I dont disagree with that consumers want choice, but a company should not be competing within itself for those consumers. A Ford car in the same market as a Mercury car will only cause inner company competion that takes away resources from the company to compete, see GM about this issue. Also, call me what ever but this "tough economic" period, aka recession, is a good time to pull back, trim out what doesnt sell, costs more than the quality of the final product demands, in short to trim out the fat. Fat only works in government not in industry.
Now, what truck is going to replace the tired but well worn Ranger, as I am curious to see it?
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Stock 1978 F250 Custom regular cab 4x4 with 351M and 4 spd.
1991 Bronco silver anniversary, 5.8L EFI, E4OD swapped for C-6, custom trimmed rear fenders finished in rust.
2009 Fusion SE 2.3L 5spd Red/black cloth n leather
I dont disagree with that consumers want choice, but a company should not be competing within itself for those consumers. A Ford car in the same market as a Mercury car will only cause inner company competion that takes away resources from the company to compete, see GM about this issue. Also, call me what ever but this "tough economic" period, aka recession, is a good time to pull back, trim out what doesnt sell, costs more than the quality of the final product demands, in short to trim out the fat. Fat only works in government not in industry.
Now, what truck is going to replace the tired but well worn Ranger, as I am curious to see it?
I agree, Mecury could cease to exist and Ford may be better in the long run. However, there will be some ticked off customers who believe that the Mercury is a higher quality car. The only thing Ford would have to make concessions on would be the Marquis as the Crown Vic is no longer available to the public.
On that note, Lincoln must stay. Ford brings many new technologies and equipment options to market by testing them in the lincoln division first.
As far as the possibility of Volvo being sold off, IMO, bad idea. I believe that Ford's ownership of Volvo has been instrumental in the increased quality that Ford is now enjoying.
Tim
__________________ SCPO United States Coast Guard Retired '04 Expedition XLT 4x2 '99 Taurus Wagon SE 24V '88 F-150 4x4 XLT Lariat 5.8L 5Spd
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Seems to have worked with Honda and Toyota, making a more upscale version of the same product and selling it for more. It's worked for Detroit as well for many decades. Its only when the same product isn't properly differentiated that it fails. Offer more/better options and more standard features in the "upscale" brand and it'll sell instead of just slapping a name plate on it.
Mercury fills the niche between the luxury and non-luxury brands. Just as Cadillac learned with the Cimeron, Lincoln owners don't want what they preceive to be an inferior product to have the Lincoln name on it. Mercury allows customers to step up to something slightly (in their minds) better without stepping on the toes of Lincoln owers. Brands aren't completely separate divisions the way they used to be... just watch the production lines and you'll see the Navigator coming down the same line and being assembled by the same folks assembling the Expedition... its basically just another trim line with a different badge. I think its a very inexpensive way to cover more markets.
__________________ -Ken
If you need to get in touch with me email me at ftsservice at gmail dot com or via AOL IM: motorhavenken. The best is yet to come....
It is interesting to read this thread, this is looking like a copy of the 6.2 threads from a few months ago. There was talk about not producing the new engine, where did that land? Now we will be getting the 6.2 in a year of so.
All said and done, I don't have a crystal ball. I don't know what will happen. I do firmly believe that Ford has a plan (for good or bad) and we just need wait and see. It would not be the first time that everybody ran around screaming the sky is falling for nothing.
I would not be 100% sure the f-100 is gone. I don't have any insider info, I'm just looking at the need for the product and the history of things like this.
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CL
So, who hired Wile E. Coyote as a consultant?
1997 F-250 4WD W/460 & a manual
2008 Explorer Sport trac
2003 SVT Focus (The Go-Cart)
1967 Mustang Coupe W/351W & a 3spd. (Temporarily Retired)
I could care less about the F-100 as a ranger is big enough for my needs. I'm excited about the new bronco, thats a nich ford could stand to fill instead of all the soocer mom suv's. The jeep wrangler sells real well, not sure about the hummer H-3, but the bronco has alot of fans.
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2009 FORD RANGER fx4 off/road, 5-speed manual, torson diff and rancho's!
Ford was supposed to be worried about an upcoming H4, but with all the changes in the market and GM rumored to be looking for a buyer for Hummer who knows. I won't believe the F100 is dead until I see something else to replace the Ranger.
The ranger isn't getting replaced, there designing a new one in austraila for the world market to be released by 2012. They say it could even be a tad smaller than the current ranger and it will be 4 cylinder based. So that would sorts leave a gap between a smaller 4 cylinder ranger and a V-8 F-150. Opens the door for a mid size with a V-6.
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2009 FORD RANGER fx4 off/road, 5-speed manual, torson diff and rancho's!
The ranger isn't getting replaced, there designing a new one in austraila for the world market to be released by 2012. They say it could even be a tad smaller than the current ranger and it will be 4 cylinder based. So that would sorts leave a gap between a smaller 4 cylinder ranger and a V-8 F-150. Opens the door for a mid size with a V-6.
That was the plan that included the F100, it it has been cancelled as people are saying then surely there will be something else to fill the gap?
With the movement to save energy and revived sales of the current ranger. I don't think ford will chane thier mind on a new 4 cylinder based ranger plateform. It's being designed in austraila for the global market.
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2009 FORD RANGER fx4 off/road, 5-speed manual, torson diff and rancho's!
Why the hell would I buy that piece of junk? It looks ugly and impracticle. Its probably just slapped together as well. If Ford is shelving the return of the f100 for this piece of crap then they deserve no money from the US and Canadian governments.
They havent figured it out. I say let the big three fall and invite Toyota Honda and Mittsubittchi to take their places, give them all the tax breaks!
Hi all, I have worked in Plant Engineering for Fo Mo Co for over 10 years now, I was in a meeting in late Oct. with the head of Ford Stamping Div, Paul Kosaian, and at that point the truck was still a go. We spoke of where the body panels were going to be made...I'm not sure where everone gets there info from, but I get mine from the guy who calls the shots. Happy New Year to you all!!! Chopper.
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Ford knows damn well that they need a smaller truck, with more efficient numbers. Thanks for your post Chopper!
__________________ Rich FTE Guidelines
Support American Manufacturing! "The next time some actor or rock star tells you what to think, tell them to **** off." - Dennis DeYoung
Hi all, I have worked in Plant Engineering for Fo Mo Co for over 10 years now, I was in a meeting in late Oct. with the head of Ford Stamping Div, Paul Kosaian, and at that point the truck was still a go. We spoke of where the body panels were going to be made...I'm not sure where everone gets there info from, but I get mine from the guy who calls the shots. Happy New Year to you all!!! Chopper. P.S. As of that Oct meeting, the Ranger was still getting the AXE.
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Live each moment as if it were the moment that defines you...
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-Ken
Happy New Year to you all!!! Chopper.
