Hugh

The're getting away with the 'F' at the beginning of names. How about the 'Fo(rd) Shizzle'?

I believe Hermosillo builds the CD3 Triplets and they have an excellent record. At least that is what the press release says and no recalls (knock on wood). If anyone has any data; shout out. Other then that, the Cologne plant has those efficient and organized Germans (Insert Monty Burns here "Oooh the Germans...")

I tried to look at the site using the link and you have to subscribe. That been said about same platform; does that mean the first cars as well as the Transit/Toreno Twins will come from Turkey? I don't care personally, I want to know what their record is quality wise.

Squircles just like a Milan though the projectors are nice. I don't know if the Mariner treatment will work but I'm looking forward to see it. Better then the Five Hundred, maybe. Perhaps someone can photoshop the Edge look on a Five Hundred and compare.

Yes intriging isin't it?

Fiesta, B-Max Focus, C-Max Mondeo, S-Max Mazda 2, B-max wagon (?) NA Is getting both the Fiesta and Mazda 2 and varients since they are on the same platform right? :reading: I like your photoshop Igor. :D I seriously doubt they will bring the EcoSport name over here. Some focus group here will gin up a dumber one.

I still say the Focus interior is very nice. Outside, I don't know. The Five Hundred colour; is that a blue or is that Amythest?

Good point. My wingers Legend has the front emblem in black so only the cluster of stars show up. OTOH, the Ford Oval really stands out so it doesn't have to be that large.

When I saw the Fusion for the first time, I thought "Damn, that is one big F*(%ing oval!" It look liked (and did) got the same ones off the Five Hundred. I don't know about the Edge but looking at the pictures, I wouldn't be surprised. If it was a wee smaller and fitted in the bars as you say, that would work. It is blue and a oval, no other company has that. On top of that, did they move the oval on the 2008 Focus to the top of the grill just like Toyota and Hyundai? I do not like that at all. Even on the imports it looks like a big infected blemish. Ford, dial it down a notch.

I forgot about the AWD V8 S80. The 2.5 V6 is going as well due to the Volvo I5 and I6. Here, if Mazda plans to add VVT (Intake and Exhaust) and GDI across the line to the MZR I4, we'll get a few more years out of them. Increase the 2.3L to 2.5L for your Escape, Fusion for example. For Volvo I5; I think we would only get them in Ford NA products IF Volvo doesn't need them anymore. I use the D3 (Volvo P) platform for an example. Ford Europe is easy due to how close they are and the capacity is there. This is just speculation and opinion based on what I've read of course.

I don't think the new gen Mondeo will still keep the D25. It is having (at least over the pond) a couple of gas (1.8 and 2.0) and diesel fours and the Volvo 3.2 I6. My question is could the D35 (60 deg V6 the size of a 3.0L) could fit in that platform?

Is the Camry the top end model? It looks like the Mondeo and Fusion are the top end ones. I think colour here makes a big difference. I am not a tan fan. As well, I see Camrys here and they look fatter them before. I could handle the old rubbermaid grille but at least it looked somewhat svelte.

So therefore; Ford doesn't deliver no more demand. Maybe they are demanding a 'euro-feel' that is why Ford is not delievering. I am just kidding by the way. I am sorry for pulling your leg. I see the circle though that's just MHO.

Judging from current sales, the market is not demanding much from Ford period. This is a while yet and I don't think you'll have 'Kinetic' and 'Bold' just thrown together. It has to be something else that all the design and engineering teams are working on. It will be intresting to say the least. It seems yet another cycle has come like previous attempts such as: 1978-1980 Fiesta to hold over until the Escort launch. mid 80's Merkur: Maybe putting Mercury badges on then instead of a new brand which no one know what it does. 1995: Contour/Mystique. Is it a Tempo/Topaz? Is it a Taurus/Sable? Made 'World Car' a dirty word(s). 1998-2001 Escort: Hold over until the Focus. 2008 Focus: Hold over until the C2. Lots will happen between now and 7 years so I won't hold my breath.

I agree with your statement about the Nissan (I see G35). The Honda reached back to a older Acura Coupe (can't think of the name) especially the rear. Nonetheless, both are good looking and it should have a market. Fusion should jump in on this one. If not, maybe the new Mazda 6 should.

