Bob Rosadini
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Posts posted by Bob Rosadini
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If I had to guess as to the poor sales of 650/750, I would say the lack of promotion is the biggest reason sales are what they are. I would think to the experienced fleet guy that might be viewed as the kiss of death. Do I want to invest in trucks that will probably no longer be around in a year or two?
As I've previously mentioned, The New England Ford dealers ran their own add frequently on tv spots highlighting Super Duty capabilities-snow plows- but they also included a 650/750 pulling a tag with a TLB on it.
And as to capabilities of the Power Stroke/Ford trans, while I was a skeptic, A friend runs a heavy spec 650 dump- that also pulls his heavy tag trailer- derated to 25,999 to avoid the CDL issue and in his mind the truck is a winner as it is pushing 100,000 miles.
And as Joe mentioned, CT. DOT has them in their fleet as does Mass DOT. And I have seen them out this past winter on secondary roads with 10/11' plows.
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On 7/4/2026 at 6:20 AM, twintornados said:
One thought would be direct competition for Econoline Club Wagons and Chateau's ..... I don't believe the Econolines were sold in South America, especially as people movers. That would then open the SA market up to Ford B-Series....and also be a reason why they were never offered here.
Good thought...but while GM was selling Suburbans weren't they also selling
Passenger versions of the Chevy van?
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3 hours ago, Joe771476 said:
Thx Joe. No clue what the Suburban sales figures were but wonder what Ford's wisdom was not to offer such a vehicle
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On 6/5/2026 at 12:52 PM, rmc523 said:
Back in September 2023, the Canadian union Unifor reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract with Ford, which prevented a strike from occurring. It was subsequently ratified by workers, laying the groundwork for other automakers to sign similar agreements as well. Now, we're on the cusp of that contract coming to an end, which means that it's time for Unifor and automakers to hammer out a new one. However, the union isn't looking to concede any ground to Ford or its peers during those talks.
“We are not going backwards,” Unifor President Lana Payne told the union's members recently, according to Automotive News. “We will make progress, and that includes fighting for the Detroit Three Unifor members currently on layoff. We are approaching these contract negotiations with determination, but also with realism. The stakes are incredibly high and we need to take the most disciplined, strategic approach possible. We’re dealing with U.S, tariffs and unrelenting trade aggression. This uncertainty is freezing investment decisions and keeping members out of work."
The union also opted to go with Ford this time around as it's the only one of its peers that has maintained its Canadian manufacturing presence since tariffs were imposed in the spring of 2025. Stellantis began retooling its Brampton Assembly plant in February, but opted to shift that facility's product plans to the U.S. amid tariffs, and it's currently idle. As for GM, it idled its CAMI Assembly plant last year after ending production of BrightDrop vans there, and also cut the third shift from its Oshawa Assembly plant in January.
I know they have to do the whole public posture "tough guy" thing, but playing hardball with the lone company that kept stuff going seems like a great idea.... lol
On 6/5/2026 at 12:52 PM, rmc523 said:Back in September 2023, the Canadian union Unifor reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract with Ford, which prevented a strike from occurring. It was subsequently ratified by workers, laying the groundwork for other automakers to sign similar agreements as well. Now, we're on the cusp of that contract coming to an end, which means that it's time for Unifor and automakers to hammer out a new one. However, the union isn't looking to concede any ground to Ford or its peers during those talks.
“We are not going backwards,” Unifor President Lana Payne told the union's members recently, according to Automotive News. “We will make progress, and that includes fighting for the Detroit Three Unifor members currently on layoff. We are approaching these contract negotiations with determination, but also with realism. The stakes are incredibly high and we need to take the most disciplined, strategic approach possible. We’re dealing with U.S, tariffs and unrelenting trade aggression. This uncertainty is freezing investment decisions and keeping members out of work."
The union also opted to go with Ford this time around as it's the only one of its peers that has maintained its Canadian manufacturing presence since tariffs were imposed in the spring of 2025. Stellantis began retooling its Brampton Assembly plant in February, but opted to shift that facility's product plans to the U.S. amid tariffs, and it's currently idle. As for GM, it idled its CAMI Assembly plant last year after ending production of BrightDrop vans there, and also cut the third shift from its Oshawa Assembly plant in January.
I know they have to do the whole public posture "tough guy" thing, but playing hardball with the lone company that kept stuff going seems like a great idea.... lol
For sure, almost comical. They identify the the uncertainty with respect to investment decisions that to a large degree are out of Ford's control but.....????
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On 12/1/2011 at 10:35 PM, twintornados said:
Carbone Auto group has done a "consolidation" of their two Ford dealerships in Central New York. Don's Ford in Utica NY will absorb the Carbone Ford/Lincoln dealership of Rome NY and Lincoln will no longer be sold at the combined dealership located off Rte #12 just north of the Riverside Center retail shopping stores.
