Nice to see you get an interview with Fields, I have some connections at Ford but I could never pull that off! Nicely done!

I think Ford is actually taking this serious and not joking about trying to recreate themselves. They aren’t hiding and running for cover but open to try and be translucent company. Ford is clearly different than what the big 3 used to consist of. The stodgy image of an auto exec is all but gone thanks to them being as they are. I guess the world has changed, and sometimes it’s a good thing. I always thoughtMark Fields was a cool guy anyway, so this helps his image too.

BTW – Taurus name never went away, it was still used in 06 and 07 but the Taurus was mostly, if not entirely, a fleet vehicle.

I am not a hatch fan for the most part, but this little Fiesta (And the Euro Focus) are growing on me. I’m just holding out for the turbo versions.

DEAR FORD: Make sure you bring us the 3-door hatch. And an SVT/ST/RS version of some kind. Same goes for the new Focus.

These are some nice-looking photos, some of them even have HDR treatment, with nice reflections and all.
Did you take them, or are they provided by Ford?

Speaking of the Taurus, I’ve been seeing these ads about the SHO, and they just call it the “SHOW” (in term of pronunciation) which is really painful to me. Please just say S H O in separate letters so you don’t wind up sounding like a retard.

If you could pass that along to Fields and he can pass it along to his marketing department, that would be much appreciated by myself and most TV watchers out there….

Loving the pics next to the… M60? And a T54/55? Someone help me out here.

THEE hottest subcompact in the market

To Mark Kleis: Thank you. It’s nice to get the opportunity to have a question passed on by someone in the position to do so. I will spend the rest of the day thinking of one besides “are you hiring”?

I do agree with AEXCORP about SHOW vs. S-H-O, but don’t feel its appropriate to criticize their efforts, especially when they are obviously trying hard (and doing a good job I might add).

I would like to compliment Ford for not only catching up with Hybrid technology, but quickly becoming one of the best at it, all while knowing it’s a bridge technology to Hydrogen.

Come to think of it, that might be my question. Do they still feel that Hydrogen is the future? Have there been any significant advances in the seemingly permanent ten-year time line? Which technology gets more R&D investment, hybrid/plug-in or H?
Thanks again.
-Mike Ross

Why do Europeans put up with the dinky air conditioner is what I’m wondering. Sure, most of Europe isn’t as cold, but if they get the occasional hot flash like most everywhere does…

aexcorp, I’m with you as well on this one. The first time I heard them refer to it as a SHOW I even yelled at the TV- “… what the f*ck is a SHOW?”.

That aside, good interview Mark but I’m most interested with your criticism of the seats and the air conditioning. If Ford really wants to prove this whole endeavor was actually meant to provide constructive feedback as opposed to just being a year long PR stunt then these issues will be addressed.

Does that Ford want to be mounted or what? Geez, she’s sure got it bad for a guy in uniform.

@johnnycanuck:
1. We don’t live in a desert.
2. Air conditioning is a popular option since only about 15 years I would say, before only expensive cars were fitted with A/C. We don’t even fit A/C in our homes. So I guess that’swhy slight A/C is sufficient for Europe.
3. it worsens fuel efficiency as Automatic transmission does, and that’s a key factor for selling cars in europe

For those who want SVT, ST, RS, or even an SHO version should opt for a Mazdaspeed 3 rather than building all these other perfomace versions for this car. It will not only make the price unappealing, but it will also cater to mostly enthusiasts who will count for a very small precentage of sales not worth building for.

^It is obvious youre just a researcher and not an enthusiast. Variety is key to the consumer. Maybe I don’t want a Mazdaspeed3. Nor would it be in the same performance field as the MS3. A performance Fiesta would probably sit around $20k and have the 4-cyl ecoboost under the hood or something. The more variants available to the consumer the better.

I’m happy with the Fiesta. I’ve actually seen two others running around the Valley area here in LA. They had stickers that they were in that promo program. Car looks nice and definitely appealing for its price.

I’m proud Ford has come as far as it has…so are my Ford stock.

