Comments on: Ford losing thousands on current Focus; New model in 2008…

By: JohnnyBlazE

JohnnyBlazE — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 11:37:24 +0000

God bless Ford Europe

By: robert susanka

robert susanka — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 17:37:26 +0000

After reading all your comments, I agree what is Ford thinking, Americans want the latest and hottest from Ford not left overs. During the 60s Ford was doing things the right way High performance, awesome looks and honest value. Now it seems their outsorcing all the cars, and thats ok but dont make a big deal about it, hell they all do that. The dealerships need attention and should take on some pride because they look just the way they did 30 years ago.
How long can you bleed Ford? and why? is the management so inept it cant see the industry? Why are you continually dumping money into the P.A.G cars and draining Ford? Why do you think people want Jaguar or land rover or austin martin? I cant think of one enthusiast that finds Jaguar or land rover appealing, they died twenty years ago. Isnt land rover a conflict of interest to Ford trucks? Friends we are systematically seeing one of greatist american companys being taken apart by poor amnagement. Stop chaceing and invent new segments but listen to the car guys not bean counters. As for maintianing the F series lead can you afford to let Ranger go? Its still the best small truck but its needs revamping, grab this market before its too late, hell its still the leader in MPG and has an eccellent reputation. And finnaly How about a new ad campaing and I dont want any money for this one ” FORD think of us as a truck company that also makes cars. BUILT FORD TOUGH! rs.

By: bingethinker

bingethinker — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 07:17:16 +0000

My local Ford dealership had radio ads where they emphasized how much Mazda technology there is in the Fusion and some other vehicle I don’t remember the name of.

Think about that. “Really, they’re not totally Fords, they’re not as crappy as you think they are. Please buy our POS vehicles, PULLLEEEEEEZ!”

They’re doomed.

By: canut4ever

canut4ever — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 06:21:24 +0000

Bringing in the Euro-Focus is a no brainer, what took them so long? Instead using money to update the US Focus and spending more on incentives on it, they should have brought it in earlier. And maybe consider the next- gen Mondeo to instead of the hohum Ford Fusion to battle it out with the Japanese.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 23:59:22 +0000

Maybe they should focus (no pun intended) more on producing good cars and less on supporting questionable social issues.

By: stick

stick — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 17:42:20 +0000

Hey Choade Boy. The Caliber is already outselling the Neon by a rather large margin

By: mohammed

mohammed — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 09:37:25 +0000

I would rather go with any vehicle from the chrysler group as they seem to know what customers want. Small efficient cars compared to ford who just want to knock out the same car for decade with minor modifications whicle GM only have time to improve one car and thats the vette. Explains why they doing so badly.

By: Master Rebater

Master Rebater — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 02:09:40 +0000

Hopefully is an adverb, you can travel hopefully i.e with hope. I think you meant with luck.

By: Nick

Nick — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 01:24:13 +0000

Hopefully Ford will bring the Euro Focus here so they can move the Focus line up (in size and price) and then bring the Fiesta to fill the lower size/price market.

By: Phil

Phil — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 00:04:28 +0000

It took Ford this long to realize that Americans don’t want a ****ty washed-up product rather than the new stuff their European counterparts are getting?!

By: Chode Boy

Chode Boy — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 21:05:57 +0000

The Caliber is a dressed up Neon with a crappy interior and no sophistication.
Nobody likes the Compass and it isn’t gonna sell.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 20:24:46 +0000

I think they are referring the the:
Caliber: Unabashfully Ugly, in fact it flaunts it’s ugliness well.
Compass: I know a number of tampons that wouldn’t even want to be seen in this thing.
Patriot: What happens when you cross a Neon with a XJ Cherokee?

I will never understand why ford allows its own name to squander while pouring $ and product development into Volvo, Mazda, and other subsidiaries.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 20:22:57 +0000

HA HA HA Not only does Ford think that they can make money out of nothing by siung anyone using the mustang name, By selling the same car with a few modifications but THEY ALSO THINK ALL AMERICANS ARE A BUNCH OF DUMB ASSES WHO CAN’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OLD AND NEW. ANYONE WHO BUYS A FORD MUCH BE

By: mohammed

mohammed — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 20:19:27 +0000

the caliber, jeep compass and the jeep patroit for a start.

