justins

Fantastic book! Loved it and highly recommend it as well. I actually can't believe this story about Lincoln still makes news, because it was in the book for all to see...

Let's not forget, for the most part it was Fields' "Way Foward" plan that formed the basis of what Mulally put into action when he got there. Fields just didn't have the manpower, following, balls (choose whichever fits best) to put the plan into action. It took an outsider to not care about pushing through with it and them implementing the management / leadership structures to back it up. Fields didn't start off a Mulally follower, but was one of the first to become one (according to the book). I think he'll do a good job now that the culture has changed. He obviously wasn't the man to change the culture, but I think he knows where Ford is heading now. I think he has that vision. He certainly proved himself at Mazda.

I think this is why Ford EU is stepping up the game with the Vignale line.

Nope. It wouldn't need to make a call per se, but simply use your data connection.

Something like http://pocketnow.com/2014/01/07/sony-smartphone-cradle-receiver?

I'd say his initial quote is closer to the truth of the matter...

Can't see Ford getting in on this TBH, considering Daimler Benz and Toyota both already own stakes in Tesla... Too many cooks and all that...

Can't remember where it was but one country recently changed from RHD to LHD. All went fairly smoothly, except for their bus network which now drops people off into oncoming traffic...

Looks like there's plenty of space in the door cavity for the window to me. The door cutout look to go all the way the the grey arch surround, so should be OK.

I think Ford CEO job is Mark Fields' to lose right now... I think it's fairly obvious he is the "Anointed one".

Caradvice.com.au is saying it's looking like Edge (possibly rebadged as Territory for Oz).

Wasn't that the Mazda MZR2.3 (so not technically a Ford engine)? From Wiki

I think it's fairly safe to say that all three auto makers currently manufacturing in Oz use these outposts as tax write offs. Toyota have been found guilty of transfer pricing before (only to have their tax fine mysteriously withdrawn), GM are selling Commodore in US for a price that has to be making a loss for them, and FoA haven't made a profit in 6 years... I suppose it comes down to the idea that if you're only going to make 50 or 60 million profit, then have to pay 30% tax on that, why bother? Find as many write-offs as you can, make a loss, book the profits on parts purchased from the wider network or in IP licensing fees to overseas subsidiaries and cry poor...

It's LHD because most of the markets it's sold in are LHD. No news there...

Now tell us how many of those are actually built in Australia? Mazda 3, Ranger, BT50 and Focus are ALL produced in a factory with a capacity of 250,000 cars per year in Thailand. Corolla? Hasn't been produced in Oz for years. Hilux? Nope. i30? Nope. Camry? Yes. Navara? Nope. Yaris? Nope. Holden lost money last year and are on the record as stating local production is not profitable, but import sales are (Exactly as Ford said the other day). Holden ARE producing a car that Australians supposedly want (the Cruze) and yet they are still losing money. Not only that, they have said they need 2 vehicles in the top 10 to consider staying in Oz and as of last month, the Commodore was just hanging on to a top 10 spot. The fact is there is no scale to be had in Oz manufacturing. The cost of running a plant and producing vehicles in Oz is simply not competitive when compared with other Asian facilities. It's not because they aren't making vehicles people want, it's because they can't make vehicles people want at a competitive cost structure.

Staff have apparently been advised this morning. Press conference to release annual financial results starts at 10:45 local time, with another announcement to be included... Writing has been on the wall for a while, but sad news for all involved. Thoughts are with them.

IMO the whole subject of "luxury" is completely subjective. My idea of luxury is an S Class Merc or an A8 Audi or a 7 Series BMW MINIMUM. It's not an E class or a 5 series or an A6. It's not a Lincoln or a Cadillac. They all sit somewhere below that mark. Other people have different ideas and that's OK, but for mine, anything below that mark is semi-luxury, mid-level executive territory. Luxury - true luxury - says you've made it. If driving an e class or a 5 series (or an ATS or an MKZ) tells the world you've made it, good luck to you.

Wow... 4 Chrysler vehicles in the top 10... Wonder if that will come back to bite THEM..?

Isn't this essentially the same Ford Cargo that was released in Europe in 1981, just dressed up a little? If so, development costs would have been ammortised a LOOONG time ago...

ROARING FORTIES Apparently do one of the best replicas in the world...

This. [sarcasm]Couldn't think of a better way to spend your tax money than on a 30 second spot on the most expensive day on the calendar. [/sarcasm]

I respect deanh for his posts and his reputation. I realise he is a hugely knowledgeable person and he is someone I look to on these forums to gain insights and knowledge from. And I have a right to defend myself. I've edited my post.

You're the second person to make the stretching the truth bit comment - http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?/topic/48658-cadillac-vs-lincoln-is-the-rivalry-back/page__view__findpost__p__758396 And if you bothered to look at the image I posted at http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?/topic/48658-cadillac-vs-lincoln-is-the-rivalry-back/page__view__findpost__p__758403 You'll CLEARLY see that the two share door / window openings (allowing for a bit of artistic licence on the concept). It's not just the slope of the a pillar. As Borg has said, and as the photos of the production protos show, I'm not imagining anything nor am I stretching anything to the point that "they both have 4 wheels and tires". I said that I pick up on the details like the triangle at the front tip of the front window, and I also said most people wouldn't. I also pick up on the same distances between the rear of the fron wheel arch and the door opening, and the rear door opening in relation to the rear wheel arch (again allowing for artistic licence on the Lincoln). I didn't actually say the 2 CARS look alike. I said the glasshouses are the same forward of the 6th window and that you can tell the Lincoln is based on the Fusion because of that and that that cheapens the Lincoln. Some people agree with that, some disagree. That's fine. But you cannot accuse me of stretching anything given that the proof is in front of your eyes.

FWIW, I think both cars are Ford's best work in years, regardless of the shared glasshouse. And I'm happy to admit that I have an eye for detail - so even things as minute as the triangle in front of the front window are the first giveaway for me that they're the same car. You're right - most people don't pay that much attention, but that doesn't mean the similarities aren't there.

Yep, you're right. Nothing to see here. Those A pillars aren't the same. Nor are the B pillars. Nor for that matter are the rear door trailing edges. Hell, that glasshouse is COMPLETELY different. I MUST be seeing things.