Ford's Future May Rest on 2 Redesigns

ap ^ | 1/7/06 | Tom Krisher, AP Business Writer

[RegulatorCountry]

The Taurus started slipping with that peculiar re-style, with all the ovals, everywhere, on the dash, the back window, the headlights ... it looked sort of like a catfish from the front. The car my folks traded was a 95 Taurus, which was a good car for them, for the entire time they owned it, no problems to speak of. It was just about to turn 100K, and the headliner was starting to let go, so they went shopping for a new car. They didn't care for the last iteration of the Taurus at all, the Fusion was too small, and the Five Hundred was too big. They were looking for something about the size of their 95 Taurus, which could seat five in reasonable comfort, but got good mileage and was easy to maneuver and park. The only domestic that fit the bill was the Impala. They like it well enough, but they're not elated with it, as they were with the Taurus when they got it new.

[I see my hands]

"union workers"

Ten barefoot boys with shoes on, stood sitting on the grass.

[gas0linealley]

Oh, the reference to unions didn't include the union workers? Nice try.

[zook]

Re the Taurus--What was Ford thinking? And what were they thinking with a $40,000 T-bird?

[RegulatorCountry]

What model of Ford was this?

[gas0linealley]

Keep looking at them.

[westmichman]

Most of the people who sell and service union made cars are not in unions either. Also there are many shops that make parts for these cars that are non-union. So, people can support overseas makers if they want, but it does affect all Americans in some way.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Yeah, because all of the successful companies are run by blue collared six sigma brains (/sarcasm)

[westmichman]

Speaking of CAD design, I think you should look at the new Caddies. CTS and XLR look pretty good to me especially the turbo models.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Ford trucks are good.

[Moleman]

OK buy a Kia and support Korea. There happen to be many hard working patriotic family men ho happen to be in the UAW. (Many sloths as well)

[VOA]

Too late, Ford.

If you'd only pulled your heads back into the light a couple of
years earlier, you might of sold my mom a new car last week.

She liked the new Fusion. She doesn't like the instability of the
company that makes it.
And since she doesn't like the current Malibu...

she got a 2007 Toyota Corrolla.

[VOA]

There already is a superior Focus, in the European market.

You get the feeling the Ford managers don't read any automotive magazines.
Because those mags (and anybody with an IQ over room temp, including
myself) has been telling them:
"Just build the cars you make in Europe, Australia and Japan here
and sell them here, ya morons!"

[ARA]

That is so true... Ford Europe is so much better... I think the Irony is that most of the Ford built around the world are actually designed here in the states... Correct me if I am wrong..

[VOA]

And what were they thinking with a $40,000 T-bird?

Let me add my further complaint:
And what were they thinking with a
neutered, metrosexual $40,000 T-bird?

When I heard a new Thunderbird was coming out, I thought
"Great, a retro, stylish pocket-rocket!".

What a freakin' disappointment Ford delivered!

[Clemenza]

Blue collar people actually have brains? ;-)

Between the managerial midgets at one end and the fat guys on the assembly line, you have one sh-t company. Alan Mullaly is a smart man, but even he won't be able to put lipstick on this pig.

[Bernard Marx]

CTS and XLR look pretty good to me especially the turbo models

Yeah, if you have an extra $80-$90,000 to drop on a car (XLR).

[Ramcat]

Ford isn't quite as bad as GM, but they do seem to be in the business of creating one debacle after another. I have an 1997 F150 with a 4.2L. Look up "Ford 4.2L Hydro-locking" on google--there are literally thousands of people with this engine problem. And it's just one of many for Ford How can you say that?
I have a 1990 GMC Sierra with a 5.7L with 210,000 mi. It runs like a top even after being rolled over on it's side about three years ago.
I've owned Toyota and Nissan trucks and neither could hold up to a days work like a GM or Ford truck.

[BW2221]

Meanwhile, across town for GM, the Chevrolet Silverado was selected as Truck of the Year and Saturn Aura was selected as Car of the Year by automotive journalists. Last year Honda took honors in both categories.

[alrea]

Every time you buy a Ford, you're subsidizing the UAW.

Everytime you buy a Ford you subsidize the Democratic Party. I think I'll walk.