Looks like GM is on big trouble, so ford's problems don't seem like such a big deal after all, at least not at a first glance.
The writing I can see on the wall here, is that in a few years it may be impossible to find a "domestic" vehicle that is made in the domestic market. Instead they will all be outsourced to cut costs.
So what does all this have to do with the 2009 F150?
In addition to financial problems, there may be a less fertile market in the years ahead. Think about it, the F150 is ford's bread and butter, and has been for the last 30 years, but aside from comfort and sophistication, the performance has not held pace with the times, power is not great, and neither is fuel economy. Oil prices have backed off recently with the slowdown in the US, but this will not last (at least not the better fuel prices), and with mandated fuel economy standards, I can't help but wonder if this truck is 5 years too late.
As a side note, the ford ranger will be canceled soon, and that means that ford does not even have a fuel efficient entry level truck anymore.
Am I off the wall here?
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1986 F250HD Ex cab Fresh built up 6.9L diesel Lariat AC leather seats power everything w/full cluster, sterling rear 3.08LS gears, E4OD trans, ram intake ATS 088 turbo
1986 F150 Ex cab Lariat rollercam 5.0L on LPG AOD trans 3.55 gears 390 000Ks
Well I think your paragraph about ford falling behind is a bit off. They are in the last year of an old body style. Typically when that leaves them in last place. I'm happy that they have managed to compete in most other areas, only falling behind in performance. Think about the 06 silverado. That thing seemed prehistoric when compared to the current offerings at the time. But chevy came out with the new one and brought it up to speed. I think we'll see Ford be more competetive after the 09's
The rest i think is absolutly true. Though not just for the F150 though. I think in the next few years we will see a drastic shift in the auto industry, well actually all industries and American culture. We are used to cheap oil, and I think that is a thing of the past.
I think we will see pick-ups become what they once were. A tool for contractors and other people who use a truck as a truck. No more high performance, comfortable pick-ups that are practical to drive as a daily driver and haul once a month. They will never get good fuel economy but those that need it will have to deal with it as there is no other tool for the job.
I think we will see most other cars become more downsized. Down to something that comfortably can fit 4 adults but not much more. I think of the Honda Fit as an example of this. I think we will use hybrids as a stepping stone to the next phase. I am not sure if that will be hydrogen or plug in electric vehicles.
I hope to see less urban and suburban sprawl. I hope the goverment steps in and builds useable methods of public transportation.
In all honesty I believe we have been living in a dream here in the US. We have bought things we can't afford, living lifestyles we can't afford, driving unrealistic distances to work. I think within the next 10 or so years we will see a drastic shift in how we live, more in line with the way europeans do. I think the housing market crash of recent is just the first step in this.
If you mean a "domestic" vehicle build entirely on US soil, well I think that is already a thing of the past. The ford, and GM brand are too good to disappear so the worst we would ever see is the GM a division of toyota or something of the like. If you mean simply built here. Well isn't the tundra and camry build in the US with a large percentage of american parts?
As a side note, I attended a private convention with all the automakers in late 2006. I thought that toyota and GM had the best plans for the future. By that I mean the future of alternative vehicles. I was very impressed with both of them and would say that I couldn't have planned it much better myself.
You are right I think. If the Ranger goes and I don't like the replacement; I'm going to get the Frontier. A co-worker of mine has one and it's a real nice truck. My wife drives Ford Cars so that means she will be switching brands with me because it is easier for us to deal with one dealer.
We've driven Ford's for years, but if they stopping making vehicles that meet my needs then we will move on.
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Duane
It's better to burn out... than to fade away - Joe Elliot
Last edited by rangerfan : 02-13-2008 at 02:00 PM.
i think ford makes a lot of unnessecary stuff.i mean look at the new f-150 id be afraid to scratch the paint.it looks nice but i care more about under the hood than i do about what it looks like with all its fancy features
Why do they need to change whats under the hood, its already tuff as nails and class leading capabilities. I really don't see the truck market losing any, i mean more people are buying trucks every year, if anything it will get bigger, the technology is there too go completely oil/gas free but then what will the government do? probly poop there pants
i think ford makes a lot of unnessecary stuff.i mean look at the new f-150 id be afraid to scratch the paint.it looks nice but i care more about under the hood than i do about what it looks like with all its fancy features
Why would you be more afraid to scratch the paint on the new F150 compared to an older one? Except for fuel economy what is "under the hood" is very good. The current powertrain will do everything anyone needs for as long as they own the truck. Well maybe it won't win many drag races..
i never said what is under the hood hood isnt bad.it sure as hell isnt class leading capabilities.and i would be afriad to scratch the paint because i would of just spent over 30 thousand dollars on a truck.go to fords website and go to vehicle comparison.they compare the 5.4 to the 4.7 tundra,4.7 dodge,and the 4.8 chevy.and those are putting close to the same numbers as the 5.4.
Why do they need to change whats under the hood, its already tuff as nails and class leading capabilities. I really don't see the truck market losing any, i mean more people are buying trucks every year, if anything it will get bigger, the technology is there too go completely oil/gas free but then what will the government do? probly poop there pants
there really isnt anyway to go oil free, theres a limited number of ways to make electric, oil, water, wind, sun, nuclear, wind and sun are a joke, dams kill to many fishes, and there hasnt been a nuclear plant built in forever, so without more nuclear plants will will always need oil, hydrogen doesnt just come from a tree you need electric to produce it
I think fomoco will make a profit in N.America in 6 yrs
there really isnt anyway to go oil free, theres a limited number of ways to make electric, oil, water, wind, sun, nuclear, wind and sun are a joke, dams kill to many fishes, and there hasnt been a nuclear plant built in forever, so without more nuclear plants will will always need oil, hydrogen doesnt just come from a tree you need electric to produce it
I think fomoco will make a profit in N.America in 6 yrs
I wouldn't consider a device that turns sunlight directly into electricity a joke. Especially if it does this without any moving parts and a service life of more than 30 years. Diddo on wind turbines that last more than 35 years.
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1986 F250HD Ex cab Fresh built up 6.9L diesel Lariat AC leather seats power everything w/full cluster, sterling rear 3.08LS gears, E4OD trans, ram intake ATS 088 turbo
1986 F150 Ex cab Lariat rollercam 5.0L on LPG AOD trans 3.55 gears 390 000Ks
there really isnt anyway to go oil free, theres a limited number of ways to make electric, oil, water, wind, sun, nuclear, wind and sun are a joke, dams kill to many fishes, and there hasnt been a nuclear plant built in forever, so without more nuclear plants will will always need oil, hydrogen doesnt just come from a tree you need electric to produce it
I think fomoco will make a profit in N.America in 6 yrs
Hmmmm nuclear powered cars?? **puts on mad scientist outfit and runs to the secret lab**
But from what I can gather, the huge loss was a result of some weird tax deferal thing that completely confuses the crap out of me.
Nuclear power is the answer. Everyone who understands it realizes that it is the answer for our energy independence at this point in time. The problem is most people are uniformed and have an irrational fear towards it. I think that, combined with plug in hybrids and eventuly electric cars is the future.
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