Sadly, the end of an era in Rome as the Former Sid Stockholm Ford dealership has survived many changes in the area and has gone through several ownerships after Sid retired....Carbone Auto group will rename it the Carbone Auto Pre-Owned Select center and will use the outlet to sell pre-owned vehicles of all makes. The Quick Lanes center will remain for now, but may be closed if business conditions warrant it...
Lincolns have been sold in Rome for many years.....I remember as a kid when the Lincoln/Mercury dealership (Vern Secor Lincoln / Mercury) was separate and on opposite ends of Rome NY...Lincolns will now only be available at Steet-Ponte Ford / Lincoln on Commercial Drive in New York Mills. Steet-Ponte took over the former Ed Blask Ford dealership at the same location and absorbed the former Cater Lincoln / Mercury dealership that was 1/2 a mile up the road on Commercial drive when the Cater family (do not remember Mr Caters first name) decided to retire.
Makes no sense because Carbone Auto Group just poured a ton of money into the Rome Ford / Lincoln site with renovations to the showroom and state of the art facilities.....
I remember in the class 8 days Don's Ford moved a lot of heavy trucks.
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2 hours ago, Joe771476 said:
That's why it seems like EVERY fuel oil truck around here in New England is a Pete/KW! Like the original Henry Ford said back in the early 1900's, he'd give every car away free if he could be guaranteed ALL the aftermarket/replacement parts biz!
And to a lesser extent International and F'liner A market where Ford ruled with mostly LN-8000 and C-8000 before that went away.
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2 hours ago, Joe771476 said:
Some good news:
Joe,
It is only good news if Ford choses to capitalize on it. Like offer a tilt hood for serviceability on 450-600...which they won't🤔. I'm not sure what the Chevy/ International numbers were vs Ford but looking at the bi weekly truck rag that comes out covering New England there were always a lot of unsold 23 and 24 model years advertised.
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On another note, terrible incident happened outside of Boston last week. A 30 year old trooper had ended his shift at 2AM. Was headed home....Mass Troopers take their vehicles home..when call came in on SB vehicle traveling on US 1 in NB lane. He answered call and in a few minutes had a headon with the SB vehicle- a Jeep 4dr. Assumption is he attempted to perform a blocking move. He was driving a new Tahoe. Jeep driver dead at scene, and Trooper passed at hospital.
Just curious, anyone know frontal crash ratings for Tahoe vs Explorer Interceptors? Bulk of MSP vehicles are Explorers but they do have a good number of Tahoes. My small town all Explorers except for a 150 EB. Neighboring town mix of Tahoes and Explorers. Tahoes are in fact cheaper under state contract.
I'm of course a Ford diehard, but my prejudices aside, given less cost of Tahoe with its pushrod V-8, that would be my choice. Also love my Coyote 150, but Ford in their wisdom only offer Police rated 150 with 3.5EB.
Now that 6.8 is not longer offered in Super Duty, would that fit in a 150? Or an Expedition?
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1 hour ago, rmc523 said:
https://fordauthority.com/2026/05/ford-gets-serious-with-suppliers-amid-ongoing-quality-issues/
According to Crain's Detroit Business, Ford is cracking down on supplier quality and costs by placing companies that exhibit quality issues on a "no bid" list for future contracts, as well as requiring others to submit three-year cost savings plans to prevent a similar outcome. The Blue Oval is requiring certain suppliers to enter what's known as "total value management" plans (TVMs), which require a certain percentage of cost savings on the overall supplier business every year.
TVM programs are nothing new nor uncommon, as automakers generally bind suppliers to meet certain quality and cost savings targets in that manner. What makes Ford's TVMs unusual, however, is that it's stepping up the enforcement of its multi-year requirement, and even pulling business from suppliers that don't reach some sort of agreement with the company.
At the same time, Ford was quick to point out that this is not a new policy, and that enforcing TVM programs are part of its broader efforts to improve quality and reduce costs in order to better "compete in a rapidly changing and complex industry."
Seems like a tall order, improve your quality, and do it for less🤔
How many of the recalls are related to an outsourced component failure?
Back in the days of a more vertically structured company I would imagine the quality and the cost were viewed by the same people seeking the best resolution on both counts.
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21 hours ago, akirby said:
The starter and battery were beefed up to handle the extra load if that's what really concerns you.
AK thx but I guess I'm not only "old", but also "Old School"😎
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On 4/24/2026 at 4:33 PM, jpd80 said:
Jim Farley is currently 63, I can see him taking retirement in about two years time.
If all of this turns bad, someone else can clean it up….
