AlRozzi

Now that you've mentioned ST Line, I recall reading somewhere this week that the U.S. 2019 Fiesta will be available with the ST Line trim. Maybe the full spec ST won't be avaliable?

What about flying cars? Perhaps flying AV mobility is the future?

What year is your car, Anthony? I seem to recall it being a '14. My '13 Red Focus with 77K has a manual trans which has worked out well.

Maybe he should have practiced driving it before hand. Now he is going to have to pay for it!

Sergio says Chrysler/Dodge is safe for next five years as N.A. brands. I think he called them NAFTA brands, whatever that means? http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/chrysler-and-dodge-will-continue-says-sergio-marchionne/ar-AAy8tdt?li=BBnb4R5 The future of both brands has been laid out by the FCA CEO himself.Chrysler and Dodge faced an unwarranted end recently as Automotive News released an image of the FCA’s five-year strategy, which was missing a clear future for both American brands. Fortunately, it’s all in the past tense now as FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne confirms that both brands will continue on and will have their own place in FCA’s five-year strategy.

The separation has never made any sense to me. Perhaps the feeling was that Ram could garner higher prices without the Dodge name attached? I am thinking that if FCA were going to eliminate one brand, the best bet would be to eliminate Dodge rather than Chrysler. For one, Sergio is focusing on luxury and high-margin brands and I suspect a Chrysler brand could command prices above a Dodge brand. Dodge sales last month were approx. 47k while Chrysler sales were 15k, but if the Caravan (moslty fleet now anyway and gone soon) were a Town & Country instead, then the Caravans 15.5k units would have made Dodge and Chrysler brands nearly equal last month at around 31k units each. Move the next Journey and Durango over to Chrysler and the next Challenger having a Barracuda trim level and Dodge could be eliminated.

Marchionne never drops brands. He likes to split brands to create and differentiate branding. Based on the article below it is my guess he is leaving brand elimination to the next CEO. If FCA is merged with or acquired by another automaker, brands could be axed. Should FCA remain independent then the burden of brand reduction is on the next guy. Chrysler, Fiat, Dodge missing from schedule for FCA's 5-year briefing http://www.autonews.com/article/20180531/RETAIL01/180539955/fca-chrysler-fiat-brands-missing-presentation

I agree. How can you cancel a brand name when the name is part of the oorporate name? Sounds to me as though Fiat and Alfa will be taken out of the U.S. market. Article mentions combining Alfa/Maserati and putting the new Viper on a shared platform. If Marchionne is consistent, he will announce a new brand called Viper to fill the void left by Alfa.

It seems to me that sedans are as impractical for hauling cargo (stuff) as coupes are for hauling passengers. I don't think the issue is not offering a sedan, but rather having either efficient offerings and/or affordable vehicles. Ford does in fact appear to be tackling the efficiency issue, but approaching it from a different perspective.

I'm just referring to the Fusion name. I'd bet it lives on. Speaking of names, if the Pinto name were brought back it would reestablish the King Ranch! Mustang/ Maverick/ Bronco/ Pinto:-)

Baldness does run in my family.

I am still willing to bet Fusion name will not die, but become Fusion 'Active.' If I am wrong may lightning strike me and burn off what remains of the hair on my head!

I think the review is good other than uninspiring power. I am curious as to the decision to offer the 1 and 2 litre where a 1.5 EB would do well. Writer does point to a diesel to overcome torque issues which makes me wonder if the 2 litre EcoBlue might be a viable option.

Considering Meridian is Chinese owned, I am not necessarily surprised at a potential compromise of safety protocol.

It may well be that entry level is not even the same formula today, in that people don't necessarily seek out a specific price point, but rather look for an affordable monthly payment. A creative finance department is all that is needed.

I wonder if there is speculation and/or planning on ride-sharing as a way of catering to "entry-level" buyers?

Your remark is extremely humorous.

I am not entirely accepting what he is implying regarding termoil within Ford management. His articles always seem to take an extreme point of view. There is a complete saturation of sources for news and information and it takes attention-grabbing headlines to get consumers of news to take notice.

My first car was a 1968 Mustang. Wish I still had it. Oh the pain and misery...

I had a Maverick 2 dr. I loved it. Had the 250 cid straight six and it could burn rubber. I hope the new Maverick has the 250 six option

That's rough Anthony. My wife has hated (or at least disliked) most of my cars. Must be a marriage thing.

Yes I did. And it gets even worse I ruined the Ford corporate tally as well. Ford sales totaled 204,651. If it weren't for me and my purchase, the Focus total is a tidy 13,000 and the Ford total comes in at 204,650. I suppose I am the odd man out.

It's only pieces of paper with numbers printed on them. You can have more fun with that Magnificant Mustang! My new Focus counts in the April numbers too. I see the Focus sales tally was 13,001. I guess that 1 is me? I really messed up a nice, round sales figure by buying that Outrageous Green Machine.