Some good ideas for Ford (from Autoweek)
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Some good ideas for Ford (from Autoweek)
Yes, I know. Ideas are like a**holes (everyone has at least one), but these from Autoweek IMO hit the mark:
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...024/LATESTNEWS
There is simply no excuse the new European Focus isn't brought over. I made a post about how Ford has become too conservative at a time where they shouldn't, and the Euro vs US Focus is a perfect example.
The Ford Edge (and it's counteparts) are a good start, but while the Lincoln version works well, the Edge comes across as plain.
The Bronco concept came out in 2004. Now Toyota has their own Bronco out now. What happened??
Ford has been tooling around in imported Falcons and UTEs since at least 2003. 3 frigging years ago. Best I can tell, there's no UTE in the works for the US, and a low priced RWD sedan (that Ford was considering back in Jac Nasser's days) isn't happening. Low cost sedans will be based on Volvo's FWD structure. To date, that includes Crown Victoria's replacement.
The SynUS was a great idea. A US "Scion" type of car, but actually great looking. Could easily be imported from Europe if made there. Again, not in the cards.
Out here in Cali, one can pretty frequently see a Ford Ka (with Baja California license plates). It's a car that would do well here, especially now with high fuel prices. Even Euro safety standards are more extreme than ours in some ways nowadays. Again, no sold here.
Ford's new 3 bar grilles are 3 times uglier IMO than Chevy's former single one, but even though it looks OK on a Fusion, it shouldn't be stuck on everything with a blue oval. That's lazy, and takes away from having each model visually play off of each other. Instead of a showroom with exciting varieties, you have a bunch of vehicles with the same grill, regardless as to how it looks.
I know Ford's plan is to sell fewer cars at higher margins and make profits (and it seems to be working). But it seems that Ford is purposely trying to sell fewer cars by keeping excitement out of the equasion, save Mustang and SVT.
Ford spent millions redoing the Crown Victoria's front structure to improve handling, road feel, and braking a couple of years ago. When Ford was done, Crown Vic essentially had a new frame. Yet, it was a big waste of money. Is it's buyers a group who's going to notice or care?
That same money could have gone into certifying one of their overseas cars.
If GM can do OK doing this to the low key GTO, Ford should have a bonanza with their more exciting overseas models.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...024/LATESTNEWS
There is simply no excuse the new European Focus isn't brought over. I made a post about how Ford has become too conservative at a time where they shouldn't, and the Euro vs US Focus is a perfect example.
The Ford Edge (and it's counteparts) are a good start, but while the Lincoln version works well, the Edge comes across as plain.
The Bronco concept came out in 2004. Now Toyota has their own Bronco out now. What happened??
Ford has been tooling around in imported Falcons and UTEs since at least 2003. 3 frigging years ago. Best I can tell, there's no UTE in the works for the US, and a low priced RWD sedan (that Ford was considering back in Jac Nasser's days) isn't happening. Low cost sedans will be based on Volvo's FWD structure. To date, that includes Crown Victoria's replacement.
The SynUS was a great idea. A US "Scion" type of car, but actually great looking. Could easily be imported from Europe if made there. Again, not in the cards.
Out here in Cali, one can pretty frequently see a Ford Ka (with Baja California license plates). It's a car that would do well here, especially now with high fuel prices. Even Euro safety standards are more extreme than ours in some ways nowadays. Again, no sold here.
Ford's new 3 bar grilles are 3 times uglier IMO than Chevy's former single one, but even though it looks OK on a Fusion, it shouldn't be stuck on everything with a blue oval. That's lazy, and takes away from having each model visually play off of each other. Instead of a showroom with exciting varieties, you have a bunch of vehicles with the same grill, regardless as to how it looks.
I know Ford's plan is to sell fewer cars at higher margins and make profits (and it seems to be working). But it seems that Ford is purposely trying to sell fewer cars by keeping excitement out of the equasion, save Mustang and SVT.
Ford spent millions redoing the Crown Victoria's front structure to improve handling, road feel, and braking a couple of years ago. When Ford was done, Crown Vic essentially had a new frame. Yet, it was a big waste of money. Is it's buyers a group who's going to notice or care?
That same money could have gone into certifying one of their overseas cars.
If GM can do OK doing this to the low key GTO, Ford should have a bonanza with their more exciting overseas models.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,977
From: SeVa
Re: Some good ideas for Ford (from Autoweek)
Yeah, I like the euro Fescue, sharp looking car and the concept bronco was just plain bad ****! One thing though was the fairlane the van or the ute looking vehicle in the pic? How bout a station wagon? Station wagons are cool, especially when they have a 400 HP awd drivetrain and are made to fly down the road instead of down the road and into the weeds.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,769
From: cinci
Re: Some good ideas for Ford (from Autoweek)
Atleast someone has brought attention to it. I always thought the 500 was the best example of Ford failure in terms of styling. I'd even go so far as to say the Fusion is awful looking as well.
