Comments on: Ford “Bold Moves” Episode 17: “King of the Hill Part II” http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html Car news, reviews, and specs for the auto-industry Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:06:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Scott Kempton http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278857 Scott Kempton Sun, 29 Oct 2006 14:43:28 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278857 I agree with most of y'all---one more giant truck is NOT what Ford needs right now. Its introduction is hardly a "Bold Move". In fact, it's an extremely safe, predictable move, considering where Ford's priorities have been for the last several years. Ford's problem is that they have no credibility any more as an AUTOMOBILE maker. They need to show this country that they are serious about building a truly competitive (dare we dream for class-leading?) small car that gets 35-40 MPG on the highway without being a slug or a penalty box. I've seen the pictures of their European Focus and Mondeo, and they sure look WAY better than the domestic Focus and 500. I don't know about any of y'all, but I feel insulted that they're trying to pass off the domestic offerings as quality stuff. (I do acknowledge, though, that the Mustang is a hit: good job Ford). Ford is an AMERICAN company, and I feel very strongly that we fellow Americans should get their BEST stuff, not ancient hand-me-downs. I agree with most of y’all—one more giant truck is NOT what Ford needs right now. Its introduction is hardly a “Bold Move”. In fact, it’s an extremely safe, predictable move, considering where Ford’s priorities have been for the last several years. Ford’s problem is that they have no credibility any more as an AUTOMOBILE maker. They need to show this country that they are serious about building a truly competitive (dare we dream for class-leading?) small car that gets 35-40 MPG on the highway without being a slug or a penalty box. I’ve seen the pictures of their European Focus and Mondeo, and they sure look WAY better than the domestic Focus and 500. I don’t know about any of y’all, but I feel insulted that they’re trying to pass off the domestic offerings as quality stuff. (I do acknowledge, though, that the Mustang is a hit: good job Ford). Ford is an AMERICAN company, and I feel very strongly that we fellow Americans should get their BEST stuff, not ancient hand-me-downs.

]]> By: chuckles http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278832 chuckles Sat, 28 Oct 2006 18:24:07 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278832 Autonut, the vents are there for a purpose, they aren't just decoration. I just went to a preview for this truck this week. The pictures do no justice whatsoever for this truck. When you see it in person...all I can say is this truck is flippin' incredible. The whole truck is purposeful. I couldn't give enough description to do the truck justice in any area, I'll just say it raised the bar on itself in every area. Ford will continue its 29 year domination in trucks on the backbone of this rig. Anyone who is a serious #8800+ truck buyer needs to check this out, it distances itself even futher from any formidable competition, not even close. Rice boys need not apply. Autonut, the vents are there for a purpose, they aren’t just decoration. I just went to a preview for this truck this week. The pictures do no justice whatsoever for this truck. When you see it in person…all I can say is this truck is flippin’ incredible. The whole truck is purposeful. I couldn’t give enough description to do the truck justice in any area, I’ll just say it raised the bar on itself in every area. Ford will continue its 29 year domination in trucks on the backbone of this rig. Anyone who is a serious #8800+ truck buyer needs to check this out, it distances itself even futher from any formidable competition, not even close. Rice boys need not apply.

]]> By: autonutt http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278812 autonutt Sat, 28 Oct 2006 16:17:28 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278812 Speaking of Orange County (the OC) California, the new Super Duty actually made a quiet appearance at the OC Auto Show a few weeks ago -- I was a bit surprised to see it comepletely undisguised sitting on a lonely platform on the outskirts of the truck display area, with no fanfare or crowd around it. To my eyes, FoMoCo is really overdoing it with the badging on all their new trucks.. the huge embossed "S U P E R D U T Y" on the grille and the giant King Ranch side vents are outrageous, and each letter on the doors of the new Mark LT is easily five inches high! Speaking of Orange County (the OC) California, the new Super Duty actually made a quiet appearance at the OC Auto Show a few weeks ago — I was a bit surprised to see it comepletely undisguised sitting on a lonely platform on the outskirts of the truck display area, with no fanfare or crowd around it. To my eyes, FoMoCo is really overdoing it with the badging on all their new trucks.. the huge embossed “S U P E R D U T Y” on the grille and the giant King Ranch side vents are outrageous, and each letter on the doors of the new Mark LT is easily five inches high!

]]> By: LamborghiniZ http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278808 LamborghiniZ Sat, 28 Oct 2006 15:18:48 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278808 It's ugly. It’s ugly.

