Ford problems

[Jazzbass 1]

I saw on the news that Ford are going to close a number of plants in US and many thousands of people will be out of work etc. IIRC, this will be second time in recent years that they've done this, all due to declining market share.

In considering the news, I thought that maybe they're trying too hard to be all things to all people and maybe they'd do better to start specialising.

Sooo - what areas of vehicle construction do YOU think Ford are good at.

Me? I think trucks/utes and maybe mid-sized cars are their forte. I think their small cars suck and their attempts at the top end of the market are laughable. I think their attempts at the sports car market fall short also.

Of course here downunder we mainly see Ozzie Fords, but I was thinking of the US market.

[Carl 3]

I've never liked the US styled cars, oversized behemoths IMO but that's what their market likes, and while I don't mind the style of their MUSCLE cars their technology is lackluster and their performace shows this. 5 litre V8's really should be producing more than 350 bhp IMO.

Edited January 31, 2006 by Carl

[shadowninja 0]

Ford loses money on every car they make, around $300 per vehicle. Its only the trucks & SUVs they make a profit on.

Out of every vehicle sale, about $1,000USD of it goes to pay for retired employees health & pension plans.

GM has the same problems.

[Guest Spargo]

good riddance.

[martyyn 2]

I grew up with the RS2000 as rally cars and unmarked Capri v6's as pursuit cars in the UK and they will always have a place in my heart

in the modern day the Focus is a sensational car for what it is, its just a shame they are so ridiculously priced over here.

The Mondeo too is the sales reps car of choice in England. I wouldnt want to drive one myself but again they just keep going and going and going and on the motorways they are everywhere.

I wouldnt own a Falcon to save my life though, they have to be some of the ugliest cars I have ever seen. But thats a problem in general with Australasian cars (Ford and Holden) the basic design is the same as 20 years ago.

Carl hits the nail on the head, how a 5.7 v8 can only produce 350 bhp astounds me. I have around 315bhp with the only mod being after market cats from a 4.4 for gods sake !

[Jazzbass 1]

I think the BHP is indicative of the general historical US engine development philosophy: want more power? make the motor bigger! Whereas the rest of the world have gone the 'make the engine more efficient' path.

[Neal 512]

I like the new retro styled Mustang and the forthcoming Selby GT500 5.4 32 Valve with supercharger, but not enough to want to shell out cash for one (couldn't afford one anyway) Other than that model , I think most of them look very ordinary , possibly why they are in trouble in the USA now.

[Jazzbass 1]

That's a good point.

People want something which stands out - if all the new Fords fail to do that, maybe they should grab Chris Bangle?

[Jimocles 0]

Ford Europe is doing ok though

and Rover and Jaguar are actually profitable for the first time in ages

its just all the american sh*t where they are losing their shirt on every car they make.

Still living in the past, haven't realised that power is nice, but its even nicer to

actually make it round a corner.

I've driven one of those F150's and it was like driving a house.

[westy 614]

Aus make good utes,the Brits make good cars.

The Yanks?Well what did you expect?

[Jazzbass 1]

As we all know, the US tends to be rather insular and unprepared to change their points of view. IMO, this is all part of the Ford equation. We will do it our way.

When 'our way' no longer works - surely its time for a rethink?

[Neal 512]

I think the BHP is indicative of the general historical US engine development philosophy: want more power? make the motor bigger! Whereas the rest of the world have gone the 'make the engine more efficient' path.

Or they start off / design with a good motor and wrap it with an ugly body.

Anyone remember the early 90's US spec Ford Taurus. 3.0 six with 5 valve heads developed by yamaha , it made something like 160 / 170 kw in 1990. Who would buy a car where your not sure if it should be driven backwards or forwards. :banghead:

[*sic 1]

good all these people can get hondas now.

[Jazzbass 1]

LOL! Was it this statement which triggered that?

Or they start off / design with a good motor and wrap it with an ugly body.

[kiwi535 538]

That's a good point.

People want something which stands out - if all the new Fords fail to do that, maybe they should grab Chris Bangle?

i dont know about that jazz......I dont know what the average punter wants in a vehicle.But 10000000000 corrollas arent sold cos they stand out.

[Jazzbass 1]

LOL - so true!!

Maybe it would it would be better put as " people who like cars" prefer something which stands out???

A quick survey around my office shows that, of about 20 people, only 3 (other than me) really care what they drive - the rest - its just a car. Typical responses to "what sort of car do you prefer or drive?" were - blue, 4 doors, hatchback, big enough for the shopping etc.. I guess they're the Corolla buyers..

[bmwsparkle 3]

LOL - so true!!

Maybe it would it would be better put as " people who like cars" prefer something which stands out???

A quick survey around my office shows that, of about 20 people, only 3 (other than me) really care what they drive - the rest - its just a car. Typical responses to "what sort of car do you prefer or drive?" were - blue, 4 doors, hatchback, big enough for the shopping etc.. I guess they're the Corolla buyers..

or preferbly ill try and get them into a golf diesel

[kiwi535 538]

or preferbly ill try and get them into a golf diesel

I think the average punter wouldnt even CONSIDER a Golf let alone a diesel.Despite diesels getting very good press i think the average corrolla buyer would be suspicious of a diesel and equally as suspicious of a golf.

[cainchapman 0]

Mate, where do you start. I have a 2005 Falcon Wagon as a company car. At least it has an OHC motor, but leaf springs and a live rear axle! Transmission and motor are better than the last model.

Car rattles more and still isn't as good as a 10-11 year old 540.

[Guest Andrew]

Ford Europe is doing ok though

and Rover and Jaguar are actually profitable for the first time in ages

you mean LANDrover hah - rover were never owned by ford and aren't doing so well hah

[conrod 1]

Hmmm, interesting comments here..... I was watching BBC's "Top Gear" a few months back, and they did a track test on all of the top 2 litre sedans available at the time, including the BMW E46 320i, Honda Accord and (current) Ford Mondeo. They picked the BMW would be the fastest around the test track, followed by the Honda, then the Mondeo, with all others trailing in their wake. In fact, the Honda came third fastest, the BMW one second faster in second place, and the Mondeo trounced the BMW by OVER 2 SECONDS to come in first! So quite happy with that, as I had just bought a Mondeo Wagon, and have to say its a pretty good car. And for something a bit faster, my 14 year old Escort Cosworth is pretty damn quick and can still turn a lot of heads.

Edited February 6, 2006 by conrod

[cainchapman 0]

True Conrad, the British designed Fords are light years ahead of the Australian and American designed cars.

Any Cosworth or Shelby is worth owning.

[Jazzbass 1]

I used to rate the Cosworth Sierra quite highly as a sleeper in NZ. Not that many around, though.