And lastly, totally agree on the 3 chrome bars. We need a nickname for them like we had the "spear of death" for the Chevy single.
And lastly, totally agree on the 3 chrome bars. We need a nickname for them like we had the "spear of death" for the Chevy single.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,600
From: Pewee Valley, KY
Re: Some good ideas for Ford (from Autoweek)
Originally Posted by unvc92camarors
And lastly, totally agree on the 3 chrome bars. We need a nickname for them like we had the "spear of death" for the Chevy single.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 112
From: Racine, WI
Re: Some good ideas for Ford (from Autoweek)
Originally Posted by unvc92camarors
And lastly, totally agree on the 3 chrome bars. We need a nickname for them like we had the "spear of death" for the Chevy single.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,646
From: Portland, OR
Re: Some good ideas for Ford (from Autoweek)
What does Toyota have that's like the Bronco? The FJ Cruiser looks bigger than the Bronco concept and not quite in the same catagory as the orginal Bronco back in the '60s (if I remember the original correctly).
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,180
From: Yadkinville, NC USA
Re: Some good ideas for Ford (from Autoweek)
In my humble opinion, Ford needs a 2-step plan to get back upright.
1) They need a short-term shot of adrenalin in the arm. Something to get people there on the lots this year, and leave with a smile on their face if not in a new car.
2) They need to successfully implement their "innovation" scheme, and get some fresh designs and some really unique technology out on the floor. We're talking long-term... 2-4 years out or more.
For the first step (short-term), I propose some facelifts and adrenaline.
* BRING BACK THE MARAUDER WITH A BLOWN 4.6 ... NEXT MONTH!
Despite the gas prices, a niche car like that would revitalize Mercury a bit, and stir the media. People are still pretty active on performance cars (a'la the Hemi craze), and the Marauder is ready to go. PULL THE D@MN TRIGGER GUYS!
* Bring the diesels from Europe over here NOW!!! After riding in numerous 40mpg diesels at well over 100mph, I KNOW WHAT THEY CAN DO. VW has had good success with their TDI units here in the states, and I think the short-term trend will be in that direction. Put them in the Fusion, Focus, Ranger, and Escape. DO IT NOW!
* Bring the Focus over as stated by everyone else. It IS a better car than our old version, and even our old version was ranked top-of-the-heap by Consumer Reports (until they didn't test one with the side curtain airbags
).
Imagine, Ford has a car better than one ranked at the top... but won't bring it out.
*Also, bring the Ka over here - both versions. They are great little cars, and I would market them directly against the Mercedes Smart line. The US market is PRIME for this kind of stylish but economical car. And BTW, the Sport Ka can be tweaked into a very respectable performer too.
* Do a street package dress kit for the Fusion - NOW!!!
Have Steeda or Roush design a 4 or 6 pc body kit for the Fusion to make it more aggressive looking, add fog lights, subtle rear deck spoiler, and appropriate unique rims. NO ENGINE MODS, just skin/appearance changes. Offer it as an "ST" trim package for an additional $400-500 on the sticker. It would be even better if it indicated what was to come from SVT in a few years too.
* Immediately offer an "MPG" trim package on the entire line of personal light and medium duty trucks/SUVs.
This package should have fender stickers and decals that proclaim it is an MPG model. Most significant, offer low rear gearing - on the magnitude of 2.3:1 or 2.5:1 ratios. Change the final drive (O.D.) gear in the trannys to .6:1, but make first gear steeper (like 3.3:1 instead of 2.95) to help compensate. Larger wheels/tires to drop RPM even more. Offer 4cyl turbo-diesel options (as stated above). This would put the Escape, Ranger, Explorer, and even base F150s into better mileage and economical standing, while conscienciously marketing the gas issue on the vehicle permanently (via the decals and emblems). 30mpg should be the minimum target goal. (DOD is a good idea, but not developed, tested, or ready to mass-market yet so that goes into the long-range category.)
Long term issues should include...
* Bring the Falcon from Australia to the US market - in BOTH forms, the coupe and the ute. Bring it with the Boss260 and Boss290 engines too as top-end performers. They will not displace or compete with Mustang as many think. They are uniquely styled, and appeal to a different market IMO. These cars are just awesome - period. (IMO, the ute would sell like $.25 hot dogs at the superbowl.)
*Rollout of hybrid systems accross the board - not just in Escape and Fusion.
*Multi-fuel engines should go into everything. E85, Methanol, Ethanol, LP, LNG, or numerous others. (Ford did a good job with this already with the recent SuperChief concept.)
