Europe is an expensive place to build cars? I thought a lot of the factories were in the east, in Hungary and Poland and so on, where labour rates are so much lower.

Let’s hope the rock solid European build quality transfers over. The Kuga is an awesome soft-roader, wouldn’t want to ruin this Ford. I have faith in you.

This is good news, I’m really pleased about Ford’s decision. Lower costs for the car, and built right here in the U.S..
Mitzo- Some places are much more expensive than America, but I don’t know the discrepancy between them aside from most Eastern Euro countries are cheaper than the rest of Europe.

By the time this vehicle is built here the $ ratio could be the other way. I doubt that it will but this is still a gamble, as is with GM building their subcompact here. BUT, if the UAW plays ball it could work. Honda is making the same gamble with the Fit.

Of course by the time the domestic sub compact plants are open (2 -3 years) many of the old, old liner UAW guys will be retired and they will hire new workers at $15. Now that would be competitive.

Are there other cars built in Us that are sold here?

YES!!!!

I’m a fan of the weak dollar – it’s needed to get our manufacturing industry going. This country needs a strong manufacturing core to survive as the service industry is less needed in the scheme of things – manufacturing is necessary – alaways.

Now if they build the Kuga here and don’t sell it here – that would suck – but I highly doubty that would be the case. If it is built like the Euro version – I hope they can keep the prices down and not become like the Tiguan – $6000 over priced.

mitzo- I believe it has to do with the exchange rate. The Euro and Pound are currently worth about 1.3 times more than our dollar, so workers getting paid the equivalent of those here could cost Ford around 30% more.

Now what? Is this gonna replace the Escape? I like the way it looks.

Well the Kuga is an Excellent Looking Vehicle and definitely World Class but was’nt it designed cheifly in Europe to begin with? Ford’s US Designers better get off their Duff and Start designing things right not Fugly! lol . Its not Funny I’m serious. I think its in part due to Upper Managements Lack of of Indecision in Dearborn. Lucky Ford has an independent European Ford Operations that operations that operates open and freely lucky for Ford. But Dearborn or the Company HQ better hire the right Designers Domestically to take Vehicle Design and Technology to the limit.

86Zing yes it will replace the Escape.

Don’t like the name, but it’s a cool SUV. I’m pretty happy that they’re building more cars in the US, rather than Mexico…

carstuff I agree once the UAW gets their concession in order and get better workers. Doubtful. But GET RID OF THE OLD OVER PAID AND UNDERWORKED UAW Worker then Ford Motor should definitely be a more competitive car maker . Still if this vehicle were built in China it would definitely be alot cheaper and you know I bet if anything the Quality would be the same or even Better. I hate to say this since I am Union but I see plenty of folks who abuse being a Union Worker -employee. I support the UNIONS whole heartedly but Its about getting ahead in life with a better education and training so you can start your own Business! ….And NOT I repeat NOT about going out and buying a Lincoln or a Cadillac(When you don’t even own a Home) and then Wasting more Union Wages on putting 25 In Chrome Rims on a Luxury Car- You don’t belong Driving and then waxing and washing that car 7 days a week and having no other life other than Whoring around (sleeping around) with 10 different women creating 100 fatherless kids to show how much of a man you ARE’NT. Kudos to Obama for telling it the way it is.

Cool FORD, bring more jobs to the US!!!

I drove a Kuga for a week in Europe this summer. It was a well built and good looking little run about. It would cruise at 100 mph all day long. I hope they sell it with the diesel over here. We liked that car enough to buy one.

Bankruptcy how old are you dude?

What an awesome vehicle. Can’t wait for it to get here.

Bk09… really, take a deep breath. What the f*ck was that all about?

Bankruptcy2009, your comment started with the UAW and then all of a sudden changed to kids being fatherless. I think you should be posting on a different blog.

If Ford dumps their “truck” looking crossovers for this little beast, I’ll head to their showroom. Yes, this was designed with Europe in mind but that’s what some people (like me) like. Kudos to them for FINALLY sharing some of the Euro designs with US customers.

… or even a different planet.

Bankruptcy2009 I like the idea. But if Ford is smart about it they will make a hybrid version of it as well. The hybrid is very popular here in my home in NYC. All the Crown Vic taxis are being replaced with Escape hybrids. I think Ford will though. I’m impressed with how much they improved and stayed on their game to keep up with the competition.

Are we still talking about the Kuga here or have we switched over to Rappers with volumes of children. I can comment on either one

… no one has ever questioned your talent DenverGuy.

BR2009,

Lay off the coffee.

This rig would be a very nice replacement for the Escape.

Just to clarify the facts — Ford has NOT confirmed the Kuga for Louisville.

There is plenty of speculation out there, and it is understandable. Ford is retooling the plant to handle our new global C-Car (compact) platform, a platform that will eventually underpin a number of unique models, many of which will be nearly identical in all regions.

We have confirmed that the new Ford Focus — built on this new platform, and launching late in CY2010 — will be assembled in Michigan, at a plant near Dearborn that is also being overhauled to support our commitment to C-Cars in America. And we’ve confirmed that the new Grand C-MAX (three-rows of seats, shown at Frankfurt last month) will also be in our market by late 2011. And in Europe, yes, the Kuga is built on a C-car platform.

