We've just come from Cobo Arena where Ford Motor Company spent the morning previewing its Showroom of the Future to the automotive press, much in the same way its employees were given a sneak peek a few weeks ago. And, as the title indicates, "automotive press" included us this time around. After being treated to lengthy soliloquies by President of the Americas Mark Fields, Group VP of Product Development Derrick Kuzak, and Director of North American Design Peter Horbury, we were treated to the sight of a number of models that may or may not be part of future Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineups. See, we signed one of those confidentiality agreements that prohibits us from imparting to you the sights and sounds of these future Ford products, so we can neither tell you what we saw or what we think of it all. Bummer, huh? We agree. Gag order notwithstanding, Ford held this event to convert those in the automotive press who don't believe Ford has enough good product in the pipeline to turn itself around. Perhaps the company believes after seeing its Showroom of the Future we'd all jump on the Blue Oval bandwagon and herald the automaker's impending return to profitability. We'll see about that, but for now all we have to say is no comment.
If you'd like some more guarded descriptions of this morning's event, visit Winding Road and Jalopnik. We sat next to them in Cobo Arena, took the same notes, drew the same sketches, and are now sitting in a Starbucks with them trying to figure out what we can and can't tell you.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
HotRod @ Dec 12th 2006 2:21PM
WTF? What is the point then? Why bother? I think they WANT you to talk.
Kom @ Dec 12th 2006 2:47PM
Ford, as to me only uses the old status, and now anything new: (
bad blooooood @ Dec 12th 2006 2:57PM
I have a question, why is there an American flag next to Ford oval. Is there a meaning there? Is Ford trying to "sell" us something with that flag in the background?
Professor Porsche @ Dec 12th 2006 2:58PM
More BS from Ford
ruggels @ Dec 12th 2006 3:03PM
show room of the future... hmmm... did it look anything like the audi forums in Tokyo or throughout Europe? or like the big mercedes forums? If so, hardly the show room of the future, more like the showroom of where ford will be in 8-10 but should be now ;). stick to your cars ford, keep building more improved models like the fusion or perhaps grab the CX7 and MS3, don't play the frilly conceptual showroom game when you're still having a problem breaking even selling cars, that's for the big boys to do, you know the ones making money.
jb @ Dec 12th 2006 3:12PM
RE: comment by bad blooooood: Notice the flag appears to be reversed, a sign of extreme distress if I am not mistaken.
8.6.7.5.3.0.9 @ Dec 12th 2006 3:14PM
If "one" was so inclined to send such drawings and descriptions to a certain "random" couple of hotmail address that after receiving such "random emails" the previous spoken of accounts were deleted and said information was released upon the world there could be certain "incentives" for the involved parties.
Do we have a deal?
Found On Road Dead @ Dec 12th 2006 3:21PM
Ford can redo their showrooms all they want. People still won't buy if their product is still below par. Ford should focus on regaining their QUALITY IS JOB #1 attitude with products that WOW people instead of trying to put makeup on a pig.
jamie @ Dec 12th 2006 3:23PM
Just nod if Ford is going to sell Jag and LR. :)
Heard this morning that Ford is definitely going to try to revive Lincoln. LOL
Best news is that the Aussie Falcon (RWD) is a definite go.
Jamie M @ Dec 12th 2006 3:43PM
#6: Upside-down flag is sign of distress. Reversed flag is sign of which way wind is blowing...
beenthereseenthat @ Dec 12th 2006 4:12PM
Funny how many of the posts are from ppl who obviously have no clue as to what was shown but yet they can give an opinion on it.
I've been there and wish there was a way we could compare notes/thoughts on what was shown. I'm curious to know what an "outsider" has to say.
BeenThereAlso @ Dec 12th 2006 4:23PM
#11, I agree with you. I've also seen it and have fairly few people I can discuss it with.
A lot of comments here seem to think that this is about new showrooms or something (maybe I'm misreading it; it's hard to know with all the idiotic comments about the flag). This is entirely about new vehicles, and not just making them look better.