]]> By: chevy490 http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278745 chevy490 Fri, 27 Oct 2006 23:14:14 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278745 i like the chevy trucks the best but i dont like chevy's front bumper thats the only thing that i really dislike about there trucks but i still like them better than the new fords! i like the chevy trucks the best but i dont like chevy’s front bumper thats the only thing that i really dislike about there trucks but i still like them better than the new fords!

]]> By: specialk1098 http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278708 specialk1098 Fri, 27 Oct 2006 21:22:27 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278708 why doesnt ford ever change their sheetmetal from like the a pillar back? why doesnt ford ever change their sheetmetal from like the a pillar back?

]]> By: 1c3d0g http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278688 1c3d0g Fri, 27 Oct 2006 20:05:47 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278688 100% I mean. 100% I mean.

]]> By: 1c3d0g http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278681 1c3d0g Fri, 27 Oct 2006 19:51:24 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278681 Brendino: right on, agreed %. Brendino: right on, agreed %.

]]> By: bepsf http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278678 bepsf Fri, 27 Oct 2006 19:45:21 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278678 @brendino - Quite true that California does not equal the rest of the country, but considering that our economy comprises nearly 1/8th of the economy of the entire US - (we're bigger than Canada and over twice the size of Brazil which have their own special models!) it's foolish to disregard our market preferences... @brendino – Quite true that California does not equal the rest of the country, but considering that our economy comprises nearly 1/8th of the economy of the entire US – (we’re bigger than Canada and over twice the size of Brazil which have their own special models!) it’s foolish to disregard our market preferences…

]]> By: Freshshoebox http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278657 Freshshoebox Fri, 27 Oct 2006 17:49:50 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278657 Brendino, that's interesting, it kind of depends on where you are though. In Orange County it seems like half of the vehicles on the road are SUVs (many of those converted into what can only be described as "monster trucks"), and dealers are littered everywhere. Gas isn't as high as $3.49 (holy crap!) but not as low as $2.15 either. And that truck is a beast, I don't mind the way it looks either, I kind of like it. Brendino, that’s interesting, it kind of depends on where you are though. In Orange County it seems like half of the vehicles on the road are SUVs (many of those converted into what can only be described as “monster trucks”), and dealers are littered everywhere. Gas isn’t as high as $3.49 (holy crap!) but not as low as $2.15 either.

And that truck is a beast, I don’t mind the way it looks either, I kind of like it.

]]> By: Brendino http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278650 Brendino Fri, 27 Oct 2006 17:18:54 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278650 @bepsf: California auto scene does not equal the rest of the country. I spent five weeks in CA over the summer (West Sonoma County) and was amazed at the differences in selling cars, car selections, and general driving (no yield signs on merge lanes?!?). I spent time in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Larkspur, San Francisco, the coast, and I only saw a handful of car dealerships. Out here in Western PA? I can think of two Ford dealerships, two Chevy dealerships, two Dodge/Chrysler dealerships (was three up until a year or two ago), as well as a Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Volvo...point is, there are a lot more, and they're a lot closer together. The cars you see on the road are different as well. We have winter, so cars don't last as long, so there are more new cars on the road. I was floored at how many older vehicles I saw on the road (My El Camino count was around 16) in CA, just because they don't take a snowy beating. You'll see more SUVs around here, just because we need the 4x4. (talk about gas all you want, but a Prius ain't gonna get you up an Appalachian hill in January) Also, since I was in West Sonoma, there was an influx of Volvo station wagons, Toyota Prii, and VW buses, vehicles that are really uncommon around here. Right now, gas is $2.15 here...it was as low as $1.91 in Ohio just a couple of weeks ago. Compared to $3.49 in Bodega Bay, that's really nice :D As for the episode...24,000 pounds? Dang. This truck is a beast, and they'll definitely solidify their dominance in the truck business. And as much as I hate to join in the "Ford should do this and this and this" crowd, the Ranger should really be made a priority, as bepsf said. @bepsf: California auto scene does not equal the rest of the country.

I spent five weeks in CA over the summer (West Sonoma County) and was amazed at the differences in selling cars, car selections, and general driving (no yield signs on merge lanes?!?). I spent time in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Larkspur, San Francisco, the coast, and I only saw a handful of car dealerships. Out here in Western PA? I can think of two Ford dealerships, two Chevy dealerships, two Dodge/Chrysler dealerships (was three up until a year or two ago), as well as a Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Volvo…point is, there are a lot more, and they’re a lot closer together.

