The Chrysler Group was kind enough to schedule its own media preview event the day after Ford's Showroom of the Future, so one Detroit rush hour traffic jam and crappy hotel room later we're back in the midst of future vehicles and concepts. Unlike Ford's event yesterday, the Chrysler Group featured only vehicles that are destined to be debuted on the auto show circuit this season, rather than visions of the future for 2008, 2009 and beyond. Nevertheless, everything we witnessed is embargoed at least until the Detroit show and later for some. Hopefully we won't get slapped for saying so, but the mood was positive in Chrysler's Design Dome as the press attended seem genuinely impressed with the majority of Chrysler's auto show lineup. There were certainly models we didn't see today that are being saved as suprises for the shows, but what we were privy to bodes well for The Chrysler Group. Of course, if other media outlets break the embargo you can bet we'll be all over it. Until then, our lips are sealed.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
roadside observer 12:54PM (12/13/2006)
If Autoblog isn't allowed to say anything or show any photos, what are we supposed to say?
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matt 1:11PM (12/13/2006)
Who cares...
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DJ 1:15PM (12/13/2006)
Hey, let's play twenty questions. I'll go first.....
Did you see the new DCX/VW minivans?
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charles 1:21PM (12/13/2006)
Question did Ford of DCX make a better Impression?
CNBC
Ford's Showroom of the Future -- Doesn't Show Much
Posted By:Phil LeBeau
I just saw a glimpse of Ford's Ford Motor Co product pipeline, and while there were a few exceptions, what I saw didn't do much to ease concerns that Ford's immediate future is weak. That doesn't mean you should write off Ford, it simply means, in my opinion, it may take a while for Ford to end it's 6 year sales slide.
Today, Ford gave auto reporters a two hour briefing, and showed the current inception of numerous models in hopes of ending the chatter in Detroit and on Wall Street that the country's number 2 automaker has no hope for the future. The one stipulation: we could not discuss specific models, detailed product enhancements, etc. But when it comes to giving our overall impression, there are no restrictions.
And overall, I was not blown away. Primarily because I saw few "game changers". Few models, or concepts that made me say, "wait a minute,..that's so new, so fresh, people will rush to buy it". Also, much of what I saw is built on Ford's current design philosophy which is epitomized by the Edge crossover utility vehicle and Fusion sedan. Both, with bolder grills and stances look pretty good for 2006,..but if this is a peak at Ford's showroom a few years from now, I don't think that look is enough. Jean Jennings with Automobile magazine summed it up best saying, "this is supposed to be a showroom of the future, not a showroom of today."
Ford investors shouldn't lose faith based just on my opinion. For starters, much of what I saw has been in the works for several months, if not years. So we've yet to see how new CEO Alan Mulally put his "stamp" on Ford. Mulally may talk the proper game in public about Ford having what it takes to turn things around, but I suspect at some point he will pressure Ford's designers to become more aggressive. Mulally knows Ford's best shot at ending it's multi-billion dollar slide is by cutting costs AND boosting revenue with truly bold new products.
It's only one opinion, but from where I sit, Ford's showroom of the future needs a lot more, and it needs it quick.
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Tal D 1:38PM (12/13/2006)
How f------ exciting.
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That One Person 3:43PM (12/13/2006)
The problem with Ford's "Showroom of the Future" is that I bet all those vehicles were designed and/or engineered when Billy Boy was in control. I have a lot more faith in Mullaly and he still hasnt had the chance to smooth things out. But I believe if he knows what hes doing, Ford should be fine in a few years.
Bill Ford had the chance to correct things. A few cars came out that were nice. But they are far from groundbreaking...except maybe the F-150. Look at Caddy. That company did a full 180 in, what, four years? And GM has been working its ass off the last couple years and now they have a shitload of products that dont blow ass. What is stopping Ford from doing the same thing? Yeah, the Fusion is nice. The Five Hundred is ok. The Edge looks like it will be able to compete. But other than that, there is nothing SPECTACULAR that is out.
I just hope Mullaly gets the company's shit straightened out...
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Fabulo 4:58PM (12/13/2006)
autoshill.com ?
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John Neff 4:58PM (12/13/2006)
All in all, I'll say I was more impressed by what I saw at the Chrysler Group's rather than Ford's event. They were two very different events, though. Where the Chrysler event was more about what would be seen this show season, half of Ford's event focused on products that were very far out. Those products, however, for the most part, didn't do much to make us feel better about Ford's position in the future. However, there were still things Ford didn't show us so don't count out the Blue Oval yet.
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That One Person 5:24PM (12/13/2006)
I'm a shill? Oh, I guess it's wrong to have faith in the domestics these days. And I guess it's wrong to have faith in a company which pretty much supports a mass majority of local business around here (Dearborn).
Sorry, I will go kiss Toyota's and Honda's asses for you.
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