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Ford to retool U.S. plant for European vehicles
We wrote about it earlier, just as a rumor, but it looks like an announcement is imminent: the Wall Street Journal says that Ford is going to make European cars on this side of the pond. However, it isn't merely North American plants that will be changed over, but American plants. The Journal doesn't give any further indication of where those plants might be or what those cars might be, only saying that the strategy could be revealed during Ford's Q2 earnings announcement this Thursday. But we'll say again: come on, Mondeo! (And Focus and Focus Coupe and Ka and...)
[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Torrent 2:02PM (7/21/2008)
OH GOD NOT THE S-MAX.
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Johnny 2:19PM (7/21/2008)
Why not?
It will compete with the Mazda 5 and Kia Rondo. The S-Max is not a bad car as long as Ford brings it over with the small engines as a choice.
A car like this that can carry 6 people should have a 2.3 liter engine or the new corporate 2.5 and nothing more.
Markus 2:28PM (7/21/2008)
That's a C-Max in the picture. The S-Max actually doesn't look too bad for a minivan.
Torrent 2:30PM (7/21/2008)
Change the front and I'll be fine.
Add the Verve's front end, and I'll be great.
why not the LS2LS7? 2:32PM (7/21/2008)
Cause the Mazda 5 and Kia Rondo sell poorly, that's my only reservation. Americans have not recently been interested in this market, so it may be premature to jump in.
Randy 2:49PM (7/21/2008)
Heck with them both. I just saw a Ford Flex and though in pictures it's not very appealing to me (i'm a sporty car guy) the Ford Flex is VERY cool! You've got to check one out.
Johnny 2:55PM (7/21/2008)
Ls please use sources
Mazda five is selling very well. It was up 29% last month alone. Thats good for a 4 year old car.
http://www.automotive-business-review.com/article_news.asp?guid=E608D85D-B286-47B2-89F7-B19824A8F880
why not the LS2LS7? 4:08PM (7/21/2008)
24,000 units/yr is better than I expected, but it's still not impressive. Up 29% in a month (esp. when it's only 44% for the half) doesn't mean much. Absolute sales matter more than relative increases.
I'd love to see this segment be a big part of the US market, but it isn't.
Patrick 8:56PM (7/21/2008)
I've been seeing a lot of Kia Rondos the past week or two, just about one a day.
Torrent 8:59PM (7/21/2008)
Sure it wasn't just the same one?
Kimura 2:04PM (7/21/2008)
Bring over the Kuga too while you're at it Ford!
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Shipey 2:07PM (7/21/2008)
I agree, the Kuga would be a good addition.
This is the closest thing to a truly Bold Move they've made in a while. It'd be nice if this were the beginning of a trend.
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AngeloD 2:13PM (7/21/2008)
The Euro Fords are sharp looking and capable vehicles. Ford should have taken this step years ago, the early 1980's Merkur Scorpio flop notwithstanding.
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why not the LS2LS7? 2:14PM (7/21/2008)
Focus or Fiesta seems like the smart one to me. Mondeo is a great car, but Ford needs to sort out their strategy in that segment first. Right now they've throw 2 (3?) new cars at that segment in 3 years and still aren't making a significant improvement.
I know the S-MAX is coming, but it seems like a dumb idea to me, that segment is moribund in the US, even Mazda's normally golden touch hasn't been able to invigorate it.
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Dude 2:17PM (7/21/2008)
Let's see how well those Euro Fords hold up after being built with UAW labor.
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BlackCanary 2:27PM (7/21/2008)
Should be ok considering the high quality ratings Ford has been getting. The Fords in Europe are also built with union labor, just not the UAW. Nice trolling though.
Dude 2:48PM (7/21/2008)
That's why I said "let's see".
People hold Ford of Europe to a very high standard in the States. Let's see how well it translates. If they don't change anything on the cars, the only variable will be the people making them. Again, let's see how well they do.
jim 3:59PM (7/21/2008)
In the late 80's early 90's Toyota leased the GM's Freemont CA assembly plant, UAW members included to assemble Corolas. These Corolas were sold side-by-side with Japanese manufactured cars, guess what there was no difference in quality. Management is the reason one car company has better quality than another not the workers.
jim 3:59PM (7/21/2008)
In the late 80's early 90's Toyota leased the GM's Freemont CA assembly plant, UAW members included to assemble Corolas. These Corolas were sold side-by-side with Japanese manufactured cars, guess what there was no difference in quality. Management is the reason one car company has better quality than another not the workers.
Landy 1:17AM (7/22/2008)
German Ford engineers from Cologne are already in the United States visiting suppliers to ensure the parts and manufacturing quality is according to the Ford EU standarts.