The cars you see on the road are different as well. We have winter, so cars don’t last as long, so there are more new cars on the road. I was floored at how many older vehicles I saw on the road (My El Camino count was around 16) in CA, just because they don’t take a snowy beating. You’ll see more SUVs around here, just because we need the 4×4. (talk about gas all you want, but a Prius ain’t gonna get you up an Appalachian hill in January) Also, since I was in West Sonoma, there was an influx of Volvo station wagons, Toyota Prii, and VW buses, vehicles that are really uncommon around here.

Right now, gas is $2.15 here…it was as low as $1.91 in Ohio just a couple of weeks ago. Compared to $3.49 in Bodega Bay, that’s really nice :D

As for the episode…24,000 pounds? Dang. This truck is a beast, and they’ll definitely solidify their dominance in the truck business.

And as much as I hate to join in the “Ford should do this and this and this” crowd, the Ranger should really be made a priority, as bepsf said.

]]> By: GL1 http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278647 GL1 Fri, 27 Oct 2006 16:58:48 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278647 Sorry but Ford has a LOT more current problems than a big ugly truck like this can bail them out of... thats for sure !! Sorry but Ford has a LOT more current problems than a big ugly truck like this can bail them out of… thats for sure !!

]]> By: F451 http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278645 F451 Fri, 27 Oct 2006 16:53:05 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278645 I wonder what liability waiver Mark Fields had to sign to allow them to hoist his ass, and the truck, into the press area with that crane? Besides, all that it looks to be a truck of trucks. My only chagrin is when you come upon one these behemoths who has parked on the end spot, an end spot that accesses a lane turn to get to other parking. Yeah, you all know what I'm talking about. It makes you want to drive a tow truck and teach the bastard a lesson in civility by parking it elsewhere...like in an impound lot. Other than jerks who park them where they shouldn't, I like these trucks. I wonder what liability waiver Mark Fields had to sign to allow them to hoist his ass, and the truck, into the press area with that crane? Besides, all that it looks to be a truck of trucks. My only chagrin is when you come upon one these behemoths who has parked on the end spot, an end spot that accesses a lane turn to get to other parking. Yeah, you all know what I’m talking about. It makes you want to drive a tow truck and teach the bastard a lesson in civility by parking it elsewhere…like in an impound lot. Other than jerks who park them where they shouldn’t, I like these trucks.

]]> By: bepsf http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278643 bepsf Fri, 27 Oct 2006 16:34:16 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278643 @A4 - Don't know what part of the country you live, but here in California it's still pretty much $3/gallon (Oh, sometimes you see regular as low as $2.69 down in the valley - but who uses regular?)  And if you honestly believe that gasoline is really going to drop in price significantly over the long run, you're as sadly misinformed about that as many other things about which you post here. @megator - Sadly, you don't need a special license to drive one tho that King Ranch version shown is about as heavy as two Mondeo Estates, nearly as long as two and nearly as wide as one and a half... BTW - Pretty much the only SuperDuty's we see here in the Bay Area are White-painted base model two-doors used by builders, etc - diesels, crew cabs, colors, etc. are all special-order.  Never see any two-tone-dually-CrewCab-King Ranches sitting around on the lots, much less on the roads here... I just think its a shame that Ford has invested all that money to redesign this brute 2-3 times and has let the little Ranger (which used to outsell the SuperDuty 2 to 1) wither on the vine... @A4 – Don’t know what part of the country you live, but here in California it’s still pretty much $3/gallon (Oh, sometimes you see regular as low as $2.69 down in the valley – but who uses regular?)  And if you honestly believe that gasoline is really going to drop in price significantly over the long run, you’re as sadly misinformed about that as many other things about which you post here.

