But regardless, at the current moment the average customer views Toyota as a better brand, compared to Chevrolet or Ford- regardless of the fact Toyota has had the most recalls of any auto manufacturer in the past few years and it sells about 15% of the U.S Camry’s production to rental agencies (I’m unsure about that figure though… if you can confirm it, then please do).

It won’t add money to the company either.
-Ford sells these rental vehicles at low, discount prices which narrows the net profit of the car. Sometimes the vehicles are sold as a base model, with no options, and at other times their fully loaded.
-Not only that, but the resale image will immediately drop, and people will view a car from a rental agency differently than a used car. I’ve seen a number of programs on rental agencies, and how the renters don’t care about the vehicle because of the fact well… it’s not theirs to begin with! Actually, the resale value of a rental car is higher than that of a used car, but the cars history tells a “different” story to the person considering to buy the car.

Beside its easier said then done. The american requires different standards to everyone else in safety/testing meaning the euro models have to retest all models to be able to sell euro cars in america.

Once they are compatible they will more then likely cost more to sell then the japanese equvilent and we all know that amrican would rather buy (the japanese, god knows why?).

The next euro-model are being designed to be worldwide model so you can expect them to pass all standards from america, europe asia hell even india standards. They should also be around the same price as the japanese but trust me they will be class leaders like here in the UK.

Is ironic how the japanese copied the euro focus to beat the america focus.

One of the bids was from a Mr. Yosemite Sam who pledged “Two pistols full of buckshot for them thare varmints”"

sorry but that just cracked my ass up so bad HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1c3d0g… The Taurus and many of Ford’s aerodynamically shapped cars is what got us to this stage in car design today. Most likely we’d still have bland, boxy cars. The Fusion is a very nice car, and so is the new Taurus, but they haven’t achieved a milestone like the aero-Fords of the 80’s.

AGMLauncher… Currently Ford is launching many fuel cell programs. Just one of those was mentioned on LLN a while ago. Don’t comment without due research.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-to-attempt-fuel-cell-vehicle-speed-record.html
And just a simple side comment… I sincerely hope that Chinese made cars, regardless of price, ever get to American shores.

I don’t think Ford should just stick to making SUVS, muscle cars and Trucks. The Edge is a great looking SUV, and has been doing phenomenal in most reviews. The Fusion is a great sedan, although nothing in it is really phenomenal. The Taurus simply put, is a very nice car, but needs to go a step further to attain something the original Taurus had. The E-series and F-series are potent models for Ford, I hope to see the upcoming F-150 and E-series. I don’t know about the Expedition, Explorer or Escape, because I haven’t been in one. It seems to me though that Ford has some conflicts with so numerous SUVS.

If I was Ford management here’s what I would do:

1.) Re-manage Ford’s assets, money, dealerships, unions and workers. Cut down production for slow selling models, maybe get rid of the Escape or Explorer to make room for the Edge.
2.) Create and manufacture a unique platform and vehicle for both Lincoln and Mercury, individually speaking (one for Lincoln and one for Mercury). Maybe make Mercury a hybrid brand, or re-adjust it’s product line to better suit a different market.
3.) Either sell Jaguar and Land Rover, or go through with refreshening Jaguar. Bring Land Rover quality above par.
4.) Advertise Ford’s efforts on technologies and passenger safety. Not bogus “bold move” movies.
5.) Redesign and update the F-series, Focus, E-series, and importantly the Ranger.

Now that’s just my concept, but re-managing Ford’s assets, stock, unions, dealerships, workers and production would be a top priority. Advertising Ford’s efforts and updating vehicles would be a close second. The unique platform and not selling Land Rover and Jaguar would only go through if Ford of America was only losing modest money. Don’t forget, Ford of Europe is making record profits.

Step 1 – Fire/murder/disappear/kill/torture/rip-to-shreds your selfish bull**** anti-american union workers.
Step 2 – Privatize the company again so that you don’t have to deal with shareholders who know nothing about vehicles and hypocritically drive Mercs/Lexus anyway.
Step 3 – Use European design (Mondeo > all). American tastes have changed, get used to it.
Step 4 – Market ALL of your models as well as you marketed the Fusion
Step 5 – Start planning and engineering for the future (hydrogen, electric, china etc)

BRING OVER THE EUROPEAN PRODUCTS!!! GOD ****ING DAMN!!!

One of the bids was from a Mr. Yosemite Sam who pledged “Two pistols full of buckshot for them thare varmints”

Hey Jim, I noticed you just got a new car, what is it?
It’s a Taurus X.
A what-the-f***?

I think they even seem to be going for worse nomenclature than Cadillac!