7Mary3

It's going to the Escalade. I know the owners of one of the largest livery companies servicing Beverly Hills/Brentwood/Bel Air/Hollywood and as the Town Cars wear out they are going with the Escalade. I also know some owners and employees of some of the smaller companies and they are going Escalade as well. They say the price isn't too bad, they are reliable, and the customers prefer them. The Beverly Hills/West Los Angeles Cadillac dealer is responding to the trend, as they have a good stock of black Escalades and Escalade EXT's on hand. I think Lincoln would be well advised to push the Navigator for limo/livery service rather than the MKT.

Dodge heavies are ancient history for sure. And of no consequence to what is happening now. Ford-Iveco. Did you know Iveco bought Ford's heavy truck operations in Britain back in the 80's? And CNH (a Fiat Group company) is the corporate successor to New Holland, and in turn Ford Tractor? Who knows, 14 years ago a Ford Iveco partnership could have been a posibility. Talk about the road not taken......

I would have to say a 'quick and dirty' approach to class 8 is liable to gaurantee Ford failure. Modern class 8 trucks are highly engineered vehicles, not a collection of vendor supplied components like they were back in the 70's! I am not at all convinced an announcement by Ford that they are returning to class 8 would intimidate 'Ram' (Iveco) enough to stay out of the U.S. market. It would make for a very interesting situation though. I could see fierce competition between Ford and Ram to sign up dealers. Ram might be able to get to market quicker as Iveco is manufacturing heavy trucks now. Many of the former Ford heavy truck dealers are dead and gone, most of those that are left were Sterling dealers. Would former Sterling dealers be willing to take a class 8 Ford franchise? I will tell you something. When I got in this business, there were still a lot of big Dodge trucks around. The company I worked for had a lot of Dodge and Ford trucks, and those Dodges were no joke. They were very durable, easy to service, and they rode and handled nice if they were in good shape.

I agree, without a doubt CNG is a better alternate fuel for commercial vehicles than private cars. Having the vehicles return to a fixed location every day where a refueling facility is located is ideal. And, due to the size and weight of the CNG tanks, CNG is better suited for larger commercial trucks and buses and have the size and capacity to accomodate them. Honda has had limited success with the Civic GX. For people who live in areas with CNG refueling locations the GX is a great commuter car. I see CNG as a great replacement for diesel.

You need to look at General Motors from the late 30's through the 80's. In addition to cars and light trucks, they were active in medium and heavy trucks, transit, school, and intercity buses, all types of diesel-electric railway locomotives, gasoline and diesel industrial engines, marine engines, aircraft engines, home appliances, and they were a major defense contractor, even to the point of manufacturing complete military aircraft. In the end, it became literally too much to manage. And even though the were successful in all those businesses, that much diversity caused them to loose focus on their core businesses. I think it would be a grave mistake for Ford to try something like that! We have discussed Ford's involvement in medium and heavy trucks at great length around here. I believe while it would be nice to see the Blue Oval on the front of a class 8 semi truck, I have to say I think it would probably not be a wise move for Ford. The current players in class 8 make some wonderful products these days, and it would be very hard for any company to try to break into that market. The only exception might be Chrysler since they will soon be a part on Fiat, a company that worldwide is already a major player in class 8. That would give Chrysler a significant head start into the business, but certainly still would not gaurantee success. Ford on the other hand would have to start cold. How long would it take Ford to become an established player in class8? How long to turn a profit? You could even make the case that not only has Ford been out of class 8 so long that they have no brand equity in the market, but even if they did their reputation in class 8 was always that of a low cost fleet truck. I think Ford should stick to what they are good at: light and medium trucks up to 20,000 GVW. I would rather see Ford put their efforts into reviving Lincoln that bringing back heavy trucks.

Wow, there are some big misconceptions here. First, CNG does not have to be transported at 4000 psi. CNG refueling facilities have compressors that bring the pressure up to 3600 psi from whatever the pressure is in the service that feeds the facility. Natural gas volume available from the main is the important factor, not pressure alone. The compressors at the refueling facilities are usually electrically driven. Of course, the power used to compress the gas must be factored into the cost, but it isn't much. Modern facilities can refuel a light truck or passenger car in less than 5 minutues. Heavy vehicles such as refuse trucks and buses can usually be refueled within 15 minutes. Because of the temperature of the gas, a 'fast' refuel will not provide quite the CNG volume that a 'slow' (overnight) refuel will. Nonetheless, in my experience, a 'fast' refuel even on a hot day yields more than 3/4's full. Pressure vessels used at CNG refueling stations do require periodic inspections, similar to any compressed gas containing vessel like a set of welding tanks. However, this is actually much less involved that the inspections required on gasoline UST stations. I have been driving, servicing, and converting CNG vehicles for over 25 years.