Piter @ Dec 12th 2006 4:44PM
Honda's future showroom will probably be manned by an army of ASIMOs.
TIM @ Dec 12th 2006 4:52PM
After years of buying 80% foreign and 20% American I was this close to buying a Mustang ( don't say #%&* about the car it's a sentimental buy) I decided against buying new because the 1st year depreciation was STEEP. I mean there were V-6 auto and mannys for less than 15000 and 06' Taurus's at 10000. Why buy new? Incentives on the front end and rental fleet sales at the back end; who would buy any Ford new (GT Shelby excused)? Ford Stop the depreciation and more people will buy cars. Maybe a true vehicle buyback program for well conditioned vehicles at trade in.
mike @ Dec 12th 2006 5:11PM
The Blight Before Christmas
By Frank Williams
December 11th, 2006 1,603 Views
T’was two weeks before Christmas
And all through Detroit,
The car makers were hustling,
But they weren’t too adroit.
They all had such high hopes,
To end up the year,
With a good bottom line
To bring Christmas cheer.
But GM Rick is floundering,
‘Cause his products are stuck,
Way back in the ‘90’s,
He’s plain out of luck.
Poor Chrysler is struggling
To sell what they can.
Doctor Z hasn’t helped them;
Guess he needs a new plan.
Across town at Ford,
All hope’s on Mulally,
But it’s looking quite doubtful
That his sales will soon rally.
Yes, things look quite grim
For the Big Two Point Five,
Yet we all keep on hoping
That they’ll somehow survive.
When Santa hit town,
He just shook his white head.
He scoped out their products
And finally said:
“You know at one time,
American cars stood,
For innovation and change,
And all that was good,
For comfort and style,
And bang for the buck.
Now all I can see,
Are ladder frame trucks.
There’s front wheel drive Jeeps,
And Fords rebadged as Lincoln.
A Cadillac truck?
What have you been drinkin’?
The pistonheads begged me,
To come help all you guys.
I’ll do what I can,
But you must realize-
You’re in pretty deep;
There are no magic pills,
Just hard work and focus,
And leave off the frills.
You’ve let the beancounters
Make every decision;
Your products are suffering,
You need a new vision.
You’ve too many products,
You’ve spread yourselves thin,
Trying to cover all markets,
It’s time to reel in.
Platform sharing’s just fine,
It can help control costs,
But stop badge engineering,
To regain what you’ve lost.
Stay true to your brands
With unique product lines;
Make each vehicle distinct
And you’ll all do just fine.”
Then all three of them huddled
To discuss what they’d heard.
Could this be the answer?
They thought it absurd.
“No way!” they all said,
As they talked ‘mongst themselves.
“What could this guy know?
He should go back to his elves!”
So they told Santa “Leave!
And get out of this place,
We know more than you;
Now get out of our face!”
He shook his head sadly
As he climbed on his sleigh;
He just couldn’t believe them,
Then they all heard him say
“I gave it my best shot,
I tried what I could,
What you get, you deserve.
And you’ll get what you should.
My last bit of advice,
Since you don’t know what class is;
Get your big swelled heads out
Of your dumb corporate asses!”
curtisinasia @ Dec 12th 2006 5:23PM
Is Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, sporting a Mullet hair-do? What more would you expect in the way of bold moves?
doug @ Dec 12th 2006 8:30PM
Can't you at least tell us if what you saw changed your perception of their situation?? Are you excited or disappointed by what you saw? Surely that would be ok.
George Silva @ Dec 16th 2006 6:09PM
Os norte-americanos ainda não perceberam que estão tomando uma lavada? Vão se fuder seus FDPS!
Adrian Ryan @ Feb 8th 2007 2:14AM
Hey guys, I'm from Australia and Ihope you get as lucky as we are and get the Aussie Falcon into your showrooms. GM has woken up and the new pontiac G8 is our home grown Holden Commodore SS - and it's very, very good - and I,m a Ford fan!
Attorneygirardot @ Feb 15th 2007 2:17PM
Ford will surprise everyone by getting back into the game and kicking a little butt.