[staff]

Ford confirms new transmissions

Richard Jensen: BlueOvalBlogs

http://www.blueovalnews.com/images/2007/corporate/livoniatrans.jpg

Those disappointed with the 4-speeds in the F-150 and Escape/Mariner/Tribute can rest easy.

They will both soon be getting 6-speed transmissions. This information is nestled into a press release announcing $866 million in investment in Michigan.

* Van Dyke Transmission Plant received $320 million to install a flexible machining line to assemble a fuel-efficient, high performance 6-speed, front-wheel drive transmission for the next generation Ford Escape.
* Livonia Transmission Plant received $88 million to install flexible tooling to increase its production of a fuel-efficient, high performance 6-speed, rear-wheel drive transmission for the 2009 Ford F-150.

Source: Ford Motor

It’s not clear when the next generation Ford Escape is due. The likelihood is that, like the Focus, its lifespan has been considerably shortened, as Ford moves to increase global platform sharing (both the Escape and Focus ride on orphaned platforms). While the Escape is sold globally and assembled both in Japan and Kansas City, the Focus is only sold in North America and only assembled at Wayne.

Ford’s investment in Wayne is sufficient only to purchase new tooling for the Focus, therefore, the future for this plant is still somewhat up in the air, as it is not a flex plant.

More BlueOvalBlogs here.

This post has been edited by RichardJensen: 10 January 2007 - 10:47 PM
Reason for edit: had to turn a b into an m.

[ZanatWork]

Well, that means only something like another 12-18 months for the F-150, but the Escape...well, we'll see.

[Hugh]

"Van Dyke Transmission Plant received $320 million to install a flexible machining line to assemble a fuel-efficient, high performance 6-speed, front-wheel drive transmission for the next generation Ford Escape."

Is this a different 6F then the Ford/GM collaberation? If that is the case then there will be 3 different 6F's in the lineup.
As well, how long will it take to get this online?

Good for the F-series too, they're going to need that transmission.

[Pioneer]

Hugh, on Jan 10 2007, 08:18 PM, said:

Good for the F-series too, they're going to need that transmission.

They need it now, not in 12 to 18 months.

[BlackHorse]

I'm glad to hear that Ford has a plan to address the issue of the 4 speed transmission in the Escape. It just frustrates me that it always seems Ford is for some reason always behind the power curve. Five and six speed automatic transmissions are nothing new in this segment. If they bothered with all the trouble of a redesign and skipped on the transmission upgrade it just leaves me wondering why they bothered in the first place. Don't even get me started on the drum brake issue. I still think that's a terrible idea. It seems like Ford doesn't understand what they are supposed to do until they release a vehicle to the market and have the tabloids thorougly trash it. Then they say "Ok, now we know what we should have done." As if all along nobody on the development team realized that going back to drum brakes or keeping the outdated driveline wasn't a good idea. They really get me frustrated sometimes with the apparent lack of obvious foresight in their product development. Aside from the Mustang I can't remember the last time a new Ford product came out and got anything better than a medicore reception from the periodicals and most often those less than cheery reviews are deserved. It's a truly baffeling problem from a company that should be rolling in design and development talent given it's financial capability and long history.

[Extreme4x4]

The new Expedition has received very favorable reviews, and has won pretty much any comparison it has been in.

The Fusion received very positive reviews also.

The MKZ has received very good reviews.

[BlackHorse]

It's true about the Expediton, I should have remembered that. It got some positive press. Regretably, sales of Expedition have taken a nose dive due to the gas prices. The Fusion articles I have read have all placed it in the so / so category. I haven't read anything on the MKZ yet.

[blk05stang]

Someone needs to change the article... It's MILLION not BBBBBBBBBILLION! My eyes almost fell out when I saw they almost invested in a TRILLION dollars worth of 'stuff'.

[RichardJensen]

BlackHorse, on Jan 11 2007, 01:45 AM, said:

Five and six speed automatic transmissions are nothing new in this segment.

Until Feb '06, no vehicle in the compact CUV segment had more than a 4-speed auto.

Until the new Tundra goes on sale, Dodge and Nissan are the only truck mfrs. offering more than a 4-speed auto on a work truck--it hasn't done wonders for the sales of either range. The Sierra Denali has a 6-speed, but it's also a $50k toy.