HSR is one of he biggest 'pork barrels' EVER to come down the pike. The proponents are trying to say that it would benefit freight traffic to make not look like the scam that it is to increase the size of Amtrak. Only in a few areas could non-HSR commuter rail be used for freight. In the western U.S., Amtrak runs on U.P. and B.N.S.F. rails. Track ALREADY used for freight. All rail funding is NOT good for rail in general. HSR requires dedicated infastructure! The opposing party has RIGHTFULLY tried to destroy federally subsidized, broke and dysfunctional Amtrak, NOT freight railroads. IF HSR comes to pass, it will be yet another instance of the Federal Government trying to get into the private sector, competing with private business (air lines and bus transportation). That's just plain WRONG! HSR is pure pork, designed to increase people on government payroles, increase the opportunity for goverment officials to collect kickbacks and campaign contributions. It will never turn a profit. It will end up being Amtrak on steroids. Can we talk about Ford trucks now?

I agree on the coming of intermodal. It is the future. There will still be a need for long distance trucking, primarily in expedited freight, J.I.T delivery., ect.. Anyway, about those class 8 Dodge Ram's we may soon see on our nation's highways: You all know Fiat controls the Italian truck manufacturer Iveco. And of course, Fiat will soon own a controlling interest in Chrysler. Considering the Iveco is worldwide the 3rd. or 4th. largest producer of commercial trucks, and they have no footprint in N.A., it is not a surprise they want into the U.S. market. And, the guy running 'Ram' right now (Diaz?) wants to greatly expand the 'Ram' nameplate in commericlal markets. Iveco has a successful class 8 conventional that is sold in Australia that potentially could be a class 8 offering here. A modified Ram cab on one of Iveco's class 6 or 7 LCF chassis could make a good medium truck for the U.S. as well. I hear they are serious.

I agree on the coming of intermodal. It is the future. There will still be a need for long distance trucking, primarily in expedited freight, J.I.T delivery., ect.. Anyway, about those class 8 Dodge Ram's we may soon see on our nation's highways: You all know Fiat controls the Italian truck manufacturer Iveco. And of course, Fiat will soon own a controlling interest in Chrysler. Considering the Iveco is worldwide the 3rd. or 4th. largest producer of commercial trucks, and they have no footprint in N.A., it is not a surprise they want into the U.S. market. And, the guy running 'Ram' right now (Diaz?) wants to greatly expand the 'Ram' nameplate in commericlal markets. Iveco has a successful class 8 conventional that is sold in Australia that potentially could be a class 8 offering here. A modified Ram cab on one of Iveco's class 6 or 7 LCF chassis could make a good medium truck for the U.S. as well. I hear they are serious.

It is coming in a big way, no question! Right now, it is primarily a fuel for fleets and municipalities. CNG is a great replacement for diesel in refuse, utility trucks, and transit buses. Many new CNG commercial vehicles and engines will be introduced within the next few years, One of the reasons CNG is getting so much attention from fleets is that the economics have changed drastically. Diesel fuel is now much more expensive, the cost of new diesel trucks and buses is much higher now due to the new emission controls, and the cost of retrofitting DPF's to existing diesel trucks (a requirement here in California) is between $14,000 and $20,000. Also, fleets are quickly finding out that the newer diesel eingines don't last as long, get poorer fuel economy, and cost more to repair. In the past, it cost a fleet more money to go with CNG. Some fleets went for it anyway, for the 'green' image. Now, it is a cost saving move. Chances are in addition to being less expensive, the price of natural gas will be far more consistant than the price of oil.

Interesting Ram and Dodge are listed as separate nameplates. Not surprising Ram does better than Dodge.

