Updated product plans

[vince337]

70 percent of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products by volume will be new or significantly upgraded from today through the end of 2008.

 

People movers to go on sale in 2008 produced in Ford’s Oakville ( Ontario, Canada) Assembly Plant.

 

MKS to go on sale in 2008 produced in Chicago Assembly Plant.

 

All-new F-150 pickup confirmed to go on sale in 2008.

 

 

 

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?...p;make_id=trust

[jaydez]

70 percent of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products by volume will be new or significantly upgraded from today through the end of 2008.

 

 

sooo.. the Ranger and Crown Vic still won't be touched? This okay news, not great news. Great news would say that 100% of vehicles would be new or significantly updated.

Edited September 15, 2006 by jaydez

[Biker16]

Product-Led Turnaround

 

* 70 percent of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products by volume will be new or significantly upgraded from today through the end of 2008. The new lineup builds on Ford’s strength as America’s truck leader while expanding in growth segments, such as crossovers.

* Ford will introduce an all-new full-size crossover based on the Ford Fairlane concept. The seven-passenger vehicle for modern families goes on sale in 2008 and will be produced at Ford’s Oakville ( Ontario, Canada) Assembly Plant.

* Ford will continue to lead the American truck market with a new Super Duty pickup confirmed to go on sale in early 2007 and an all-new F-150 pickup confirmed to go on sale in 2008. The vehicles boast powertrain, design and feature upgrades.

* Ford will continue to lead America’s sports car market with new Mustang derivatives each year.

* The new Lincoln MKS flagship sedan will go on sale in 2008 – packed with more technology and features than any prior Lincoln, including all-wheel drive. Current plans are to produce the vehicle at the company’s Chicago Assembly Plant.

* Lincoln will continue offering the Lincoln Town Car to meet ongoing demand. After assembly ends at Ford’s Wixom ( Mich.) Assembly Plant in 2007, Ford intends to move Town Car production to Ford’s St. Thomas ( Ontario, Canada) Assembly Plant. St. Thomas will be reduced to one shift of production, as previously was announced.

* Product development work is intensifying through 2008 on creating new small cars and even more crossovers that will go on sale in the future. These vehicles will be based on the company’s global vehicle architectures, including “B†and “C†platforms not presently used in North America.

* Major investments continue in new gasoline, flexible-fuel, diesel, hydrogen and hybrid powertrains, including additional E-85 ethanol-powered and hybrid vehicles on the road by the end of 2008. In addition, two out of every three Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles will be offered with fuel-saving 6-speed transmission technology by the end of 2008.

* The new products and a voluntary consolidation of the Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealer network are designed to significantly improve the dealers’ through-put and profitability by the end of 2008.

[RichardJensen]

30% of Ford volume is about 900k units:

 

That would be

 

E-Series: 200k units

Panthers: 150k units

Mustang: 150k units

Ranger: 100k units

Explorer, etc.: 200k units

 

Give or take....

[Spyderman]

New Mustang Bullitt in 2008

 

Totally new F-150 in 2008 with clean diesel engine plus new gas engines

 

Third shift added to Dearborn Assembly in 2007, moved from Norfolk

 

Global B and C platform coming to US in 2009

Edited September 15, 2006 by Spyderman

[kyle]

I have been listening to the webcast......heard Mark Fields say that the new lincoln sedan coming in 08 will have a 3.7 litre engine....

[ZanatWork]

I have been listening to the webcast......heard Mark Fields say that the new lincoln sedan coming in 08 will have a 3.7 litre engine....

 

 

Sounds like a bored/stroked 3.5, probably putting out 300ish hp. That by itself would make the YamaVolvo V8 pretty redundant.

 

Now...about the twin turbo version....

[silvrsvt]

Plain bullshit about the B cars. How can they justify another 3 years to bring a car to market. Decisions like this will be the end of this company.

 

 

The B cars will not make or break the company. I'd rather see them take longer and get them done right. With the way gas prices are going down and the American public's selective short term memory, I don't think they will be that big of a draw, not to mention when it comes right down to it, a 2007 Focus gets the same MPG as the new Yaris and Verisa B-cars in a bigger car.

[igor]

The B cars will not make or break the company. I'd rather see them take longer and get them done right. With the way gas prices are going down and the American public's selective short term memory, I don't think they will be that big of a draw, not to mention when it comes right down to it, a 2007 Focus gets the same MPG as the new Yaris and Verisa B-cars in a bigger car.

pretty much - plus this is an old decision - his was done back in spring when Fields cancelled the Ecosport for US.

 

Since then Ford NA has been involved in the B1 development. The product from taht should be here in 2009 CY.

