theoldwizard

Ford gave America the first high volume production V8 and they aren't about to let anyone forget that ! No inline 6's (at least for the US market). The next 2 diesels will be V8's !

Its coming ! (sorry can't remember what year)

Yep ! It failed miserably last time they tried it. I don't know why it would succeed this time when no one in the management team "was there" to know what went right an what went wrong. I don't remember who said it but the quote I like best is something like "When designing a car for both US and Europe, you have to make certain it doesn't result in a car that is perfect for the middle of the Atlantic !"

Concur ! BTW, check the owners manual for oil change frequency. Ford now recommends 7500 mile (I forgot how many months) between oil changes. Personally, I recommend "name brand" full synthetics, like Mobil 1.

Well it looks like the lower/middle level engineering management is getting to rack up a lot of frequent flyer miles jetting back and forth "across the pond" trying to come up with a plan. Of course some of the folks on these trips have less than 6 months in their current job assignments so they are well qualified I haven't heard any problems with Powertrain Controls on the upcoming '08 launch, but '09 and '10 sound like they are slipping !

Correct ! Shhh ! Don't tell Navistar !!!! IMHO, Ford is trying every tactic they can to get out of the contract before 2012 without having to pay any penalty. What most people don't realize is that Navistar is on the verge of bankruptcy ! They have been de-listed from the stock exchange and were late filing tax paperwork with the government. If they let Ford walk away early, it will be Chapter 11.

30K sounds reasonable for a fuel filter. Don't want to clog those injectors ! But trans fluid, there is something fishy about that Scheduled Maintenance Guide ! Normally trans fluid is good for at least 100k. I recall a few years back one of the local dealers was printing up a separate maintenance guide. It was based on the "extreme service" standards in the Owners Manual. Check both. Could it possibly say "check" not "change" the transmission fluid ?

Not exactly correct ! Ford can't meet the 2008 emission stanards with the old 6.0L engine in the E-series ! The plan was to use "EPA credits" from the 6.4L in the SuperDuty to offset the short fall of the 6.0L in the E-series (SuperDuty diesel greatly outsells E-Series diesel). That was until Navistar refused to transfer the credits to Ford ! Nope. As a mater of fact, Ford spent quite a bit of engineering $$$ making certain the 6.0L fit in the 2008 E-series only to cancel it less than 6 months ago ! As stated several times before, the 6.4L simply does not fit in the E-series ! The reason that the 4.4L comes up in conjunction with the E-series is that it is the engine that will be available the soonest that could fit in the E-series. Will there be a larger diesel in the E-series in the future ? Highly likely ! Remember, Ford has a contract with Navistar until 2012 (well, at least that what the contract says today :shades: ) US Transit plans are way to early to even guess what powertrains might be available !

True ! The engineers blame the additional emission controls, especially the particulate trap regen cycle.

Something I have always wondered about also ! My understanding is that the contract has a guaranteed volume clause.

From Navistar Press Release Navistar Files Counter-Complaint against Ford That Asks for Damages WARRENVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Navistar International Corporation (Other OTC: NAVZ) announced today that it has filed a counter-complaint against Ford Motor Company for breach of contract and is seeking damages. Navistar filed its counter-complaint following a hearing before Judge John J. McDonald of the Circuit Court of Oakland County, Michigan. The hearing related to a lawsuit filed by Ford against Navistar involving 2007 engine pricing and prior period warranty claims. Navistar counter-sued, stating that pricing is consistent with contractual agreements, that the warranty claims are entirely without merit and that Ford has stopped honoring the terms of an agreement under which engines were built. Navistar amended its counter-complaint in today’s filing. Two previous hearings have been held and Judge McDonald has asked the two companies to meet privately to see if a settlement to the dispute could be reached prior to a trial. At today’s hearing, Judge McDonald set a schedule for discovery and other events in the case. Navistar’s principal operating company, International Truck and Engine Corporation, has been the exclusive diesel engine supplier for Ford’s heavy-duty pickup trucks since 1979 and recently launched a new 6.4L Power Stroke® diesel engine that meets 2007 emissions standards while increasing performance, durability and fuel economy. Ford, using International-manufactured Power Stroke® diesel engines, has enjoyed leadership market share of close to 50 percent for many years. Navistar believes the new Power Stroke 6.4L diesel engines provide Ford the opportunity to maintain or improve this leadership position. The amended counter-complaint filed today states that Ford’s breach is based on indications that Ford plans to develop its own diesel engine for introduction prior to 2012. Ford’s failure to honor the contract, which runs through 2012, entitles Navistar to damages that have been preliminarily calculated to more than $2 billion, the complaint states. In addition, Navistar states that Ford’s actions are interfering with supply-base agreements. Navistar International Corporation (Other OTC: NAVZ) is the parent company of International Truck and Engine Corporation. The company produces International® brand commercial trucks, mid-range diesel engines and IC brand school buses, Workhorse brand chassis for motor homes and step vans, and is a private label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck, van and SUV markets. Navistar is also a provider of truck and diesel engine parts. A wholly owned subsidiary offers financing services. Additional information is available at: www.navistar.com.