Western Star sells a lot of trucks to the Canadian Armed Forces. That might have something to do with why they are still around. They make a good truck, too. I really wonder what is going on with Ford in regards to their medium duty plans. 'Blue Diamond' can't go on forever making the same truck, either Ford or 'Blue Diamond' is going to have to come up with a replacement at some point. From what I understand, 'Blue Diamond' is nothing more than a manufacturing and parts distribution operation now, there is no new vehicle development going on (if someone has news to the contrary, please share!). As for the gas F-650, I think it is a GREAT move for Ford PROVIDED the V-10 lives in that application. I am interested, but I will not be buying one until I see how it does. Do I know something? Call it a hunch. I hope Ford gives the dealers some strict guidlines when it comes to spec'ing. P.S.- I hear Ford may not be the exclusive manufacturer of gasoline powered medium duty trucks in 2012. Ford back in class 8? Would be neat to see, but I have to say the chances for that are zero. Sure, things could eventually change, but I don't see that happening for the foreseeable future. My guess- next new truck in class 8 will have a Ram on the hood!

The 6.0L Powerstroke was the last diesel that would fit in the E series, both van and cut-away. When the supply of 6.0L's finally ran out, the diesel E series was dropped. It was not feasable to install either the 6.4L or the 6.7L in the E series, it would require an almost total redesign. Sales of the diesel E series were not high enough to justify a redesign. I have been told that the 3 valve Tritons and the 6.2L won't fit in the E series either.

I like the Flex. I think it is good looking, useful, and I may just buy one yet. But, I don't think it has come close to selling as well as Ford would have hoped. The Flex seems to be in the same market segment as the Chrysler Pacifica, and that type of vehicle is just not what a lot of buyers are looking for. I hope Ford gives it another shot with an update.

Even so, still sounds odd. Numbers don't seem to add up. And a lot of those dealers are long gone too.

I was think more like the introduction of the Mustang II! What a dark day that was. You are right about the '71 Mustang having some similarities to the '70 1/2 Camaro. I didn't think the '71 Mustang was all that bad. Yes, kind of large and heavy. My old man had one for a while. It was a '72 Mach 1.

Very nice, and no doubt a usefull emergency vehicle. Unfortunately, I don't see it making up for the ambulance chassis business Ford has lost since the diesel Econoline cutaway chassis was discontinued. The City of Los Angeles Fire Department had bought Fords for many years, but now they are switching to Dodge Ram 5500's.

I hope it doesn't end up looking like that. Way too much like a new Camaro! Styling wise, it would be the fall of '73 all over again. Anyways, the new powertrains and IFS sound real good! Jensen is right, the current Mustangs are very close in size to the '64. And the weight is substantially lower than the competition as well.

For me, the LS was indeed a gimmer of hope.

No, Lincoln is a broken record of half-baked rebadges. Their most recent 'new' products are half baked re-badges. The only real contenders they ever had were the '56 and '61 Continentals. How much longer do we have to wait? But I will say this- it looks like they got the quality where it should be.

Unfortunately, it is hard for me to go to my local Lincoln dealer (which is a small corner of my local Ford dealer's showroom, nothing more) and not agree with Ackerson's remarks. I hope Ford realizes that a bunch of dolled up Fords with ugly grilles are not going to cut it. Lincoln is a big 'wait and see', that's it.

Now how does VW figure they can challenge Volvo and Daimler with no market presence in North America? Keep your eyes on Navistar!

True, I was using the Raptor as an extreme example. But, by 2016 it looks like NONE of the current F-150's, Ecoboost included, would meet the CAFE average by themselves. So, if Ford wants to sell F-150's in decent numbers, they have to move large numbers of cars like the Fiesta, Focus, and 4 cylinder Fusion. And naturally a hybrid that the EPA THINKS gets 95 m.p.g. (regardless if it actually does!) will mean the opportunity to sell a lot more (high profit) F-150's. Of course, it isn't just Ford.

Is the Volt available in your area yet?

It is not necessarily a question of if a particular vehicle is under the CAFE requirement, but a question of what is the average fuel economy of all subject vehicles sold by a particular manufacturer. I too am sure the current Fusion 4 cylinder meets the 2016 standard, but the F-150 Raptor for instance does not. The number of Raptors Ford will be allowed to sell under CAFE in 2016 will depend on how many cars like the 4 cylinder Fusion Ford is able to sell, thus influencing the average. Plug-in hybrids and full electrics really help here. The Volt is a first step. I think plug-ins will eventually constitute the majority of passenger cars sold in the U.S. within 10 years, unless bio-fuel really takes off.