*Concentrate on the passenger car again. Trucks and SUVs are going to continue to fall in popularity IMO. They need to get into some serious design of new, cutting edge car technology. Good designs are a given, but I think technology can do as much to make the car appealing as design does. Integrated cell phone/communication center. Integrate the car to your home... garage doors, lighting, alarm system, etc. Integrate maintenance systems into the car for tire rotation, brake wear, alignment, emissions, etc.
Anything that has to do with every day life should be fair game. This is some of what their "innovation" campaign is all about.
*Go more global in design and manufacture. While assembly probably needs to be done in the country of sale, I would try to make common parts more adaptable in all nations it is used. (The Euro Focus versus US Focus is a GREAT example... why fund 2 different designs, tooling, parts, etc.? Pick the best one, drop the other.)
*concentrate on low-volume, easily personalized platforms. I think that the car market is so saturated with different makes and models that nobody can keep up. With few exceptions, the days of 1 model selling over 100k units/year are long gone. People crave something different, unique, special. That's why the Scions and Element cars are selling. Hummers too. VWs. Even some of these (ugly-to-me) Hyundais and Kias... they just look different.
I would like to see a platform that offers several different skins (could be plastic molded fenders/skirts/spoilers for that matter), 2 or 4 door, with performance-oriented suspensions or softer cruising suspensions, an n/a 6 cyl or a turbo 6 cyl, 6spd auto or 6spd manual, RWD or AWD, and an options list 4 pages long to choose what you want. Almost like Saturn did a few years back where you could "order" your car on-line, and they would give you a picture of it right after you selected your last option. THAT was a great idea IMO, that might have just been a little before it's time.
*Lastly, listen to the people! Ford does a decent job of this - at least until recently.
They need to get back in touch with what the buyer with cash is looking for.
Right now, it seems to be unique styling, decent power, and decent economy.
Throw some concepts out, do some focus groups, and give them what they ask for... and DON'T let some cheesy conservative beancounters behind a boardroom table override the public's request and decide how it should end up either.
As guionM said, Ford went WAY too conservative in their decisions in the last 18-24 months and they are paying for it now. Their boldest moves have proven to be their best ones... Mustang, GT, Escape Hybrid, Fusion, etc.
Leave the Crown Vic, Mercury Marquis, and base F150 for the conservative side, and take some risk with the Fusion, Fivehundred, Explorer, Sport-trac, and such. Bring the Falcon, Ka, and EuroFocus. Let SVT do the Focus Rally and SVT Fusion - fast. Get an F150 Lightning back out ASAP - that truck gave Ford truck people something to brag about and generated TONS of publicity for Ford Trucks. Pay attention to fuel economy too, and don't brag about 22mpg on ANYTHING, not these days.
OK - that's enough for now. I'll have to charge a consultation fee if I give much more detail that that.
1) They need a short-term shot of adrenalin in the arm. Something to get people there on the lots this year, and leave with a smile on their face if not in a new car.
2) They need to successfully implement their "innovation" scheme, and get some fresh designs and some really unique technology out on the floor. We're talking long-term... 2-4 years out or more.
For the first step (short-term), I propose some facelifts and adrenaline.
* BRING BACK THE MARAUDER WITH A BLOWN 4.6 ... NEXT MONTH!
Despite the gas prices, a niche car like that would revitalize Mercury a bit, and stir the media. People are still pretty active on performance cars (a'la the Hemi craze), and the Marauder is ready to go. PULL THE D@MN TRIGGER GUYS!
* Bring the diesels from Europe over here NOW!!! After riding in numerous 40mpg diesels at well over 100mph, I KNOW WHAT THEY CAN DO. VW has had good success with their TDI units here in the states, and I think the short-term trend will be in that direction. Put them in the Fusion, Focus, Ranger, and Escape. DO IT NOW!
* Bring the Focus over as stated by everyone else. It IS a better car than our old version, and even our old version was ranked top-of-the-heap by Consumer Reports (until they didn't test one with the side curtain airbags
). Imagine, Ford has a car better than one ranked at the top... but won't bring it out.
*Also, bring the Ka over here - both versions. They are great little cars, and I would market them directly against the Mercedes Smart line. The US market is PRIME for this kind of stylish but economical car. And BTW, the Sport Ka can be tweaked into a very respectable performer too.
* Do a street package dress kit for the Fusion - NOW!!!
Have Steeda or Roush design a 4 or 6 pc body kit for the Fusion to make it more aggressive looking, add fog lights, subtle rear deck spoiler, and appropriate unique rims. NO ENGINE MODS, just skin/appearance changes. Offer it as an "ST" trim package for an additional $400-500 on the sticker. It would be even better if it indicated what was to come from SVT in a few years too.