Very good...Let's see?? I think we have been here before. Remember when Jac the Knife bought a bunch of "Junk yards"..OR "Salvage Yards"? In an interview with the Boston Globe he said.."this will enable us to analyze parts failures" or words to that effect. My thought at the time was.." why not look at your warranty claims first!"
As you know that effort was a failure. Ford bought a local yard for a very large sum...the family ended up buying it back from Ford at a fire sale price, and they are doing very well today😎
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Since my 23 150 was new I had my auto start/stop feature disabled. As I recently prevailed on the dealer to change my battery under the warranty-many of you have responded to my previous posts on that subject -thx, I now am faced with the the ASS feature-no pun intended- takes over and it shuts the truck off. As I would rather pay for the thimble full of gas that the feature saves vs a shortened starter life, I checked my owner's manual on ability to disable permanently -no such thing.
Any opinions? By the way I stumbled on a you tube post on how to extend the life of your Ford or some such language. Disabling this feature was one thing.
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On 5/9/2026 at 9:58 AM, edselford said:
Even tractors in the 25 to 55 hp range are heading to hydrostatic drive systems with 2 to three ranges.
Had at Massey Ferguson with a 4by4 manual, giving 16 distinct gears. It did everything well and had a forward/reverse shuttle.
I don’t think they still make it!
edselford
For sure on the 25-55 HP range. I've had 3 JD's in those HP ranges-all hydro. My 4720-now 4066 -is rated at 58HP. Primary use involves loader work-either with bucket or grapple to handle brush or logs. Do you loose some HP? I'm sure but IMO bullet proof.
When working my way through school I worked for a contractor-we had a Ford tractor that was unique -manual trans with an aftermarket driving front axle-Elanco. this was back in the days when 4WD loader/back hoes did not exist except for the Bucyrus Erie Dynahoe-which were BIG machines. Needless to say this Ford was "all gears" including the shuttle stick- complete stop before direction change.
I believe the big Deere compacts with the "Power Reverser" trans require use of clutch to change gears but the reverser does not.
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2 hours ago, Sherminator98 said:
The vast majority of people have no idea how to drive a stick in a light duty vehicle, do you actually think they'll learn for a HD one?
That is my point. And if they do learn, they will go and spend a lot of money at a driving school-and their chances of getting hired driving a class 7 or 8 will depend on just how hot the economy is- or they will be willing to work for very low wages.
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9 hours ago, jpd80 said:
Tool Tryouts, excellent news…
thx for education😎
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On 5/2/2026 at 7:35 PM, 40 Mile said:
Thanks for posting this article. Great to read. Has good information.
Just my opinion, I thought the L-Series was a fair to good all around truck,
as I drove/worked on some at work locations.
Even now, seem to be some L-Series still in use.
They were a good bang for the buck to use an old phrase. I bought a good number of Louisvilles when I was in a staff job and when I went to a unit mgr operations job the company continued to buy them-in particular for my operation...until the weight issue and Freightliner agresiveness took over.
As I think I have said previously, IMO they should have stuck with the original truck with minor changes as a vocational truck. Thinking that they could make a dent in the OO market was a bad assumption. The Paccar twins for sure own that and it will be interesting just how well Mack makes out with their latest attempt at capturing a good share of that OO market.
And speaking of Mack, if there was a market they ruled here in the northeast, it was construction. Now unfortunately you are seeing many such fleets going to Paccar and Western Star. And Macks decision to no longer offer manual transmissions in their new trucks will probably accelerate that trend.
With many new CDL drivers road testing on automatics thereby restricting their license rating that may prove to support that decision but for the near term it will hurt them IMO.
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On 4/30/2026 at 12:41 PM, akirby said:
It's not that they can charge more per se - it's that they don't have to discount them much to sell. There might be incentives now on BS and Maverick but that's after significant ($8k+) price increases. Because BS and Maverick have virtually no direct competition. As opposed to Escape where even with great styling and features there are 8 or more worthy competitors and competition drives down ATPs. That's why they need dramatically lower cost to make it viable.Could they eke out a 2% margin on a better C2 Escape just through styling and features? Probably, but why tie up an entire factory for a 2% margin? Remember you have Nissan and the Koreans more than willing to cut prices for volume. Corsair and Nautilus charge a premium and they're low volume so they don't waste an entire factory.
It comes down to this - the juice isn't worth the squeeze for a direct c2 escape replacement. It needs to be something more premium and unique or be on a drastically cheaper platform.
Tall order that for some reason Ford can't do. My son helped my granddaughter buy a 21 Escape...She is college sophomore that is pursuing a major that will get her a real job. She loves her Ford! A future buyer.
I have to believe that most dealers thought this was a dumbass move.