By: peter

peter — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 20:03:57 +0000

“The new cars will arrive five years after Toyota Motor Corp. (TM ) launched the Scion brand to go after the same market and three years after Chrysler (DCX ) knocked out three new models to beat up on the Focus.”

Uhh…what Chrysler cars are beating up the focus?

By: Name Withheld By Request

Name Withheld By Request — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:42:34 +0000

#2 labor is typically 12% of the cost and parts make up about 65%…..the remainder is indirect material, freight, warranty, etc.

By: Zan

Zan — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:42:16 +0000

Maybe because peopel can get a fully loaded Focus that should be 18k for 13k. The truth is that its better for them to sell cars at a loss then to ot sell them. The machine must keep moving.

Lets hope they keep improving

By: Chode Boy

Chode Boy — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:37:03 +0000

Just why is the Reflex so Special?
Ford needs to sort out its potential big sellers

Focus, Fusion, 500

I suggest

Euro Fiesta and B-Max. Euro Focus (all models) Euro Mondeo and S-Max and Galaxy leavinf US engineers to do what they do best a large rear drive replacement for the the 500 Crown Victoria. Style it in Europe though.

By: Michael Spadaro

Michael Spadaro — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:31:41 +0000

Memo to Ford: the jig is up. Bring the Euro Focus here. NOW.

By: ss

ss — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:27:53 +0000

How is the bronco a subcompact??? in pictures it looks maybe Jeep Liberty size or larger. Ford NEEDS to build the Reflex…the Euro Focus is a good start though

By: Sharkeeshah Sheneequah Shi-Thead (its Shutheed)

Sharkeeshah Sheneequah Shi-Thead (its Shutheed) — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:26:44 +0000

Americans, The Truth.

YOUR FAVORITE DOMESTIC NAMEPLATE MANUFACTURERS THINK YOU ARE DUMBASSES AND PLAY YOU FOR SUCKERS.

By: Rick M

Rick M — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:23:26 +0000

Another example of the retardo administration at Ford royally farking up their business. To cheap and shortsighted to bring over their new-generation Focus, they are now forced to offer massive incentives and fleet sales to keep their plants going. Meanwhile, a new Civic, loaded with cutting edge technology and design, actually sells 20% more units, at or above sticker price. I cannot believe how incessantly stupid Bill Ford and his minions have proven. What a total friggin disaster than man has become.

By: manny

manny — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:15:10 +0000

ford! euro focus. here. NOW.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:15:02 +0000

well, at least it appears that Ford confirmed they are pissing away another classic nameplate.

The bronco that would sell:
solid frame, V6 and V8, solid axles, removable hard and soft top, body style mimicking the 68 bronco, low range t-case

the bronco we get:
rebodied festiva.

sooo many names in their history that fit, and they piss on a ledgend.

By: Toy Yoda

Toy Yoda — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:14:24 +0000

Chad and his posse of Anonymous morons are too busy taking off their “Made in China” labels and gluing on their Ford “Made in Mexico” labels because it so much more American to do so.

By: Sharkeeshah Sheneequah Shi-Thead (its Shutheed)

Sharkeeshah Sheneequah Shi-Thead (its Shutheed) — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:12:17 +0000

I don’t inderstand the tired product design as a reason for the loss. All development costs should have been amortized long ago.

By: Sharkeeshah Sheneequah Shi-Thead (its Shutheed)

Sharkeeshah Sheneequah Shi-Thead (its Shutheed) — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:10:29 +0000

marketing cost per sale was probably very high and warranty claims would have been enormous
incentives were needed for every sale

By: aj

aj — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:07:40 +0000

I don’t believe labor costs are really that high. A neighbor of mine employed by GM has mentioned more than once that labor/parts for the previous generation GP was around 8K. Sticker was well over 20k. Tell me how (and why) Ford lost $4-5000 on each Focus. I just don’t believe it.

By: Sharkeeshah Sheneequah Shi-Thead (its Shutheed)

Sharkeeshah Sheneequah Shi-Thead (its Shutheed) — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:00:48 +0000

Cynical marketing will come back and bite you in the ass Ford. Didn’t the Pinto debacle teach you anything?
you deserve to go broke.

By: Carnese

Carnese — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 18:59:20 +0000

Where are those “dumb pricks” like Chad and his gang of Anonymous morons to extoll the virtues of American coporate mangement?