Malijez Posted December 11, 2005 Share Posted December 11, 2005 Ford losing market share.... Toyota firing on all cyclinders... Lexus demand all time high.... Bill From your loyal employee Tom. I am going to advise you what we need to built. 1- new mini van with diesel option pushed for fuel economy. 2- bring newly designed Euro focus to North America 3- bring back the Probe the kids will love it (not everyone whats a mustang for a sports car) 4- leave the 500 the way it is the real old guys love it...Bring Australian Fairlane (my Dad had one in the 60's and I'm sure he and others from that generation would want another) 5- For gods sake bring us the Australian Falcon thats what I am waiting for. 6- Lets start making DIESEL engines 4 and 6 cyclinders. Time to try something new. 7- And finally two letters KA Dads need to buy there kids cars for school it is perfect and it suit the ECO's as well. Tom PS Bill just one final word Diesel is the key for our future lets take the bull by the horn and beat everyone to the punch.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZanatWork Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 Ford losing market share....Toyota firing on all cyclinders... Lexus demand all time high.... Bill From your loyal employee Tom. I am going to advise you what we need to built. 1- new mini van with diesel option pushed for fuel economy. 2- bring newly designed Euro focus to North America 3- bring back the Probe the kids will love it (not everyone whats a mustang for a sports car) 4- leave the 500 the way it is the real old guys love it...Bring Australian Fairlane (my Dad had one in the 60's and I'm sure he and others from that generation would want another) 5- For gods sake bring us the Australian Falcon thats what I am waiting for. 6- Lets start making DIESEL engines 4 and 6 cyclinders. Time to try something new. 7- And finally two letters KA Dads need to buy there kids cars for school it is perfect and it suit the ECO's as well. Tom PS Bill just one final word Diesel is the key for our future lets take the bull by the horn and beat everyone to the punch.. Let's see here... 1. The new minivan is under development, and the diesel idea is solid...but it's not where Ford's losing market share. The Odyssey and Sienna are just miles better than the Freestar. Sad but true. 2. The Euro Focus is already here as the Mazda 3 and the Volvo S40. As I understand it, it would be too expensive to bring the C1 to FoMoCo dealers at the existing car's $12K starting price. 3. The Probe would be extremely risky in a marginal coupe market. The Mustang has a legacy to draw from, the Probe is almost forgotten. 4. The Five Hundred is getting considerably improved next year, which should please old and new alike. The Austalian Falcon would need to be engineered for US crash specs and be redesigned as left-hand-drive...neither of which are done cheaply. Trust me, I know...I've often asked for the same car. 5. See 4. It would be prohibitely expensive, and another thing-it wouldn't do anything to help the CAFE numbers. 6. The diesel thing has been waiting for the reformulated fuel due next year. A hitch could be the cost of diesel...it's considerably more than unleaded at every station I'm passing lately. 7. The Ka (especially the StreetKa) would be very cool, but microcars are low-profit and the US crash specs rear their ugly heads again. I'm certain the diesels will get much more common when the improved fuel gets here...but if the fuel cost stays higher, the savings will take a forseeable hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-150 Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 1. Minivan... seeing as how this segment is shrinking, I wouldn't "waste" too much here. There are other segments more important. What should be done is to carve out a niche in minivans. Be something the others are not ie Luxury. But if we are talking diesel vans, lets talk about bringing over a Sprinter killer from Europe. I think part of the popularity of the Sprinter is that GM no longer makes the Cargo Safari/Astro which contractors used to love. 2. Euro Focus wont fly. Look at the Jetta. Wayyy too expensive for the segment. 3. A coupe would be desirable (andno, the Focus 3 dr doesnt count) The easiest way I think would be a Fusion coupe (with a HUGE parts sharing to keep the vehicle profitable) 4. Forget the Aussie cars. Too expensive to change to LHD and upgrade to NA safety specs. A 4 door Mustang would answer this question (only it would have different body panels) Offer it in 6 and 8 cyl options with, of course an SVT option too. A replacement LS could be the sister car of this 4 dr Mustang (keeping the LS as a RWD) 5 see above 6 Ford makes some great diesels in the world. Let's start importing some (which can be done, ie German made V8) 7 I agree with the KA. Great competition for the Yaris, Fit and Kia Rio. Could also help with CAFE numbers. Best if equipped with a small diesel to take on the SMART (which has an ignorant waiting list) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebritt Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 Guys Ford and GM will not build a small car anymore. Period. The Focus is the last holdout and it is slowly dying. Why cause they want high profit vehicles only......A.K.A. SUV's , big trucks and luxo sedans. Think about it....any big layoffs at the corvette plant? O.k. GM has the Aveo.....but where is the Aveo built? Where was the escort/tracer built? It's all about profit margin and ther is no profitability for an American built small car, so they aint gonna build one. The ones that come close will dry up and blow away and there will be no more development so get ready for it. If you think being loyal to Ford and GM will make them loyal to you......you live in a dream world. They are only loyal to the stockholders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-150 Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 Guys Ford and GM will not build a small car anymore. Period. The Focus is the last holdout and it is slowly dying. Why cause they want high profit vehicles only......A.K.A. SUV's , big trucks and luxo sedans. Think about it....any big layoffs at the corvette plant? O.k. GM has the Aveo.....but where is the Aveo built? Where was the escort/tracer built? It's all about profit margin and ther is no profitability for an American built small car, so they aint gonna build one. The ones that come close will dry up and blow away and there will be no more development so get ready for it. If you think being loyal to Ford and GM will make them loyal to you......you live in a dream world. They are only loyal to the stockholders. Ford & Gm have no choice. The bottom is falling out of the SUV market. Lincoln cant compete with the other luxo makes. They have no choice but to compete in the small and midsize car segments. I don't know where the KA is made, but the Festivas were sourced from abroad (Koreas or Brazil, cant quite remember which) If GM can bring in a Korean subcompact, Ford can also do that. They make small cars all over the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hosh Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 Guys Ford and GM will not build a small car anymore. Period. The Focus is the last holdout and it is slowly dying. Why cause they want high profit vehicles only......A.K.A. SUV's , big trucks and luxo sedans. Think about it....any big layoffs at the corvette plant? O.k. GM has the Aveo.....but where is the Aveo built? Where was the escort/tracer built? It's all about profit margin and ther is no profitability for an American built small car, so they aint gonna build one. The ones that come close will dry up and blow away and there will be no more development so get ready for it. If you think being loyal to Ford and GM will make them loyal to you......you live in a dream world. They are only loyal to the stockholders. I think the excort was built in the oakvlle assembly plant for some time. Don't forget about the ford tempo/mercury topaz that was very profitable for Ford through the 80's and early 90's. they were built in Oakville,as well as another plant in Twin cities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted December 13, 2005 Share Posted December 13, 2005 3- bring back the Probe the kids will love it (not everyone whats a mustang for a sports car) Yes, Ford does need a car in this segment, but for the love of GOD...please do not call it "Probe." Never, ever, ever again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil B. Posted December 13, 2005 Share Posted December 13, 2005 New minivan? I'm eventually going to have to replace my aging, but still trusty, AND rusty, Aerostar, at some point. (Don't laugh... I love my van, and I hate to think of parting with it!) Will the new minivan be AWD? FWD? and when's it coming out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PolarBear Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 Did we forget about the Cobalt? GM's going to shove a few hundred-thousand of them out the door this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one2gamble Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 I seriously think the KA is a cool car and with its redesign pending I dont see why this wouldnt be an easy doable "b" segment car to import into the US. For some reason I still see something along the lines of the bronco concept as a Ford "b" car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2b2 Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 Did we forget about the Cobalt? GM's going to shove a few hundred-thousand of them out the door this year. I think the Focus will split the way the Taurus 'begat' the 500 and Freestyle, then the Fusion and Edge... an enlarged sedan/5door (with new name) while keeping the 3door at the current size and name - tho sportyer! Imho they need way more than Foci and 1 B-car to make a dent in, or be cross-shopped with this list (by decreasing size): Cobalt Jetta Lancer Corolla Elantra Spectra Sentra Forenza Civic Neon Tc Impreza Tiburon Aerio Element Reno Rio Aveo Accent Golf Echo xA xB Mini QUOTE(one2gamble) For some reason I still see something along the lines of the bronco concept as a Ford "b" car. That's B-Truck tho I think the styling works for a B-box car too. click for life-size (almost) image Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebritt Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Ford & Gm have no choice. The bottom is falling out of the SUV market. Lincoln cant compete with the other luxo makes. They have no choice but to compete in the small and midsize car segments.I don't know where the KA is made, but the Festivas were sourced from abroad (Koreas or Brazil, cant quite remember which) If GM can bring in a Korean subcompact, Ford can also do that. They make small cars all over the world. Can but probably wont. Have you seen the GM import? The Aveo? What a turd! Thats the kind of thing thats goin to kill Ford and GM. If they bring in a small car they'll be cursing the time. And what would the American public get? A chincy, poorly built turd! Why would they do that? Because the insane profit margin isnt there on a small car so they will put out cheap crap. It's already happened. Aveo is a fine example of it. And have you seen the price?? 14K for a Chevy(Daewoo) Aveo? It will sell like dog turd sprinkles on a crap cookie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordforever96 Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 why can't ford NA work with Ford AUS to develop the next generation large RWD vehicles for Ford NA and the next all new AUS falcon due in march 2008? like GM and Holden with Zeta?? The current AUS falcon has a great base to start with... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PolarBear Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 why can't ford NA work with Ford AUS to develop the next generation large RWD vehicles for Ford NA and the next all new AUS falcon due in march 2008? like GM and Holden with Zeta?? The current AUS falcon has a great base to start with... Can we get the new Ford Territory turbo while we're at it? Looks like a Freestyle, AWD with the rears as primary, inline six with something north of 300 HP. How come the Aussies get all the good stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordforever96 Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Can we get the new Ford Territory turbo while we're at it? Looks like a Freestyle, AWD with the rears as primary, inline six with something north of 300 HP. How come the Aussies get all the good stuff? well, not everything! i'd like a new mustang...they are sexy. Many people claim that exuast emissions are what holds the falcons straight 6 back from USA consumption, i believe it woudn't take much, we just had an update to euro 3 emission standards...that engine could be used as a base engine for a new range of RWD drive cars for Ford NA, f-150 base engine and so on...all i can say is the current BF falcon is being regarded as the best locally developed car currently, we even have a high tech ZF 6 speed auto to choose from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluecon Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 well, not everything! i'd like a new mustang...they are sexy.Many people claim that exuast emissions are what holds the falcons straight 6 back from USA consumption, i believe it woudn't take much, we just had an update to euro 3 emission standards...that engine could be used as a base engine for a new range of RWD drive cars for Ford NA, f-150 base engine and so on...all i can say is the current BF falcon is being regarded as the best locally developed car currently, we even have a high tech ZF 6 speed auto to choose from. Is that an overhead cam inline 6? What is the horsepower and torque? Ford sent some 5.4l 3-valve engines to Australia for the Falcons. How did that work out? They had a Falcon at the Ford plant a few years ago. It had a 302 in it. Are they still making those in Australia? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Is that an overhead cam inline 6? What is the horsepower and torque? Ford sent some 5.4l 3-valve engines to Australia for the Falcons. How did that work out? They had a Falcon at the Ford plant a few years ago. It had a 302 in it. Are they still making those in Australia? The 302 has finally met its demise in Aussieland. I think it was there through the 2003 model year though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordforever96 Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Is that an overhead cam inline 6? What is the horsepower and torque? Ford sent some 5.4l 3-valve engines to Australia for the Falcons. How did that work out? They had a Falcon at the Ford plant a few years ago. It had a 302 in it. Are they still making those in Australia? not sure on conversion to HP but, its 4.0l capacity, 24valve, DOHC, dual variable valve timing, fail safe cooling system, variable intake manifold. 190KW power and 383NM of torque mated to a 4 speed auto in standard tune, the turbo version 245KW power and 480NM of torque is mated to the ZF 6 speed auto. we now have the 5.4 3 valve VCT V8 230KW and 500NM of torque in base form and the 5.4 DOHC in higher tune with 290KW and 520NM of torque, both of these V8s are mated to the ZF 6 speed auto. Is that an overhead cam inline 6? What is the horsepower and torque? Ford sent some 5.4l 3-valve engines to Australia for the Falcons. How did that work out? They had a Falcon at the Ford plant a few years ago. It had a 302 in it. Are they still making those in Australia? not sure on conversion to HP but, its 4.0l capacity, 24valve, DOHC, dual variable valve timing, fail safe cooling system, variable intake manifold. 190KW power and 383NM of torque mated to a 4 speed auto in standard tune, the turbo version 245KW power and 480NM of torque is mated to the ZF 6 speed auto. we now have the 5.4 3 valve VCT V8 230KW and 500NM of torque in base form and the 5.4 DOHC in higher tune with 290KW and 520NM of torque, both of these V8s are mated to the ZF 6 speed auto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordforever96 Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 also, our top output turbo inline 6 pumps out 270KW of power and 550Nm of torque, making the falcon run slightly faster in a straight line then its V8 siblings! available in 6 speed manual or Zf 6speed auto. i can only imagine ( what a new mustang with the turbo engine and 6 speed auto, mated to the falcons control blade rear end would go like! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluecon Posted December 22, 2005 Share Posted December 22, 2005 also, our top output turbo inline 6 pumps out 270KW of power and 550Nm of torque, making the falcon run slightly faster in a straight line then its V8 siblings! available in 6 speed manual or Zf 6speed auto.i can only imagine ( what a new mustang with the turbo engine and 6 speed auto, mated to the falcons control blade rear end would go like! 746 watts= 1HP 270kw=362HP Couple more questions. What is a control blade rear end? Are they making the 5.4l in Australia now? Is that 6 cylinder an aluminum block? And one off topic question. What is the time difference from Australia to the USA Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted December 22, 2005 Share Posted December 22, 2005 Couple more questions. What is a control blade rear end? It's a variation of the multi-link rear. Look under a Focus and you'll get the picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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