Kris Kolman

Atlas from my understanding underneath all the fancy one-off stuff was an existing F-Series... It is only a glimpse of the design and technology future Ford is thinking of. It was probably pulled together in last few months as Ford decided which of the 2015 vehicles to give a preview of. Some of the items (wheel shutters) seem to be a bit far out there... But the stop-start, grill shutters, and front valance are all reasonable (at least in the higher trims).

Call me impressed... There are a few minor detail details I don't like (not liking the kink up at the middle of the split wing grill), but the overall design is really crisp. See elements of the Infiniti FX and BMW X utes which isn't a bad thing. But the impression thru the use of strong distinctly Lincoln styling coupled by a mix of many throughout is of something unique. It also has done a good job at "hinding" its Escape roots... I see it in the roof line, but the strong shoulder flares and different hood line does a well job at hiding the bones. I very well might have found my next car.

Agree.. As said this is something VW has been working for some time, and similar in concept to what Ford worked with Aston Martin on for for the VH platform. Think of it as a family of highly similar flexible platforms, where the base has the flexibility to have its wheelbase, track, and engine bay expanded and contracted significantly. For example the suspension, including stampings and forgings, could easily be at a minimum one family of the same design. Ford has already been working on platforms that have easily interchangeable top hats (i.e. Focus, C-Max, Escape), add to this a variable base and how can see how you can reduce manufacturing costs. Reference: http://en.wikipedia....up_MQB_platform Fiesta - Wheelbase: 98 in, Track: 57.7 in Fusion - Wheelbase: 112 in, Track: 62.7 in

I understand that... What I read was that FoB was being tab'd as the leading organization to create the new Ka off the new Fiesta. That Dearborn was very happy with the EcoSport project, which earned them right to take lead on the Fiesta-to-Ka project. I assume FoE is helping, plus given the task to work on an upgrade to the current Fiat for comparison sake.

Thinking the same... Specially developed engine, specially developed differential, and wide tires

Makes sense and follows Ford's already established plan: (1) Base small NA engine, (2) Fuel efficient smaller EB option, (3) Sporty larger EB option. I'm been thinking that Ford should actually establish a common trim name to differntiate the small EB option. For example FE to go with S, SE, and ST.

I thought I read that the Brazil team that worked on the EcoSport was assigned the initial development work for the new Ka, and have been working on this for ~year. Seems about the right time for Dearborn to approve that work for production.

It seems to be Coupes and 2-doors have always been very sensitive to the general economy... I believe that is because they tend to be bought by young singles who traditionally are the one hurt the most by a bad economy. And even those doing well see their friends struggling, which tends to cause them to be conservative with their money. Since the Focus has been redesigned there isn't a simple "rework" option... It would take much more money to cut the top off off the new platform than create a 2-door coupe hardtop. Also it wasn't just the CC that had issues with sales... Compact hardtop coupes were a trend in Europe a few years ago, and all have failed to meet sales targets. As for your other option I think its becoming clear that the next Mustang is going to see a price increase. Also it looks like the Mustang is already going to be equipped with a 4-cylinder option. It was this price increase that makes room for the Focus based coupe (Capri), not the lack of a economical powertrain option.

In general coupes and sports cars are risky because the sales run hot and cold... But remember you must put on your international/european hat on this type of vehicle as that market will sell far more than in NA. In that light, C-segment personal type cars (coupes, convertibles, and shooting brakes) are actually quite plentiful in europe. VW Scirocco VW Beetle Audi TT Opel Cascada Peugeot 308 CC Peugeot RCZ BMW 1-Series Coupe & Convertible Hyundai Elantra Coupe

Same arguments again and again... Let me summarize: Owners of Rangers and SportTracs regretful of not having the option of the T6 Ranger... Wanting a smaller than fullsized truck Some others repeating idiot talking points that the T6 Ranger is too big... Not excepting that T6-to-F150 is equivelent to Focus-to-Taurus Some others publicly deriding the first group saying those that want a small truck are simply foolish and old fashioned Some others that understand and accept the desire for the a smaller truck, but are convinced no business case could ever be made Finally the dreamers that think in some future utopia where the F150 will evolve to serve its current and the old compact truck market

Edmunds is reporting that Ford has put on hold a small coupe project. Inferring that it was killed due to continuing international economy struggles. http://www.insideline.com/ford/europes-woes-put-ford-coupe-proposal-on-hold.html Although Edmunds didn't specify the details there is has been a continuing rumor in the European press that Ford was working on a Focus based coupe to revive the classic Capri. Such a car would slot below the Mustang as it would have Focus platform limitations (FWD and smaller engine power potential). I've always wondered if this was more auto-writer extrapolation and exaggeration... Maybe there was something to those articles.

