TitleistWI

Thats actually fairly common in Japan. The Japanese have such a sense of loyalty and duty that you see a fair number of people who either work themselves to death or who commit suicide because they are either fired from their job, cant handle the workload (and are too proud to tell their bosses its too much work for them) or whose place of employment goes out of business (even if it wasnt their fault the place went under). The Japanese take their jobs much more seriously than we do and will do whatever it takes to get the job done, even if that means they work themselves to death or the stress ultimately causes them to take their own life. This is pretty much the concept that the '80s movie, "Gung Ho", is based upon.

http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...9/AUTO01/807090

That raises the question, if Hummer goes, what will our military buy? Jeep Wranglers arent exactly a fitting replacement for the H1.

The price of the Flex is the biggest complaint the automotive press had too. IMO, its overpriced, but what new vehicle isnt overpriced nowdays?

Interesting idea, but I dont think Ford would need to come up with a whole new brand to accomplish that. Besides, the whole tuner craze that the Scion brand is built on is kind of yesterday's news.

What about the promise to return to profitability that has been pushed back several times? I agree that Ford has improved in some areas, but the simple fact is that they are still losing money and marketshare.

I could go for something like that. Ford could draw from Mazda's experience with the Miata.

To be fair, Ford's "plans" to return to profitability have thus far been nothing but broken promises. Tough talk and big plans are great, but sooner or later you need to produce some results. Thats something Ford is yet to do.

Personally, I think GM will eventually trim their lineup down to just Chevy and Cadillac. IMO, its insane for GM to have some many different brands that are little more than the same vehicles with different badges and different styling.

Its not surprising that OPEC would say something like this. Afterall, they control the supply, so they can make the price do whatever they want.

I think it would be a smart move on Ford's part. The Ranger is the most fuel-efficient compact/midsize truck and with gas prices being what they are, that could really play in Ford's favor. From everything Ive read, they dont plan to rebadge it or really make any changes. They will have to add side-curtain airbags but other than that I dont think Ford is going to invest much into it. Why invest a lot of money into a truck that is going to be replaced in 3 years? Now I just wish they would build the next-generation Ranger thats coming in 2011 here in the U.S. instead of in South Africa...

The F-150 is going to revert back to it's roots: a workhorse for farmers, ranchers, contractors and people who use their truck on a daily basis for doing truck stuff. However, I dont think you will ever see it be as popular as it was unless the price of gas comes down. As a kid hauler/grocery getter/daily driver; not many people can afford to drive one anymore. No doubt there will always be people who dont really need a truck but still buy them because they like them, but I believe that Ford's bread 'n butter will no longer be the F-Seres. I expect that just as the Taurus was once the heart and soul of Ford, its going back to being a car market. I expect that either the Focus or the Fusion (or some midsize car) will be Ford's bread 'n butter.

Its takes more than a lot of horsepower to make a great truck, just ask any Tundra owner. To see why the F-150 is still #1, all you have to do is look at how strong the frame and driveline is. I buy my trucks for hauling stuff, not to win stoplight to stoplight drag races. People can say what they want about horsepower, but in terms of load bearing capability, Id take a Ford over any other truck on the market.

To be fair though, an Escape/Mariner is a smaller vehicle than a Cherokee. Besides, no one ever accused a Chrysler product of getting good gas milage!

I wouldnt get the hybrid if it were me. Unless the majority of your driving is stop-and-go traffic at speeds below 40 mph, you wont get much of a benefit with a hybrid. Go with the 4-banger and call it a day...

Not to mention that dual exhaust on a V6 sounds very buzzy, much like a riced-out Honda... No matter what you do, a V6 will never sound throaty like a V8. IMO, Ford shouldnt even offer a V6 in the Mustang. If you are worried about gas milage, perhaps you should be looking at something besides the Mustang.

Not to mention that by this time next year you should be able to buy a Fusion hybrid that would cost signifigantly less than an Escape/Mariner hybrid. I think Ford would also be wise to come out with a Focus hybrid.