[ausrutherford]

I cant stand the NYT but here you go.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/31/b...gin&adxnnlx=1225577452-45zG2SObOsUWwU+3p+zRDw

I totally agree with not getting a merger.

I predit within 5 years Ford will be bigger than GM proper.

 

[Higher Rhymes]

I concur, the first thing Ford did right was not buying [more brands specifically] than they could chew [develop].

Although they are no longer a large part in the manufacturing or distribution of Jaguar or Aston Martin they have reacted in such a way to make their business more streamlined and less resource-intensive. They will not only have a faster turn-around than GM/Chrysler, but they will be quicker to develop better products.

IMO, Ford is on the path to recovery. The only thing I don't like is Mercury is still around.. Having a faux-luxury brand undermines the point of having a TRUE luxury brand and then an entry level brand. What they are basically telling their customers is "Fords are cheap - we have the capacity to offer you better interiors and trim levels, but we choose to make some of our products unappealing." What they need to do is put all their Mercury engineers on Fords staff and have them upgrade those units, that way the next generation Taurus, Focus, Mustang, and F150 don't get stale then they can axe Mercury with no real repercussions.

To me Mercury is dead in the water, they say they're fixing it.. but think about it...
What can they REALLY offer? More re-badged entry level Fords?...
If Ford gives them a COMPLETELY unique product line and goes global with it, they will have a reason to stay. Otherwise.. I don't see Mercury doing/offering anything that Ford and Lincoln can't. We all want a Cougar or Marauder on the lots.. but I don't see anything exciting coming from them for a looong time...

But that's just me ranting....

 

[MrCritical]

Let's see.

Ford has mortgaged the factories, which are basically worthless now, except for the value of the land.

The Ford family is basically broke.

Yeah, they're in fine shape over there.

 

[ausrutherford]

It will take years for GM and Chysler to finally merge all the way. Ford Doesnt need to do that, they can push foward headstrong with their plan of fuel efficent models they have coming out throughout the next 14 months. While Gm is merging, the product line will get screwed up. We have already seen this with the delays of the Volt, Cruze, CTS Coupe, Elipsons, Corvette, and now with them getting out of the Full size SUV market. Gm will lose market share because of it and ford with their fuel efficent models along with 4 trucks coming out within the next 3 years will easily gain.

 

[fp115]

5 years bigger than GM? Yet it barely has any sort of presence in what will be the biggest auto market in 5 years, China. I still cannot see how Ford will pick up on GM's 10 marketshare points in that time either.

 

[fp115]

It will take years for GM and Chysler to finally merge all the way. Ford Doesnt need to do that, they can push foward headstrong with their plan of fuel efficent models they have coming out throughout the next 14 months. While Gm is merging, the product line will get screwed up. We have already seen this with the delays of the Volt, Cruze, CTS Coupe, Elipsons, Corvette, and now with them getting out of the Full size SUV market. Gm will lose market share because of it and ford with their fuel efficent models along with 4 trucks coming out within the next 3 years will easily gain.

There are no delays on any of those cars. Thats just the media going bonkers.

 

[ausrutherford]

5 years bigger than GM? Yet it barely has any sort of presence in what will be the biggest auto market in 5 years, China. I still cannot see how Ford will pick up on GM's 10 marketshare points in that time either.

I am saying in the NA amrket, I can not predit in the world just because I dont live there therefore I dont know how markets work over there.

 

[ausrutherford]

There are no delays on any of those cars. Thats just the media going bonkers.

The next G6 wont show up until my13, thats 8 years with just a minor facelift. Malibu and all others got pushed back.

 

[doh]

Ford doesn't have the likes of Cerebus pointing the load gun at thier back.

Most of GM's latest pull backs, come directly from the finance arm i.e. Cerebus. No Leases, No financing with less than 700 credit score, no 3.9% on GM Certified used cars, and in Canada anyways Max advance of invoice +5%.

GM doesn't want a merger either Cerebus does. Why? To own a part of the outcome, to get Goverment money, to own the rest of GMAC, which will become basically a bond for the next 5 years after GM fails.

 

[blank disk]

Mercury will fit perfectly when they are finished.
They will be a premium small car only brand, alongside Lincoln as a large luxury brand.
How smart is that!!!???

