Comments on: Ford to idle Mexico sedan plant despite new model launch

By: joeblow5_0

joeblow5_0 — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:22:54 +0000

The point of this article was that Ford is actually being smart about supply & demand with the Fusion. Even though the new one will likely make the old one look bad, they are trying to let inventories do down before shipping out the ’10’s.

Good idea. Old Ford would have kept on going despite the heavy inventory.

By: joeblow5_0

joeblow5_0 — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:14:02 +0000

I have no problems at all with Canada and their abilities. Correct, Canada has some great companies and very smart engineers… but my point was that the responsibilty of the production line still resides in Dearborn.
I still disagree that all Fords are garbage. That is a pointless statement and obviously your jaded opinion.

Guess what, all vehicles are assembled from thousands of components that are built at factories around the world. Every vehicle and OEM is subject to defects that make their name look bad. The difference is what the company does when a problem is discovered with a component/system that makes the company strong or weak.

In the 80’s & 90’s, Detroit got cheap on their products to make big profits, but now they are up to speed with everyone else and make excellent vehicles, several are class leaders. Say what you want, but don’t badmouth something you don’t know much about!

By: planet_drive

planet_drive — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:27:01 +0000

MitchL I just recently purchased a Subaru Sti. My car before that was a modded WRX wagon which was rock solid reliable, did a summer road trip across Europe with it and sold it to my brother because he wants a fast and reliable car. Yes in California we do surf, I smoke a joint every evening and all is good. Fords like I said before are total garbage, unreliable, very bland and pathetic.

By: MitchL

MitchL — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:41:04 +0000

Yeah, I guess Japenese cars must really suck because Japs are “only good at math and computers”…

To say that Ford doesn’t hire hard working qualified Mexicans is a joke BUT I’m REALLY REALLY INTERESTED in what you drive Planet_Drive????

You’ve got all these great opinions BUT no facts to back anything up… Based on your analysis, I don’t like people who live in California because they all surf and do lots and lots of drugs… (I saw that in a lot of movies and Cops episodes)

By: desertdweller

desertdweller — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:56:34 +0000

Don’t like mexico? Think they are a 3rd world country? They have better laws regarding immigration than we do, just watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecq-A0CrP0o

By: Arbiter

Arbiter — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:00:58 +0000

LLN…….it is called “Research”!!! Try it sometime.

The Mex plant is closing for January. It will NOT have built the 2010 Fusion/Milan/MKZ as the 2010 Job 1 has been put back to February. The January shutdown will be a retool/vacation shutdown. Perhaps if you had actually asked someone at Ford about this…..Nah, that would require a phone call and might cost a nickel!

And to all you who decry “moving” production to Mexico, this product line has NEVER BEEN BUILT ANYPLACE ELSE!!! The high rated (J. D. Power, Consumer Reports) Fusion line has always been Mexican.

By: planet_drive

planet_drive — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 02:31:46 +0000

Joeblow, I realise that mentioning the strength of the Canadian banking system seems strange when talking about cars, but it reflects on the overall way of things that are done in that big country up north. A more responsible noble society will put more effort in building products that will be of higher quality. Its good that the US and Canada have a strong economic partnership, with all the oil that Canada has, its a very good relationship for the US. You say American engineers set up the factories in Canada, that is half true, many Canadian manufacturing engineers have also set up factories here in California where I live. Where I work we had to hire an engineering firm from Montreal to set up all the hydraulic control systems because there were none in the US that were able to meet the needs for our company. Mexico however is the one country that contributes nothing but cheap labor. A country that only waits for handouts. Having been to Mexico many times, I see no work ethic, I see a nation rich with natural resources but no ambition to build a prosperous nation. For that reason I would never buy a car that is built in Mexico. Including the VW jetta, and I like VW’s, but not the Mexican built ones.

By: hal9000

hal9000 — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:53:04 +0000

These models have been rated at the top for quality since their introduction a few years ago. It’s unlikely this will change because of the model year.

By: joeblow5_0

joeblow5_0 — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:53:21 +0000

beastusmongous,

You always put things into perspective!!

By: joeblow5_0

joeblow5_0 — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:51:56 +0000

planet_drive
Who sets up these assembly lines in other countries (like Mexico)? American engineers and program managers are ultimately responsible. The difference is the low paid workers. I also understand that in Mexico, the laws/standards are not as stringent (which I don’t like).

