Dear ford.. Please stop taunting me

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/04/2009-ford-focus-rs-spotted-in-royal-oak-mi/

You're driving me crazy...

Not only that, they have officially announced that the F150 diesel is a no go. its been near 10 years that they have been hinting at, saying, planing to do this. best move yet, but no, they wont do it.

Oh well, Ill just get a real truck.

http://www.therepublic.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=111&ArticleID=132328

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that if CMEP continues to be down you'll see the big C shopping another company. I've heard rumors as to who it might be and of some secret meetings.. but.. they are just rumors.

If yota wants to make a bid for bigger trucks, it would be stupid not too. Of course, they built a diesel of their own right? http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2007/09/11/toyota-tundra-diesel-near-development/ http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/0804dp_2008_toyota_tundra_diesel/index.html

Now, nissan is the only other mark making a truck that maybe coud look forward, but I cannot picture this.

GM has its own issues, and the Isuzu is one of the best out there.

Ford is the only other that I could see. Even with their lasting relationship with International, the past couple of Powerstrokes have certanly kept many from out of a Ford.

I would have to throw a big FORD out there on that one? If its a rumor, I say its smart, cause it should give Int. a big kick in the pants to get that engine together. The new one is great for power, but thats about it. No MPG in it at all.

Thinkkker wrote: Not only that, they have officially announced that the F150 diesel is a no go. its been near 10 years that they have been hinting at, saying, planing to do this. best move yet, but no, they wont do it. Oh well, Ill just get a real truck.

The problem is that F150 buyers are not the same as F350 buyers. One wants cheap but tough transportation, the other wants diesels, and will pay whatever to get them.

Diesel premium is pretty high, and would be a tough sell for ENOUGH F150's, as far as I can tell. Yes, some will sell. But enough?

E-

Ford has a real chance of making me a ford guy.

Why is it that the European Focus is SO much better looking than the American version.

Um, Ross - Doesn't the ownership of a Capri already make you a Ford guy?

how in the hell did a thread that was started about the focus RS get off on the F150 ???

Why in the hell don't we have the focus RS here, or even the Euro Focus, or fiesta, or the mondeo??? Does ford not like selling cars?

Ok well I hope we get the fiesta ST and that they do an RS version...just wanted to irritate Capt Slow

arghh stop the taunting !!!

I need to get back out on track, autocross withdrawls are starting to manifest.

Capt Slow wrote: how in the hell did a thread that was started about the focus RS get off on the F150 ??? Why in the hell don't we have the focus RS here, or even the Euro Focus, or fiesta, or the mondeo??? Does ford not like selling cars?

Ask the EPA.

Always figured it was a brand-dillution thing. Euro Fords sell great, if they get dumbed down to American EPA and Safety standards, wont you just have weaker, heavyer cars that look like the Euro ones? Maybe they dont want the Euro Fords to get that stigma?

That said, Slap AWD on that thing, and come take down Mitsubaru here in America. Keep the price controled, and it will be a cake walk.

I am suspicious that the problems run deeper than simply goverment regs. This seems more like somebody in marketing needs to be canned...

Capt Slow wrote: I am suspicious that the problems run deeper than simply goverment regs. This seems more like somebody in marketing needs to be canned...

Agreed 100% and that guy's been running that show for WAY too long. How many cool fords never made it to these shores?

Just to add a little tid bit, the 6.0 power plant the ford is using now in the larger trucks, came out in '06 maybe, is all ford...they broke from IH a while back - bad idea imho

MedicineMan wrote: Just to add a little tid bit, the 6.0 power plant the ford is using now in the larger trucks, came out in '06 maybe, is all ford...they broke from IH a while back - bad idea imho

LOL. Brilliant idea, if you know what really happened.

BTW, blaming the EPA is unfounded. Although, the whole diesel emissions, I fully agree with, since air quality in Europe leaves a lot to be desired for.

But it comes down to money. Can you make enough. Recent plans from Ford, the answer was no- huge incentives were needed. Thankfully, that's starting to reverse, and more people are willing to pay real money for our products. Note that we outsold Toyota in April!

Not to say the RS will magically come over here. But it's always a business decision.

Besides, you don't want me to rant about what you DON'T hold over Toyota again, do you?

E-

I saw a 2010 (I think) Taurus near Ford HQ this morning. Other than the headlamps/grille, it was a great looking full-size car. The roofline is lowered, Chrysler 300-esque.

I doubt I'll ever buy a Ford, and to me, their current styling isn't very attractive, but they do appear to be putting out some decent cars and trucks.