@megator – Sadly, you don’t need a special license to drive one tho that King Ranch version shown is about as heavy as two Mondeo Estates, nearly as long as two and nearly as wide as one and a half…

BTW – Pretty much the only SuperDuty’s we see here in the Bay Area are White-painted base model two-doors used by builders, etc – diesels, crew cabs, colors, etc. are all special-order.  Never see any two-tone-dually-CrewCab-King Ranches sitting around on the lots, much less on the roads here…

I just think its a shame that Ford has invested all that money to redesign this brute 2-3 times and has let the little Ranger (which used to outsell the SuperDuty 2 to 1) wither on the vine…

]]> By: ironpony42 http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278639 ironpony42 Fri, 27 Oct 2006 15:45:43 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278639 As someone VERY familiar with Ford and GM trucks, I like what they did with it. My company in our fleet has some F550's from 99-2001. They just won't die. The GMC C-6500's in our fleet are crap next to the F-series we run. I fully support Ford trucks over the competition. That said, this is one ugly mother... Makes the Dodge look pretty. But trucks arn't about looks to me. This rig is a brute, and I hope it helps Ford right the sinking ship... As someone VERY familiar with Ford and GM trucks, I like what they did with it. My company in our fleet has some F550′s from 99-2001. They just won’t die. The GMC C-6500′s in our fleet are crap next to the F-series we run. I fully support Ford trucks over the competition. That said, this is one ugly mother… Makes the Dodge look pretty. But trucks arn’t about looks to me. This rig is a brute, and I hope it helps Ford right the sinking ship…

]]> By: megator http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278635 megator Fri, 27 Oct 2006 15:22:53 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278635 I live in Europe so I don’t know this, but do you need a special license to drive one of these? And how long wide tall and heavy is one of these monsters. I live in Europe so I don’t know this, but do you need a special license to drive one of these? And how long wide tall and heavy is one of these monsters.

]]> By: Chris- http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278622 Chris- Fri, 27 Oct 2006 14:29:30 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278622 "Yeehahhhh! Mark Fields found the one place his hair doesn't look nasty or at best hella sketchy" Hahahah, i was a bit freaked at that too. Apart from that, why the hell are the side mirrors still made of nasty chunky plastic? “Yeehahhhh! Mark Fields found the one place his hair doesn’t look nasty or at best hella sketchy”

Hahahah, i was a bit freaked at that too. Apart from that, why the hell are the side mirrors still made of nasty chunky plastic?

]]> By: Richard http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278619 Richard Fri, 27 Oct 2006 13:51:44 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278619 @90Z, The Ford Super Duty is a styling exercise. This is the second generation of Ford's bifurcated F-Series line of pickup trucks. Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, and Dodge have produced half-ton, three-quarter ton, and one ton trucks for decades. Ford bifurcated its Super Duty line few years ago at a time when many of its customers thought that the F-Series looked too soft. They called it the "Bubble Truck." As it turned out, both the regular line and Super Duty lines featured the F-250. The F-250 Super Duty was bigger, heavier, and more difficult to load than the regular duty F-250, but it also had a lower cargo rating. Suffice it to say, the Super Duty had a lower cargo capacity than the competition from Chevrolet/GMC. Without question, there are many buyers who need high-capacity pickup trucks. However, that number is a small subset of the numbers sold. I live in pickup truck country and see a lot of Ford Super Duty pickups. These things are usually as decked-out as any sedan and haul less than the typical Japanese hatchback. The bottomline is that the Super Duty is a styling excercise intended to look big and tough. @90Z,

The Ford Super Duty is a styling exercise. This is the second generation of Ford’s bifurcated F-Series line of pickup trucks. Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, and Dodge have produced half-ton, three-quarter ton, and one ton trucks for decades. Ford bifurcated its Super Duty line few years ago at a time when many of its customers thought that the F-Series looked too soft. They called it the “Bubble Truck.” As it turned out, both the regular line and Super Duty lines featured the F-250. The F-250 Super Duty was bigger, heavier, and more difficult to load than the regular duty F-250, but it also had a lower cargo rating. Suffice it to say, the Super Duty had a lower cargo capacity than the competition from Chevrolet/GMC.

Without question, there are many buyers who need high-capacity pickup trucks. However, that number is a small subset of the numbers sold. I live in pickup truck country and see a lot of Ford Super Duty pickups. These things are usually as decked-out as any sedan and haul less than the typical Japanese hatchback. The bottomline is that the Super Duty is a styling excercise intended to look big and tough.

]]> By: lanapat7 http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278615 lanapat7 Fri, 27 Oct 2006 12:39:59 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278615 Since these are Ford's money makers, I hope they sell well. Otherwise, Ford will be in great misery. Since these are Ford’s money makers, I hope they sell well. Otherwise, Ford will be in great misery.

