With all talk of Ford’s “Bold Moves” and “Way Forward” branded restructuring plans, many observers continue to wonder what these revolutionary products will be, and, more importantly: when will they arrive? In a recent Detroit Free Press column, Mark Phelan said any sign of Ford’s product transformation at the hands of development boss Derrick Kuzak “is still at least two years away.” Kuzak has had some influence on the new Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, but the first “real evidence” will arrive as concept cars at auto shows this year and next.
Today, Ford’s Mark Fields told reporters much the same thing. Fields was asked if the automaker was considering “crash” programs that would shorten the development process. “Sometimes if we rush things just for the sake of time, there’s a tendency to cut corners,” he said. “I want to make sure that we’re very careful about that and not let the organization get ahead of itself. [...] We have to stabilize the business right now [...] We have to pick our shots on where we want to go out, and we have to get the business back to consistent profitability.”
10/17, 2:11 PM
posted by:
Fatstrat
Intelligent strategy. They aren’t and shouldn’t be panicking.
Beats the ‘Ready Fire Aim’ strategy of some companies.
10/17, 2:42 PM
posted by:
Chris C.
Bold but not fast. What is constipation?
Seriously, they need fast at least from what I’ve read here and other places.
10/17, 2:46 PM
posted by:
A4
theyll be eating their own **** before we get a good product. CANT WAIT FOR THE FOCUS UPDATE! YAY! not
10/17, 2:48 PM
posted by:
bepsf
Give me a break—
They already have most of the product available that they need, they just refuse to bring it over to the states from Europe (Ka, Fiesta, Focus II, Focus Cabriolet, Focus S-Max) & Australia (Falcon Ute, Territory) – and have virtually given up the small pickup parket by allowing Ranger to wither on the vine without a meaningful update in 14 years – Ford of Thailand has a newer/better Ranger pickup than we do here!
More evidence of Ford management doing what they do best:Â Dragging their feet…
10/17, 3:13 PM
posted by:
MikeFX
The scary part is Ford has not even shown any sketches ot let us believe that there truly is new stuff in the works (aside from the Fairlane, which is hardly groundbreaking). GM is rolling out all kinds of new vehicles, concept cars and design sketches. You may not like all of them, but it at least confirms the company has a pulse!
And it truly is frustrating to see what Europe is getting. If we don’t get that new Mondeo, even as a Mercury, then all hope is lost. We all complain about it on this site, but does anybody have any idea why we don’t get those cars? Safety regs? Unions? US design team afraid of losing their jobs? Seriously, what’s the problem?
10/17, 3:32 PM
posted by:
lanapat7
They are now pondering what to do. GM went through this process about 2.5-3 years ago. GM decided to bring cars from other countries when the Aveo was a hit.
Ford’s experience with the Merkur, Capri, Fiesta was not good and I think they still reject this option. But I agree this is the fastest and safest way to introduce new product to the USA.
10/17, 3:49 PM
posted by:
BAMF
Yeah, what is the problem? Why DONT we get those cars? I’d really like to hear an explanation from Ford. Perhaps its because Ford doesn’t think their Europe cars are “Bold” enough for the States– Its possible, considering that the Europe cars have an understated look. This is probably a result of Ford having a better reputation over there, so they don’t have as much to prove. Maybe Ford thinks that if they bring those cars over, people wont buy them because they aren’t exciting enough. I hope thats what it is, because that means we’re going to be getting better, more exciting cars than Ford Europe, which would be a welcome improvement, as far as I’m concerned.
10/17, 4:08 PM
posted by:
A4
i dont think we get them because they were mostly developed after the american versions, and it would be too costly and unprofitable for Ford to import them at this point. at least thats the excuse ive heard so far. it makes sense for all future models to come into line with the EU models, so hopefully that is their “way forward” plan. With all the publicity of the new mondeo in the new James Bond film, it would only make sense for them to be bringing it to the states, considering the marketing move they made with that. its a little late for the ranger.. but i say they resurrect the F-100 name from days ago for an all new small pickup. F-series have been forever connected to Fords main successes, and adding a smaller F-series as a replacement would make sense. The ranger is dead, and they cant compete in the marketplace with no small pickup.
10/18, 8:50 AM
posted by:
Vertical
It’s nice to see nothing but intelligent comments so far on this one.
I agree with Ford not rushing something new to market. As quickly as possible while doing it right, definitely. But doing it right is key. Rushing something out only to have it be a lemon would do serious damage to Ford.
You guys are right about Ranger – it needs an update bad. Rangers are great trucks, but they are outdated, and have become a little small in the current market. Something slightly bigger, and more modern looking would be nice.
10/18, 8:53 AM
posted by:
Vertical
This story gives me hope. I was wondering if Ford considered the new chrome on grills to be the “bold” designs they have been touting. It’s nice to know it’s not. I’m looking forward to the car show next January.
10/18, 9:26 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
A4: Nah, I think they’ll brand it as an F-50 or so, since an F-100 is too similar to the F-150. Good points all around, though.
10/18, 10:47 AM
posted by:
A4
an F-50 sounds like either **** or a ferrari though, so i rule that out