If I was in charge of Ford

[Payman]

There you go, Raza. Brilliant. Add the Falcon, Fusion, the F-150, Edge, Explorer, Expedition and Mustang, and you have a solid product line-up.

[omicron]

It makes a brilliant case for buying a slightly-used something else. Although, it was disgracefully overpriced when sold here, so I'm probably being influenced by that.

In terms of the Falcon (), you then have the opportunity for short and long wheelbase sedans, wagons, utes and cab-chassis.

[Payman]

It makes a brilliant case for buying a slightly-used something else. Although, it was disgracefully overpriced when sold here, so I'm probably being influenced by that.

In terms of the Falcon (), you then have the opportunity for short and long wheelbase sedans, wagons, utes and cab-chassis.

Terrific platform. It's almost a no-brainer to bring it here.

[omicron]

There's no good reason for having a separate chassis for both Mustang and Falcon. There's some money to be saved right there.

[Raza]

I don't understand what Ford's malfunction is.  They're doing well in the UK, they're considered a "premium" brand over there, much like Acura or Saab is here, and most of their offerings seem so damn attractive.  Look at the Fiesta ST; 150PS is around 145hp, right?  Add that to a 2500 pound hatchback, you've got fun and practicality for under 15 grand.  Call it Fiesta or Escort or whatever, plug it where the Focus is now, bring the C1 and sell it at a higher price, and Jesus H. Christ don't muck it up by watering it down!

[MX793]

There's no good reason for having a separate chassis for both Mustang and Falcon. There's some money to be saved right there.

Well, I can think of two good reasons.  First, the current (and past) Falcon's platform can't be produced in LHD form, though this is supposed to be ammended with the next generation.  Second is the price.  The Mustang is a cheap car.  V6 models, which are still reasonably well equipped with power accessories, start at just under $20K USD (invoice is about $18K).  I'm sure the Falcon is a more sophisticated and expensive platform and Ford would be hard pressed selling a Falcon-based Mustang as cheaply as it sells the current car.  I was reading that Chevy was having problems building their base V6 Camaro (Commodore based) so that it could be priced as inexpensively as the Mustang.  The more sophisticated platform is just too expensive to build for them to price it under $20K.

[omicron]

I didn't realise the Mustang was that inexpensive. Stop underpricing cars :P

Plus, the more the Australian dollar appreciates against the US dollar, buying from Down Underpants becomes rather less appealing. When the '04 GTO was first thought of, a US dollar bought you two of ours; now you only get $1.30.

[SVT666]

If I was in charge of Ford, the Mustang would have 800 hp.

[omicron]

If I was in charge of Ford, the Mustang would have 800 hp.

I'm not selling you Ford

[Raza]

If I was in charge of Ford, the Mustang would have 800 hp.

Wuss.  If I were in charge of Ford, it would have two 800bhp motors and AWD, with AWS.

[Payman]

Well, I can think of two good reasons.? First, the current (and past) Falcon's platform can't be produced in LHD form, though this is supposed to be ammended with the next generation.? Second is the price.? The Mustang is a cheap car.? V6 models, which are still reasonably well equipped with power accessories, start at just under $20K USD (invoice is about $18K).? I'm sure the Falcon is a more sophisticated and expensive platform and Ford would be hard pressed selling a Falcon-based Mustang as cheaply as it sells the current car.? I was reading that Chevy was having problems building their base V6 Camaro (Commodore based) so that it could be priced as inexpensively as the Mustang.? The more sophisticated platform is just too expensive to build for them to price it under $20K.

True, but the Mustang is the only car using the current platform, with the demise of the T-Bird and LS. The Camaro and Challenger will be IRS, and the next gen Mustang needs to be competitive. Maybe low price will help it, but a better thing to do is to use the next gen Falcon chassis, which can be cost effective if used for several models, such as the Mustang, US Falcon, a Lincoln derivative, and new Mercury Cougar.

[SVT666]

Wuss.? If I were in charge of Ford, it would have two 800bhp motors and AWD, with AWS.

AWD and AWS would ruin the Mustang, so I'm really happy you don't run Ford.

[chevyguy06]

Funny that you agree with me, as I was essentially paraphrasing Payman's ideas.

The only thing I disagreed with him on was bringing over the S-max/Galaxy...you didn't even mention them.

[nickdrinkwater]

They're doing well in the UK, they're considered a "premium" brand over there, much like Acura or Saab is here

I'm sorry, but that's not true.  There's no way Ford is a premium brand here.