 

[fp115]

The next G6 wont show up until my13, thats 8 years with just a minor facelift. Malibu and all others got pushed back.

Pontiac is another story...
Malibu was pushed back because they don't need that car right away.
But the Volt, Cruze, CTS or any others you mentioned are not delayed. Even the Corvette is getting something in 2010.

 

[fp115]

I am saying in the NA amrket, I can not predit in the world just because I dont live there therefore I dont know how markets work over there.

Still, Ford would have to overtake Toyota in order to do so. How exactly do you predict that Ford takes away 10 points from GM's marketshare? Actually lets just say 5 for now. Their European models will help, but GM will have more new models out by the time they have released them.

 

[ausrutherford]

Still, Ford would have to overtake Toyota in order to do so. How exactly do you predict that Ford takes away 10 points from GM's marketshare? Actually lets just say 5 for now. Their European models will help, but GM will have more new models out by the time they have released them.

With them merging, that will screw up the product line. Meaning less models coming out. It will be 5 points in both directions.

 

[ausrutherford]

Pontiac is another story...
Malibu was pushed back because they don't need that car right away.
But the Volt, Cruze, CTS or any others you mentioned are not delayed. Even the Corvette is getting something in 2010.

Well since the Mulibu was over 50% fleet in september, they need another malibu. Pontiac is the dead man at GM now. GMC is following after it. And Saturn after that.

 

[fp115]

With them merging, that will screw up the product line. Meaning less models coming out. It will be 5 points in both directions.

Where do you get that from? It certainly will NOT mean less models. GM's product will stay on track and Chrysler's future models would be updated as their end comes around to reduce R&D expenditures.

 

[ausrutherford]

Where do you get that from? It certainly will NOT mean less models. GM's product will stay on track and Chrysler's future models would be updated as their end comes around to reduce R&D expenditures.

We have already seen it. The Cruze did get pushed back a whole another year! The Corvette got put on hold. The G6 will become the longest run for a mid size sedan in years. yes, 8 years!!!!

 

[fp115]

Well since the Mulibu was over 50% fleet in september, they need another malibu. Pontiac is the dead man at GM now. GMC is following after it. And Saturn after that.

They don't need another Malibu, the R&D expenses are not paid for. You really do not understand GM at all do you? September was an odd month which GM as well as other automakers had to fight to keep sales high. Not only that, GM typically does a lot of fleet sales in September all the way through November. That way they can limit their other months much more to customers keeping up the resale value.

Though I do commend you for attempting to spread libel and twisting facts. Ford has made its fair share of mistakes and still is making some.

 

[fp115]

We have already seen it. The Cruze did get pushed back a whole another year! The Corvette got put on hold. The G6 will become the longest run for a mid size sedan in years. yes, 8 years!!!!

The Cruze wasn't pushed back, it is still on schedule as originally planned. The Corvette is not on hold, the planned update is several months ahead. The C7 on the other hand is under going a strategic review for CAFE, which means the car may become a limited seller. And like I said, Pontiac is doing something else. The same can also be said about Ford Ranger which hasn't had an update in 11 years and counting.

 

[ausrutherford]

The Cruze wasn't pushed back, it is still on schedule as originally planned. The Corvette is not on hold, the planned update is several months ahead. The C7 on the other hand is under going a strategic review for CAFE, which means the car may become a limited seller. And like I said, Pontiac is doing something else. The same can also be said about Ford Ranger which hasn't had an update in 10 years.

The Ranger is not in huge market like the Mid size car market. And btw the Ranger has held up pretty well and my12 will bring out a all new one.

 

[ausrutherford]

They don't need another Malibu, the R&D expenses are not paid for. You really do not understand GM at all do you? September was an odd month which GM as well as other automakers had to fight to keep sales high. Not only that, GM typically does a lot of fleet sales in September all the way through November. That way they can limit their other months much more to customers keeping up the resale value.

Though I do commend you for attempting to spread libel and twisting facts. Ford has made its fair share of mistakes and still is making some.

How am i twisting facts, if you are sell 50+ % to fleet in one month then you sell 50+% in one month. There is no way to get around that. and it has been reported that the Cruze got pushed back farther and the Vette as well. And thats no libel.