Late, but better than early and crappy. NAs Silver is very crrect. Focus is cheaper, bigger and gets same mileage as most B-cars. Sure it loses money to Ford - but simply said - Ford is well positioned in the market - and is capturing sales.

 

Igor

[Misteredog]

Plain bullshit about the B cars. How can they justify another 3 years to bring a car to market. Decisions like this will be the end of this company.

 

Let's consider the following factors:

1. Ford's current B cars are midway through their current platforms lifespans

2. It is not profitable to import such a low margin vehicle from Europe at current exchange rates.

3. Questions about the suitability of current B ca powertrains for the US market, including whether they could meet PZEV standard, whether their mileage would be superior to the current Focus', and availablity of a suitable automatic transmission, i.e.one that would meet drivability, performance, and fuel economy expectations of North American cstomers.

4.Lack of a low cost Western Hemisphere manufacturing plant; Cuautitlán assembly is being upgraded but that takes time, and by the time it would be ready you're likely to have a North American B car that would be obsolete 6 months after it hit showrooms. And YOU would be complaining about how stupid Ford were to bring an obsolete model to market while the rest of the world gets a shiny new version!

[ZanatWork]

I love all the screaming and whining about the B cars, when they're still a small market segment AND only marginally profitable!

 

I agree that they are a way to get first-time buyers in the showroom...but the market has already blown them off previously.

[630land]

"sooo.. the Ranger and Crown Vic still won't be touched?"

 

Who cares?

 

There is a small truck planned, and the 'return of big RWD cars" is overrated. Panther mafia thinks it is still the 1950's and 'real men' only want full sized RWD BOF cars. In yer dreams.

 

And some also want them to drop 'just any' b class car out of their rear end? It would be a rushed effort, like the highly overrated Yaris. Focus could get a smaller more effecient motor and that would be better than an outdated Fiesta made in Brazil.

Edited September 15, 2006 by 630land

[ironhorse]

The problem is that Ford is late to the party. We should have been in the crossover business 3 years ago.

Ford should have had a diesel F-150/Expedition 3 years ago.

 

Fusion should have been here 2 years ago, A 500 like vehicle 5 years ago.

[igor]

The problem is that Ford is late to the party. We should have been in the crossover business 3 years ago.

Ford should have had a diesel F-150/Expedition 3 years ago.

 

Fusion should have been here 2 years ago, A 500 like vehicle 5 years ago.

 

- Escape and Freestyle do not count? and if we go FMC? XC70 and XC90 do not count?

- agreed, but who else has a diesel - the uncertainty of US emissions and the high sulfur diesel - pretty much cut the ability to sell most diesels in US.

- well the last comment - is way too deep in "should have" territory - sure ... every model ever released by any automaker should have been there severa lyear befor e it actuallly arrived - it is a little too late to cry over spilled milk.

 

Igor

Edited September 15, 2006 by igor

[630land]

The problem is that Ford is late to the party. We should have been in the crossover business 3 years ago.

Ford should have had a diesel F-150/Expedition 3 years ago.

 

Fusion should have been here 2 years ago, A 500 like vehicle 5 years ago.

 

 

Some will dismiss a good US product as 'too late'. But then if it is Korean or Chinese, same people will go, "Wow, look how far they have come".

 

Also, the Freestyle cross-over came out 2 years ago, and the Escape, which is essentially a car based SUV is from 1999. How is that too late? It competes with the CRV X-over.

[ironhorse]

Some will dismiss a good US product as 'too late'. But then if it is Korean or Chinese, same people will go, "Wow, look how far they have come".

 

Also, the Freestyle cross-over came out 2 years ago, and the Escape, which is essentially a car based SUV is from 1999. How is that too late? It competes with the CRV X-over.

 

 

Look, The Escape was touted/marketed as a "small SUV". I agree the Escape should have been marketed as "car-like"....it wasn't. The Freestyle/500,while great underneath,is ape-ass ugly. Thrown together because we were late.

[ZanatWork]

The problem is that Ford is late to the party. We should have been in the crossover business 3 years ago.

Ford should have had a diesel F-150/Expedition 3 years ago.

 

Fusion should have been here 2 years ago, A 500 like vehicle 5 years ago.

 

 

Yeah, boy, ain't hindsight grand?

 

Let's look at 2003!

 

The D3 program was still a year out, the CD3 a year behind that. Time was taken, and you know what? Practically nothing recall-wise.

 

A small diesel was in development, but Navistar's proposed engine didn't live up to expectations. On the other hand, we're soon to have to new in-house diesels that will run on the "clean diesel" fuel that's mandated next year. That fuel held up a lot of potential diesel motors...so did the EPA.