Ford had one at our state fair last week. Even though that class of car is too small for me, the Fiesta was one of the best looking cars from a US car company in years. This one had at crazy metallic lime green paint. If they style more products like this, then I’m willing to step into the showroom.

quetions for the Ford executives are pretty straight forward: will the next generation mustang have an independent rear suspension?

does moving to more global platforms actually save money, and if so, in what areas? just design? or in manufacturing and parts as well? does having to meet the regulations of countries all over the globe make global platforms more or less difficult to design? mpg/CO2/light placement/pedestrian hood height regulations, etc. just to name a few…

if the chevy volt is successful, what’s the response from Ford?

lastly, although i could think of more, when can we expect another enthusiast halo Ford along the lines of the GT? us left lane types kinda miss it

leftwing, there was a red GT in the showroom where I bought my truck this weekend. I did find 27 cents in change while cleaning out my Tracker before I dropped it off but that still left me roughly $200,000 short.

I am so glad to see european taste on our shores. What we need is a small engine 1.6 L – 2.0 L turbocharged and it will turn this little hatch in to a rocket. Fun to drive, great mpg, excellent design, It’s not hard, just do it. That dorky looking Focus that sells on our dealers now, is a joke, might be fun to drive, i don’t know, don’t even want to try because looks horrible. Look at Golf(GTI, GLI, EOS) great engines, great trans(6 speed DSG)= great mpg and lots of fun driving, and of course european design and taste. My question is, how come they dont sell in europe that ugly Focus, they will probably look at it and laugh, no one will buy it.

Aexcorp- I took the photos and did the HDR treatment myself. It was a lot of work, and a lot of fun. I have no real background in photography, and prior to this, zero HDR knowledge. It was a big learning experience, and although I know they are FAR from professional in quality, I am very happy for a first effort!

Thanks!

Mark

Nice write up again Mark. Looks like this car is so far holding up to its quality and punchy design with strong gestural lines. It will be interesting to see if they do change things like the seats and aircon. Other than that it seems its hard to pick the flaws – I want one! – did a write up on my site about the design http://bit.ly/tctGG

To look at things your way CarResearcher, why should Mazda even bother to have the MS3? Not everyone is happy with the base model, especially us enthusiasts. And what if I want a Ford and not a Mazda?

Mark,

thanks for an insightful writeup. Sounds like a great car.

I have to say new Ford products looks great (Fusion, Taurus, Flex). And compact cars account for 50% of car and 25% of all vehicle sales in Canada. So, there’s hope for Fiesta’s success.

Questions to Ford:

1. What happened to a promise that an Ecoboost will be not more then $1,500 option? I believe that when comparing similarly equipped Taurus SEL and Limited difference is lot more that $1,500.

2. When will North America get same Ranger (with a crew cab) that is sold in the rest of the world instead of our ancient parody? This one: http://blog.healyford.ca/images/2011-ford-ranger-geneva_SHOW.jpg

3. If we finally get new Ranger, could Ford offer it with diesel engine, at least as an option to compete with Mahindra?

4. Any plans for diesel engined cars for North America? It can’t cost more to certify then BMW 335d.

5. Would love to see a station wagon. Not an SUV, not a CUV, just a station wagon. How about Fusion and return of Focus wagon, when it comes out as 2011 model? Please, don’t repeat Honda’s mistake with FUGLY Crosstour when enthusiast asked for station wagon (Euro Accord wagon). And call wagon a wagon, that’s nothing to be ashamed off.

And finally (i know it wont happen in my lifetime, but here’s a wish: I would love to have Mustang with IRS and a diesel. BMW does it for performance Coupe (123d, 335d and 635d). Is Ford any worst to offer performance diesel Coupe?

Thanks.

The only thing I would ask of this car is AWD (The Focus as well). For high latitudes it would be a given desirable “safety” feature. For the lower Lats, it is a hotly desired performance option.

The car does not have to be a fire-breathing 300+hp beast (It might infringe on the MUSTANG), but having a basic AWD to work from would be very nice. Tuner’s will always bolt on more power than the car can safely handle. I would be happy to see a base AWD to work from and something for the SVT to make real special.

I’m relieved to read that I’m not the only one that found the pronunciation of “Taurus SHOW” disturbing.

johnny, from what i understand the canuck banking system is on more solid ground than ours down here, so you can probably still get a reasonable loan for the remainder, i’d guess

I love this car. I’m just thinking forward to when (at least here in Indiana) the 60 year old women who smoke will start buying these thus making me hate them.

Holy saturation, Batman!

Love the photos. I saw a Fiesta in a parking garage a little while ago, and it sure looked out of place, but in a good way.

The Fiesta and the Euro-spec Focus are actually really nice. A couple Ford employees live down the street from me in the subdivision I live in about 25 mins outside of Dearborn, and I’ve already seen a couple Fiestas and Euro-Spec Focus(es) and I must say I’m impressed.