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Ford's great "New" Idea

burk48237

burk48237

Supporting Member
Nov 22, 2004
9,850
3,568
68
Oak Park, MI
#1
Ford has announced an accelerated restructuring plan that includes the offering of buyouts to ALL 75,000 of it's plant workers. What if they all take it? Not likely, but they plan to reduce their overall workforce by over half. I still don't see a whole lot of hot prospects in Fords new car lines. This is about selling vehicles, isn't it? The new Edge looks cool (Element knockoff) but then I find out it comes with a 265hp engine, so much for fuel economy. Your thoughts?

I would love to here from Malthumb. James is a Major player in the Generals ranks, they don't make any moves without asking James!:D

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#2
Next they'll slash warranty times further and shove their losses even further up the tech's a$$es.

Don't believe me? Find some Ford techs and ask them about the "Re-engineering of SLTS" that took place five years ago.
 
#3
Well, they are talking about doing more platform-sharing with their other divisions in other countries, including bringing over some of the smaller models from Europe, so that should help them get some more fuel-efficient cars into their range. Now that smaller cars appear to be "in" again in the US, the Fiesta, Ka and Mk2 Focus should go down well over there.

Check out the new Focus ST:

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#5
I am more worried about Chevrolet because I have two of them. :( However, if they come out with the new Camaro I might have to get one. Sorry, I know this is a FORD thread :)
 
#6
Eh, I don't like how either the Edge or the Focus ST look so much. The only Ford car that I can think of off the top of my head that I really like the looks is the Mustang.

I haven't understood most of Ford's recent moves. This one is no different.
 
#7
I think they're taking this action because, in the rest of the world, Ford is actually, *gasp*, profitable. So maybe a few lessons can be learned from their overseas operations.

Other than the Mustang and the perennial F-series trucks, it seems Ford have lost touch with what the American public want in a car. The Five Hundred and Fusion are dull as hell (including their Mercury siblings), the US Focus is years out of date now, and their SUV sales are tanking because of gas prices. They need to do something.
 
#9
XO-Bionic said:
I think they're taking this action because, in the rest of the world, Ford is actually, *gasp*, profitable. So maybe a few lessons can be learned from their overseas operations.
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When you're right, you're right.

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#11
XO-Bionic said:
Ah, the Aussie Falcon XR8. What a machine! :D

Ford and Holden (GM) have some awesome V8 iron for sale Down Under.
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Defenatly. Even Falcon XR6 turbo is a great car. I6 4.0 engine turbo (i am a sucker for I6 engines).


245kW of power @ 5250rpm and 480Nm of torque @ 2000rpm1

I almost love that more then XR8.
 
#12
kserg said:
Defenatly. Even Falcon XR6 turbo is a great car. I6 4.0 engine turbo (i am a sucker for I6 engines).


245kW of power @ 5250rpm and 480Nm of torque @ 2000rpm1

I almost love that more then XR8.
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Being right-hand-drive, they're quite easy to import to the UK, I was thinking of looking into doing it, until I remembered how much petrol costs over here. :D

Nevertheless, I'm seeing quite a few Holden Maloo pickups over here, with the big V8s (same as in the Monaro/GTO), and the Vauxhall version of the Monaro has sold quite well here, so, despite the gas prices, there is still a market for muscle over here. :D
 
#13
XO-Bionic said:
I think they're taking this action because, in the rest of the world, Ford is actually, *gasp*, profitable. So maybe a few lessons can be learned from their overseas operations.

Other than the Mustang and the perennial F-series trucks, it seems Ford have lost touch with what the American public want in a car. The Five Hundred and Fusion are dull as hell (including their Mercury siblings), the US Focus is years out of date now, and their SUV sales are tanking because of gas prices. They need to do something.
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Whenever I watch Top Gear and they feature a Ford car from Europe I often wonder why the same cars aren't available here.
 
#15
Geoff St. Germaine said:
Whenever I watch Top Gear and they feature a Ford car from Europe I often wonder why the same cars aren't available here.
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Clarkson and co. love the Focus ST, and Clarkson's a big fan of the Mondeo, especially the ST24 2.5-litre V6 version.

Speaking of US car companies releasing European cars, Clarkson is well known for trashing the Vauxhall/Opel Vectra... which the US is getting as the new Saturn Aura...

Gah. It needs to be October - need more Top Gear. :D
 
#17
vindy500 said:
is that not what the fords in ameria look like (im from new zealand)
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Nope. :hmm:

Most of the Fords you'll see on American roads are F-series pickups, followed by enormous Expedition and Explorer SUVs, Crown Victorias (often as police cars), (old) Focusses, Taurusses (Tauri?), and the sheer dullness of the newer Five Hundred and Fusion models. You'll also see their very similar but slightly more upmarket Mercury siblings quite often. But, on the plus side, you'll see quite a few Mustangs too. :)

The Taurus was quite a nice car - I wanted one for a while after I saw Robocop drive one in the film. :D I especially liked the newer, "bug-eyed" version. But, as with all Ford's better cars in the US, it got toned down, before eventually being canned and replaced with the Fusion.

I'd still love a new Mustang though. That was one that Ford in the US did get right. :D
 
#20
tplyons said:
They have all the nice cars down under. No fair. I'd like a few Holden's up my way.

Once again, not at all thrilled with Fords lineup.
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They seem to get the best of both worlds in car design Down Under... design and quality on par with European and Japanese cars, with the muscle of American cars.

Australia was the only country that drives on the left to get a right-hand-drive version of the Mustang, for instance! Never got released in the UK or Japan. There also exists original RHD Dodge Chargers and the like from the 60s and 70s.
 

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