ANTAUS

It's like saying, "This time we REALLY mean it". The past few years, I've been hearing it so much, I just don't believe it anymore. Plus, most people (as the media journalist have proved) won't believe a restructuring is taking place unless 1) Posts Profits 2) New vehicles introduced. And moreso, of the latter, which is what stays on people's mind. When things are good, new vehicles are introduced. When things are bad, vehicles are killed. If the public can't see positive things such as vehicle introductions with a company in financial limbo, they write a mental obituary over it.

The Explorer is a sustainable case. Just because GM is jumping ship on the midsize BOF ute's, it doesn't mean it's the best decision either. In the past, GM also exited the BOF passenger car market with the termination of the Caprice, leaving the CV in a unique and only segment. GM also exited the pony car segment as well. There decision might rather do with other issues such as trying to incease their CAFE...or divert all resources to something they think they can benefit much more from like their new Crossovers. Maybe the decision to kill the Trailblazer, was due to their thinking that instead, people will pony up for the larger Tahoe and offset their declining sales. In retrospect, the 4Runner isn't going anywhere, or the Pathfinder. So the market share might tip in favor of the Explorer. Honestly, the Explorer can't get better than it already is. It pioneered IRS suspension for a BOF vehicle of it's kind, implementing a foldable rear seat, and numerous other items that places it ahead of the competition. Other than tweaking power, NVH, and interior fitments, there's only so much you can do to improve the wheel. IN the next 2-4 years we'll see where this segments head into. I really don't see doom and gloom for the Explorer, rather sustainability in a shrinking segment, with a larger share.

Can't say I've cared much about the opinion of my back seat riders. My philosophy has been, if you dont fit, or complain, get the F--K out...

LINK-Wardsauto.com

The 4.4L should get at least 315HP. The 3.5L Turbo supposedly can get around 350HP. At least, that's what Ford had on it's "What would you like" on the "Build the future MKS" site...

That wasn't my angle, I just wanted to see how they would look in retrospect. If you were thinking I was going to defend the "fat bitches driving tank" crowd, I wasn't.

LINK-Edmunds.com

By the way, anyone who has seen any pics of a Ka, or one of these Smart Cars, or that new Fit being hit and crushed by something like an Expedition, let me know...Would be an interesting pic.

What the top pic seems to show, is the difference in sillohoutte between the Fairlane, and Lincoln version. Seems Lincoln version will be a bit more rakish in the front and rear, like a MB R-Class. Whereas, the Fairlane will be a bit more Scion boxy like. This is a good thing though, since Ford needs to learn how to differentiate cloned vehicles, more than just grilles and trims. The bottom 2 pictures seem to be similar comparison, although it seems as if it's competitors they are pitted against. I'm wondering which ones....

LINK-Tcc.com

LINK-Detroit News

Unless he displayed it publically in 2007, as a vehicle to be introduced/produced in Spring of 2008, which would qualify as a 2009MY

Well if the vehicles will be displayed in 2007, it means they are probably 2009 models with 2008 introductions. So go ahead and make a list of the vehicles, which he might be referring to. I would guess the B-class vehicles might be what his emphansize is, as well as the MKS and Fairlane.

Looks like a modernized Falcon on some angles. With some trim levels, it looks like an Altima. The headlights remind me of the Sonata...the rear trunk reminds me of the Impala. I do prefer the cleaned up side body panels. The Falcon uses that "patch" door over opening, system.

LINK-Detroit News

LINK_LeftLaneNews Could be ready by 2008. And by far, the stupidest comment I've read in awhile... "It's unclear how well a rear-whee-drive sedan would sell in America".... Sometimes I wonder how these people got their positions.

I would suggest Ford dump the plagued 6.0L PS, and a few other parts immediately unless they are expecting to carry on the burden till 2012 for some vehicles...

