Fifth Gear Reviews the Mondeo

[BlackHorse]

It's a good review aside from the cheesy James Bond crap the guy pulls at the very end.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVB-mlIE3VA

[Pioneer]

The steering wheel is already on the correct side. Why is it not sold here? To protect the Fusion?

 

I can't believe the shortsightedness of FoA.

[BlackHorse]

The steering wheel is already on the correct side. Why is it not sold here? To protect the Fusion?

 

I can't believe the shortsightedness of FoA.

 

Well, to be fair Pioneer. If you sold the car featured in this video here in the states I don't think you're going to be able to buy it for the 26 grand a loaded Fusion would go for. Probably more like 33 to 35 grand.

[Pioneer]

Well, to be fair Pioneer. If you sold the car featured in this video here in the states I don't think you're going to be able to buy it for the 26 grand a loaded Fusion would go for. Probably more like 33 to 35 grand.

 

If your going to compare the loaded Mondeo to anything, it would be better to use the MkZ. That is a loaded Fusion.

[jonas1022]

I like that sedan! Er- salon. I wouldn't buy it if it were here, but I like it well enough that if I needed a sedan they would have a sale. I just don't need a sedan.

 

Fusion protection? Maybe. I doubt it though. More like they needed the Fusion/Contour before this car was ready. Then there is the thing about using it for a year or a decade someplace else before we get the dang thing. Same sequence happened with the Escort, the Focus, the Mazda6, the old Contour....ad infinitum.

[BlackHorse]

If your going to compare the loaded Mondeo to anything, it would be better to use the MkZ. That is a loaded Fusion.

 

MKZ probably is a better comparative. I only say Fusion because you made that comment about protecting the Fusion.

[Pioneer]

MKZ probably is a better comparative. I only say Fusion because you made that comment about protecting the Fusion.

 

I guess CD3 would have been better in my first post. Sorry.

[RichardJensen]

Why is it not sold here?

Because it makes more money over there.

 

If you charged -the same price- (if you COULD charge the same price) in the U.S. that you charge, aggregate, in Europe, you'd still be eating the amortized cost of federalization AND cost of transportation.

 

And how would that help Ford U.S.?

 

It wouldn't draw new buyers to any other product. It's not -like- any other product.

 

All it would do is generate a cult following of people that would subsequently develop an entitlement complex, and would feel that in taking a hit on transportation and federalization, Ford was doing no more than the bare minimum--cue grousing about failure to keep up with the joneses, and in the end a vehicle priced in BMW 3-series range with similar accoutrements would not sell so well, it would be canceled, and there would be great rending of garments and tossing of dust into the air.

 

One good thing would happen: Likely many annoying people would swear off Ford products forever, and would do what they've secretly wanted to do for years: buy used BMWs.

 

Am I exaggerating? Sure. Why not? It's totally a hypothetical question.

[RichardJensen]

As a loyal fan, I feel they owe me.

 

[Biker16]

Because it makes more money over there.

 

If you charged -the same price- (if you COULD charge the same price) in the U.S. that you charge, aggregate, in Europe, you'd still be eating the amortized cost of federalization AND cost of transportation.

 

And how would that help Ford U.S.?

 

It wouldn't draw new buyers to any other product. It's not -like- any other product.

 

All it would do is generate a cult following of people that would subsequently develop an entitlement complex, and would feel that in taking a hit on transportation and federalization, Ford was doing no more than the bare minimum--cue grousing about failure to keep up with the joneses, and in the end a vehicle priced in BMW 3-series range with similar accoutrements would not sell so well, it would be canceled, and there would be great rending of garments and tossing of dust into the air.

 

One good thing would happen: Likely many annoying people would swear off Ford products forever, and would do what they've secretly wanted to do for years: buy used BMWs.

 

Am I exaggerating? Sure. Why not? It's totally a hypothetical question.

 

it is simply a better product.

 

It is a more expensive product.

 

We all want the best for our children

[DCK]

I don't think the question should be "why isn't the mondeo sold here?" because you'll have the typical responses from the regulars. The question should then be asked is why isn't FNA giving putting their best foot forward and giving us the best product they can give us for a competitive price? I don't see a product in Fords line-up that was given their best effort, even with the constraints they face............Fords line-up in the US consists of after thoughts, half ass efforts and dated products that can't compete. Things are not improving fast enough. The New Taurus is the only product that I see that can be argued as one of the best products for the price in its segment. Am I wrong? Please correct me.

