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Ford plans to retool some US factories and bring some small cars manufacturing to the States. This is a great move for the economy in more ways than one: job creation and fuel economy.
Could this make Ford number one and create new customer loyalty?
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693
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3/13/08
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(67 of 67)
Re: Could Ford become THE preeminent American car manufacturer?
Aug 19, 2008 9:37 PM
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Depends on what you mean by 'PREEMINENT. Headed into a relative decline? Maybe. Not that that's a badge or honor or anything.
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Posts:
940
Registered:
12/18/07
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(66 of 67)
Re: Could Ford become THE preeminent American car manufacturer?
Aug 12, 2008 3:12 PM
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Could this make Ford number one and create new customer loyalty?
NO. The new Mustang didn't do it and the Ford Hybrids aren't doing it either.
Brand loyalty and Ford are far distant relatives. Until the American auto makers can match the grade and quality (not just comparative performance and features) Americans will flock to the imports.
I personally flock to GM.
I drive a 2006 Grand Prix GT, hence the name: GP Driver, for those who care.
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882
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10/21/07
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(65 of 67)
Re: Could Ford become THE preeminent American car manufacturer?
Aug 2, 2008 9:43 AM
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It's like anything new. When it first comes out, they are looking for the consumer that would purchase without any hesitation. Like the IPods. Those jerks in Florida, stood in long lines, in the rain, for the release.
The remainder of us waited, because being the first to own the newest gadget wasn't the main issue. It was the price, and what complaints the new users had with it.
The same is happening with the automotive industries. They knew for several years that they could create an hybrid, but they did not. They waited until the newbies was willing to pay any price for the newest hybrid.
Now that the rest of us, refuse to purchase their gas guzzlers. So they had to shut down production. Trust me, they are re-tooling their factories. When they start up again, they will have new employees willing to work for less pay. Then the price of the hybrids will be lower because their cost of production would be low, and the demand of the hybrid will be high.
But I still think that $20,000 is the new price of a new car. My last auto, cost that price. My first car, cost $3,000 and it was new.
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"People only see what they are prepared to see."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Edited by CBunny at 08/02/2008 6:43 AM PDT
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Posts:
525
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1/17/08
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(64 of 67)
Re: Could Ford become THE preeminent American car manufacturer?
Aug 1, 2008 7:25 PM
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> I saw a show on Plant Green that was about converting
> regular cars into electric cars. It said for about
> $20,000, you could convert a car with a standard
> transmission into a Lithuim Ion Battery.
>
CBunny,
Doesn't that make you wonder though? Conversion is more costly and if you can convert for $20,000 why are the hybrids and electric cars more costly than the Hummer?
That's one place I think regulation is okay, putting a realistic cap on products, especially products that would have such a far reaching effect across several crisis level fronts, energy consumption and greenhouse gas issues. Let them make a profit, but don't make the technology that can save us on a number of fronts a toy for the wealthy.
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882
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(63 of 67)
Re: Could Ford become THE preeminent American car manufacturer?
Jul 31, 2008 1:44 PM
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I saw a show on Plant Green that was about converting regular cars into electric cars. It said for about $20,000, you could convert a car with a standard transmission into a Lithuim Ion Battery.
I am waiting for Mercedes Benz to create its version of the car. Here is an article about it.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/03/mercedes-benz-hybrid.php
It's a sedan, great for city folks. But, I need a SUV, because I transport large items.
Since my SUV is paid off, I will hang in there, (grinding my teeth, whenever I am at the gas station), until Mercedes makes my dream car, the Hybrid Lithium Ion, ML 350.
Then, I will still question how long the battery will last? I know I often have problems with my other gadgets that uses Lithium Ion. Will it be consistent in charging up, everday?
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"People only see what they are prepared to see."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Edited by CBunny at 07/31/2008 10:55 AM PDT
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Posts:
476
Registered:
4/14/07
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(62 of 67)
Re: Could Ford become THE preeminent American car manufacturer?
Jul 31, 2008 12:58 PM
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My best car was 1992 Acura Vigor I bought from a trainer at the Gym for $100.00 and it lasted me 6 years. I bought another Acura vigor shell for $800.00 tooko the engine out the old one and put it in the new. It lasted another 4 years.
I got a SuV when I had to give up the pearls. I cried like a baby...I LOVE ACURA!!! FAST economical
But I am looking at Tesla Motors an electric car company in CA. I am waiting to see what they put out. i don't think I'll be able to afford the race car but once they get one I can afford on the road...i'll trade in the Truck for one.
http://www.teslamotors.com/
Check this ride out it's pretty....and gets 220 miles per charge
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24,086
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(61 of 67)
Re: Could Ford become THE preeminent American car manufacturer?
