wescoent

The MKX and what?

Is it not not going to not suck?

Eh. I've driven a 5 liter Mustang, and a 5 liter XF on the same day... no difference in refinement. Almost to a fault with the Mustang. Too smooth.

Honestly, the worst part of Ron Paul's foreign policy position is trying to get the media to reasonably explain it. He won't get elected president, but I'm sure we'll see a major de-emphasis on foreign policy and social issues from 2012-2016. Mitt's true passion lies in the economy, and he will have his hands full at home in getting things under control, and moreover, keeping a wild-eyed Republican Congress and Senate at bay.

The entire thing boils down to demographics. We've promised too much to old people who don't have enough young people to support them. Everything else is just partisan noise. The government has some things it is definitely bested suited to handle, and we need to prioritize what those things are, and how much money they need to meet our expectations as a country. The American people and government need to severely roll back their war-focused mindset. When I say war, I don't mean with guns and killing. I mean, the idea that if we focus a massive amount of resources on a problem, it will go away. We need to work on getting the basic services right first, before we embark on grandiose adventures in fighting drugs, environmental issues, and so on. Let people fight wars on their own time, on their own dimes.

Government, in my view, suffers from diminishing returns as they relate to resources allocated in many cases. Obviously, we need environmental laws. However, if we double the EPA's budget, will it result in twice as clean air and water? If we double our education spending, will our kids end up twice as smart?

Ok. BMW and Mercedes, by all measures, are successful luxury brands. They also field RWD cars with dedicated platforms. Are they successful luxury brands BECAUSE they have RWD cars with dedicated platforms? Or are there other more relevant reasons? I'm glad Ford is trying to think outside the box with this one. What does 'taking on the Germans' even mean? You will never meet a Truer Believer in German cars than me, but I don't want to see Lincoln building an S-Class clone. Or a 3-Series clone. Why not try something different? Or are we at the point in history where there are just no more new good ideas?

I'm pleased to see they're having the right conversations.

Interesting. To me, this says we'll be seeing a renewed effort in the holistic marketing of the brand, which is one of the three essential aspects of Lincoln's success in the future. Great product is one, ownership experience is the other.

I was about to say... I just about laughed out loud when I read that. There's a reason Phil doesn't work there any longer. Actually, if I remember the story correctly, it was his brilliant idea to cut development for midsized sedans, and instead have a RWD competitor to the Camry and Accord, ala Ford 427.

Eh... they're relatively tame over there, compared to the sort of maniacs I deal with on a daily basis in real life. I find the attempts to justify Cadillac as being a more 'legitimate' luxury brand than Lincoln has reached the upper limit of absurdity for me. The XTS and the new MKS are the same freakin' car, yet there are those INSISTING that the XTS is simply a class above, or that it's okay, because a magical Cadillac super sedan will come to be in the next 5-8 years. It's my genuine hope that this new MKZ will bring about a new level of attention to detail for Lincoln. Sweating the small stuff, in other words.

Haha, thanks. Since GMI's atrocious redesign, I can barely stomach trying to navigate that morass, so I think I'm going to try and participate more in this neck of woods.

Check out Slide #9 for a much better view. The Grey Lady doesn't seem to like me posting her images here.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/business/ford-seeks-to-glamorize-lincoln-vehicles.html?_r=3&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1322800312-GSNxz5G7sd8O7DSUKSm5ug&pagewanted=all

I'll probably start posting here more once Ford actually makes some decisions I don't whole-heartedly agree with. Compared to GM... as a longtime scholar of strategic management... it's just comedy over there. It's just difficult to point that out as often as I'd like, without getting needlessly incendiary. America123 is one of my favorite posters on GMI. It's actually a good deal of fun trying to decipher what the heck he's trying to communicate in his cryptic posts, and to have a foil who believe that my profession is the embodiment of true evil.

Oh my God... it's like some kind of freaky Bizarro world over there. I love how two thirds of those jokers seem to think that GM declaring bankruptcy was some kind of shrewd and great thing to do, and Ford was stupid for not doing it. WHAT?!!!

Ford does watch this forum like a hawk, which is why I've been so careful to keep the identity of myself and my 'inside man' at Ford a very closely guarded secret, and to keep info leaks conservative and close to their public announcement. Otherwise... I've been spending more time on GMI... observing the nightmare that is GM is far more amusing than the otherwise well-run Ford.

Fusion and Mustang will definitely get it. F-150... not 100% sure on that one. As people have mentioned here... F-150 is KIND of a big guy, and no matter how much boost you have, an I4 just might not achieve the efficiencies to make it worth the trouble.

Well, my theory is that he was sitting there with a PR guy and an IT guy. A lot of the answer seemed like canned corporate speak, but it's cool no less.

Whoa, hold your horses. GM came knocking early in 2008... NOT back in 2006 when Ford did. The story gets even better... the idea of GM taking out a mega loan WAS tossed around, but their response was "We don't need it". I must say... their current plan is WAY more advanced than what was presented to lenders early last year. Their attitude was basically, our plan will work, we just need the money. I'd laugh if it weren't so sad.

I want to dedicate this thread to Alan Mulally, who came to Ford as CEO over 2 years ago. It still seems like yesterday when I got the text alert that Bill Ford had resigned, and brought Alan on board. Truly, I credit where Ford is today to him and his management team, which has been simply phenomenal. In the investing world, we say that you don't invest in companies... you invest in MANAGERS. Alan's dedication and skills were a primary driver for why Ford was able to secure that 23 billion dollar loan in 2006. I've never met the man, but I know people who have, and they've related to me what a warm and genuine person he is, and I'm just glad that in these tough economic times, Ford has a CEO that everyone can believe in. Some videos: At Detroit 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUpoLEtw554 On the Taurus name change The Ford Story http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSADVo-PIno...feature=related Testifying Before Congress http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA4SCy3Q78s...feature=related

Also... Lincoln needed an AWD platform. D3 could support it, DEW98 could not.

He's not kidding. They're a... special bunch over there.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/14/detroit...0-chevy-camaro/

Mustang GT Shelby GT500 Taurus SHO Flex EcoBoost (a 355hp MINIVAN) MKS EcoBoost MKT EcoBoost F-150 Raptor Fusion Sport Excuse me?! Ford is now selling a 355hp MINIVAN and a 425hp desert chaos truck, and you're complaining they don't offer anything for performance freaks?