Edited September 9, 2007 by DCK

[RichardJensen]

Well, let's think about -THIS- while we're engaging in pure hypotheticals.

 

The Mondeo hits the EU market about 20 months after the Fusion goes on sale in the U.S.:

 

Would you prefer that Ford -NOT- launch the Fusion (and the Milan and MKZ) until 2007?

 

Or do you want the EUCD Mondeo to have gone on sale pretty much 2 or 3 months after EUCD was given the greenlight?

 

I mean face it people, the Fusion was in the works -years- before the EUCD Mondeo.

 

You can't, in short, have your cake and eat it too.

 

Oh, and anyone that considers the Fusion to be an afterthought is being unrealistic.

[RichardJensen]

See in the real world, you don't decide between "The absolutely super perfect 100% right everyone is happy we all fart sunshine and rainbows" choice and the "dogs and cats will be marrying each other and you'll have a complete moral breakdown" choice, you choose between two options with varying drawbacks.

 

It is exceedingly unrealistic to paint the choices made by Ford as irredeemably bad, while simultaneously asserting that there is some alternative choice with no drawbacks whatsoever.

Edited September 9, 2007 by RichardJensen

[DCK]

Well, let's think about -THIS- while we're engaging in pure hypotheticals.

 

The Mondeo hits the EU market about 20 months after the Fusion goes on sale in the U.S.:

 

Would you prefer that Ford -NOT- launch the Fusion (and the Milan and MKZ) until 2007?

 

Or do you want the EUCD Mondeo to have gone on sale pretty much 2 or 3 months after EUCD was given the greenlight?

 

I mean face it people, the Fusion was in the works -years- before the EUCD Mondeo.

 

You can't, in short, have your cake and eat it too.

 

Oh, and anyone that considers the Fusion to be an afterthought is being unrealistic.

The Fusion isn't an afterthought(Focus, Escape, ranger, explorer, expedition, all of linclns current line-up, all of mercury's current line-up are) but it was created with the mindset of competing against 4-5 year old products from competitors who were replacing them just months after the fusion launched.

 

I realize that to incorporate European and American products onto the same platforms it has to line-up with timing and product cycles may have to be extended or shortened, which is what will be happening in 2011-2012. But the group of products currently on Fords lotshuld not be in the shape they are in period. This isn't about why we don't have European products, but why do we have our current products that we have, WTF was ford NA thinking?

[suv_guy_19]

The Fusion isn't an afterthought(Focus, Escape, ranger, explorer, expedition, all of linclns current line-up, all of mercury's current line-up are) but it was created with the mindset of competing against 4-5 year old products from competitors who were replacing them just months after the fusion launched.

 

I realize that to incorporate European and American products onto the same platforms it has to line-up with timing and product cycles may have to be extended or shortened, which is what will be happening in 2011-2012. But the group of products currently on Fords lotshuld not be in the shape they are in period. This isn't about why we don't have European products, but why do we have our current products that we have, WTF was ford NA thinking?

 

 

Even though I disagree with almost everything you say, I'm going to take issue with just one thing. How is the Expedition, arguably best in its class, an afterthought?

[RichardJensen]

it was created with the mindset of competing against 4-5 year old products from competitors who were replacing them just months after the fusion launched.

I totally disagree. The Fusion is, IMO, priced about perfect for its value proposition. It is not seen as, objectively it probably is not, the equal of the Camry or the Accord. But then it doesn't cost as much as they do.

 

In terms of style and reliability and 'sport' it's better than the Koreans, and it's priced ahead of them too.

 

The Fusion is an exceptionally good vehicle, given Ford's 'Rip Van Winkle' approach to passenger cars, and measured against its competition, it is a solid entry with some readily defined strengths.

 

----

 

As for the Escape and Focus being 'afterthoughts', that is a mischaracterization; I assure you there was plenty of thought that went into both those models.

 

The fact that you don't particularly -care- for the net output of that thought is immaterial.

[BlackHorse]

Ok the farting sunshine and rainbows thing was funny as hell. I had to write that one down. Ok, back to the show.

