mackinaw

Interesting theory. I’m not going to argue against what you're saying but will mention that Ford was also pursuing a multi-division, GM-type strategy in the late 1950’s (Ford, Mercury, Edsel, Lincoln and Continental). Poor sales of the Edsel and the rise of Robert McNamara pretty much killed that idea. And I agree that Ford had no idea what they created with the ’58 Thunderbird. McNamara correctly figured a 4-passenger T-Bird would sell much better than the 2-passenger model so he pushed that idea. Of course he was right, sales skyrocketed, and inadvertently he created a brand new class of car. The Thunderbird had such a great name in the 1950’s in made perfect sense to keep it as a Ford, even though it probably would have made more sense to market it as a Mercury or Edsel. As somebody who was a kid back then and remembers his dad bringing home a 1957 Thunderbird for the weekend (let me tell you, I was the coolest kid on the block for those two days), I can tell you how much I hated the 1958 T-Bird. Still hate that car to this day.

When the Ka was originally introduced, it was meant to be “quirky” and to look different (think Renault Twingo). The current design of the Ka, and this new one, are just plain boring.

Latest from Automotive News on this topic. Worth the read: http://www.autonews.com/article/20160211/OEM02/160219957/fords-laneve-stops-short-of-confirming-broncos-expected-return

Mexico has made it a priority to sign free-trade agreements with many, many countries (all of the E.U.). That’s a large part of the attraction in building new plants in Mexico, not just low wages.

From today's Automotive News: http://www.autonews.com/article/20160209/OEM04/160209849/ford-ecosport-inches-closer-to-u-s-shores

It's on the internet, it has to be true.

If Ford was to do something like this, it would have to be more than a car, it would have to be an entire platform. For this reason alone, I kind of doubt it.

The 3.0L V-6 diesel has substantially more horsepower and torque than the 3.2L I-5.

From Automotive News: Ford Motor Co. appears to be gearing up to launch a diesel-powered version of the F-150, possibly as early as next year, and wrest the fuel efficiency crown from the hot-selling Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. Diesel-powered F-150 test trucks have been spotted running around Ford’s product development center in Dearborn, Mich. Land Rover’s decision to equip its Range Rover and Range Rover Sport SUVs with a Ford-built, 3.0-liter diesel engine also bodes well for a diesel-powered F-150. Ford spokesman Mike Levine declined to comment on Ford’s future products, but Dave Sullivan, an analyst for consulting firm AutoPacific, says Ford’s product plans call for a diesel-powered F-150 teamed with a new 10-speed automatic transmission co-developed by Ford and General Motors. It could launch as a 2017 model, he says. “A diesel F-150, with its lightweight body and 10-speed automatic, would have all of the necessary hardware to win the fuel economy race,” said Sullivan. More here: http://www.autonews.com/article/20160128/OEM04/160129849/1221

Yes, of course. I thought about Mr. Dykstra's name yesterday evening, but couldn't find a picture of him. After the original 2-seat T'bird, the Bullet Bird is my favorite.

Need a hint. Is he a "Whiz Kid?"

First guess is Chief Stylist, Gene Bordinat, though I suspect I'm wrong.

There's a company rumor that something called the "Model E" is on the way.

I gather you’re unfamiliar with investing. Of course stock price is important, but don’t discount dividends. Ford issues dividends regularly, which comes from their profits. Ford pays me a dividend every three months no matter if their stock price is trading high or low. And believe me, they can add up. Each year I’m amazed how much money I make on dividends.

If you know a Ford employee, or retiree, and you drive anything other than a Ford or Lincoln product (e.g. a competitive product), you can get A-and-Z plan pricing on a Ford or Lincoln vehicle until the end of February. See this: http://www.autonews.com/article/20160120/RETAIL/160129988/ford-lets-employees-share-discounts-outside-family

Your forgetting dividends. Depending on how much stock you owe, the amount of dividends you get can be substantial.

In most cases, yes, but not always. I’ve owned Ford stock longer than some people on this list have been alive. I have bought and sold Ford stock, always at a profit, but have a “core” amount of Ford stock that I’ll never sell. I just like the company.

From Reuters: Jan 14 Ford Motor Co will announce a new automobile plant in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi during the first quarter, two government officials familiar with company plans said on Thursday. The plant should produce around 350,000 cars annually, according to the two officials, and the investment should be worth slightly over $1.5 billion, one of them said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Ford Mexico had no immediate comment. http://www.reuters.com/article/ford-motor-mexico-idUSL2N14Y1VR20160114

Biker, I really do look forward to your posts because I think you offer a good counterpoint to the “Ford-can-do-no-wrong” crowd. But there are times you really don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. This is one of them.

If it is going to be built at MAP, which seem to be the general consensus, probably Ranger-based.

Just read the latest Autoextremist. Peter DeLorenzo, who has seen the car, considers the production version of the Continental better looking than the concept.

Ford stock is down about 5% so far today. One reason for the drop? Their North American profit margin for 2016 is forecasted to be about 9.5%. If it ain't double-digit, your company is considered a failure. Yes, I'm being sarcastic.

The Detroit News article isn't clear on that. All it says is that Ford will be adding four SUV's to the Ford and Lincoln lineup in a "few years."

I havd no idea what's going to happen between Ford and Google. We'll learn more very soon at CES. I can tell you that there are rumblings within the company about something called the "Model E." No idea if this is a concept, a working name, or a collaboration between Ford and somebody else. Hopefully we'll learn more in 2016.

Fuzzy, I'm glad you're on this forum. I've learned a lot from you.