Ford's Future May Rest on 2 Redesigns

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

[Clemenza]

I buy based on quality, not on nationality. Besides, with the globalization of the supply chain, that "American" car may be as American as a Siberian Tiger.

[RightWhale]

Picture your automotive product sitting in -40 temperature all weekend and then starting it and finding the heater is adequate. If the automotive product is a Ford, then you have chosen something practical. If Ford cars are not in this picture, perhaps a Toyota or GM SUV is.

[RobbyS]

Why? Because Ford is controlled by bean-counters rather than engineers and designers.

[JoeSixPack1]

I hope all you morons that buy vehicles according to your belief of the manufacturers politics and not vehicle quality enjoy your free roadside assistance programs.

[BW2221]

"Ford and GM deserve to go broke and out of business if they continue to do business as usual. Bankruptcy may actual wake them up and give them a chance to dump the union failed business model."

The union is a major part of the problem, but only part. The UAW doesn't design vehicles that consumers don't want to buy. That's management's fault ... as is the marketing decision to run pickup commercials throughout NFL telecasts while viewers are getting a beer from the fridge or emptying the beer in the john.

But FReepers would never criticize management.

[old gringo]

i drove a 1971 f100 1 mil&10k miles.drove it 34 years.so you know where i stand on fords.

[BW2221]

"When Ford downsized the Taurus"

"I didn't know they ever downsized the Taurus. Really?"

Ford never downsized Taurus. But, after minimal changes over 20 years, no one other than rental fleets would consider buying it.

[Just Lori]

I heard a rumor that Toyota is thinking of buying Ford. Anybody else hear that?

[Elle Bee]

and they have a punched up 600+ hp model that is a true car... unfortunately both are out of marketable price range

.

[martin_fierro]

2008 Ford Focus concept pix

Yawn. They're doomed.

[MHGinTN]

Crazy? Well yes ... I'm so proletariat I'd love to own a convertible VW from the early seventies. Can't justify it though ... I drive a pickup truck.

[martin_fierro]

2008 Ford Five Hundred concept photos

They are TOTALLY hosed.

[Poser]

The retro Mustang and the new GT are the two things Ford has done right in the last 15 years. Unfortunately for Ford, the price of the GT is way too high to allow enough quantity to make much money.

[Waco]

TheY're calling the 500 'full size"? Tell Toyota to come get em.

[GaryMontana]

A 1986 Ford Taurus.

At Ford quality is job #1 because they have no QUALITY. Ford is too busy sucking up to all of the liberal socialist groups to care about QUALITY and producing products for the consumer.

[RadioAstronomer]

and they have a punched up 600+ hp model that is a true car... unfortunately both are out of marketable price range

Why I have a 505 hp Vette. :-)

[RadioAstronomer]

Yawn. They're doomed.

Just another "Burb Beater".

[RadioAstronomer]

LOL! :-)

[RadioAstronomer]

Unfortunately for Ford, the price of the GT is way too high to allow enough quantity to make much money.

Why I don't have one. I could afford it, but I just could not get myself to shuck the bucks for one. Same with the Ferrari F340. I drove all three, and ended up choosing the Vette. Best bang for the bucks. (and insurance rate - LOL)

However, I do have a friend who own all three. The F340, Z06, and Ford-GT. - Nice stable there.

[Joe Bfstplk]

>http://www.gapantenna.com/titan.html

Me too--in 1958!