they gotta get this turned around.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070125/...e/earns_ford_5

 

What did you expect when all they want to build are big buck gas guzzling SUV'S

 

It's not a surprise for ford, they predicted record loose's because of the cost of restructuring, it was accounted for in thier budget. They also out sold chevey and toyota in 06, so all in not lost. Because of good sales numbers in 06, thier looses were a record high, but not as much as they first thought. In thier plan, they expect loose's untill 09 before thier back in the black. Also got mt truck trend yesterday, they posted the 15 best selling trucks for 06, the f-150 was first and the ranger was 9th, all though 9th isn't great it's better than 15th. The ranger is still holding it's own with a out dated plateform and no crewcab. TT is still hinting strongly at the new Thialand, Australian plateform and the 2.5 and 3.0 common rail diesels for north america in the near future. Mazda just released thier version to the world market, it's called the BT-50. They also anouced that ford was dropping the huricane engine for the light truck market in favor of new diesel engines, however, the huricane is exspected to be offered in performance edition mustangs in the near future. A 6.2 liter mustang does sound awesome.

 

They built those gas guzzling suv's because that's what the public wanted....for over twenty years.

But when gas hit $3.00 a gallon, the fickle public no longer wanted them.

You would be amazed if you read some of the complaints about gas mileage posted by new owners. Many who bought these land yachts believe the outdated EPA mileage figures, soon to change for the first time since 1984.

The major reason for poor mileage is a lead foot. Here in SoCA, with freeways having posted limits of 65/70, many drive over 80. Then whine about gas mileage.

 

"YEP", it's supply and demand, the public demanded it and ford supplied it. People will spend 30 to 40 grand for an suv and then complain about gas prices, go figure. If I bought a v-10 excursion, I would do so knowing it would take a paycheck to fill it up, no surspise there. People have more money than sense these days. Ford has the duty of trying to stay a head of the fads. One of fords brillant moves was the escape, it was a head of the latest gas crunch, it was an suv that delievered decenct mpg and even had a hybrid version before 3.00 a gallon gas. We had an 01 and loved it. It just wasn't as offroad capable as I would like, so I got the liberty. However, for what it was, it was better offroad than I expected, I played with it in the mountains of W,Va with no real complants except it needed a low range and a lsd, but wasn't bad. On the highway and bad road conditions it was awesome. It was a v6 4x4 and we got 18-19 mpg around home and 24 highway. That wasn't bad for a 200 hp 4x4, a lot better than the jeep, which is lucky to see 21 highway. The fusion is also another great success story, the right car at the right time. Ford will be ok, they will come out of this thing a leaner meaner company.

 

And don't forget the overwieght LUV's. There is nothing "Sporty" about an Excursion. It is a Luxury Utility Vehicle, not a Sport Utility Vehicle. And you are right, the same people who wanted those overwieght LUV's are now crying foul with the high gas prices. However, nobody "forced" them to buy them.

 

Time is running out for Ford. Toyota has already surpassed them and Nissan is rushing up the straightaway at them. They spent a large sum on redeveloping the Expedition, which was a lousy decison. They would have been better off spending that money on the Ranger and Explorer, and killing off the Expedition. Face it, the days of the Expeditions, Excursions, Suburbans, Tahoes, etc. have passed. No use trying to light up an old flame. Develop a line of viable cars to compete with the Camry, Altima, etc. That is the market of the future.

 

Ford's quality is what will keep them afloat and pull through this period of time. They are going to simply adjust to the publics demand, and march on. All those gas guzzler owners could only complain about fuel consumption, but if you notice, not many complained about quality or reliability. "Built Ford Tough" means what it says, and that's why people buy Ford period. The Ford Escape is an excellent example of how Ford is already adjusting to the market.
People can find all kinds of reasons to buy Japanese, but they will never know what it's like to own a Ford. It seems that many have enjoyed owning a Ford, because the streets are loaded with them. That speaks volumes itself!

 

Toyota didn't surpass ford, ford out sold yoda and chevy in 06, this is a new year and anything can happen, but ford is holding it's own. The 6.2 huricane won't be going into the f- 150, they decided on a diesel instead, however, the huricane will be seeing duty in the mustang, "now thats a bold move". This was reported in my latest issue of truck trend. Ford does need the expedition, "why", cause GM and yoda have suv's in that class, they can't afford to give up any segment of the market. Thier hydrogen powered f-150 test mule got 60 mpg, that can apply to the expedition with hydrogen as well. There's still alot of people out there that have large trailors and boats they need to pull, thats the crowd the expedition is after. Is ford just supost to let GM and yoda have those customers? What will keep ford in the game is quality and excting products. Were getting a new focus and escape next year, a new ranger in 09 and the fusion and mustang are doing awesome. Were getting a new super duty with a more powerfull diesel, but yet more efficent, a diesel powered f-150. Also the bronco was supost to be a go to cut into the jeep and hummer H3 crowd, not a sudo bronco, but a real offroad capable bronco with a removable top like the original. Who knows what else ford has brewing in it's skunk works. I think it's an exciting time for ford and they needed to get leaner and meaner, this will be to thier benifit in the end.

 

As far as the sports line, there isn't anyway to deny the new Mustang/cobra! Many models across the spectrum of manufacturers, are building and selling in direct relation to oil prices. People mainly buy from their pocketbook, and right now we are on another energy efficient wave again, and Ford kinda got caught being a little slow to this trend.

 

Ford has many loyal customers out there, and as long as they keep building, people will keep buying. I too beleive that they are somewhat behind when it comes to the ranger in comparison to the jap brands mid-size trucks but are ahead when it comes to price. This whole restructuring will make them a tougher company and send them rocketing into the lead. They are not a new kid on the block and it isn't the first time that they had to tweak the way they do business. I'm glad that they are doing what they are doing.

 

Ford lost several thousand dollars paying for all of my warranty repairs!

 

Time is running out for Ford really. They have been saying this the last 103 years. In 1945 Ford was losing millions off dolars a day an on the verge off going under. Said the same thing in the early eighties. Fords a 103 yerarold company that seen a bunch off tough times in those 103 years. An wala here it is 2007 an another bump in the road. Ford has a car line that competes an exceeds Toyota an Honda right now. As far as money makers Fords makes most off there money On SUVs an trucks.

I think Ford knows what wells an what makes them the most money. Ford invest in a new Expedition becuase theyy make a bunch off money on each new sale. Even if the sales are lower per vehicle. They make more dollars per sale then several times as many cars. And as people hate to say it trucks are big sellars an still are big profit makers.
As far as what Ford believes in or support makes no difference to me. As long they put out the vehicles that do the job for me i could care less. Its america we can do what we want. We have choices. I know one thing if For made 10 billion in profits there would be nary a thread about it. But thats good news. People love bad news. Bad news sells newspapers an in general people thrive on other peoples disasters.