As much as Ford is getting good press on this prior to the LA show you won't be seeing Transit Connect Wagon commercials out there... Because that is not the point... It is simply a "side bushiness" for what is a commercial focused product. Let a few roll past the tear-out crew in Jersey for those in the passenger ferrying business, for example hotel shuttle service. But the wagon is better as a center piece of the new product roll-out... That is because its hard to get buzz for a bare bones stripped out van, what commercial customers buy prior to outfitting. The wagon is a more aligned to what most people drive everyday and thus easier to show off the improvements, don't have to see beyond the "fireplace face". As for the upcoming CD4 MPV/Minivan strategy... I believe the current EUCD S-Max and Galaxy are essentially different top hats on the Mondeo wagon platform. The S-Max will likely remain on the same plan, as it sales have been fairly stable, but the Galaxy is a bit harder to predict. There is a fairly significant size differential between what is expected between a EU market and NA market minivan. The EU market is highly size sensitive and the only NA minivan sold there is the 202 in long and 77 in wide Chrysler/Lancia Voyager to mixed results. EU market minvans are typically ~10 in less long and ~3 in less wide. So for Ford while it would certainly possible for the Galaxy to grow to NA market dimensions it does so at the risk of sales troubles in its home markets. As such I think its better than even money that Ford will opt to keep the Galaxy internationally focused and sized due to a continuing lack of strength in the NA minvan market. Which means no luck for those wanting the Galaxy on these shores.

Makes sense until you consider the scales... We are talking about 5600 employees in a county of 11 million, and a European total market 739 million. Yes every high wage job lost has a 8x impact, but even so we talking about 0.4% of Belgium population and 0.006% of the total European population. Quite simply the impact is limited in a macro sense, and the return loop is highly damped. The higher return loop is damped sales due to concerns over being tied an orphan brand if the company leaves the market.

Something that has come up again, and again, and again... Quite simply history has shown it is much, much harder to create effective styling differentiation with a utility. Just look at how many people said CRV and RAV4 when the new Escape was shown. When you see the Escape parked next to a CRV or RAV4 you can see clear differences, but that doesn't seem to show up on film. I think that is because the differences are all about scale and poise, not different styling elements. Sedans have much more freedom because the three box body style give the stylists much more canvas to work with. Additionally stylists for cars (sedans, wagons, and hatchback) can mix an emphasis of height and presence or lack thereof for speed and power. That doesn't work for utilities because when you try and lower the profile you get some strangeness (i.e. Acura ZDX or BMW X6). And as such stylists are forced to be honest with utilities, and as such everyone ends up using common styling themes and shapes with only minor scale, poise, and detail differences.

Don't let the styling fool ya... Interior space-wise the C-Max is much more aligned with the Prius-v, not the classic Prius. Classic Prius in terms of interior space is more aligned with a standard 5-door compact. I think it is short-sighted to claim that Ford should only have a single compact hybrid model... Some future projections seem to indicate hybrids will become not a special model per sa, but a more expensive powertrain option. That eventually most vehicles eventually will have a hybrid powertrain option, like most have a high performance/sport option. If so then the Focus hybrid wouldn't be a distraction (still not sure how you get distraction), but a way to amortize the fairly high hybrid system overhead over a wider array of models. This is important because everyone seems to be saying that greater hybrid system sales is a fundamental to decreasing costs. Let not forget Ford already has a alternatively powered Focus in the $39k Focus Electric. Adding a $24k Focus hybrid to compliment the full electric and $25k C-Max would both increase market penetration and increase hybrid system sales.

Liking it... Exclusive gifts seem a bit cheesy, but I did notice that as a small piece of the improved dealer/customer experiencing when we bought the Volvo.

