At least they are finally getting rid of Land rover and Jaguar. Selling to Tata. Keeping Volvo is smart.
personally i think ford would be better off keeping land rover and dumping jaguar and volvo.
Volvos have become some of the most unreliable vehicles. My parents had one, that basically fell apart before it hit 30K miles. My neighbor has either the S60 or 80 and it is in the shop probably every week. He wants to get rid of the pos, but he said noone will offer him anything near what it should be worth.
Land Rover may be one of the few lines that has been experienceing growth. I see range rover sports and the LR3's everywhere.
My roomate has an S60 and hasn't had a problem with it. Bought it used and I think that he had to get a new ball joint on one side at around 80k, but thats about it. Oh, it does need a new battery.
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Chris
1994 Mustang GT
1992 Explorer XLT
2000 Expedition EB
I own a 150 because my first truck was a Ranger. It was the only thing I could afford at the time. I abused the hell out of that thing and it never quit. It was a fantastic machine. When it was time for something bigger, I went straight back to Ford.
If the Ranger had not been there, I would have bought the small Toyota (that was before the day of the Tacoma). With that experience I would have likely been a Tundra owner today.
Not having an up-to-date competitive small truck would be extremely foolish. Toyota and Honda understand the importance of having good cheap products to capture the young and if you do the job well, they will stay with you for a life time when they buy the more expensive products.
This kind of thinking is what killed the American sedan business.
Not having an up-to-date competitive small truck would be extremely foolish. Toyota and Honda understand the importance of having good cheap products to capture the young and if you do the job well, they will stay with you for a life time when they buy the more expensive products.
This is a very good point. One that I'm sure that Ford know's.
The only thing I can think of is, that in a few years they'll bring the Ranger back. Only it won't be built in the USA. It'll be built in Brazil, Mexico? Thereby cutting out another US production facility, and cutting out the UAW at the same time.
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93 F One Fiddy- 5.0/AOD/3.55 230K OEM
93 F Two Fiddy Scab- 7.3/ZF5/3.55/Sidewinder II,94 Turbo pump,G Inj's, Velvet Ride, Ride Rite Rear, Turbo Bumper, Alcoa's
85 F Two Fiddy-6.9/C6/3.54/ Holley Red, Racor, Soup Bowl,AutoJet 3",Ride Rite Rear
I also had 2 fords while I was in high school and college. An old explorer and a ranger. I did test drive the other brands while I was searching for a new truck but the sale was ford's to lose. I believe the f150 is the best truck out there but maybe the good experiences I had with the older fords helped make that decision. I think it is a huge mistake for ford to not have any cars aimed at the young first time car buyer.
You know if Ford was doing better financially the Ranger would live forever but rough times in the auto business makes that impossible. Would a Ranger redesign sell probably. Rangers are the most popular small trucks out there. It cost megabucks to redesign anything but if your market isnt there it wont do you much good fiancially. F series is Fords bread an butter. Big trucks make the most profit per vehicle then anything else. So Ford concentrates an spending a bunch off money an promotopn on the 150. Ford has come out with new vehicles like the Edge an Fusion which are big sellars.
People kind off forget back in the late fifites when Ford came out with the Edsel. It was huge investment for Ford. The car was promoted well but timing was bad. Sales were never there an after a couple off years the car was dropped compleltly. Ford lost millions on this car. A great car but the marketwasnt there for it. It hurt Ford but Ford was doing well financially so it wasnt a complet idisaster. If that would happen today though. It would be a totally different story. Ford might not be no more. No room for error is the name off the game anymore.
I agree but it is well know that the 18 to mid twenties age group is a very important one for the automakers. In fact, it's so important that toyota created a new brand, scion, aimed at that group. There certainly is no room for error but I think neglecting that age group is a huge error. My younger brother and sister both are planning on purchasing a tacoma when they graduate college in a 1 and 2 years respectively, simply because ford no longer has a competing offering. If they have great experiences with them I am fairly sure that, when it comes time for another vehicle, the first stop will be the toyota dealer.
Good point, Dascro. If they start out with a Tacoma, and have no problems with it (which they won't), their next vehicle will be a Toyota. Same goes for if they started out in an F-150.
I'll take my Fords anyday, though. They have been so good to me. So much better than all the GM crap I have owned. GM is junk. Now that I have owned a little of everything, I am definitely gonna be a Ford-man for the rest of my life.
__________________ 1986 Ford F-150 4x4 5.0 EFI
XLT Lariat
NP435/NP208/9" 3.50 axle
Road Warrior bumper, Leaf Spring Overloads, Custom Exhaust Work
70 mph will get you to the slow lane here, barely. Unless its rush hour 75-80 is the norm in the metro Atlanta area. 70 will work when towing, but will result in a lot of people cutting you off if you'e not. Not saving its right or wrong... but it is the reality.
Ken how is the weather down there today? Driving must really stink today
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00 F350 4x4 Power Stroke 6spd drw rack body 4.10
02 Explorer XLT 4X4 Red
03 Explorer XLT 4X4 Aspen Green
04 F250 4x4 5.4 6 spd pickup 3.73
Leader of the New England Chapter.. Come And Join - CLICK HERE
Good point, Dascro. If they start out with a Tacoma, and have no problems with it (which they won't), their next vehicle will be a Toyota. Same goes for if they started out in an F-150.
I'll take my Fords anyday, though. They have been so good to me. So much better than all the GM crap I have owned. GM is junk. Now that I have owned a little of everything, I am definitely gonna be a Ford-man for the rest of my life.
I started out with Toyota's went to 3 new Fords then back to Toyota. Now I'm looking for another new truck.
What didn't you like about your GM trucks? What was the major problem with them?
It's funny how some people love one brand but others have nothing but problems with them.
Good point, Dascro. If they start out with a Tacoma, and have no problems with it (which they won't), their next vehicle will be a Toyota. Same goes for if they started out in an F-150.
I'll take my Fords anyday, though. They have been so good to me. So much better than all the GM crap I have owned. GM is junk. Now that I have owned a little of everything, I am definitely gonna be a Ford-man for the rest of my life.
I have a friend who has an 06 Tacoma and he lost his tranny after 45,000 miles on it..Paint is pealing also...I would never get one of those
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00 F350 4x4 Power Stroke 6spd drw rack body 4.10
02 Explorer XLT 4X4 Red
03 Explorer XLT 4X4 Aspen Green
04 F250 4x4 5.4 6 spd pickup 3.73
Leader of the New England Chapter.. Come And Join - CLICK HERE
Most people hate to admit it but the UAW is hugely responsible for killing the domestic automakers. When GM has to pay it's workers (I believe I read 90-95%) of their pay while layed off...that is gonna kill the company. I am sure Ford and Chrysler are near the same numbers.... The unions were very important back years ago but have grown too powerful and have led to the predicament the Big 3 are in today.
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