[sportyaccordy]

They need to let the dust settle a bit, and bring over Ford Europe and Australia's lineups in their respective entireties. There's too much change going on; they need to let the dust settle, be resigned as mediocre, and then do the good product blitz all in one shot, like Nissan did.

[Raza]

AWD and AWS would ruin the Mustang, so I'm really happy you don't run Ford.

Haha.

[Morris Minor]

If I were in charge of Ford...

I would rename the company "Dorf."

This would be inexpensive to accomplish, just swap a couple of letters.

"Dorf" (a German word for village) carries Teutonic connotations of high quality and fine engineering. People would buy the cars, the company's fortunes would be revived and America would be great again.

"I sold my Ford Five Hundred, which was underpowered and had Maytag styling. Now I'm the proud owner of this fine new Dorf Taurus. These Germans sure know how build these babies"

[the Teuton]

So Dorf means village, and Dussel means stupid.  Therefore, Dusseldorf means stupid village?  I'm sorry, it wouldn't fly here.

[SVT666]

If I was in charge of Ford there would be an SVT Twin Force powered Fusion, Focus, Mustang SVO, Taurus SHO, and Freestyle...sorry, Taurus X (who says families can't have fun).  SVT would also produce high horsepower offroad trucks out of the Ranger, F-150, and Expedition instead of sport trucks.

[Raza]

I would definitely expand the SVT line as well.  An SVT Fusion with a stick and AWD?  That sounds awesome.

[the Teuton]

If I were in charge of Ford...

I would rename the company "Dorf."

This would be inexpensive to accomplish, just swap a couple of letters.

"Dorf" (a German word for village) carries Teutonic connotations of high quality and fine engineering. People would buy the cars, the company's fortunes would be revived and America would be great again.

"I sold my Ford Five Hundred, which was underpowered and had Maytag styling. Now I'm the proud owner of this fine new Dorf Taurus. These Germans sure know how build these babies"

Can you say Merkur?

[Raza]

I can certainly try.

[the Teuton]

I can certainly try.

[SVT666]

I would definitely expand the SVT line as well.? An SVT Fusion with a stick and AWD?? That sounds awesome.

The SVT Fusion with AWD and the 415 hp Twin Force.  That would be sweet.

[MX793]

So Dorf means village, and Dussel means stupid.  Therefore, Dusseldorf means stupid village?  I'm sorry, it wouldn't fly here.

Here's what I think of when I hear "Dorf"

[BartsSVO]

Ford has to knock it off with those grills. The Edge IMO is biggest offender; the massive three-bar chrome Levelor blind look with a big fat blue Ford badge smack dab in the middle.

Ford and GM both need to stop this crap of using those HUGE emblems on their vehicles. It just looks tacky.

[omicron]

I think of tapware; Dorf being a manufacturer of taps, sinks and bathroom fixtures in Australia:



This tasteless Benz is reminiscent of a leaky faucet.

[sportyaccordy]

Ford and GM both need to stop this crap of using those HUGE emblems on their vehicles. It just looks tacky.

Ford needs to throw it's American design studio into the ocean. The only good looking car they have come up with on their own is the Zephyr, and that's not even that great.

[Vinsanity]

Ford's biggest problem as far as their product line is concerned is that there's basically no purpose for Mercury anymore. as many of you have stated, Mercury is the ideal brand to sell cars from Ford's overseas divisions. I'd drop all of the Ford twins and go with:

Aussie Falcon: Mercury Marquis
Euro Mondeo: Mercury Mondeo
Euro Focus: Mercury Comet
Euro Focus hardtop convertible: Mercury Vignale

I'd also move the Freestar X or whatever it's called to the Mercury line and give it a less silly name (I suppose Monterey might do). Ford could do with one crossover SUV in its brand for now.

if this proves successful, we could also see the return of the Mustang-based Cougar, but make sure at least the sheetmetal looks different

[SVT666]

Ford's biggest problem as far as their product line is concerned is that there's basically no purpose for Mercury anymore. as many of you have stated, Mercury is the ideal brand to sell cars from Ford's overseas divisions. I'd drop all of the Ford twins and go with:

Aussie Falcon: Mercury Marquis
Euro Mondeo: Mercury Mondeo
Euro Focus: Mercury Comet
Euro Focus hardtop convertible: Mercury Vignale

I'd also move the Freestar X or whatever it's called to the Mercury line and give it a less silly name (I suppose Monterey might do). Ford could do with one crossover SUV in its brand for now.

if this proves successful, we could also see the return of the Mustang-based Cougar, but make sure at least the sheetmetal looks different

If Ford did do that then they would have to bring Mercury back to Canada.