[RichardJensen]

blk05stang, on Jan 11 2007, 03:43 AM, said:

Someone needs to change the article... It's MILLION not BBBBBBBBBILLION! My eyes almost fell out when I saw they almost invested in a TRILLION dollars worth of 'stuff'.

Yeah. I changed it the two places I can change it, but the typo's probably still on the BON front page. Sheesh.

[NLPRacing]

BlackHorse, on Jan 10 2007, 07:56 PM, said:

It's true about the Expedition, I should have remembered that. It got some positive press. Regretably, sales of Expedition have taken a nose dive due to the gas prices. The Fusion articles I have read have all placed it in the so / so category. I haven't read anything on the MKZ yet.

Maybe this will help Expedition sales? How low will oil prices go? - MSN Money Link

[old_fairmont_wagon]

I believe that the CRV offered a 5AT in all models for the last four years of production (however long the outgoing body style lasted). That being said, 6 speeds are new to the segment.

[Sizzler]

The new 6-speed for the F-150 is probably called for by the expected torque output of the Hurricane/Boss engine, also expected around 2009 MY.

Any info (even what it's called since the name usually included a torque rating at Ford) as to its power handling capabilities?

[Michael Reynolds]

BlackHorse, on Jan 11 2007, 01:56 AM, said:

It's true about the Expediton, I should have remembered that. It got some positive press. Regretably, sales of Expedition have taken a nose dive due to the gas prices. The Fusion articles I have read have all placed it in the so / so category. I haven't read anything on the MKZ yet.

Well yeah they have TOOK a nose dive, look at what the Expedition was up against. Since the revised model was introduced there has been an uptick in sales.

[kyle]

Even though it is good news they are still playing catch up in the market. We again continue to see the consequences of poor decisions by senior management and will for awhile now.

There is no reason why the 150 should be playing catchup to anyone.....it is by ford's own admission their most important vehicle in the world! It would be nice ot at least have a 5spd auto on the escape...launching product without powertrain upgrades just hurts the product's chance of success, especially when your competitors are introducing updated vehicle with features that customer's want.

And even though the expedition won a heads up comparison with the suburban I am hardly excited. It was against only one other vehicle and they certainly did not win because of the superior powertrain, but I think rather because of overall packing and price.

Ford needs this investment just to be 3 years late to the party. Can anyone name a class leading powertrain from Ford?

[rsgnome]

kyle, on Jan 11 2007, 10:23 AM, said:

Can anyone name a class leading powertrain from Ford?

The powertrain the in Edge. Granted, its only true competitor is the Nissan Murano... but for now, it is class leading. With the easy scalability of the Dureatec 35, in terms of being able to add new technologies, I see no reason why the Edge can't remain at the top of its class. Especially when the class becomes more crowded.

I think it's great that Ford is *finally* doing away with the CD4E transmission. That piece of shit should have never been allowed to stay in the Escape trio for as long as it has. :finger:

[Noah Harbinger]

kyle, on Jan 11 2007, 09:23 AM, said:

And even though the expedition won a heads up comparison with the suburban I am hardly excited. It was against only one other vehicle and they certainly did not win because of the superior powertrain, but I think rather because of overall packing and price.

I suppose that should bother you if all you care about in a vehicle is the powertrain... but most people buying these vehicles care about a lot more.

[RichardJensen]

kyle, on Jan 11 2007, 05:23 PM, said:

There is no reason why the 150 should be playing catchup to anyone.

Oh horse trumpets.

Ford should be adding major equipment to the F150 every stinkin' year just to stay on top of a paper race being held by internet geeks?

Despite it's 'boat anchor' engine and 'antique' transmission, it's still rated higher than any other vehicle for payload and towing.

This post has been edited by RichardJensen: 11 January 2007 - 02:40 PM

[kyle]

Noah Harbinger, on Jan 11 2007, 06:10 PM, said:

I suppose that should bother you if all you care about in a vehicle is the powertrain... but most people buying these vehicles care about a lot more.

Noah...you are right it is not the only decision that I make in buying a vehicle. It is pretty important though and what is probably more significant is to at least be in the ballpark.
Point being that of all the products ford makes where is one the best in powertrain department?

I am not discounting other attributes...all though they are few as the competition onslaught is occuring but you would think there is one area they are the strongest.

[Bluecon]

I am surprised there is no announcement concerning the new 6.2 Boss engine.
Must be a big investment at Romeo engine for that motor?