Recent Comments:
Mercury rising: Thursday announcement expected to lay out Euro-infused future {Autoblog}
Jul 22nd 2008 5:23PM This could be a very clever move by Ford. The longer term plan is to build the Euro Fords as Fords in NA, but they need small car product now and importing Fords manufactured in Europe is too expensive.
If they were to rebadge them as Mercurys at a premium price, they might sell a few and make some money while waiting for 2010, without risking the future small Fords getting an "overpriced" label like Saturn.
When the new NA Fords finally arrive, the imported ones will die, probably along with Mercury. If the imports happen to really click with buyers at a premium price, then both Mercury and Ford could win, but I doubt this will be the case.
This looks like it could be a winner for Ford, at low risk.
2010 Chevy Camaro - LIVE from the reveal {Autoblog}
Jul 22nd 2008 9:25AM @Randy
That's my sentiment too. I'm a Mustang fan, but I found it was more fun when there was strong competition, which Camaro has always provided.
This is a very competent competitor with many pluses over the current Mustang, so Ford will have to take it very seriously as it finishes off plans for the 2010 Mustang.
It's probably good enough in 09 for Camaro (but not Challenger) to have one of those rare years when they beat Mustang in sales as Mustang fans wait for the 2010 model. But GM will have to hustle as Mustang has never been satisfied with second place and has a much larger fan base.
Can't wait to see Camaro and Challenger join the Koni Challenge.
Ford brings 2010 Mustang out to play at Road America {Autoblog}
Jul 21st 2008 8:17AM Mustang events like this draw large crowds of Mustang enthusiasts, and news from the events is also spread through magazines such as that of Mustang Club of America. If Ford wanted to tell the enthusiasts not to abandon Mustang for the new Camaro and Challenger, then this would be one way of doing so. Not every car enthusiast follows all of the blogs like this one, so Ford should do events like this to keep the flock informed and faithful.
The 2010 Mustang is not going to come out any sooner and it is going to be a refresh. Fact. It will have a hard time competing with it's brand new competitors. Fact. If I was the Decider at Ford, I would keep the camo on as long as possible to allow for more anticipation and the opportunity to make additional changes.
Further proof that future Fords will have Euro flair {Autoblog}
Jul 17th 2008 9:33AM @boneheadotto
What about the F150, Explorer, and Mustang? Ford was a leader with these products, when they were appropriate.
But things change and so will the Big 3.
Further proof that future Fords will have Euro flair {Autoblog}
Jul 17th 2008 9:23AM I don't think the big 3 chose to design crappy cars for NA, they just focused on trucks and SUVs for the greater profit and ignored cars for other than the fleets.
In Europe and OZ, that strategy wouldn't fly because they were more focused on good cars.
Gas prices in NA are now putting a snag in the NA strategy, and fortunately for Ford, they have some dammed good resources to help them move to a new order.
Go Ford! Go NA jobs! Go economy!
Mercury dying: No updates planned past 2010 {Autoblog}
Jul 16th 2008 5:54AM It doesn't make perfect sense to keep a space between Lincoln and Ford for the Mercury. Consumers want high quality vehicles with good styling. Ford can't leave that space for Mercury to fill. Fords can't survive with just an entry level reputation.
Making Mercury the Euro version of Fords puts a nail in the Global Ford strategy.
Mercury as a division has no niche that can't be better filled by Ford or Lincoln. Without a niche it just wastes money.
Let the division go, but support the loyal Mercury customers by providing models of Fords that recall Mercury names or features, such as labeling a new RWD sedan as a Ford Marquis or giving Fords a Sable trim level.
Class warfare: Exotic car owners in MA got massive tax break {Autoblog}
Jul 13th 2008 8:35PM Canadian farmers are allowed to purchase gas which is colored with a die that indicates it's use for farmer's vehicles only, which probably includes pickup trucks etc that are used on the farm. Not sure of the process, but I suspect they have "farm fuel" delivered to a storage tank on the farm.
Class warfare: Exotic car owners in MA got massive tax break {Autoblog}
Jul 13th 2008 6:35AM I think we Canucks have it worse.
This article is about taxes in one US state for cars and boats. In Canada we pay higher taxes at the gas pump for every non-farm vehicle that runs on gas.
Even the gas in my lawnmower and generator is taxed, supposedly to improve highways.
Gunbus motorcycle finished, proves just excessive enough {Autoblog}
Jul 13th 2008 6:13AM The owner quite clearly said in the video that he pulls the extra wheels up at speed and runs on two wheels. I think that is a motorcycle.
Steve Saleen celebrates 25 years with 720-horsepower anniversary Mustang concept {Autoblog}
Jul 8th 2008 10:31AM I disagree and thus prove the point that everyone has their own taste, and therefore we have many variations of tuner Mustangs. You may not add this to your list, but I certainly would add it to mine, without changing any of the add-ons.
