Here’s a different proposal for a Ford alliance

[Biker16]

COMMENT

 

Here’s a different proposal for a Ford alliance

 

David Sedgwick | | Automotive News Europe / October 16, 2006 - 1:00 am

 

 

Never mind all the talk about an alliance between Ford Motor Co. and Nissan or General Motors. Another partner would make much more sense. I think Ford should negotiate an alliance with … Ford of Europe.

 

Think of the synergies! Ford North America makes big, lumbering pickups. Ford of Europe makes small cars. Ford North America makes SUVs that blot out the sky. Ford of Europe makes fuel-efficient people movers. The two sides could negotiate an alliance quickly.

 

Ford desperately needs a new generation of stylish, practical small cars and crossovers to satisfy fuel-conscious American consumers. And Ford’s European operation has the goods.

 

A sporty new Mondeo wagon goes on sale in Europe next year. Ford designer Martin Smith calls the look “kinetic design.†The Iosis crossover concept also shows the possibilities of kinetic design.

 

Ford North America is studying what European products could be adapted. It seems clear that the Mondeo, S-Max and future-generation Fiesta are all candidates.

 

“We are having intense conversations about everything. Nothing is off the table,â€â€œ said Richard Parry-Jones, Ford group vice president for global product development.

 

Ford has tried this before – with mixed results. But the company is now taking a new approach. Parry-Jones is commonizing the product development systems of Ford North America, Ford of Europe and Mazda. Key personnel moves between the three companies. The bottom line: These guys all know each other, and they are accustomed to working together. That gives them a chance to cut through Ford’s red tape.

 

Will Ford of Europe’s kinetic design find favor in America? Its US prospects seem murky. Mark Fields, Ford’s president of the Americas, has said cars sold in the US should feature “bold American designs.†Thus, Ford North America may decide to borrow the European cars’ under-the-skin mechanicals, rather than their look.

 

But I think Americans are ready for a taste of Europe. Kinetic design – at least the Mondeo’s interpretation of it – could enliven a plain-vanilla US product lineup that has turned off American consumers.

 

E-mail David Sedgwick at dsedgwick@crain.com

[7Mary3]

Been there, done that. Cortina, Capri, Capri II, Fiesta, Escort, Mercour, Contour.

[Gnostic]

Never mind all the talk about an alliance between Ford Motor Co. and Nissan or General Motors. Another partner would make much more sense. I think Ford should negotiate an alliance with … Ford of Europe.

 

Think of the synergies! Ford North America makes big, lumbering pickups. Ford of Europe makes small cars. Ford North America makes SUVs that blot out the sky. Ford of Europe makes fuel-efficient people movers. The two sides could negotiate an alliance quickly.

 

 

Too funny ! Only because its true.

[pcsario]

Bah, nevermind.

Edited October 21, 2006 by pcsario

[2005Explorer]

Been there, done that. Cortina, Capri, Capri II, Fiesta, Escort, Mercour, Contour.

 

Well the Escort was successful. The rest were not.

[Biker16]

Well the Escort was successful. The rest were not.

Focus?

[waymondospiff]

While the article of course was rather tongue-in-cheek, I do think that American & European tastes have converged to the point of more cross-engineering. Years ago, Americans wanted big, V8 sedans & coupes, where the Europeans were small, diesels or 4-cyl hatchbacks. Hatchbacks are becoming "cool" again in the US, we'll accept smaller vehicles, European vehicles are reliable and not the rattley conveyances they were years ago.

 

Obvious flops like the Contour should not be suffered, but a dual-engineered Mondeo or Fusion with unique fascias for each market could save money on development and equal a better car for both the US and Europe.

 

Times are changing. As the saying goes, "past performance is not an indicator of future trends."

 

Scott

[g48150]

Here's a good alliance:

 

Ford Middle Management meets A ing Clue!!!!

 

 

[pcsario]

Times are changing. As the saying goes, "past performance is not an indicator of future trends."

 

Exactly, the only problem with the whole "Bububu the past" reasoning, is that the Contour, Scorpio, etc. were viewed just as bad in Europe as in the US, hence why --for example-- the 2001 Mondeo had to be a massive improvement over the old car, ditto with all their other vehicles.

 

Ford HAD to be among the best once again, this is clearly not the same Ford anymore, so the comparisons are silly. I don't recall americans lusting for the Scorpio or Ford's european interiors over the stuff they got from Ford NA at the time.

Edited October 21, 2006 by pcsario

[7Mary3]

Ford ought to get out of Europe. They seem to have the same problems there as they do here. Sure, Volvo is competitive, but it is the only part of Ford's European operations that is the least bit valuable. Ford will have to sell Volvo along with Jaguar, Aston Martin, Range Rover, and Ford of Europe as a package. No one will take the other operations without Volvo in the deal. In fact, I'll bet Ford would get more money for Volvo alone than with the other makes. Mazda is the real key to Ford's recovery.