[DCK]

I totally disagree. The Fusion is, IMO, priced about perfect for its value proposition. It is not seen as, objectively it probably is not, the equal of the Camry or the Accord. But then it doesn't cost as much as they do.

 

In terms of style and reliability and 'sport' it's better than the Koreans, and it's priced ahead of them too.

 

The Fusion is an exceptionally good vehicle, given Ford's 'Rip Van Winkle' approach to passenger cars, and measured against its competition, it is a solid entry with some readily defined strengths.

 

----

 

As for the Escape and Focus being 'afterthoughts', that is a mischaracterization; I assure you there was plenty of thought that went into both those models.

 

The fact that you don't particularly -care- for the net output of that thought is immaterial.

Ford doesn't need a car that is slightly better than the Koreans but not as good as the Japanese, but priced under they japanese. They needed a car that roared into the market place the same way the previous genration Atima did and demanded a presence and an audience. The fusion is a step in the right direction, and maybe it wasn't possible to make the full step in one model, but regardless it isn't what it needed to be. Ford dhouldn't be about being a bargain bin brand, they need to compete against the japanese. They need to pull in more money from transactions.

[MKII]

My question -Why has Ford not been more forward thinking with the amortized cost of federalization in future planned vehicles.

Why does Ford N.A. seem not to have considered this , I ask this because even in many articles and Mulally himself has asked similar questions such as why don't we have that car in North America (referring to the Mondeo). Internally in Ford N.A. and many here seem not to like the idea and treat this as a anti American scenario. Is Mulally being like the character from the Simpson as RJ psoted earlier, or anti-American by thinking this way about the Mondeo, or he is too new to the game and is ignorant to the facts or excuses we here over and over.

Edited September 9, 2007 by MKII

[joihan777]

The 5th Gear guy thought this car could easily compete with more expensive vehicles.

"Suddenly, 30-40k# cars are going to seem...ridiculous." So the features & quality exist.

I also like the bit about Ford [of Europe] going after BMW. Why stop there?

 

Will future Mondeo & Fusions align? Will their styling merge? Even a little?

 

Lucky Brits

[MKII]

And how would that help Ford U.S.?

 

It wouldn't draw new buyers to any other product. It's not -like- any other product.

 

One good thing would happen: Likely many annoying people would swear off Ford products forever, and would do what they've secretly wanted to do for years: buy used BMWs.

 

"hypothetica response" not to be construde as fact

 

It would help Ford U.S. by adding some credibility or at least maybe change consumers perceptions outside of the usual Ford consumers perception of what Ford is offering. You know all those consumers purchasing Accords, Camrys, TSXs, etc, not just the consumers with the Blue Oval tattooed on their foreheads from central Nebraska or some other rural area of the U.S.A. who could not care less about a fancy pants Ford car.

 

You don't think maybe that the new Mondeo would attract consumers shopping (as you say $$$) in the upper medium segment who are considering such vehicles as TSX, BMW 3 series, Audi A4, even loaded Accords and Camrys etc to at least find there way into a Ford showroom to see what all the fuss is about with this new Mondeo? If you are breathing or have been the least bit alive I am sure you have read or heard something about this new European Ford called Mondeo, even though the car is not being sold in North America.

 

My opinion is that the new Mondeo would take sales from BMW and others in the C/D segments, and generate very good conquest sales, which is a good thing for Ford. Opinion based on - Its happening here in Europe albeit different market place, it is possible that it could happen in North America as well. At least this is what FoE and auto rags in Europe are reporting regarding conquest sales.

BMW demographics seem pretty much the same be it in Europe or North America. .Important disclaimer " Not to be construde as facts from myself."

 

The new Mondeo is a very impressive car when seen in the flesh IMO, a car that I think would make a great impression to the North American consumer, not just the blue oval consumer . Its exactly (IMO) what Ford of America needs to change the general perception of the North American consumer of what a Ford car is, and more importantly consumers who will not and have not considered Ford cars in there past/ future purchase plans, just maybe would consider this new Mondeo a reason to purchase a Ford car or once inside a Ford showroom even maybe an Edge etc. (My assumption)

 

Would it be benefical for Ford if they could find a way to change consumers perception of Ford cars? Are you saying the Mondeo is not good enough or has not garnered tremedous attention from the auto press, car enthusiasts, or even the person that saw the latest James Bond film. Are you denyiny that people are asking why this car is not sold in North America, or is this some kind of fluff generated by internet bozos.

