HOW FORD WILL SAVE MERCURY

[calypsocoral]

From what I've read here, if this article is mercury's future, then they'll still be a Ford rebadge and the strategy wouldn't have changed at all.

 

-Next Gen Fusion and Mondeo are one in the same, and there will be a CD3 Milan next year, so a Mondeo would be redundant now. If Mercury gets a Mondeo based vehicle, it'll be the global CD car and not mercury exclusive in NA

-Next Gen Escape and Kuga are apparently one in the same. Again, it would be redundant now (they already have the Mariner) and if mercury does get it, it'll be a Ford version

-Next Gen Focus is global. Unless Mercury is getting the current Euro focus very soon, it won't be Mercury exclusive. Even then, it won't be Mercury exclusive for long. There will be a unique Mercury C car (form some Ford document that was on here a while ago), maybe it'll just be a Focus rebadge.

 

S-Max? Maybe. There's nothing like it in the US right now, except the mazda 5, which isn't selling well.

Focus CC. Maybe. Would at least be unique provided Ford doens't also make on vert in the US with the C2

 

 

Look, folks, it's really quite simple.

 

The upcoming C2 Focus may make it to the states-- but not after a bit of a dumbing-down. Why? Because Americans won't pay $20K for a Focus.

 

Now a Mercury, on the other hand...

 

Give Ford the Focus sedan and 5-door hatchback. Give Mercury a sedan, a "shooting brake" 3-door hatch, a coupe-- and I mean a REAL coupe, not the 2-door SEDAN that Ford currently sells-- a matching cabriolet with a possible retractable hard-top, and a C-MAX MPV. 4 unique models right there, with EU-spec trim (or as close to it as US laws and ergonomics allow) and suspension settings.

 

As for the Fiesta? Let Ford keep that. With only sedan, 3-door, and 5-door hatch variants, it would be difficult to give Mercury some differentiation.

 

Give Ford the "Americanized" Mondeo/Fusion sedan. Give Mercury the EU sedan and 5-door hatch. Also, let Mercury do a version of the S-MAX. Now we have 6 unique Mercury models, with minimal fuss.

[dante hicks]

Why would anyone want a Datsun these days?

 

I'd like one. A 240z or 260z would be pretty cool.

[Ford Jellymoulds]

Exciting cars have been banned at Ford and Mercury, its gotta be something very dull and boring a 240Z is way to exciting it might be something you and l might want from Mercury but its not what Ford/Mercury's bland dull weak percieved idea of what we want never will be your wasting your time anything exciting only falls on deaf ears at Ford only steel panels pressed out in corporate plain ugly and boring is their idea of what they think we want, 240Z does not fit the bill so Mercury will be just another brand name that will go under.

 

240Z its just not boring, dull, cold and bland enough it just won't do?

 

[jpd80]

Look, folks, it's really quite simple.

 

The upcoming C2 Focus may make it to the states-- but not after a bit of a dumbing-down. Why? Because Americans won't pay $20K for a Focus.

Changing from Mk 1 Focus to C1 Focus in the rest of the world, resulted in minimal price increases.

So forget notions of decontenting, I think there will be no appreciable change in price.

[Ford Jellymoulds]

Look, folks, it's really quite simple.

 

The upcoming C2 Focus may make it to the states-- but not after a bit of a dumbing-down. Why? Because Americans won't pay $20K for a Focus.

 

The European Focus Cabriolet Convertible you said you want does not cost $20,000 it costs $39,329

http://www.whatcar.com/car-review-equipmen...91&ED=49954

 

Changing from Mk 1 Focus to C1 Focus in the rest of the world, resulted in minimal price increases.

So forget notions of decontenting, I think there will be no appreciable change in price.

 

Ford Focus with the level of equipment Americans can't get by without sells for $35,761 in the UK you going to be in for a bit of a shock then

 

http://www.whatcar.com/car-review-equipmen...91&ED=55085

Edited September 21, 2008 by Ford Jellymoulds

[Pioneer]

Because Americans won't pay $20K for a Focus.

 

People already are. Everytime you see a Focus SEL or SES, those are one option away from 20k. Hell, the one I plan on ordering in Feb. will sticker for over $21k. It will be even easier when the Fiesta takes over the Focus price point.

[BORG]

People already are. Everytime you see a Focus SEL or SES, those are one option away from 20k. Hell, the one I plan on ordering in Feb. will sticker for over $21k. It will be even easier when the Fiesta takes over the Focus price point.