And not to go off thread but what is the idea of the day from Mr Farley as far as playing nice with China? Are they a safe bet today or the end of the American auto industry??? Check the box Mr F🤔arley
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1 hour ago, twintornados said:
@Bob Rosadini, @7Mary3 or @Joe771476 what do you think?
I don't speak as an "expert" but correct no air brakes on a 600. I think one of the biggest attractions-besides 4WD- is the physical size is less intimidating to the driver vs the size of the 650. For sure it is a safer alternative to a 550 at 19,500 gvw that is always overloaded to the max.
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9 minutes ago, Bob Rosadini said:
Could be, but what threw me was it was
AK........As I was saying....It came up on the the log in to vote my shares..and perhaps it was another "senior" moment, but I'm sure it followed the proxy statement with a Ford "menu".
However, as I've previously posted, New England Ford Dealers have run TV spots this winter featuring typical snow plow footage but also a shot featuring a 650/750 dump pulling a tag trailer carrying a loader/backhoe.
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7 hours ago, akirby said:
But that's the only official Ford website. Anything else is probably a dealer site which Ford doesn't control.Could be, but what threw me was it was
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20 hours ago, rmc523 said:
So you're complaining about some random Ford site not having the MDs....
They're right here on Ford's website.......
I'm very familiar with that web site. So you are saying that it is ok for one Ford web site to be inconsistent with another?? And more importantly, if I found this Ford site while logging on to vote my shares- if I were another Ford shareholder that was considering buying more shares and wanted a better understanding of the product mix, this failure to carry class 5, 6, and 7 trucks would be acceptable????🤔
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17 hours ago, 7Mary3 said:
Thx, never knew the original agreement had such a term limit. Ford should benefit from this but I would bet they will be indifferent to this opportunity.
In voting my Ford shares yesterday I ended up on a Ford site that listed products. I clicked on trucks and guess what, no class 5, 6, or 7 trucks listed!
Handwriting on the wall??
On another note, I took the time to read the bio for each director. Aside from the four family members and Farley, the rest of the proposed directors appeared to me to be HR, financial, or PR types with no what I would call "heavy manufacturing" experience, with one exception, that being Mr. May, Deeres CEO.
Hopefully Bill Ford's commercial truck experience in his bio will bring some perspective, to say nothing of fact he is Chairman.
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On 12/24/2023 at 2:42 PM, Rick73 said:
Diesel is no doubt a large and important part of HD pickup market, and buyers should continue to have engine choices, including diesel if at all possible. However, having to eliminate diesel engines in pickup trucks doesn’t seem that big a burden, if it comes to that, provided it affects all manufacturers more or less equally. I recall when F-Series trucks (larger than pickups) in my area were essentially all gasoline with engines ranging from 240 to 534 cubic inches. Many old F-600 (pre F-650), for example, purchased to deliver furniture in town or work hard on the farm had 300 cubic inch six cylinder barely able to make more than 100 HP (by present net rating). Back then they would have killed for the 350 HP from modern Godzilla 7.3L V8. Perhaps offering different size gasoline engines again (meeting current-day power expectations) could help wean buyers off diesel; not that 350 HP won’t get the job done 99% of the time. Another possible replacement for diesel may be to augment 7.3L gasoline V8 with lots of electric HP and torque through hybrid electrification in order to match diesel economy and towing capabilities.
Very good..just saw this...534? You must be another old dude😎
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7 hours ago, rmc523 said:
why'd we dredge up a 2 year old topic?
Maybe a two billion lesson that can happen again when manufacturers think they can skirt regulatory issues?? PITA that regulation can be
Also gives me another soap box to talk about gasoline in class 6 and 7😎
New Light & Medium Duty News
in Ford Motor Company Discussion Forum
Posted
AK
You make my point. The fleet buyer sure does. In particular if he goes back to the old days and bought Louisvilles and then committed to HN-80..and then found out the new trucks he had recently took delivery of or had on order were gone..or maybe he was relieved that Daimler was the buyer and they would be serious about heavy trucks. And they were for 10 years until they came out with F'liners that duplicated the "Fords".
Now go to today's market. In Mass a very large distributor of recovery trucks-wreckers, roll backs, rotators- keeps a big inventory of completed units ready to go in service. Up to class 5, I would say Ford rules followed by Ram. Class 6 and 7?...International followed by F-liner, Paccar and lately Hino. Ford a minority.
Do 650/750 meet basic specs? Yes, but if a buyer wants air brakes and a gas engine? No luck -and do you think some buyers may view Ford's ever diminishing order guides a sign of things to come. Could be.
Remember, blowing up Bluediamond IMO was in part a "bone" thrown to UAW when production of 650/750 moved from Mexico to OAP. Yesterdays newspaper.