No surprise... Once you step down this path you continue until the numbers close. What I've read is that this move changes the plant utilization numbers from 67% to 80%... It puts Ford in a position where they can make money as long as the market stabilizes, but further sales erosion means they will have to continue to cut plants to keep that utilization number up around 80%.

What I'm thinking as well... Looks like a powertrain and rear-suspension mule, and as such doesn't have a production-like fuel system. I would guess the fuel tank and filler is packed up in the truck, and the cover is to hide the missing filler. I'm no good at this, but those of you with a good eye what do you think of the IRS suspension?

I would think for that to happen you are talking about minor engineering changes labeled as "styling touches". To go into a auto show I would think they would need strong confidence in the fundamental design... How do you get that without mules of somesort driving about in camo? Guess you could set a requirement to maintain the underhood architecture and hard points. The exterior front would than be mandated to be functionally similar to the Escape. Getting into badge engineering here... Could result in significant constraints and compromises for the design and marketing teams. Question - In my world one of the major things we struggle with in the government contractor world is software and electronics. Particularly user interfaces... You should see all the testing that goes in new airplane cockpits like the new 787 or USAF tanker. I would think the front dash changes for a Lincoln-ized Escape would need extensive real-world testing. This could be down fairly quietly, on what looks like a normal Escape from the outside, but I've been seeing more and more spy shots of new interiors being testing. Have we seen any of that? Or am I off base in terms of how much testing is needed for that stuff?

To me this is the key and the differentiation from the past failure, in particular the LS... The CTS was the brand revolution that the LS never became because the LS was a small island in a sea of the same-old-same-old. Yes the LS was in the end a flawed product, but that is given far too much credit for the fundamental basis of its failure. The refreshed version was actually quite a nice ride. The lack of a brand, marketing, and most importantly dealer revolution to go along with the revolutionary product is what I believe to be the primary reason from the LS's ignoble death. The death of the LS followed by Dearborn's money problems unfortunately coupled together to put Lincoln on pause. This led to a huge decline in those other criteria that makes a luxury brand able to get the higher sales points. Particularly in an environment where mass market brands easily intrude into traditional luxury brand sales points. I believe this is where I see different from the "new" management in Dearborn... The closure of Mercury and the intense focus on the dealer experience before any product roll-out shows that they understand that is what is the background items that move the dial in terms of changing brand perception. This starts with accepting that Lincoln has earned its reputation in terms of bad motor press, while Lexus has earned the opposite treatment for the ES. I am hopeful that by addressing these background concerns first and moving into China, thus showing a larger goal in mind for the brand, they will start to move the dial in the right direction. That in turn will be supported by better, if not revolutionary, products will continue the ball rolling. This is a different, less aggressive, approach than Cadillac but in terms of cost invested and ROI I understand the strategy and think it has a better than even chance of succeeding. One must understand where you are and what you can do before you can execute a plan. Lincoln simply is in far to weak of a position to take a more aggressiveness position. The risk of failure is too great, and the lack of a foundation strong enough to withstand a large failure results in the less aggressive approach. I understand that to some this seems like another in a long line of plans that did succeed. The cynical response is warranted and earned from past failures, but I will take a wait and see approach... It won't take long (2 years or so) from the product roll out and Chinese market penetration to show any progress.

There is something to that... Although I think the C-Max might have an inherent ceiling do to its larger size. This might be a cap to sales from the counter-culture types that have embraced the Prius and are driving the leading edge of the hybrid market. And with Ford already invested in the Focus all electric, and the C-Max being a cousin of the Focus, a Focus hatch )maybe with the some unique styling) would seem the next move. I think the hybrid market is still evolving quickly and I'm not very confident this is the right move, but worth a serious examination. And for those saying it only gets you another 10% more fuel efficiency or cost buy-back for the owner... I only need to point out that the hybrid die-hards think less in terms personal dollars and cents, but as being part of the whole green revolution. Think of a sentimental collector of somesort... making money is nice but buying the last item to finish a display is far more important.

