David Johnson

The volume is too low to justify any real investment. BMW sells over 500,000 3-series each year; what is the highest global figure for any Lincoln vehicle? When it comes time to redesign which do you think gets a $5 billion budget and which does not even get unique sheet metal?

Toy was down 7.3% (3.5% when adjusted for fewer selling days). Model breakdown: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories....7330&EDATE=

Does this mean the Netherlands is the new scapegoat for gas prices?

Huh? The Volt was covered on the primetime national news for all 3 networks when it was nothing more than an empty shell with a golf cart motor and a lead-acid battery. Let me know when you see a 7 minute segment about this vehicle on 60 Minutes. When GM invites AP reporters to drive the Volt you will see the exact same coverage. No conspiracies or persecution involved.

Right now Lincoln alone does not have enough volume for the dealers to compete with other luxury brands. 10 units per month does not allow dealers to have facilities of this caliber: http://groups.cardomain.com/groups/12040/pages/12340

In 10 years their pension obligations will still be $0. They are funding employee retirement plans up front rather than setting up an unfunded pyramid scheme.

The SRX has won buff book comparos for years and still can't sell due to its station wagon mien. I fear this vehicle will suffer the same fate. I doubt Dr. Rapaille would have green-lighted this design.

For those who may not get the reference: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18923357/

Those are the figure they are printing on the window stickers.

Have you asked the dealer to give you one? If it is the same triangle CAF that the '07 introduced then it is only a $14 part.

If they want to reduce unsprung weight they are going to have to use more expensive forged wheels. Cast aluminum wheels are no lighter than the bainitic and DUAL-TEN steel wheels that many OEMs now use.

Who ever thought that an unfunded pyramid scheme would eventually collapse?

Ford must realize that these reviews are seen by thousands and in some cases millions of individuals. If they are sending out vehicles for review without at least spending one day ensuring that they are the beau ideal of the model then they are just plain sloppy. If they think the vehicle is no longer representative of what customers can expect then it is a small matter to send it along to Manheim and pull another off the line.

Did they get the design pre-approved by CR?

What do you base that assumption on? The 130i starts at $9000 above the most expensive Mondeo and the 135i will be $13-15k more.