Deanh Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 If it is a quick reimbursement of cash like a factory rebate that's one thing..this is a whole other animal Deanh. Some dealers are borrowing money to pay for the difference floorplan deficit because they haven't been paid yet. This program is eating into future sales. To each his own,I guess. It might be good for salesperson morale...hopefully your store gets fully funded...how will morale be when dealers are denied funding,and have to get the cars back or eat the loss...do you think they won't charge sales pay back? fingers crossed of course...but i dare say class action lawsuits will become vogue if dealers get "screwed" in any ways....doubt chargebacks to the sales force....the people I work for have pretty high ethics... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 (edited) Deanh Is you dealership having trouble getting the rebate $ within a reasonable amount of time? Are you having any trouble proving to the feds that the "klunker" was destroyed. BTW I loved your earlier comment on Harley noise. It sounds like flatulence and only makes about 80hp. Yeah, an Aprillia or Ducati V-twin sounds like a small block V8 to me. nope, we have been "liquid Glassing" the vehicles on a constant basis, as for re-imbursement I think our business office is doing a fine job and I hear of no rumblings, as long as all documentation is supplied up front. Yep, NOT a harley fan, too many So Cal poseurs on the bikes with attitudes...to each his own i guess...me VIVA LA ITALIA!....one day an Agusta will be mine...oh wait Harley bought em out...shite...oh well some sacrifices will have to be made.... Edited August 11, 2009 by Deanh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 This is one of, if not the most popular conquest vehicle for Ford, which should give FoE diehards pause as to what a real 'import fighter' looks like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenCaylor Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 2010's AND entirely dependent on the turn in vehicle..FORGET Fords site....the REAL site is cars.gov...THEY, not Ford give the program parameters. and beleive me, based on a multitude of conversations the public is either oblivious to that fact or just plain lazy and want us to hold their hands and do a majority of the legwork....or just plain argue....ahem! OK. Just checked with cars.gov and the Edge and Flex are considered Catagory 1 trucks so only need a minimum of 18 vs 22 mpgs to qualify. The EcoBoost Flex is rated at 18. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 OK. Just checked with cars.gov and the Edge and Flex are considered Catagory 1 trucks so only need a minimum of 18 vs 22 mpgs to qualify. The EcoBoost Flex is rated at 18. I have yet to have a Flex qualify...oh, and try and get an eco flex before the program ends...its an 2010.......and if memory serves me right the 2010 Flexys rate 1 MPG BETTER than the 09's.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 OK. Just checked with cars.gov and the Edge and Flex are considered Catagory 1 trucks so only need a minimum of 18 vs 22 mpgs to qualify. The EcoBoost Flex is rated at 18. we HAVE done a few wEdges..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 OK. Just checked with cars.gov and the Edge and Flex are considered Catagory 1 trucks so only need a minimum of 18 vs 22 mpgs to qualify. The EcoBoost Flex is rated at 18.and if memory serves me right that means the potential turn is has to be 16 or less....sheesh...convoluted program to say the least...i even had one guy that qualified one day only to NOT qualify the next!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 The point of the article is most Ford customers do NOT buy cars in that class ! Or to say it the other way, customers in that class typically do not buy Ford products ! 40,000 units per year, even if you are making a reasonable profit on each one, is not enough to sustain production of that vehicle. The profits must be high enough to pay all of the suppliers, the workers and the utility bills with enough left over to fund the next generation and still leave some money in the check book. Well, a while back, Limited models were making up the largest percentage of Flex sales. Also, the costs of developing the Flex are spread out across it's D3 platform-mates (Flex, Taurus, MKT, and MKS). I agree with you, but from what I understand it's not likely. I thought it was all but set in stone the Explorer would be another CUV? SUV's are a dying breed, and the sales aren't exactly setting the world on fire. The Flex definitely isn't for me, but I can't say it isn't a nice vehicle. I'm near Baltimore for a spell, and I got a chance to ride in one doing TAXI duty Nice riding vehicle...comfortable, nice interior. I don't like the looks but its a love it or hate it thing. BTW, traffic was really backed up behind a slow moving vehicle in the left lane of 95N.....it was a Transit Connect unfortunately driving REALLY slowly The next explorer is (apparently) to be similar to the current model in looks, it'll just be a FWD/AWD D3 platform model, rather than the BOF, RWD/4/AWD model it's been in the past. As for the TC in the left lane - I have a few theories about that: 1) may just be a slow driver (if it's anything up there like it is down here, that's the case) 2) being a new model, the driver (and passenger?) may've been distracted playing with some of it's features, etc. Isn't CD3 going away sometime in the near future? That could explain it... I guess it's to be "merged" with EUCD. I have yet to have a Flex qualify...oh, and try and get an eco flex before the program ends...its an 2010.......and if memory serves me right the 2010 Flexys rate 1 MPG BETTER than the 09's.... I think only the FWD models (regular 3.5) recieve a 1 MPG bump on their highway rating - I could be wrong, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 so towing capability (and the get-up-and-go you mentioned) could still theoretically be retained (if not improved), although I think am thinknig more in the range of 5500-6500 lbs, 5500. Trust