Too bad you can't buy one here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2a2JerrjOI

Seriously though... assuming it gets good fuel mileage, this is one car I could see myself in. What gives? There's only one car sold in the US related to the Mondeo, IIRC, and it's the Jag X-type... so can we expect a new X-type based on this new Mondeo anytime soon?

 

I think Ford's only current gameplan with Jag involves a For-Sale sign.

 

Regardless of the future of Jaguar, Ford, and Jaguar at Ford I wouldn't expect an X-Type replacement.

 

That new Jag concept (forget the name) is supposed to be a preview of the X-type replacement's styling.

 

The CX-F is the preview of the S-Type replacement's styling.

 

Actually, when Ford's new CEO, Alan Mulally, first reviewed Ford's global lineup last year, in addition to asking why Australia and America had different large RWD platforms and why they dropped the 98% recognition Taurus name for the 40% recognition after nearly 3 years Five Hundred, he asked why Mondeo wasn't part of the North American lineup. Like his other questions, there seemed to be no real answer, or at least any logical one.

Although there was no real reason why it wasn't done in the 1st place (outside of US automakers tendancy to shun products from their divisions outside the country is likely), there's reason why this won't be corrected as quickly as Ford's decision to bring back the Taurus name.

First, the US dollar has dropped so low next to most all currencies that the price of an imported Mondeo is going to be exceedingly high.

Second, we're stuck with the Fusion and Milan for at least a couple more years. Both models are doing well, and since Ford invested the money into developing them, they're going to need to run their course.

Third, there isn't enough plant capacity to produce a model for Ford North America.

Then comes the obvious question: If there isn't enough plant capacity to fit the volumes Ford NA needs, and it's going to be pricey due to exchange rates, and Fusion and Milan are locked in for a couple more years, why not import it for Lincoln??

Ford was actually looking to import a Lincoln crossover from Europe (recently killed, again because exchange rates) to fill in a product gap. But the MKZ is also new, is selling well, and just won a J.D. Powers award for having the best assembly quality of any car in it's class (yes... it beat Cadillac's CTS), so it's not going anywhere for now.

However, the Ford Fusion or the Five Hundred body of new Taurus just might be short lived. A upcoming midsize replacement is going to be based on the Euro Mondeo.

 

Some goober that posts on this board has been saying for over a year that the Euro version of the Focus and the Mondeo were awesome beyond belief for us US gearheads. That same goober was driving a new Mondeo for 2 weeks while in Bolton, UK in Feb and March. That same goober drove the new Focus last Nov and Dec while he was there too.

That goofy goober...
Anybody recall that guys spewing trash about the Mondeo and Focus for the last year.?


Ford is INSANE for not bringing those cars here YESTERDAY.

 

Hmmm...are you talking in the 3rd person again?

 

The Fusion was doing pretty well last I checked. Is there room for both the Fusion and the Mondeo in the US lineup?

 

George likes spicy chicken!

 

Are we talking the same Mondeo here that's coming to Australia?

When I first saw it at the MMS, that thing looked bland for a new generation model. Not too many eyes focus-ed on it either... if you would pardon the pun.

 

Sometimes I feel like I am talking TO the 3rd person, not "in" it!

Seriously, I know a lot of times we all take each other's POV as just that, and we eat it with a grain of salt. I'm guilty of it myself. But I have honestly been blown away by the products they have in Europe compared to here - not just Ford, but Vauxhall, Opel, Renault, and many others too.
Have I not been praising the quality and saying that Europeans actually compared and preferred their Ford to such marques as Mercedes and BMW?
Right there in that video the guy says not only they are to be compared, but folks at BMW and Mercedes should be very cautious about this car - it could elevate the entire benchmark and pricepoint for the whole market. That's a bold statement - more bold than mine IMO.

Lastly, now you see why the European Ford was being considered as an import under the Lincoln brand here... hmmm.

Monetary exchange rate my @ss... for the right car, people here will pay a measly few hundred dollars premium. Any dip-sheet that pays $90k for a Mustang that MSRP's at $45k proves that people will pay for what they really want. I say bring those 3 models here ASAP and charge cost + 10%... We'll see how the public responds!

 

Mondeo would hit a totally different market IMO.
Sorta like the Impala and Monte Carlo do, or the GP and GA used to.

Mondeo is more upscale and refined than Fusion. Fusion to me is a well-detailed "entry-level" small 4-dr sedan.
Mondeo is a little bigger, roomier, and much more refined - meaning attention to the tiniest details from total NVH to ***** and butons to exposed stitching on the leather items.

In short, yes, I think they could coexist.

 

Pun pardoned.

Yes, the same Mondeo.

After seeing all those new Commodore VEs and WM Statesmans on the street for the past 9 months & having interiors like the current Holden and Aussies Fords for the past decade, and having Euro-imports and Japanese cars rounding out the market, of course the Mondeo isn't going to be overly impressive down your way. You guys are used to good cars!

But come our way & in the flesh take a gander at (and drive) our Ford Fusion and our Ford Five Hundred...er...Taurus, and you'll see what the big deal is..... here at least.

 

Damn, I did it again, I checked out the link and read the comments, When will I learn, watch the video, avoid the commnets.