I'm not sure why they perceive this is a big whoop-dee-doo... They sucked back then, they suck now, and have nothing interesting to bring into the segments they wish to compete in.... LINK-Autoweek.com

I love the media spin that Toyota used to downplay the introduction of the Corolla.... "Our current model is selling so well, that we believe we should extend it an extra year to satisfy everyones needs of this special product"... What $%^& that is LOL

Fords biggest issue as GM's will be the UAW. That won't chance much if this alliance takes place...the issue will still lie there, so question is, what's the best alternative to get rid of legacy costs, and UAW...and how can our government help with medical insurance, or give these companies incentives for HQ-ering here in the U.S.

"the HUGE mistake is not offering it in the MkS. That particular segment of the market is strongly divided over the v6 portion (M35, GS300, RL, E and S 350, 530i, etc) and the v8 portion (M45, GS430, Eand S 500, 545, etc). By not offering a v8, they will be building a barrier between the MkS and full success in its market" The market will decide. Ironically, Ford used a Turbo I-6 on the Volvo S80, and it never sold well, they ADMITTED that a V8 was essential for that market segment....so comes in the new 4.4L in the new S80 to debut in a few months. And the same occured with the XC90, which they got away with it, only because the vehicle is outstanding otherwise, so people could tolerate it with an Turbo I-6...and for logistics, replacing it with the 4.4L V8. BMW just annouced it's new 3-series, would have a 3.0L Turbo, with 300+HP, and have mentioned publically that instead of displacement, they are going turbo with "M" offerings. They have stated that the technology, reliability has improved so much over the years, that certain problems of Turbo have been correct (turbo-lag, timely maintenence) by other technologies. If anyone has visited the Lincoln site, and has built an "MKS" one of the options was, 4.4L V8 making 315HP, or a 3.5L V6 Turbo with 350HP+. Actually I believe most are going with the number, rather than the cylinder count. If the fuel economy is that much better than a V8, then they might have bragging rights, but I would suggest they save some R&D money on the side JUST incase it backfires on them and they need to slap in the 4.4L a year after dismal sales. Also...315HP is becoming a rarity since most vehicles in that price rage or upwards north of 330HP. As it is, on the Jaguar, the 4.2L is somewhat manageable only because the car is hundreds of pounds lighter than the competition, if not, it's 294-300HP could be seen as anemic. And yes, we can argue and counteract that not everyone accelerates 0-60MPH, and that it's not ALL that people look for, but when the majority if not all of your competitors offer MUCH MORE, and you don't have enough, sorry...thats not gonna cut it gether specially not at this price class. So this 3.5L Turbo, better be DI, and be heavily advertised, and a damn label in the trunk saying it's Turbo to make up for lack of V8....

The new GMC Envoy looks like a bloated 500... Ironically, the new Arcadia looks like the same, as a FS. And 4700lbs proves it. I'm not offended by the styling, I just don't feel it's anything different, if anything, boringly organic...something Honda would think of. I believe the Saturn version looks a bit better. Overall, the concept of this vehicle replacing the Trailblazer in essense I think will do well. I'm not sure if a stretched Edge, would be it's best competitor, rather than the lower floored FS. But considering the weight of the weight of the FS/Edge, and the 3.5L engine, it'll run rings around these vehicles...on paper that is. We'll see what the reviews have to say.

There's a new investigation started by NHTSA to investigate a safety defect with the Scion TB's sunroof. Something about it breaking under normal use.

I've been following this story for the past 2 years, seems the transmission coupled with the V6 is the main issue. I had a neighbor who's on his 3rd and is thinking of just replacing the vehicle altogether...luckily the high resale value will allow him to switch to something else with less difficulty. He was shocked as well. My main concern has been that Aisin also produces the 6A on some Fords such as the 500/FS. Now in THAT version, there doesn't seem to be a common failure, or anything for that matter being reported on it...at least, not in the extreme case as Toyota owners have...I mean...For a Toyota owner to complain enough where it's in the media, it's definately something MAJOR since most are bathed in biased denial to justify their purchase that has gone bad. As I hear it, supposedly the transmission is built to tolerate a specific output level given by the engine. As in, it's built specifically for a specific power level and it's that tight tolerance (or lack of room for error) which is causing the issue. Possibly lower the HP and shiftpoints might "help".

LINK-Detroit News