Jul 27, 2008 2:22 AM
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> Foreign manufactories have been producing smaller,
> greener, more fuel efficient cars since before they
> were vogue. Ford and other domestic producers would
> have to pour money onto R&D and buying new machines
> to catch up, which will drive up the price of the end
> product. I'm just saying, green driving is a
> long-term investment that American manufacturers were
> not at liberty to make while unions had them in a
> stranglehold.
jes,
labor doesn't care if they're making small or large vehicles, dirty or clean, efficient or inefficient. Blaming the man on the assembly line in any way for corporate mis-management is misplace. Our auto industry has known peak oil was approaching, that the cars they produce are inefficient compared to foreign models and caused more pollution.
They didn't care enough to design better products, retool to produce them.
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Posts:
5,107
Registered:
9/15/07
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(60 of 67)
Re: Could Ford become THE preeminent American car manufacturer?
Jul 26, 2008 10:37 PM
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I have a '98 Wrangler, bought it new, and I haven't had really any problems with it.
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"Thank you...No." Major Charles Emerson Winchester III
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Posts:
882
Registered:
10/21/07
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(59 of 67)
Re: Could Ford become THE preeminent American car manufacturer?
Jul 26, 2008 9:03 PM
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Jeeps aren't any better. My friend owned a brand new Cherokee. That car stayed at the dealer, more than at her home.
She kept complaining to me that her car was jumping out of gear. I kept telling her that was impossible, especially when the key is not in the ignition.
One day she drove us to our favorite restaurant. I watched her park the car, and remove the key. We was in the restaurant when we saw the SUV back up and slam into another car.
In Florida we have a "Lemon Law" which requires the dealer to give you another car, if new automobile has the same problem 3 times or more. The dealer swore up and down that she caused the accident. It was not the car's fault.
She sold the car, and purchased a foreign SUV, instead. A year later, Jeep recalled the Cherokees because they jumped out of gear.
Jeeps are off my list, now.
--
"People only see what they are prepared to see."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Posts:
5,107
Registered:
9/15/07
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(58 of 67)
Re: Could Ford become THE preeminent American car manufacturer?
Jul 25, 2008 9:43 PM
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Don't know if it's been used but here goes:
Fixed
Or
Repaired
Daily.
Enjoy 
--
"Thank you...No." Major Charles Emerson Winchester III
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Posts:
1,729
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4/16/07
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(57 of 67)
Re: Could Ford become THE preeminent American car manufacturer?
Jul 25, 2008 9:28 PM
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Foreign manufactories have been producing smaller, greener, more fuel efficient cars since before they were vogue. Ford and other domestic producers would have to pour money onto R&D and buying new machines to catch up, which will drive up the price of the end product. I'm just saying, green driving is a long-term investment that American manufacturers were not at liberty to make while unions had them in a stranglehold.
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Posts:
882
Registered:
10/21/07
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(56 of 67)
Re: Could Ford become THE preeminent American car manufacturer?
Jul 25, 2008 8:15 PM
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The only Ford I owned was a Mustang. It wasn't that bad, but I will not buy another American made car again.
Too many recalls.
In Florida FORD means,
Found On the Road Dead.
However, my dad still owns a 1990's Ford F150. I am surprised that truck has held up so well.
He is a roughneck, and all his trucks must be able to take the abuse.
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"People only see what they are prepared to see."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Posts:
8,495
Registered:
6/12/07
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(55 of 67)
Re: Could Ford become THE preeminent American car manufacturer?
Jul 25, 2008 7:45 PM
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> Actually, I thought the energy crisis was the last
> nail in the coffin for American cars. Does Ford know
> something about the next few years that I don't?
They are bringing 6 small, fuel efficient cars that they sell in Europe to sell here over the next few years. The first car will arrive around 2010.
Hopefully gas prices won?t go back down & people flock back to SUV?s otherwise their goose is cooked.
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Posts:
1,729
Registered:
4/16/07
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(54 of 67)
Re: Could Ford become THE preeminent American car manufacturer?
Jul 25, 2008 7:42 PM
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Actually, I thought the energy crisis was the last nail in the coffin for American cars. Does Ford know something about the next few years that I don't?
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Posts:
2,471
Registered:
10/21/07
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(53 of 67)
Re: Could Ford become THE preeminent American car manufacturer?
Jul 25, 2008 5:56 PM
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> I've read some of the posts there. I'm usually
> laughing to hard to type.
Me too. Especially when I see that very funny stuff about 19 flunkies, boogymen and steel framed buildings that faint...at near free fall speed. That shit is a RIOT.
> But we are getting off topic....it's supposed to be
> about why Ford is going to be an hot company in the
> next few years.
So hot, they're going to EXPLODE like their old money maker the EXPLODER.
> Everytime I exchange posts with you I get that same
> feeling.
Sorry to hear that. I usually laugh every...single....time.
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" I don't know it all.... maybe, you just don't know enough."
- Russell
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