me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retropia Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Vehicles like Flex and the new Taurus are no doubt part of Ford's plan to rebuild the brand's reputation in cars. There were many years where Ford let its reputation in cars slide, in order to focus on the profits generated in trucks and SUVs. It will take awhile to rebuild that reputation. As new Ford cars continue to improve, the general public will find it easier accepting higher prices on Ford cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenCaylor Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 and if memory serves me right that means the potential turn is has to be 16 or less....sheesh...convoluted program to say the least...i even had one guy that qualified one day only to NOT qualify the next!!!!! Complicated? That's for sure. I tried to find absolutely the lowest mpg Ford vehicle. The worst I could find was a late 80's 4WD Ford truck with a 351 and an auto. 11 mpg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 5500. Trust me. Okay, so it's 5500. That's still more than you should realistically be towing with a vehicle that size anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Okay, so it's 5500. That's still more than you should realistically be towing with a vehicle that size anyway. Agreed! I tow ~6500 with my F150 SuperCrew, and it is plenty for that size vehicle. Why anyone would tow that with a mid-size SUV, even the current gen Explorer, is beyond me. Sure it has the power, but does it have the brakes and stability? A co-worker nearly had a terrible accident towing 4k lbs with an Explorer due to a tail wagging the dog scenario. He now has a Tahoe to pull his travel trailer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Agreed! I tow ~6500 with my F150 SuperCrew, and it is plenty for that size vehicle. Why anyone would tow that with a mid-size SUV, even the current gen Explorer, is beyond me. Sure it has the power, but does it have the brakes and stability? A co-worker nearly had a terrible accident towing 4k lbs with an Explorer due to a tail wagging the dog scenario. He now has a Tahoe to pull his travel trailer. I saw an older Hyundai Sonata hauling a pop-up trailer the other day. From behind it looked like the trailer was driving itself down the road because the freaking car was hidden entirely in front of it. Couldn't even see the side mirrors. Some people shouldn't be allowed to drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I saw an older Hyundai Sonata hauling a pop-up trailer the other day. From behind it looked like the trailer was driving itself down the road because the freaking car was hidden entirely in front of it. Couldn't even see the side mirrors. Some people shouldn't be allowed to drive. Here is a prime example of someone who shouldn't be allowed to drive: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 What makes you think the new Explorer will be any smaller than the Flex? my guess is it will be...and NO 3rd row seat is necessary ( 99% of customers never wanted it to begin with ).........want 3 rows,,,get the Flex. +1 !! I could not agree with you more !! I hope the 3rd seat option gets dropped from the Explorer. Seemed like just a way to run up the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Here is a prime example of someone who shouldn't be allowed to drive: :nonono: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 (edited) Without any real info, but just guessing like the rest of you....I'm guessing the new Explorer will be a tad shorter than the current model, more like some of the older Explorers in length. Maybe with the new FWD set up, with it's more efficient packaging in front, the Explorer will lose some size and weight VS current model, and retain same interior space. The 3.5 with six speed would be OK with me. I don't need any hi tech complicated turbo power plant. Roger, roger ! Edited August 12, 2009 by theoldwizard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 the only way you would give up your operating capitol is if you screwed up and didn't get re-imbursed by the govty no? The program has us basically sold out of Rangers, 4 door focus's ( and only 2,2 doors left ) 4 cyl Escapes, and 2010 Fusions an out also of Connectsm...AND we are holding firm on pricing........... "... shooting fish in a barrel" ! Glad to here you guys are doing so well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Roger, roger ! Do we have clearance, Clarence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92merc Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Here is a prime example of someone who shouldn't be allowed to drive: I'm sure that block of wood from the hitch holding up the tailgate must be allowing another 500 lbs to his tongue weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Jerry Flint is still living in 1978, expecting cars to cost less than 10 grand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patate Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I could care less how many Traverses or whatever shit box GM sells as they are more than likely losing money on every single one while Ford has more than likely made money on every single Flex they have sold. Please explain to me how GM loses money per Traverses while the Flex is making money. Also, while you're at it, take a look at the Canadian dollar, and the fact that the Flex/Edge are built in Canada. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Please explain to me how GM loses money per Traverses while the Flex is making money. Given GM, it wouldn't surprise me if they lost money on the Traverse. I'm not sure if it's still the case, but a while back Limited models made up the largest percent of Flex sales = $$profit$$. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Given GM, it wouldn't surprise me if they lost money on the Traverse. I'm not sure if it's still the case, but a while back Limited models made up the largest percent of Flex sales = $$profit$$. Yeah, Ford made some $$$ on us, didn't they RMC!?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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