]]> By: 4thyrkindergarten http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278614 4thyrkindergarten Fri, 27 Oct 2006 12:38:02 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278614 When your little furrin jobby breaks or crashes, when you need some real building supplies delivered or when you want to transport your toy to a local venue- then you will appreciate the abilities of this truck. I'd love to have a truck thats Gvwt exceeds the requirements of my trailer and hauls my ass in comfort. Never had a Ford truck but maybe now... All of Stuarts car are what you drive to get to the F450. Then the work day begins!! BTW Stuart- you're probably not even licensed to drive one of these things at load!!! When your little furrin jobby breaks or crashes, when you need some real building supplies delivered or when you want to transport your toy to a local venue- then you will appreciate the abilities of this truck. I’d love to have a truck thats Gvwt exceeds the requirements of my trailer and hauls my ass in comfort. Never had a Ford truck but maybe now…
All of Stuarts car are what you drive to get to the F450. Then the work day begins!!
BTW Stuart- you’re probably not even licensed to drive one of these things at load!!!

]]> By: Jimbo - G Mill$ http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278613 Jimbo - G Mill$ Fri, 27 Oct 2006 11:55:54 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278613 i think you guys are looking to for the word utilitarian. somebody who wants one of these ford pickup trucks is a utilitarian. defn: pertaining to or consisting in utility (the state or quality of being useful.) i think you guys are looking to for the word utilitarian. somebody who wants one of these ford pickup trucks is a utilitarian. defn: pertaining to or consisting in utility (the state or quality of being useful.)

]]> By: Bertjan http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278612 Bertjan Fri, 27 Oct 2006 11:54:48 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278612 @Stuart I hardly doubt that would be possible. That is only a relevant consideration since oil prices doubled or tripled. Before that happened, nobody in the states cared about our relatively small european cars. The springs were too stiff, the steering too direct, the engine volume to small, and the entire car fitted in the back of a midsize US sedan... That customers in the US have started changing their mind on that, explains to me the ongoing increase in Japanese car sales in the US and the struggle for life of US manufactures. But it just takes some time to build american cars that fit that demanding. Probably less or equal the time it would take to double or triple the European car factories output, making them road legal for the US and adapt your dealer network. Although it might take Ford and GM too much time to switch to a new product line, one should keep in mind that oil prices increased as they did in probably 6 to 12 months, were it takes at least 2 years to develop a new car or at least give it a strong facelift. On topic: I think there will be a demanding for those large trucks, but I expect in the future more efforts will be put in developing more efficient engines, drivetrains and types of fuel it can have. Because that is wat customers want, I guess... :-) @Stuart
I hardly doubt that would be possible. That is only a relevant consideration since oil prices doubled or tripled. Before that happened, nobody in the states cared about our relatively small european cars. The springs were too stiff, the steering too direct, the engine volume to small, and the entire car fitted in the back of a midsize US sedan…
That customers in the US have started changing their mind on that, explains to me the ongoing increase in Japanese car sales in the US and the struggle for life of US manufactures. But it just takes some time to build american cars that fit that demanding. Probably less or equal the time it would take to double or triple the European car factories output, making them road legal for the US and adapt your dealer network.
Although it might take Ford and GM too much time to switch to a new product line, one should keep in mind that oil prices increased as they did in probably 6 to 12 months, were it takes at least 2 years to develop a new car or at least give it a strong facelift.

On topic: I think there will be a demanding for those large trucks, but I expect in the future more efforts will be put in developing more efficient engines, drivetrains and types of fuel it can have. Because that is wat customers want, I guess… :-)

]]> By: Jimbo - G Mill$ http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278611 Jimbo - G Mill$ Fri, 27 Oct 2006 11:53:10 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278611 lol i like mark field's cowboy boots and hair... ewww that obese woman liked that dildo-reminiscent extension that comes out of the truck bed. ewww but whats more disgusting?? you decide. lol i like mark field’s cowboy boots and hair… ewww

that obese woman liked that dildo-reminiscent extension that comes out of the truck bed. ewww

but whats more disgusting??

you decide.

]]> By: 90Z http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278609 90Z Fri, 27 Oct 2006 11:44:07 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278609 @Phil: "Everyone who wants one of these has got one already." Are you kidding? Get a clue. The people who purchase a truck like this do so because they actually use them for the purpose that was intended (doing heavy duty farm work, construction work, etc). They do not buy these trucks to look trendy like when people by a Scion xB or something equally useless. And I'm pretty sure these people don't give a rat's ass whether or not Ford has completely revamped the superficial stuff like "look" of the truck. @Phil: “Everyone who wants one of these has got one already.”