 

For the 500 to be here 5 years back, Jac "the Whack" Nasser would have needed to start the program back in about 1998-1999. He wasn't real interested in mainstream cars, as history will show. Instead, it had to wait for Bill Ford to really get the program rolling. Ditto the CD3.

[philsshon2]

The problem is that Ford is late to the party. We should have been in the crossover business 3 years ago.

Ford should have had a diesel F-150/Expedition 3 years ago. so should gm in their tahoe, don't be so onesided

 

Fusion should have been here 2 years ago, A 500 like vehicle 5 years ago.

[630land]

Who cares if the Escape wasn't exactly called 'car like' in ads? Whatever they called it worked, sicne it is #1 compact SUV. In fact, no company says "Our new SUV is car like" in any ad. The CRV and RAV4 were not 'marketed as 'cars', either, but as smaller SUV's

 

Even the Pilot and Highlander were called SUV's.

 

Ford has a good x-over in the Frestyle, but the GD media will not let up on it's front styling. While Asian SUV's can look like mangled robots and get a pass.

[ironhorse]

Who cares if the Escape wasn't exactly called 'car like' in ads? Whatever they called it worked, sicne it is #1 compact SUV. In fact, no company says "Our new SUV is car like" in any ad. The CRV and RAV4 were not 'marketed as 'cars', either, but as smaller SUV's

 

Even the Pilot and Highlander were called SUV's.

 

Ford has a good x-over in the Frestyle, but the GD media will not let up on it's front styling. While Asian SUV's can look like mangled robots and get a pass.

 

 

Woah,big fella..don't get your panties in a bunch. If the Escape is Ford's answer to the crossover,why the Freestyle? Why the Edge?

 

If you are going to play in those markets,you have to have a GOOD MARKETING/ADVERTISING MESSAGE.

 

You are right on one thing the media is not our friend,so any product Ford puts out better be spot on...the Mustang for example was spot on in regard to styling,price and value.

 

The Freestyle/500 Was not on the mark...great driver, and capable,but ugly as shit.

 

Ford wether you like it or not or fair or not, has to be better than everybody else.

[bolita]

Ford wether you like it or not or fair or not, has to be better than everybody else.

 

I agree. Bottom line Ford better stand out with beter quality, good value and great styling or loose!

[630land]

Then why not GM or others being better? Whether you like it or not, there are many car companies and should all be judged the same. It is not as if Japan was a 3rd world country in 1930's and they should be given a pass.

 

Also, it is easy to say the Stang is the 'best in class', but then it HAS NO COMPETITION! No, the FWD ricer coupes don't count.

 

Pont is, the media declared the D3 as 'shit' and the lemmings went along. Slap an import name on it, it is 'Car of the Decade'.

Edited September 15, 2006 by 630land

[wescoent]

Everything here is great news. If the Fairlane-thing is positioned as a replacement for the minivans, as well as an Explorer/Expedition alternative, the sales losses thanks to those three models will easily be made up.

 

The Lincoln-exclusive 3.7L V6 is good to hear. By time it debuts in 2008, it should be pushing 300-320hp with all the bells and whistles, naturally aspirated.

 

B2 and C2, if styled right, will get Ford back into the compact game.

 

The survival of the Town Car is great news as well. Assuming this move to STAP will entail some kind of exterior/mechanical freshening, the limo/livery market will be protected for years to come.

 

Overall, I think I'm starting to believe that Ford will be back in business by 2010.

[630land]

I do agree, stop doing 'shouldas'.

 

And I also think they can't reveal everything planned, such as 2010 cars and beyond. Have to keep some secrets.

[ironhorse]

Then why not GM or others being better? Whether you like it or not, there are many car companies and should all be judged the same. It is not as if Japan was a 3rd world country in 1930's and they should be given a pass.

 

Also, it is easy to say the Stang is the 'best in class', but then it HAS NO COMPETITION! No, the FWD ricer coupes don't count.

 

Pont is, the media declared the D3 as 'shit' and the lemmings went along. Slap an import name on it, it is 'Car of the Decade'.

 

If you are referring to the 500/ D3...it is not shit....I only said it looks like shit. Perception is reality,and Ford has to hit home runs.

 

Mustang is in a class by itself...not for long...GM and Mopar have their sights set on it. I agree that Toyota/Nissan/Honda has some ugly vehicles too,but the "perception of quality" gives them a pass.I don't like it...but that's how it is.

 

The biggest blunder Ford has made has been in the PR/marketing area of it's North american business...It started with the Firestone/Nasser blunder.,I feel that Ford has the worst,most inept advertising agency in the auto business. J.Walter Thompson needs to be fired on the spot...before any" Moving Forward."

Edited September 15, 2006 by ironhorse