 

Yup, the Focus is apparently more appealing to shoppers than the larger I4 Ford Fusion. For once, people are shopping fuel economy and features over pure size. Hopefully the 2010 Fusion will pick things up quite a bit.

[Mark B. Morrow]

I'm not being negative...just real.

 

Do you think Mercury would get the same ratings if they sold the same volume as, say, Toyota? HELL NO!

 

 

I hope you are kidding P. You are aware that Mercury's current offerings are built on the same assembly lines as the Fords. They are interspersed with Fusions,Taurus, Explorers and Crown Vics. Mercury's "volume" has nothing to do with it's build quality. The customer satisfaction ratings probably have a lot to do with the dealer experience.

Edited September 21, 2008 by Mark B. Morrow

[FordBuyer]

I'm not sure what he's talking about here, I don't think Mercury will be getting any original products without supporting volume from a Ford branded version. I would be surprised to see a Mercury Kuga but not Ford version (just one possible example).

 

I'm glad Mercury is staying around, but I don't think John McElroy knows what he's talking about, time will tell.

 

The trick will be to keep Mercury afloat until help can arrive. Mercury seems to be losing more sales volume every month that goes by.

[P71_CrownVic]

Prove that it wouldn't happen. Mercury has high results now. That's a fact. What you have put forward is simply speculation.

 

What is happening to Toyota and their quality ratings RIGHT NOW?

[Ford Jellymoulds]

What is happening to Toyota and their quality ratings RIGHT NOW?

 

Tundra's quality must be rock bottom in reality but no doubt their owners will think the sunshines out of Toyota's arsehole regardless and rate them high as usual in a customer quality satisfaction survey and win Pick-up of the year voted in by their owners.

 

Skoda's are like Toyota in Europe they are crap but their owners keep voting them tops maybe to piss everybody else off l guess.

 

Gotta say l never see many broken down Fords these days maybe Ford owners are a bit more honest, fussy nit pickers & grumpy before their time like you.

[stpatrick90]

build something people want..not what they think we want...quality is everything..merc has a terrible record of building quality vehicles...most of the vehicles are shit

 

Wow, really that's news to me that Mercury quality is terrible. I better go and tell my wife that we have to get rid of our 2002 Mercury Sable that has had over 200,000 trouble free miles, wow our Sable is such a POS. Oh and while we're at I better tell my Stepmom to get rid of her 2005 Montego, because we all know that thing is going to fall apart.

 

Do you sense the sarcasm? Do some research before you talk out your a__, as someone as has pointed out, Mercury consistently scores extremely well in quality/customer satisfaction surveys.

[P71_CrownVic]

Gotta say l never see many broken down Fords these days maybe Ford owners are a bit more honest, fussy nit pickers & grumpy before their time like you.

 

When I am spending thousands of my hard earned Dollars (or Pounds for you), I have every damn right to expect quality. A customer shouldn't have the option to pay MORE for an interior that isn't complete shit...ala Mustang IUP.

[Edstock]

an interior that isn't complete shit...ala Mustang IUP.

You're entitled to your opinion. Most people would disagree, and such is the level of design in the industry that there are no products sold today in North America that are "complete shit". Some are better than others, but "complete shit"? In your dreams, for sure, but nowhere else.

[P71_CrownVic]

You're entitled to your opinion. Most people would disagree, and such is the level of design in the industry that there are no products sold today in North America that are "complete shit". Some are better than others, but "complete shit"? In your dreams, for sure, but nowhere else.

 

I think the piss poor quality of the '05+ Mustang interior was a bigger complaint than the SRA. I have not sat in a car that used cheaper materials and sounded more hollow than the '05+ Mustangs. And we still have a 1991 Ford Escort!

Edited September 21, 2008 by P71_CrownVic

[Ford Jellymoulds]

When I am spending thousands of my hard earned Dollars (or Pounds for you), I have every damn right to expect quality. A customer shouldn't have the option to pay MORE for an interior that isn't complete shit...ala Mustang IUP.

 

Gotta say l like the Mustang interior it looked SUPERB to me, l wish l could buy one in the UK your lucky you get the option we don't.

[P71_CrownVic]

Gotta say l like the Mustang interior it looked SUPERB to me, l wish l could buy one in the UK your lucky you get the option we don't.