While I too am shocked at what cars cost today, remember the following are government (or marketing) mandates ! OBD-II Anti-Lock Brakes Stability Control Dual air bags Dual side air bags Pass all US crash test Achieve at least an "Acceptable" rating on all IIHS tests (including the new head restraint) This is how an "econobox" get to be over $15k !

Who let the cat out of the bag ?!!! :shades:

I don't think so ! Before Econoline was moved to Ohio Assembly it had "a stake in its heart" ! Yes, it was written off to be replaced by the Transit. This was 3-4 years ago. There was an enormous cry from the employees who pointed out that E-Series owns the ambulance market E-series owns the mini bus market E-series own the Class C RV market US has higher GVW and GCVW requirements than Europe Transit would have a very difficult fight to get these markets back ! (Of course they are "p*ssing off" all of the customers who won't be able to get a diesel E-series until '10-'11 !) That and Ford would not have made the investment they did in Ohio Assembly. If Transit was to replace E-series, they would have run Ohio Assembly and Lorain until Transit showed up and then closed both plants ! This was before the Sprinter showed up ! Now that the Sprinter has shown that there is a market place for this size of van, you will see the full size Transit in the US but probably not until '11-'12. The big question is where are they going to be assembled and what powertrains will be offered in the US. I expect the Transit to be sold along side the E-series. If volumes are "reasonable" for both, they will keep selling both.

This is the biggest difference from Ford 2000 ! The buck stops with Derrick. The only thing left is for middle management to tell the truth instead of "what the boss wants to hear" !

That was the point for making the change in testing. And my point is, all hybrids will have greatly reduced fuel economy stickers for 2008MY. Then don't expect to get the kind of fuel economy numbers that hybrids are advertising ! It was no coincidence that Ford introduced the Hybrid Escape in Manhattan. It's a perfect place for a hybrid. If you drive what I call, "suburban", some stop and go with speed up to 40-45 plus some highway, I don't think you will get anywhere near the advertised fuel economy for a hybrid. In other words, even at $4.00 a gallon, I don't believe hybrids are cost effective. I don't know where the "break even" point is, but I'm pretty certain it is higher. You will save more fuel (i.e. $$$) by driving less and buying/leasing a smaller car (once it is time for a new one) or at least one with a smaller engine and manual transmission ! The real solution (gasp !) is more mass transit or a new source of clean, cheap energy (high efficiency photo cells, clean safe nuclear ?)

Of course this make the assumption that local management understand local market/government requirements vs. Rest of World ! Like, why US need a unique fuel injection system for the B-car (RoW don't have anything like OBD-II !) It takes a long time for engineers to train the newbie managment !

