Frankenford

I've been looking at some of the reviews on Youtube. I'm beginning to think that within 5 years online automobile journalists will outnumber accountants. Some of the reviews spend more time on everything but the vehicle. Yes, it's based on the Ford Escape. Yes, Lincoln has been suffering of late. Yes, Cadillac has poured billions into new vehicles. There are times when it would be nice if they actually reviewed the vehicle. One review wasn't so glowing but you could tell right from the get go it was more about how "savvy" the reviewer was and not the vehicle. He admitted he had only spent an hour with the vehicle. Yes - an hour. He made a portion of his video showing how hard it was to get out of the backseat when the driver's seat was in the position he found comfortable. It's unfortunate that reviews about other luxury vehicles don't mention the same thing. The Motorweek preview video was more positive. The tester said he spent 8 hours with the vehicle and that it was VERY comfortable and it didn't feel like he spent that amount of time in it at all. He also loved the interior. They will be posting a longer review later on. I really like the MKC. I think it's quite a nice looking vehicle.

They only showed a drawing of the front end, but from what I could tell, they've taken the split wing grill and hardened some of the corners at the bottom and put them on an angle as the grill meets the split. They did the same with the Navigator refresh, but in this case it looks a little pulled back - as though it's a combination of the MKC and the Navigator. I liked the shot showing the yellow LED lights. The corner's of the leds at the bottom of the headlights mimc the angle at the centre bottom of the grill. it's a nice cohesive touch.

IMO current automobile design resembles that of the late 50's where every surface of the car must somehow contribute to the over all "effect" of the effort. There is no room for subdued. Every flank must have a crease and a splash of chrome, a rear end must somehow convey as important a design effort as the front, automobile front ends must convey multiple things with one effort - I AM HERE, I exude luxury, I am unique, I am SOMETHING. Everything was so loud.....interiors included. It's all the same now. Lincoln once changed this in '61. Their designs went quiet. People were ready for peace and quiet. I think they have an opportunity to be quiet again. Whomever runs the business will be successful if they tone down design to let people relax.

It's nice to see that Ford has slimmed down the center console. I tested the Focus but found that my right leg kept hitting the console. This is a welcome change.

Was my comment above directed at you? Was it directed at any person on this board? Were you somehow personally offended by what was written to the point where you felt the need to be sarcastic? Is this how comments are to be responded to here?

Stock down again. A company known for beating the trend and not taking money to survive is once again down in the stock market. The whole "Ford did it" lasted 5 years. The American investor has a short memory. It doesn't matter what happened to keep you in the game, you are only as good as what you have recently reported. Everything else is now in the past. Based on media reports this Ford leadership situation needs to be resolved now. You can't keep having someone as "being in the running" for another position and keep a company as a viable investment. This is ridiculous. Enough. Sh*t on the pot or get off.

I've seen the Chevy Trax and the Buick Encore. IMO they look like toys. This new Honda also looks like a toy. I've seen so many Traxs that it's safe to say they are selling quite well - but every time I see one (or the Encore), part of me expects to see some kid with the radio controlled remote piloting it.

Several sites reported on the upcoming availability of the 1.0 litre in the Fiesta over a year ago. Checking out the Ford Canada and Ford U.S. vehicle sites, there has as yet to be any indication that this engine is currently available in the Fiesta. It's great that the engine availability will be expanded, but what is going on with the Fiesta? Frank