Or do you know something that all these people don't ,including Mr. Alan Mulally whom seems to think pretty much the same thoughts about this beautiful car.(At least Mulally has been quoted "asking why this car is not sold in America) so I think it is safe to assume he thunk this thought. No I did not personaly here Alan say these words so yes it is possible his quote has been filtered by some nitwit journalists.

 

I am sure (with Alan Mulallys assistance and manufactured in N.A.) Ford of America could figure out which features are not important to the North American consumer and make the price point very attractive(My assumption not fact). Features are one thing but featuers do not make a car what it is, features are just the trimmings, and the new Mondeo IMO has the fortifude or substance in its most basic spec to be perceived as a very high quality vehicle(again just my assumption not to be construde as fact). Cache is a good thing and the Mondeo has it in spades IMO.(my own personal thoughts after seeing the car and driving it and not fact)

 

Even the German journalists from the auto rags are saying good things about the Mondeo. Now that is rare.

 

Disclaimer ""hypothetica response" not to be construde as fact" for all you lawyer types or word chewers or wanna be lawyer types.

Edited September 9, 2007 by MKII

[silvrsvt]

Why does Ford N.A. seem not to have considered this

 

 

It boils down to the internal politics that are inside of Ford. If you really think about it, look at what happened to the two previous world cars that where built by Ford: The Escort in FNA shared just the name and blue oval on the car and the Monedo/Contour was disaster for Ford in FNA. You could argue that the Focus was a last minute hack job that was only brought over to the States since they didn't have anything else to use Stateside in the C category and its wonderful launch was a reflection of this. There was and is still lots of people who are very leary of doing a world wide project because they haven't been great successes for ford.

 

This is also manifesting itself with the next generation styling of Ford products: Ford's "Dave" look and the Kincinitc design of Europe...FNA doesn't want give up its design, just because they are sharing FOE platforms and let them drive what cars look like over here.

[MKII]

It boils down to the internal politics that are inside of Ford. If you really think about it, look at what happened to the two previous world cars that where built by Ford: The Escort in FNA shared just the name and blue oval on the car and the Monedo/Contour was disaster for Ford in FNA. You could argue that the Focus was a last minute hack job that was only brought over to the States since they didn't have anything else to use Stateside in the C category and its wonderful launch was a reflection of this. There was and is still lots of people who are very leary of doing a world wide project because they haven't been great successes for ford.

 

This is also manifesting itself with the next generation styling of Ford products: Ford's "Dave" look and the Kincinitc design of Europe...FNA doesn't want give up its design, just because they are sharing FOE platforms and let them drive what cars look like over here.

 

So you are saying Ford of America lives in the past and has no confidence in itself, and did not or is not capable of learning from past experiences?

[Blue II]

The steering wheel is already on the correct side. Why is it not sold here? To protect the Fusion?

 

I can't believe the shortsightedness of FoA.

 

As we all know, the models offered by FOA and FOE were planned before Mullaly arrived. Now that Ford is being restructured from top to bottom and platform sharing will happen there will not be a need to wish for a Mondeo. It's a done deal.

 

You will like the next Fusion and MKZ.

 

Looking back and complaining about FOA doesn't accomplish one thing. That's history. The future product mix is not too hard to figure out. What do you like/dislike about any future products. Now is the time to speak up. Stop worring about the past, it connot be changed.

[Blue II]

I don't think the question should be "why isn't the mondeo sold here?" because you'll have the typical responses from the regulars. The question should then be asked is why isn't FNA giving putting their best foot forward and giving us the best product they can give us for a competitive price? I don't see a product in Fords line-up that was given their best effort, even with the constraints they face............Fords line-up in the US consists of after thoughts, half ass efforts and dated products that can't compete. Things are not improving fast enough. The New Taurus is the only product that I see that can be argued as one of the best products for the price in its segment. Am I wrong? Please correct me.

 

Mulally is trying to change a culture that is deep rooted and decades old. He is moving as fast as is prudent. Excellent product is in the cycle plan. It requires patience. Until Ford rights this ship they will loose sales. Everybody on the inside thinks Mulally can do it. Give him a chance here on BON.