I agree with you about Canada, but how does their banking system or wealth make them produce quality cars? I have no problems with Canadian made products either, I just wonder where you get the nerve to say Ford products are crap because some models are made in Mexico. Ford also assembles vehicles in Canada. Why does Ford have more class leading vehicles in initial quality and safety than any other automaker? Do you really consider the final assembly line location for a vehicle you want to be a major factor? I’ve never thought of that as being too important.

Are Audis, Mercedes, BMW’s & VW’s junky because they are engineered in Germany, but built in poorer European/Slovakian countries? All automakers make use of the global economy to make a profit.

Why don’t we all hold our judgemnents against new models until they are built and evaluated (Ford, GM, etc).

By: beatusmongous

beatusmongous — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:47:22 +0000

My mom was made in Canada. So was my brother.

My wife, however, was made in México, and so was her entire family.

I was made in the USA, and so are my kids. Both my sisters and my dad were made in the USA, too.

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:19:47 +0000

The 99¢ bag of gelatin orange slices I bought last night was made in Canada. They tasted okay.

By: planet_drive

planet_drive — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:09:46 +0000

JoeBlow, there is a huge difference between Canada and Mexico. Mexico is a dirty third world country with a corrupt political and legal system. Canada is a wealthy first world nation with one of the strongest and most reliable banking systems in the world. As an American, if I was to buy a domestic car, I would rather buy a Canadian built Chevy than an American built one simply because of the fact that I have come to trust and admire Canadian built quality. My Blackberry is Canadian, my $4k mountain bike hand built in Canada, Everything that I have had Canadian made is of high quality. Fords in general are total crap (as their sales reflect) but like I said before, a Mexican built Ford is just completely out of the question. Who is crazy enough to buy one??

By: tyler_is_aero_tt

tyler_is_aero_tt — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:55:30 +0000

Idk but I love looking at the new Fusion

By: joeblow5_0

joeblow5_0 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:22:00 +0000

planet_drive: Does this same logic make the Canadian built Camaro a piece of crap too? Are the Brampton built Chrysler LX cars all crap as well?

The vehicle in question is not the Focus of old… it’s the new Fusion, Milan, and MKZ cars. How would you know anything about their quality?

MercMark: You can go on http://www.forddirect.com to look at your local dealers’ inventories.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:49:05 +0000

If I kept my beer inventory like Ford does their cars I’d have to buy another house.

By: pav8581

pav8581 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:51:31 +0000

Now being well aware that a number higher than a 0 day is required to be considered safe supply, but what is the number that is normal? they can say these numbers all they want, but what do normal car suppliers like to keep their inventory at?

By: planet_drive

planet_drive — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:33:52 +0000

Its bad enough its a Ford, but a Mexican built Ford?? Who the hell would want to pay money for that? The Focus is already such a terrible car with bad rep for poor reliability, I’m surprised there are still some fools out there who actually look at this car and say to themselves “I’m going to spend my hard earned money on a Mexican built Ford Focus”

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:29:15 +0000

La cucaracha. La cucaracha.
Mitch don’t know a lot about.
No one wants to buy, no one wants to buy
Fusions with a different snout.

By: beatusmongous

beatusmongous — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:10:23 +0000

Mayer, I hate to admit, but Mitch is right.

The song really goes like this:
La cucaracha. La cucaracha.
Ya no puede caminar.
Porque no tiene, porque le faltan
Las dos patitas de atras.

By: MitchL

MitchL — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:56:29 +0000

mayer_ray_nagin

Once again, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE think before you post comments on here… Not only is that very far from the truth you’re retarded as well…

MKZ has a 3.5L NOT a 3.0L like in the Milan (44hp more). Has more features like a 600 Watt Stereo instead of 390 Watts, Heated & A/C seats, HID’s or Xenon Headlights, higher quality leather, quieter interior, dual zone climate control as opposed to single zone, FULLY PWR adjustable seats for driver & front passenger w/ memory…

Its funny because a FULLY LOADED MKZ & Milan are about only about $4-5,000 apart in price…

DO SOME RESEARCH BEFORE YOU OPEN YOUR MAN PLEASER!!!! Now, can someone actually write something factual in the POSTED BY: section!?!?!

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:03:47 +0000

La Cucaracha, la Cucaracha,
What’s that banging in my door?
La Cucaracha, la Cucaracha,
me no make no cars no more.

By: MercMark

MercMark — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:36:38 +0000

Is there a web site that lists the dealers supply of cars for all models?

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:31:12 +0000

LMAO @ 229 day supply on the MKZ. It’s a Fusion with a different dash, a different nose, and 12k added onto the sticker.