tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11852104.post113217186949794521..comments2023-04-02T20:44:00.134-04:00Comments on My Ford Dreams Classic: Forbes' Jerry Flint has his say on Ford again, and I have my say as wellBig Ford Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649352599746912038noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11852104.post-1132276045456091572005-11-17T20:07:00.000-05:002005-11-17T20:07:00.000-05:00Fantastic article... right in line with my own thi...Fantastic article... right in line with my own thinking.<BR/> <BR/>Honda OHC V-6 has cylinder deactivation - so it is done. Ford has said in public they can do it too... but then Ford's engines are quickly falling behind. The modular V-8 line is in very sad shape these days. <BR/> <BR/>The Ranger is an interesting issue... is it worse than the 'vic or vice versa? Both are symptomatic of what's wrong with Ford. <BR/> <BR/>The next Ranger could be nothing more than a shortened Explorer... which would match up very well (and better, since it's an excellent platform) with the competition. The GM trucks in this size range are fine mechanically... but are almost the ugliest things GM has.<BR/> <BR/>Had an interesting talk with a Ford engineer a little while ago... while I can't go into details I did find out that a Ranger replacement is planned yet again (of course these days who knows where the budget is) - but it will have to share a single platform and suspension worldwide. That's what I was told... keep in mind that there are currently a couple of different platforms worldwide all labeled "Ranger" and apparently somebody has an idea of doing this with 1 response (Nissan and Toyota does, why can't Ford?). The term "worldwide" to me means low common denominator for the places where a truck is still a truck (aka where it would actually be used as a truck). Furthermore that says the Explorer platform would be too expensive.<BR/> <BR/>So, IMHO, that means we likely won't see a shortened Explorer as a Ranger.<BR/> <BR/>Personally, I'd like to see something smaller than the gargantuan F-150. That thing is rediculous.<BR/> <BR/>On the Focus, we had the same one as Europe did for years... but couldn't build it with anywhere near approaching the same quality (neither this Focus, nor the first Escort). I've seen interviews which say that is the reason for the delay in gettting the new platform... personally I would think that Volvo and maybe Mazda put some pressure on the parent company to keep the chassis exclusive for a while. Sensitive political subject - look at Jag. Keep in mind, too, that in Europe the Focus-type class is much more up-market and important than it is here in the US. Same for the Contour - look at the options the Euro model had (Mondeo) that we never got (see the Contour enthusiasts site for Mondeo product catalogs). I think we can all say we'd like to see an upmarket Focus in our market, but up to the point where gas hit 3 bucks/gal there wasn't any audience for an upmarket Focus. Even the SVT Focus was obsolete and uncompetitive since the day it came out (and would be pointless now). The C1 chassis is the best move Ford (third try?) has made to getting competitive... but even it's getting old. <BR/> <BR/>-Jeff<BR/>http://www.jwfisher.com<BR/>(950 blogs, 5500 images and 1500 pages - whew)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11852104.post-1132248872270464152005-11-17T12:34:00.000-05:002005-11-17T12:34:00.000-05:00Dave, you have a point about the move to "mid-size...Dave, you have a point about the move to "mid-size", but the fact that the Ranger once dominated the "compact" truck market and now lanquishes, should be addressed. <BR/><BR/>I've said before, that Ford needs the crew cab option and just a bump in power. The Diesel wouldn't hurt either. <BR/><BR/>The Euro Focus would do as well here as the current Focus, probably better. But the competitor for the Aveo and Scion will be the new Fiesta, not the Focus.<BR/><BR/>As for the 300, I think you're right, people guy them because they're a fresh design, the rear wheel drive is just a bonus.Big Ford Fanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649352599746912038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11852104.post-1132242987290506802005-11-17T10:56:00.000-05:002005-11-17T10:56:00.000-05:00well I guess no one wants to build a compact truck...well I guess no one wants to build a compact truck anymore and if they moved to what they call "mid-size" it could hurt F-150 sales, that are vital to Ford's bottom line. These companies don't sneeze without looking at the bottom line. <BR/><BR/>As for the focus they're probably waiting to see what happens with the new sub-compacts like Aveo and Scion to plan their next move. the problem there is they should be innovating. not following. Would a sporty Euro focus do well here? Doubtful . <BR/><BR/>And flint is wrong about why people buy the 300C. I'm guessing most buyers don't even know it is rwd when they go in the showroom. The fusion is doing well because of its looks & price. not drivetrain.<BR/><BR/>Ford isn't in a horrible spot. Now that Gm is tanking Flint has to find a new target. Lets see if all the american companies can go bankrupt. sheesh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com