* Immediately offer an "MPG" trim package on the entire line of personal light and medium duty trucks/SUVs.
This package should have fender stickers and decals that proclaim it is an MPG model. Most significant, offer low rear gearing - on the magnitude of 2.3:1 or 2.5:1 ratios. Change the final drive (O.D.) gear in the trannys to .6:1, but make first gear steeper (like 3.3:1 instead of 2.95) to help compensate. Larger wheels/tires to drop RPM even more. Offer 4cyl turbo-diesel options (as stated above). This would put the Escape, Ranger, Explorer, and even base F150s into better mileage and economical standing, while conscienciously marketing the gas issue on the vehicle permanently (via the decals and emblems). 30mpg should be the minimum target goal. (DOD is a good idea, but not developed, tested, or ready to mass-market yet so that goes into the long-range category.)
Long term issues should include...
* Bring the Falcon from Australia to the US market - in BOTH forms, the coupe and the ute. Bring it with the Boss260 and Boss290 engines too as top-end performers. They will not displace or compete with Mustang as many think. They are uniquely styled, and appeal to a different market IMO. These cars are just awesome - period. (IMO, the ute would sell like $.25 hot dogs at the superbowl.)
*Rollout of hybrid systems accross the board - not just in Escape and Fusion.
*Multi-fuel engines should go into everything. E85, Methanol, Ethanol, LP, LNG, or numerous others. (Ford did a good job with this already with the recent SuperChief concept.)
*Concentrate on the passenger car again. Trucks and SUVs are going to continue to fall in popularity IMO. They need to get into some serious design of new, cutting edge car technology. Good designs are a given, but I think technology can do as much to make the car appealing as design does. Integrated cell phone/communication center. Integrate the car to your home... garage doors, lighting, alarm system, etc. Integrate maintenance systems into the car for tire rotation, brake wear, alignment, emissions, etc.
Anything that has to do with every day life should be fair game. This is some of what their "innovation" campaign is all about.
*Go more global in design and manufacture. While assembly probably needs to be done in the country of sale, I would try to make common parts more adaptable in all nations it is used. (The Euro Focus versus US Focus is a GREAT example... why fund 2 different designs, tooling, parts, etc.? Pick the best one, drop the other.)
*concentrate on low-volume, easily personalized platforms. I think that the car market is so saturated with different makes and models that nobody can keep up. With few exceptions, the days of 1 model selling over 100k units/year are long gone. People crave something different, unique, special. That's why the Scions and Element cars are selling. Hummers too. VWs. Even some of these (ugly-to-me) Hyundais and Kias... they just look different.
I would like to see a platform that offers several different skins (could be plastic molded fenders/skirts/spoilers for that matter), 2 or 4 door, with performance-oriented suspensions or softer cruising suspensions, an n/a 6 cyl or a turbo 6 cyl, 6spd auto or 6spd manual, RWD or AWD, and an options list 4 pages long to choose what you want. Almost like Saturn did a few years back where you could "order" your car on-line, and they would give you a picture of it right after you selected your last option. THAT was a great idea IMO, that might have just been a little before it's time.
*Lastly, listen to the people! Ford does a decent job of this - at least until recently.
They need to get back in touch with what the buyer with cash is looking for.
Right now, it seems to be unique styling, decent power, and decent economy.
Throw some concepts out, do some focus groups, and give them what they ask for... and DON'T let some cheesy conservative beancounters behind a boardroom table override the public's request and decide how it should end up either.
As guionM said, Ford went WAY too conservative in their decisions in the last 18-24 months and they are paying for it now. Their boldest moves have proven to be their best ones... Mustang, GT, Escape Hybrid, Fusion, etc.
Leave the Crown Vic, Mercury Marquis, and base F150 for the conservative side, and take some risk with the Fusion, Fivehundred, Explorer, Sport-trac, and such. Bring the Falcon, Ka, and EuroFocus. Let SVT do the Focus Rally and SVT Fusion - fast. Get an F150 Lightning back out ASAP - that truck gave Ford truck people something to brag about and generated TONS of publicity for Ford Trucks. Pay attention to fuel economy too, and don't brag about 22mpg on ANYTHING, not these days.
OK - that's enough for now. I'll have to charge a consultation fee if I give much more detail that that.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,011
From: Exton, Pennsylvania
Re: Some good ideas for Ford (from Autoweek)
Those are some extremely good ideas Proudpony.
It would be nice if they brought the damn Falcons over here. I am not really a fan of the Focus, but the Focus RS would be a great idea, because it would sell.
It would be nice if they brought the damn Falcons over here. I am not really a fan of the Focus, but the Focus RS would be a great idea, because it would sell.