 

It it were me...that would be one car you could have...ugly exterior and terrible interior...all of it. It would be yours.

 

But, honestly...this looks terrible:

 

Edited September 21, 2008 by P71_CrownVic

[snooter]

Wow, really that's news to me that Mercury quality is terrible. I better go and tell my wife that we have to get rid of our 2002 Mercury Sable that has had over 200,000 trouble free miles, wow our Sable is such a POS. Oh and while we're at I better tell my Stepmom to get rid of her 2005 Montego, because we all know that thing is going to fall apart.

 

Do you sense the sarcasm? Do some research before you talk out your a__, as someone as has pointed out, Mercury consistently scores extremely well in quality/customer satisfaction surveys.

 

sure they score well....with merc's targeted market now in nursing homes its easy to get a high quality score as geriatics will sign anything you place in front of them...merc needs a complete metamorphis such as has occured at cadillac..problem is ford does not have the money and for the most part the gig of merc is up....time to go

Edited September 21, 2008 by snooter

[Ford Jellymoulds]

It it were me...that would be one car you could have...ugly exterior and terrible interior...all of it. It would be yours.

 

But, honestly...this looks terrible:

 

 

We will have to do a deal 'P' Mustang for a Mondeo

 

[P71_CrownVic]

We will have to do a deal 'P' Mustang for a Mondeo

 

Done.

[stpatrick90]

sure they score well....with merc's targeted market now in nursing homes its easy to get a high quality score as geriatics will sign anything you place in front of them...merc needs a complete metamorphis such as has occured at cadillac..problem is ford does not have the money and for the most part the gig of merc is up....time to go

 

Wow really, I am a geriatric too? Far from it actually, I actually just graduated from college this last spring. Mercury is going to experience this "metamorphosis" that you speak of in the not so distant future. Mercury is going to be shifting to smaller premium vehicles, I would say that is a fairly radical change from what they currently produce. On a side note, how can the quality of Mercury vehicles be so terrible when their Ford counterparts have this quality that now rivals Toyota's? Also why would geriatrics in a nursing home need a car? I don't know about where you live but where I live none of the people that live in nursing homes have a car the last time I checked.

[snooter]

Wow really, I am a geriatric too? Far from it actually, I actually just graduated from college this last spring. Mercury is going to experience this "metamorphosis" that you speak of in the not so distant future. Mercury is going to be shifting to smaller premium vehicles, I would say that is a fairly radical change from what they currently produce. On a side note, how can the quality of Mercury vehicles be so terrible when their Ford counterparts have this quality that now rivals Toyota's? Also why would geriatrics in a nursing home need a car? I don't know about where you live but where I live none of the people that live in nursing homes have a car the last time I checked.

 

and you gleemed all this in college or from the bottom of a bong?

[timmm55]

It it were me...that would be one car you could have...ugly exterior and terrible interior...all of it. It would be yours.

 

But, honestly...this looks terrible:

 

 

It's your opinion, and you are pretty much alone in this. The Mustang's exterior styling has been universally praised in it's redesign in 05.

 

This sums up a typical 05 Mustang review:

http://www.automotive.com/2005/12/ford/mus...iews/index.html

 

The new Mustang represents a clean-sheet design, riding on an all-new platform. It's faster, more agile and better looking than ever. It rides smoother, The interior is beautifully done.

 

The interior is far from "terrible", quite comfortable IMHO....and I drive one every day. Since then, it's been passed up in terms of materials since 05....progress marches on! Hence the refresh.

Edited September 21, 2008 by timmm55

[Edstock]

and you gleemed all this in college or from the bottom of a bong?

Gee, stpatrick90 probably got his opinions just by living, gleaning facts and arriving at conclusions.

 

Whether stpatrick90 "gleemed" or not, is an interesting question. What's "gleeming"? How do you "gleem"? Do you inhale when you "gleem", or do you chug the bong water? Please supply details.

Edited September 21, 2008 by Edstock

[2005Explorer]

It it were me...that would be one car you could have...ugly exterior and terrible interior...all of it. It would be yours.

 

But, honestly...this looks terrible:

 

 

Who would buy a Mustang that looked like that inside other then Hertz? You can find a lot of cars that look pretty crappy in their base trim. I do agree however the interior of the 2005+ Mustangs was a poor effort. The 2009 looks much better just by making some styling changes and improving the quality of the materials and switchgear.