It's funny that you titled your thread "Dear Ford..." because Ford asked enthusiasts to give them feedback about bringing the Focus RS to the US.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090406/CARNEWS/904069995

"Ford may add a 300-plus-hp Focus to its U.S. lineup. ... Ford is looking for "feedback from the media and customers," he says. "How much do they like it? Is it really what they want? We are pretty confident that it is."

Send your emails now!

Bob

MedicineMan wrote: Just to add a little tid bit, the 6.0 power plant the ford is using now in the larger trucks, came out in '06 maybe, is all ford...they broke from IH a while back - bad idea imho

completely false. You're info is entirely wrong... The 6.0 is a an IH design and was the reason they had tensions The warranty on the early ones was STUPID high. The 06 and up engine is a 6.4 and is IH as well. My friend is a warranty engineer for Delphi who does the EGR work. Another friend was the electrical test engineer at the Alabama Powerstroke plant and I worked for many years with the big C.

Back to the focus please.

wherethefmi wrote:

Capt Slow wrote: I am suspicious that the problems run deeper than simply goverment regs. This seems more like somebody in marketing needs to be canned...

Agreed 100% and that guy's been running that show for WAY too long. How many cool fords never made it to these shores?

Its a cost thing. People in the US, in the past, didn't want to spend the money it cost to produce the european products. For example, the interiors are much nicer in euro products(or atleast used to be), they didn't bring them to the US because it would put the cars out of being competetive.

You can compete on price or you can compete on quality.

If you keep cheapening your cars to remain comptitive on price you will loose your ability to be competive on quality and you will be forced to move downmarket.

I think as far as interior its becoming a issue more and more. People are getting higher end cars, buying used BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and seein the nicer interior. During the "boom" everyone bought SUV's. But most were high end, Escalade, Navigator, Hummer say what you will about high end, but the cost is fairly up there!.

I think it is driving people to want better stuff. I know the midrange hyundai's are selling much better than the starters info I had talking to dealers. Then with cars running longer and having more miles people are more willing to get a nice used rather than not so good new. Warranty be darned!

Its something that is turning around.

And I was pretty sure that IH still ran the Powerstroke. Its all industrial engines that have been slapped in a full enclosed area to push a vehicle down the road. Always works like a charm!

do you think ford is worried about 300 hp focuses when it already has performance models of its other product? hot hatches aren't moving right now. the import "movement" is over and on the decline. At least half of the industry mags are gone. I see lots of caliber SRT-4's on dealer lots... an RS in the US would be priced mid to low twenties, in all liklihood, placing it in competition with the likes of the hydunadi genesis... even stealing sales from the mustang lineup. It doesn't make sense. Mainstream america won't buy a 300 hp fwd focus.

In the meantime, every other main manufacturer has a small car to compete against the focus that is cheaper and gets better MPG and tata is talking about bringing the $2500 nano to the US. Smart cars are selling well...

The next gen EVO and STI seem to be slow selling, at least compared to their predecessors... bottom line is that Focus RS would not fit in the US ford line up... I think it looks great but honestly how many of the people saying "they should bring it here" would actually buy one at $25k or more if they did?

hands?

didn't think so.

It would compete with the mazdaspeed3 which I suppose is a form of self compition...

I would settle for the mondeo, fiesta, or even the euro focus though...

Capt Slow wrote: I would settle for the mondeo, fiesta, or even the euro focus though...

Patience. The Fiesta will be here soon. Actually there are 100 of them running around the country right now. I saw two truckloads of them on the PA Turnpike 2 weeks ago.

For more info: >Fiesta Movement

and Fiesta Faction<

andrave wrote: do you think ford is worried about 300 hp focuses when it already has performance models of its other product? hot hatches aren't moving right now. the import "movement" is over and on the decline. At least half of the industry mags are gone. I see lots of caliber SRT-4's on dealer lots... an RS in the US would be priced mid to low twenties, in all liklihood, placing it in competition with the likes of the hydunadi genesis... even stealing sales from the mustang lineup. It doesn't make sense. Mainstream america won't buy a 300 hp fwd focus. In the meantime, every other main manufacturer has a small car to compete against the focus that is cheaper and gets better MPG and tata is talking about bringing the $2500 nano to the US. Smart cars are selling well... The next gen EVO and STI seem to be slow selling, at least compared to their predecessors... bottom line is that Focus RS would not fit in the US ford line up... I think it looks great but honestly how many of the people saying "they should bring it here" would actually buy one at $25k or more if they did? hands? didn't think so.

Hand up

Put an AWD on it and ill buy for 30, Rather then considering a used car now, id just save till 2012.

That, and the Caliber is a ugly truck, Thats why its not selling. Bring back the neon, that wannabe truck is a joke.

So is the XB and the soul, if you ask me, but whatever.