in the 12-14K range with at least a decent stereo, PL, and PW I'm sold on it. I could get a month worth of fuel outta one tank for the driving that I do. Sign me up!

[Smokey1226]

<3 <3

joo my gurl

[boostaddict14]

ah, that explains it. so I supose you see a lot of euro spec escorts like the cosworth

I wish. In bigger cities with large industry you see alot of nice cars, but where I am all you see is hatchbacks.........anything to break the monotony is awesome. Although there is a ton of BMW's and Benz hell all the taxi cabs are Mercedes.

[07ROUSHSTG3]

I wish. In bigger cities with large industry you see alot of nice cars, but where I am all you see is hatchbacks.........anything to break the monotony is awesome. Although there is a ton of BMW's and Benz hell all the taxi cabs are Mercedes.

isnt it crazy to see people driving benz's, bmw's, and audi's like we drive ford and chevys. i spent 2 weeks in germany in high school. have always wanted to go back, just haven't yet. as soon as things around the world calm down i plan on taking a trip back there.

[boostaddict14]

isnt it crazy to see people driving benz's, bmw's, and audi's like we drive ford and chevys. i spent 2 weeks in germany in high school. have always wanted to go back, just haven't yet. as soon as things around the world calm down i plan on taking a trip back there.

yea it was crazy at first especially arriving at the airport in hamburg to see BMW's and Audi's ive never seen. Some v10 bi turbo audi and some crazy Beamer and more m series than you can shake a stick at. haah I have seen 2 f bodies and 1 corvette though.

[michelle]

joo my gurl

And you are one of my boys.