Are you kidding? Get a clue. The people who purchase a truck like this do so because they actually use them for the purpose that was intended (doing heavy duty farm work, construction work, etc). They do not buy these trucks to look trendy like when people by a Scion xB or something equally useless. And I’m pretty sure these people don’t give a rat’s ass whether or not Ford has completely revamped the superficial stuff like “look” of the truck.

]]> By: Stuart http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278605 Stuart Fri, 27 Oct 2006 10:19:44 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278605 Quote: WE LISTEN TO THE CUTOMER - HA HA HA HA HA If you listened to the customers, the Euro Ford Focus would be in america along with the Ford Mondeo and maybe even the for Fiesta. They would have easily been on top of the sales charts with better quality and value for money then not just Chevy but even Toyota and Honda like they are here in europe. Till then guess you will just have to struggle. Quote: WE LISTEN TO THE CUTOMER – HA HA HA HA HA

If you listened to the customers, the Euro Ford Focus would be in america along with the Ford Mondeo and maybe even the for Fiesta. They would have easily been on top of the sales charts with better quality and value for money then not just Chevy but even Toyota and Honda like they are here in europe.

Till then guess you will just have to struggle.

]]> By: Phil http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278603 Phil Fri, 27 Oct 2006 09:39:15 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278603 Everyone who wants one of these has got one already. Especially true considering that these things have looked virtually the same since 1999. Much like the Focus. Everyone who wants one of these has got one already. Especially true considering that these things have looked virtually the same since 1999. Much like the Focus.

]]> By: Bobzooki http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278602 Bobzooki Fri, 27 Oct 2006 09:16:50 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278602 Yeehahhhh! Mark Fields found the one place his hair doesn't look nasty or at best hella sketchy Yeehahhhh! Mark Fields found the one place his hair doesn’t look nasty or at best hella sketchy

]]> By: asiminator http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278599 asiminator Fri, 27 Oct 2006 08:07:31 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278599 I think you have to recognise that there is a market for a truck like this. All of the nay sayers who cant believe that ford is still producing gas guzzlers like this are need to take into consideration that there are people out there who who have needs for a truck of this size. If the price of gas gets so high that the market no longer demands a truck of this size you will see a change, but until then, get used to 'em. I think you have to recognise that there is a market for a truck like this. All of the nay sayers who cant believe that ford is still producing gas guzzlers like this are need to take into consideration that there are people out there who who have needs for a truck of this size. If the price of gas gets so high that the market no longer demands a truck of this size you will see a change, but until then, get used to ‘em.

]]> By: acura_el2000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278592 acura_el2000 Fri, 27 Oct 2006 04:40:44 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278592 yeah ford this truck is soooo critical........... yeah ford this truck is soooo critical………..

]]> By: bepsf http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278587 bepsf Fri, 27 Oct 2006 03:43:02 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278587 Wow-- Another big ugly pickup - just what we need in the $3/gallon world... Wow–
Another big ugly pickup – just what we need in the $3/gallon world…

]]> By: Robert http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278581 Robert Fri, 27 Oct 2006 03:15:46 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278581 I actually think the '08 is ok... but, jeez, I hate these stupid videos. "Look at us. We're taking chances. The stakes are high. This is a real inside look." And then... here comes the marketers for all but the first few seconds of the video. Looks to be a great truck - a workhorse I'd like to have in my fleet. But let's get some magazine and consumer reviews in here and not just the casual observations form the county fair and the messages from the marketing manager. Then I'll be convinced. I actually think the ’08 is ok… but, jeez, I hate these stupid videos. “Look at us. We’re taking chances. The stakes are high. This is a real inside look.” And then… here comes the marketers for all but the first few seconds of the video.

Looks to be a great truck – a workhorse I’d like to have in my fleet. But let’s get some magazine and consumer reviews in here and not just the casual observations form the county fair and the messages from the marketing manager. Then I’ll be convinced.

]]> By: 56oval http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii.html#comment-278578 56oval Fri, 27 Oct 2006 02:56:41 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/26/ford-bold-moves-episode-17-king-of-the-hill-part-ii/#comment-278578 Wow. Hit the '06 Superduty with the ugly stick and you get an '08! Wow. Hit the ’06 Superduty with the ugly stick and you get an ’08!

]]>