Harley Lover

Published reports are that the product will be the Transit Connect. Lots of scepticism on this board.

I agree. If you've read the interviews with Kuzak, he has stated flatly that Lincoln will have technology unique to the brand, as well as bespoke bodywork, and unique engineering features. IIRC, the example he gave was using an electronic suspension for Lincolns. Ford has a definite plan for Lincoln, and it will be unique versus Ford. Much too early to tell if what they are planning will resonate with the marketplace. I wouldn't bet against them.

Favorite part of the video is (at the end) when he burns the tires and backs out, and you can hear a car alarm beeping. LOVE IT.

Update from Automotive News:

I was wondering why it was being shown at NAIAS. News comes from FordInsideNews: http://www.fordinsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?7015-FIN-Exclusive-Ford-Focus-Wagon-to-America-in-2012 All the folks that have been pining for the successor to their old Escort wagon, time to pony up!

jpd, it might be worth considering that the next gen Taurus is supposedly going to be derived from an upgraded version of the next gen C/D chassis (I think). If I'm recalling that factoid correctly, some of your concerns as expressed above might not be a concern at all. At the very least, I think it's realistic to expect Taurus to lose 2-300 pounds regardless of which platform it uses.

I think the other BIG consideration is the packaging of the two vehicles. Volt is a traditional sedan, while C-Max is a tall wagon/MPV. For my money, the C-Max (Energi or hybrid) is a tremendously more versatile vehicle in terms of its passenger capabilities, and its carrying capabilities. I think it is much more in the wheel house of the marketplace than the Volt in this regard. I would expect it to therefore gain more consumer consideration due to these merits.

The smartest thing the union reps could do is shut their pie holes, and negotiate with the auto companies behind closed doors. The first reaction many people have to this news is to go into a harang about the UAW, which doesn't help anyone. The principle of all employees sharing in the performance results of the company is fair, but there's no upside to attempting to negotiate the contract in the public domain.

If Ford were to do this (and I don't think they will), I think it would be very possible that they would use the halo car to demonstrate their technical prowess, defined by electronics and hybrid/electrical drivetrains. If you take a look at what BMW and Porsche are doing, Ford might want to demonstrate their leadership in these areas, while trumping the higher end manufacturers at the same time. I'd get a BIG kick out of Ford introducing a 21st century supercar that trumps the overwrought supercars coming from BMW and Porsche.

Is that really correct? I thought the current chassis was somewhat bespoke, given its IRS and other mods. Isn't the current rumor that the Expy and Navi will move back to a true F150 chassis in the next generation? I agree with you jpd, they should be getting the new F150 engines. And I also agree that these products cry out for the diesel engine offerings in the Ford stable.

Austin, as much as I'd like to see the Grand C-Max in the U.S. offered as a PIH, I think your analysis is spot on. The only thing about this plan that seems unusual is offering the hybrid products in Europe. I would have expected that diesel versions of this product would be more suited to that market, whereas hybrid versions would make more sense for market acceptance in the U.S.. WRT Gen III Hybrid, I think either the Escape or Focus are obvious candidates (or both), while the Fusion will get the gear when the next gen model appears. I dearly wish that Ford would offer the Grand C-Max as a PIH over here; it would be a truly whitespace vehicle with no direct competition, and might widen the customer base by offering a vehicle with wider capabilities than any other hybrid.

I think the Focus hybrid will be the alternative to the Prius; a PIH (grand) C-Max would be Ford's answer to the upcoming larger Prius that Toyota will introduce at NAIAS. Plus, it's a hybrid vehicle that really doesn't have a direct competitor. It would give Ford some truly unique vehicle packaging in a hybrid vehicle.

I bolded the C-Max news. This could be a really standout product if the (grand) C-Max is indeed the PIH offering on the Focus chassis. YES!

Good grief, talk about a tempest in a teapot. How many consumers even remember the Freestyle? Not many, based on its sales.

There's so much 'noise' around this in Europe, I think there's much more than just a drawing going on. As to whether or not we'll get it in the U.S., who knows? I think it's just about a cinch that there will be Focus coupe for other global markets, we just have to hope we'll get the Capri here too.

One thought related to the coupe conversation: the rumors are very hot in Europe that the Focus will have a coupe version, possibly using the Capri name. So, while it might not be a B chassis vehicle, if the rumors prove to be true, there will be a coupe, just on the C chassis.

Do you know if the PIH will actually be the (grand)C-Max, or is AutoExpress wrong as usual?

" a C-MAX plug-in hybrid in 2013." THAT's the BIG news if it's accurate. Everyone has expected the PIH to be a Focus. This is Autoexpress, however, so I doubt it's correct.

Agreed, I gave up on Auto-every-other-Week a while back. Too bad, it used to be a pretty good mag.

I'm pretty sure those 2 vehicles are the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Focus. Those vehicles are confirmed in an article about MAP and its capability to build the various incarnations of the Focus on the same line.

Austin and Wizard: since I've got 2 knowledgeable folks on one thread, may I ask your opinion about the Focus plug in? Understanding that no one outside Ford knows yet, what do you expect the Focus plug in's capabilities to be? Do you think Ford will attempt to give it significant battery range to offer it up as a reasonable alternative to the Volt, at presumably lower cost? If it is priced near the Volt, do they almost have to get its battery range near the Volt? It seems that this particular product is the closest Ford will come to a direct Volt competitor, so just curious about your take on how they will position the car in terms of capabilities.

It doesn't surprise me at all. The GM cheerleaders are desperate to demonstrate a parallel between this action and GM/Chrysler's action. As in so often the case these days, they are willing to suspend belief, reality, and facts in order to attempt to make their point.

And: a LOAN is not the same think as EQUITY OWNERSHIP (which is what GM gave the government in return for $$$).