But as you can see, there are many pieces to the puzzle, and we — FORD — will confirm what we can, when we can. At this point, we haven’t confirmed exactly which C-Car will be in Louisville, because we can’t, nor have we confirmed anything about exports to Europe.

Good stuff, though, and I appreciate the interest in Ford. Next time, however, give us a call. We are always happy to help you get it right before you get it written!

Mark Schirmer
Media Communications, Ford

^^^ Wow! Left Lane News got told!

Hey Mark?

Can you confirm what engines and HP ratings are going to be in the new Mustang?

Also, in my and probably others opinion – as a proud owner and I mean proud owner of a 2005 Legend Lime GT Premium Mustang I think production should cease right now and start with the new engines to get people back in my dealership to look at the Mustang again!

I hope all has a great day today!

^^^You cant fool us.

TJ hooker
Head of spin control, Toyota Motor America

Just to clarify – tampons are to be used for female genitalia ONLY JohnnyCanuck!

Jake Da Snake
Media Relaitions Tampax Corp.

Bank rupt, I knew you were a bit off but to think that the UAW workers are like you said shows you have some real misperceptions about life. Most UAW workers have one wife and a couple kids and live a pretty normal, moral lifestyle. Some even go to church. They are people like you and me and…oh, now I get it, you were thinking what you wrote was normal and you were just telling what you are like.

No really, sure they are overpaid and some try and work as little as possible but most all of that has changed in the last few years. Since GM got rid of most of its component manufacturing the UAW guys are on the line and really do not get a chance to goof off. And with the quality control today if someone did not do their job it would show up pretty quickly. Hence part of the reason the domestics quality is as good as theh competition.

What I really do not get is how the union gets their workers to quit their jobs and start their own business’s. Lost your there on that one. Of course they could, as anyone could, start their own careers but has little to do with the union.

Jake, what do you do when a pussy catches fire? You tampon it.

Wow, I hope Ford will be careful with closing down factories in Western Europe. That’s tough to stand reputation wise. It can alway go out of hand and can bring down a brand sales. Especially in Germany which is the biggest market in Europe…

http://twitter.com/mschirmerFord

What is with Barkruptcy2009’s obsession with capital letters!? Oh, and what has Obama told like it is? Nothing that I have seen yet.

don’t forget, bk2009 clearly identified himself as a true conservative…and no, you can’t trade him to my side…he’s alllll your’s…

glad to see an official ford posting here, at least it looks legitimate this must be seen as enemy territory for you guys, because while there is a lot of positive ford sentiment around here, the financial backing of LLN clearly comes from gm to a large extent…

leftwing… what if we throw in a second round draft pick and a gross of horse tranquilizers?

Funny, JohnnyC – that’s what the NFL offered Rush to take his bid out for the Rams…

Listen guys I know what I am speaking about with some Unions ok, but I am definitely Pro-Union. A4 I am probably old enough to be your father.
Thanks Mr canuck but I have to speak the truth don’t I.
kingston I am referring to those that get into the Union that could’nt find a job anywhere else except maybe McDonald’s and even that is questionable!?
85ZingoGTR I think your right and I believe Ford is going to make a Kuga Hybrid or who knows with improved Lithium Ion Batteries and a 400 mile range batteries 85 maybe the way to go. The Further we can get off the need for Oil the better. We just have to figure out how we will process these batteries safely after their life is over so we don’t create more cancers with more Poison dump in land fill that eventually leak into the water table and then get into the drinking supply you and I depend on for good health. CAPECE~ !
DenverGuy217 lol
Szabla Yes thanks for telling me that, but your telling me something I already know. Me and Regular Caffinated Coffee do NOT GET ALONG aT all. Carstuff I can talk about Union because I am Union, but just so you know. I respect those UAW that do a First rate Quality job. The ones that don’t get rid of them. !
Leftwing I know you hate my guts enough said.
Mark Schirmer thanks for the Info. But I thought that is what Ford said was the Kuga was to be built at the Louisville, KY FOMOCO Plant.

Now all I’ll need is a couple of Turmanski Ion Rocket-Romulan Fuel Injected Warp Drives to power my spacecraft to Jupiter to get away for the weekend from all you crazies. Hmmm and for those of you that think Ion Rocket Engines are still stuff from Star Trek read the News. or go to http://www.adastrarocket.com/

On that note, we’ll bring this thread to a close.

Nice job in changing story LLN……… I guess the Ford guy pwned you! (as a 14 year old dweeb would say)

We ran the same story Bloomberg and at least ten other media outlets. I don’t think changing it from “confirmed” to “likely” warrants a “pwning.”

Pat… I’d like to buy a vowel. An ‘a’ please.

I do hope they do bring the Kuga here for assembly, and I also hope they sell it here, too. But Ford, you need to change the name. Every time I read it or hear it, I can’t help but think Elmer Fudd told someone to revive the Cougar as a Ford CUV.