texer rangas

Nuetered - indeed, Bold - not at all. It's as if they are NOT designing cars that will also appeal to MEN. That to me is what most the asian cars are - cars mostly for women. Ford is more and more forcing men to buy trucks and now with the Ranger on the way out and more competition than ever in trucks that seems to be giving up on more and more men and to me that sounds like a stupid plan indeed.

I am not talking about content in the new Focus - it does have some interesting new additions. And I know they have made improvements. I'm talking about the design execution. The sum of it's parts is just not a home run.

I COULD NOT AGREE MORE! Ford - Why did you do this to us Focus lovers and any potential Focus buyers? What kind of (focus) groups did you take this design to? 3 year olds? Animals? Rocks? This is one of the most vile design mistakes in recent history. I am a Ford buyer for many, many years. My first car was a Ford. Currently have two in my driveway and my wife has a 2007 Focus SES that she loves and I do too. But after seeing the new Focus at the dealership she and I both looked at each other and said "that's the last Focus we will ever buy"! And Ford - you know we are not the exception - read the blogs and look at your sales trends. Your design and go ahead teams are killing your future. You have some Edsels in the recent line-ups and the new Focus brings it to a head. Stop this madness or you will be a very miner player in the auto industry future.

That's right. Has there ever been a more important time to go for a killer hit? Do everything to crush the competition. Everything.

matthewq4b- you are spot on. I think most of us know this idea/post is about a complicated yet important product issue. It is NOT about building the MOST successful vehicle in the business. Or, making the MOST profitable case for a new vehicle. It is about filling a niche in today's market. It's about developing a vehicle that Ford has done many times in the past and other makers are doing now and in the future. It is about being aggressive (somewhat) and building a talked about, paid attention to AND purchased vehicle by a segment of buyers that Ford has not paid alot of attention to and therefor has not at all profited from recently. And, like I said - Ford could use the street cred and pub that would come from a project like this - of course - if executed real well.

Great posts- Any more info on the interiors, guys. You said it was real good. Can you say any more about them? I am getting real up for this.

Since seeing this story some weeks ago - I keep having a vision of a 4 door diesel JT. Might be unlikely but - oh how that would kick butt.

If done sexy enough it would add tons to their good will, press cred and street talk and that would get the butts in the showrooms

Ford, listen to this- A coupe would sell...a coupe would sell...a coupe would sell...a coupe would..............................

I want one like number 2 - please Way good Karma And I am in that demo

hey 156n3rd 1950 here. My wife has a new model SES 4 door She has had everything from a Triumph TR6 to Chevys, Buicks, Olds, Mustangs, Other Fords of all sizes and stripes but her FAVORITE OF ALL TIME IS HER FOCUS! Loves the handling, style, economy, performance and just fun driving. Looks great in crisp white with all the black accents. And guess what - I love it almost as much as she does.

I'm all over the Uncomfortable seats comment The current F150 seats look great and have an awsome profile - but are some of the most uncomfortable - very ungiving and don't conform at all and an almost unusual seating position and I too think the Ranger near bucket seats feel great and support too You live in the interior of your vehicle - not outside and I can tell you that rock hard seats that are more look than feel are a deal buster to me when I buy a vehicle My experience in a vehicle totally starts with how I SIT in the environment Period

I love my 4.0 4x4 I use it in my business and for play It is tough and looks good and looks American But everyday I wish it was a little bigger, a little updated and had 4 DOORS!!! The changes I would do- Make it a little version of the Tonka concept Make it flex from basic work trucks to stylin trucks But- All available with a 4, V6 and Small V8 Make it slightly bigger Give it tough, cool looking options And make a real 4 DOOR Model (not a Sport Trak) But a REAL 4 DOOR RANGER I would buy 2 of them for my business. I promiss.

DAN NEIL - You live on your flat Earth and think you KNOW something. You are lucky to have a job - even with a socialist newspaper. You also are- P. U. S. S. Y.

Huh? A self proclaimed expert? I am a self proclaimed consumer. I was not discussing the new Escape. I was discussing the next Focus. Ford knows what its doing? In every case? With every single detail? With every single launch? I am mass market. I am fringe. Your are not impressed with the 08 Focus. Neither am I. Wait to see what it looks like in person? Wait to see how sales numbers are after launch? That... may be a little late. Oh- and I suppose your thousands of posts makes you an expert- and of course my few posts makes me... well... never mind.