Color me skeptical. Very very skeptical ! I was there for the Contour (still own one) and the "Mistake". I was there for Ford 2000. I was even there when the first B-car came to the US, the '78 Fiesta. None work out well enough to form a "new way of doing business." Why ? I'll be the first to say "I don't know !" The difference between myself and the current management, the current management were not there when these previous attempts failed ! The current management seems to believe only the short version of the Henry Ford infamous quote "History is bunk !" Personally I believe in "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" First, many "parts" are not common. US windshield standards are more stringent then RoW. Front and rear bumpers. Front and side impact. Headrests. While European emission standards are much tougher, they are different. Second, there is unintended/unforeseen consequences. The '78 Fiesta used to "eat" front brake pads ! Why ? Extra weight from US bumpers, glass, etc made them switch to softer pads to meet federal stopping standards plus the fact that the rear drums were not self adjusting ! During Ford 2000, the different platform groups were urged to think of themselves as individual companies. Talk about NO economy of scale ! Gratuitous changes were made just because "We need to be different !" Now, I'm starting to get sick of seeing te exact same interior door latchmechanism on everything from a Focus to a Jaguar ! This round of "globalization" actually started in 2006. Thousand of pages of European Powertrain Control "requirements" have to be reviewed to 1) find what is similar and then 2) where different, determine if they can be commonized. Who is going to do this work while still keeping the '08, '09 and '10MY on budget and on schedule ? While cleaning out his desk before retiring this past February a friend threw out a very large (several thousand pages) book with the tile something like "Ford 2000 Powertrain Requirements". If they spend as much on this effort as they did back then the company will fold. I'm not against "globalization". Study the past to find out what went right and what went wrong. It takes time and effort, something Ford does not have any to spare !

I wouldn't bet on that ! You need as much crush space as possible "up front" to pass the front barrier test. The IIHS offset front crash is even harder to pass and that is the one that gets shown on TV !

First, remember that EPA has changed the testing procedure for 2008MY (obviously not '08 all ready in production) so that the fuel economy sticker will be "more realistic". This will have a huge effect on hybrids. Second, remember what is "around town". Think of New York City traffic jam. Lots of stop and go. Never over 35. Do you really drive like this ? Fusion hybrid will be here in less than 12 months ! If you really want to save gas you need a "B size" car. Honda Fit or Toyota or Toyota Yaris are the only ones available today.

I don't agree with that statement. The E-series (aka Econoline) has a much higher GVW and towing capacity than the Transit. A few years ago there was a serious plan to drop the Econoline and only sell the Transit in the US. Cooler heads prevailed when they explained that almost 100% of the ambulance/min-bus/Class C motorhomes were E-series. Of course Ford is going to loose a lot of that business now that you can't get a diesel in the 2008 E-series. I do agree with these statements ! Sounds like something Alan Mullaly has said recently and why Ford will be selling both in the US !

Getrag is 100% owned by the Hagenmeyer family. Getrag and Ford are 50/50 partners in GETRAG FORD Transmissions GmbH Unfortunately, there is no exclusivity. Getrag is now getting in bed with DaimlerChrysler As for why Ford is not already using Getrag dual clutch transmissions, I can only guess they were not cost effective or durable enough ... at the time !

It might cost about the same per gallon, but the fuel economy of E85 vs. gasoline is much worse !! Ethanol has less energy per gallon. Just to remind everyone, the government allows E10 to labeled as regular gasoline. No disclosure to the consumer is required.

First, 100% ethanol is almost impossible to make. It is very difficult to get the last 5-10% of the water out of it, and if you did, it would just absorb it out of the atmosphere ! Second, it is very difficult/impossible to start an engine on 90% ethanol when the temperature is below about 50F. That is why in Brazil, where they do use 90% ethanol they actually have a small tank of gasoline to start the engine on cool mornings. As for no E85 in California, I can only speculate. Ethanol must be transported to the refinery/tank farm via truck because you can't run it through normal petroleum pipelines. This means that the distillery must be relatively close to the refinery/tank farm. Maybe there are no distilleries in California ? Or maybe California is more "green" then we all think ! It seems that E85 emits other pollutants that are not regulated !!

Ford NA has been "out sourcing" salaried work where ever they can ! Either that or "off shoring". A large portion of IT is now done by contract companies in India (The biggest problem they are having there is turn over ! It seems that the contract company is paying such a low wage, all the can hire are kids just out of college. They leave as soon as they get a year or 2 of experience.) There was a big discussion a year ago about moving a lot of engineering to Ford Mexico. Most/much of the engineering on the B car will not be done in the US. Yesterday Mullaly said no more salaried "involuntary separations". Sure. Right. That's assuming 2,100 salaried retire/quit by the end of 2008 ! The Freep