Ford quality equals Toyota and Honda
#46
05-15-2008, 06:55 PM
The Econoline is no longer covered by CAFE standards....
The reason I think the Transit will replace the E-Series is
1. I don't think there is a feasible way that the E-Series will assist in meeting the CAFE standards.
2. We are seeing a more "unified" approach by Ford in making corporate uniform models. We won't see many "duplicates" in model segments.
3. In terms of engineering, the Transit is centuries ahead of the E-Series in terms of comfort, NVH, ride/handling. Even though it has engines less than half the capacity of the E-Series, its "performance" is as good too (a standard SWB Transit lapped the Nurgburing in a time as quick as the S-type Jaguar).
There is a cost penalty, yes... but this will be slightly overcome by:
1. Competitors will get significantly more expensive with forthcoming CAFE standards
2.
The biggest downsides are:
1. It doesn't have an automatic transmission at all...
2. Nor does it have a suitable sized gas engine... I wouldn't be surprised if we see an "ecoboost" option, or the 3.5/3.7 V6.
I will be honest, the Sprinter isn't a fair comparison to the Transit either, while similar in concept, they are different in execution, the Tranist is a much better vehicle (it is the current "International Van of the Year").
I think the Sprinter looks ugly, it is plagued by Mechanical problems (as mentioned above), and is more expensive than the Transit in the European market (about 8%).
I don't think it will replace the E-Series tomorrow, but in the distant future, I think it will happen.
1. I don't think there is a feasible way that the E-Series will assist in meeting the CAFE standards.
2. We are seeing a more "unified" approach by Ford in making corporate uniform models. We won't see many "duplicates" in model segments.
3. In terms of engineering, the Transit is centuries ahead of the E-Series in terms of comfort, NVH, ride/handling. Even though it has engines less than half the capacity of the E-Series, its "performance" is as good too (a standard SWB Transit lapped the Nurgburing in a time as quick as the S-type Jaguar).
There is a cost penalty, yes... but this will be slightly overcome by:
1. Competitors will get significantly more expensive with forthcoming CAFE standards
2.
The biggest downsides are:
1. It doesn't have an automatic transmission at all...
2. Nor does it have a suitable sized gas engine... I wouldn't be surprised if we see an "ecoboost" option, or the 3.5/3.7 V6.
I will be honest, the Sprinter isn't a fair comparison to the Transit either, while similar in concept, they are different in execution, the Tranist is a much better vehicle (it is the current "International Van of the Year").
I think the Sprinter looks ugly, it is plagued by Mechanical problems (as mentioned above), and is more expensive than the Transit in the European market (about 8%).
I don't think it will replace the E-Series tomorrow, but in the distant future, I think it will happen.
George
#48
05-15-2008, 09:44 PM
#49
05-16-2008, 10:08 AM
The reason I think the Transit will replace the E-Series is
1. I don't think there is a feasible way that the E-Series will assist in meeting the CAFE standards.
2. We are seeing a more "unified" approach by Ford in making corporate uniform models. We won't see many "duplicates" in model segments.
3. In terms of engineering, the Transit is centuries ahead of the E-Series in terms of comfort, NVH, ride/handling. Even though it has engines less than half the capacity of the E-Series, its "performance" is as good too (a standard SWB Transit lapped the Nurgburing in a time as quick as the S-type Jaguar).
There is a cost penalty, yes... but this will be slightly overcome by:
1. Competitors will get significantly more expensive with forthcoming CAFE standards
2.
The biggest downsides are:
1. It doesn't have an automatic transmission at all...
2. Nor does it have a suitable sized gas engine... I wouldn't be surprised if we see an "ecoboost" option, or the 3.5/3.7 V6.
I will be honest, the Sprinter isn't a fair comparison to the Transit either, while similar in concept, they are different in execution, the Tranist is a much better vehicle (it is the current "International Van of the Year").
I think the Sprinter looks ugly, it is plagued by Mechanical problems (as mentioned above), and is more expensive than the Transit in the European market (about 8%).
I don't think it will replace the E-Series tomorrow, but in the distant future, I think it will happen.
1. I don't think there is a feasible way that the E-Series will assist in meeting the CAFE standards.
2. We are seeing a more "unified" approach by Ford in making corporate uniform models. We won't see many "duplicates" in model segments.
3. In terms of engineering, the Transit is centuries ahead of the E-Series in terms of comfort, NVH, ride/handling. Even though it has engines less than half the capacity of the E-Series, its "performance" is as good too (a standard SWB Transit lapped the Nurgburing in a time as quick as the S-type Jaguar).
There is a cost penalty, yes... but this will be slightly overcome by:
1. Competitors will get significantly more expensive with forthcoming CAFE standards
2.
The biggest downsides are:
1. It doesn't have an automatic transmission at all...
2. Nor does it have a suitable sized gas engine... I wouldn't be surprised if we see an "ecoboost" option, or the 3.5/3.7 V6.
I will be honest, the Sprinter isn't a fair comparison to the Transit either, while similar in concept, they are different in execution, the Tranist is a much better vehicle (it is the current "International Van of the Year").
I think the Sprinter looks ugly, it is plagued by Mechanical problems (as mentioned above), and is more expensive than the Transit in the European market (about 8%).
I don't think it will replace the E-Series tomorrow, but in the distant future, I think it will happen.
#50
06-05-2008, 10:22 AM
It looks like Ford's claim to being equal to Toyota in initial quality was short lived if in fact it was ever true to begin with
The real test is used car quality and used car values. Ford is well behind in that category.
Ratings | J.D. Power
The real test is used car quality and used car values. Ford is well behind in that category.
Ratings | J.D. Power
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