I'm just the opposite ... the last gen was boring as a Corolla, but the new ones are quite attractive. However the fugly IP would probably stop me from buying one if I was in the market.

 

Everybody thinks the instrument panel on the civics is ugly. I actually love it. Of course I've always liked kinda funky cockpit looking futuristic gauge layouts.

 

I had hope, but the GMT900 twins also came short at 50382 combined sales.

 

In the not too distant past, Ford was selling 900,000 F series trucks a year. Their cash cow has seen sales almost cut in half. Maybe they should put their target of making money back another year from 2009 to 2010. Hmmm...how much cash are they burning through per year again?

 

I'm pretty sure that the company has already stated that it will not be returning to profitability in 2009, so in effect, they've publicly done what you've suggested.

Not as much as GM... but that's not saying a whole lot

 

True... although the reviews I've read haven't just griped about the lack of sportiness, but also observed fuel economy that isn't spectacular, fit-and-finish that isn't necessarily class-leading, marginally excessive ride noise, and pricing that is definitely on the upper end of the segment. Wards trashed the car in its review, Motor Trend put it in fourth place out of four in a compact car comparo (behind the Mazda3, Civic EX, and Impreza), and Car and Driver simply stated that they "don't get all tingly" over the Corolla. Granted, it's not a bad car, but one definitely gets the sense that it's not class-leading like previous Toyota efforts.

My guess is that most buyers are purchasing this car not based on its merits, but rather because of nameplate reputation and brand loyalty. Not like there's anything unusual about that; hell, it kept the domestic automakers in business for a couple of decades.

I'd never accuse the average Toyota buyer of being an overly exciting person And indeed, there's something to be said for boring, as other automakers (especially Mazda) are already doing a great job of catering to the smaller group of buyers who want a bit more excitement.

 

Ok, what about the Escalade Ext and Avalanche? haha.

 

But then you'd have to add Lincoln's truck to the F-Series' sales

 

Ok, so add 5 to the ford numbers.

 

Heh speaking of the Focus, I found this to be a pretty neat take on things - obviously its a chop and was meant in jest, but perhaps Ford should seriously consider the general look as opposed to the current schnooz on the Fescue.

Opps, thought somebody mentioned Focus sales up 88% in this thread - oh well, thought I'd share anyway.