Admit I didn't have time to read all of the posts but a couple of points... EV cars are not some newfangled technology... They have been around and dreamed about as long as cars have been on the road. Battery and motor technology, the key to EV cars, is very old technology and as such is beyond the 30 yr technology ramp that is often applied to airplanes, space vehicles, computers, etc. The first commercially applicable battery was the Daniell cell in 1836. It has taken 100 years of EV cars for battery technology to become half-way feasible for transportation, and that isn't for lack of trying (every generation has their EV car dejour). Anyone who says different really doesn't know the current capability, historical rate of progress, or has a special interest in mind. My company recently went out to look at new battery technology due to fears of our current liquid batteries being made illegal by the EPA and were surprised at the poor power density (weight is big problem when trying to reach space). Secondly thank god there are some smart people in government... That would be Oregon. Being the political season I have been using the gas tax and insufficient funds being brought in as an example as to why the Republicans are wrong with their lower all taxes stance. And just to even things out have said the Democrats and their inability to address entitlements is an example why they suck to. Yes I'm the rare true independent who votes and wishes for the European multiple party system (my ballot was mixed). In that regard EV drivers should have to somehow support the roads that they drive on, and help pay for that pot-hole repair on the way to work. To let them get off free is simply another disgusting way for people to freeload off the work of others. And yes that also means fixing the highway traffic and infrastructure funding shortfalls by increasing gasoline taxes (although would like to see desiel taxes more evened up as theat would soften the blow for goods transport). Last time it was increased was 1993 and due to inflation alone the true value 40% and continues to decrease as the Fed continues to pump-out bills. I believe Michigan has recently set their own gas tax to inflation and that should be done nationwide at a minimum. Damn this was political... Maybe I shouldn't post this

Something about me misses the roll-down window that was in my moms '97 Bronco... Don't like driving around with the rear window hanging out there, and I like driving with all the windows down. But even so that rear window is great after skiing... Just open the window and we can throw our jackets, helmets, boots, etc in the back without worrying about them rolling out. Same with groceries and the little cargo net we have there. As for the power liftgate... Just don't get it... Can't stand waiting for the thing on my friends SUV as it whines itself up and then back down.

Let me say this is typical auto writer drivel... It was a filler article alone that says nothing and commits him to neither hopeful (Farley love) or doubtful (ending talk). As for me I'm somewhat hopeful and expecting good results... It obvious that Lincoln's current situation is dire, but one must put it in context. Lincoln has been getting little attention as Ford resolved to work thru the problem with the Blue Oval. The MKS and MKT in that light were only place-holders, partial efforts to keep the brand walking forward in Zombie fashion. It gets down to resource management and dealing with higher priorities first. As Ford got to healing Lincoln their first actions were to address Mercury (killed) and the dealer network. They realized that Mercury was not fundamental, and the dealer experience is a huge factor to luxury car buyer. While this might seem Ford isn't making progress with Lincoln the fact is up to this point they haven't been trying all that hard for sales. Lincoln just needed to stay alive long enough as they triaged the company culture, Blue Oval nameplate, and finally dealer network. The new MKZ starts the real push to gain sales momentum, followed closely by replacements for the Mercury Mariner and Mountaineer (sales successes for the now dead marquee). This will be followed up by the MKX and Navigator replacements which will give a good foundation to stabilize the brand. The successful of this this 5 product roll-out and international sales that will guide the next moves, in particular the larger MKS sedan and sub-markets such as luxury hybrid and wagons.

I've let this Focus hybrid comment doesn't have enough ROI and is too small for far too long without comment. You need to be honest when we evaluate the market... The hybrid market still remains one of the dedicated few... Highly green minded people who shun the same bigger is better traditional mindset, and where the hybrid badge means much more than the mpg saved. These are people attracted to living in downtown lofts and disgusted by us in the sprawling suburbs. Who are enthusiastic supporters of lawsuits that prevent items like ski area expansion. Ford has the Fusion hybrid for the traditional buyer, but many of the "downtown green hipster" types are going to shun it as too big. I was recently in downtown Seattle for a weekend with a bunch of people in their 30's who live downtown. And they almost as a whole own small compact cars (from Subaru WRXs toBMW 3-series to VW Golfs - see a pattern) and Focus hybrid would appeal to them. Only one couple I met with lived up in the northern suburbs and even they owned a small sedan (no first parent SUV here). Evaluate the hybrid market independent of the "rose colored glasses" that is Detroit and the Great Lakes area... But instead evaluate the primary hybrid market (urban coastal areas) on their own merits.