HOLY CRAP! SHOOT IT! SHOOT IT QUICK!

I'm neither here nor there on that one. Horse is a fine meal BTW and I find Black Angus a majestic animal. As for pigs, I have no data but I don't agree overall with mistreatment of any animal. I don't like double standards in general. I think it's from "Pulp Fiction" where a dog has a great personality and that goes a long way. I see where the Giugiaro was going with the idea of horsehide yet as I look at it, simply put, the C&W feel to it I am not a fan of. Perhaps it's the Karma thing as well. Fine with me if you recycle the Mustangs to make horseshoes. Turnabout is fair play. I was been light-hearted anyway. Maybe some humor is what we need around here.

If the Solara is not selling it's because it has nothing special that the Camry doesn't already provide and the styling is not helping it IMHO. Believe it or not the Accord Coupe does have different rear quarters and aft section to give it a slicker coupe appearence. I don't know if it is still selling but I still see them on the road. I feel the Fusion Coupe has a market afterall. There is a new Accord Coupe and a possible Nissan Altima as well. The Fusion has to stick out a little more both on the outside and inside to get the sales plus some more power under the hood and a manual. The Accord has a 244hp (2006) V6 and a manual and it has good handling. At least enough to get you out of trouble. I remember when the last Euro Ford (Mercury) Couger came out it got shot at because of it's lack of power (Duratec 25 165 hp) and it's handling was soft and more for cruising. My friend still drives his 2003 (Black Pussy) and it is true. My other friend drives a Pontiac G6 with the 3900 and it blows it out of the water powerwise yet the handling is on par. My other friend drives a Acura RSX (std not Spec) with the 200hp I4 and it circles around them but the ride is a little on the firm side. My point is the Fusion Coupe has to offer something more in the performance category then the sedan and it really doesn't have to go overboard. In conclusion; my theory with Toyota is they put too much money in the Tundra project and just are leaving a perception that the market is non-existant and therefore if we don't have it, you don't need it. Sounds like something Detroit would have said. :shades:

I personnally like the concept a lot. I have a issue with the horse skin seats considering there is a popular "Save the Mustang" campaign. You Europeans can't have our Mustangs for supper but you can have them for our Mustang seats. Overall; the concept does look like a Mustang and cannot be mistaken for anything but a Mustang. I'm sure some of the concept will come over and that's alright with me. Except the seats of course.

Just for powertrains: D35 with a increase to 4.0L for a base engine. You can get maybe 270-290 hp to start. A small Diesel (3.6 V8) previously mentioned to go with the 4.4L V8. Take the D35 and add 2 cylinder banks to them to make a DOHC 32V V8 of various sizes (4.7 to 5.3L). And of course the Boss. Have a manual available as well as that 6-spd auto. I've seen a lot of good suggestions so I won't repeat them. Hope you people get your wish.

Is that Victoria BC Canada? Sounds like it and the dealership doing the work at no charge is great for customer piece of mind. Better then getting a class-action suit for selling a possibly known defective product. Even though that example probably won't hold up in court, Mazda doesn't need the bad PR. This also shows the tenacity and ingenuity of car thieves. When there's a will, there's a way. I wonder how they figured that out? I should tell my roomate. He drives a 2006 Mazda 3 GT.

I feel that comment is misleading. Jaguar was in the red for a while (still is isn't it?), Land Rover is starting to turn a profit, Volvo is slipping and Aston Martin has just turned a profit for a year or two. Now; I dont have the figures on me but can somone provide? My point is that this paragraph states that MF comes to a division, turns it around and when he leaves it turns to garbage again. I don't think this is the case. I won't get into the plane stuff because that has been done to death. Go 1st class anyway, it's not that bad. I guess you have to leave work early Friday to get through the 1 1/2 - 2 hour wait in line to check in.

Looks great. Great photoshop work. Personally, I can't see the market for a full-size RWD Coupe. Full-size RWD sedan, absolutely. It still looks great though; hell the 427 still looks great IMO. I think it has aged well and is still a looker.

All it's missing is the Volvo emblem in the centre. Maybe those were the only grilles they had? :unsure: