mackinaw

I thought that Fiat didn't have access to any Chrysler money until they assumed full control? That's one reason why Marchionne is so desperate to buy Chrysler.

I love the title of the latest AutoExtremist, "The Unctuous Prick takes his leave and screws GM one last time."

Anyone is better than Akerson. She's got a big job ahead of her, especially in Europe, which Girsky thoroughly screwed up (interesting to note that Girsky is "retiring" too).

If you believe this, it's "burnout-control." http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1088999_2015-ford-mustangs-secret-feature-is-burnout-control-exclusive?fbfanpage

I don't think the 200 pounds is an official number. I read one report that said the internal weight reduction goal Ford had set had been met. They didn't mention any numbers.

My thoughts exactly. While the web pics look great, I think this is one vehicle that will look absolutely stunning when you see it in person.

Take a look at the thread on the Mustang6g site, where somebody photoshopped this pic in different colors. Looks particularly good in white, chrome yellow and grabber blue.

Another reason why I trust analysts as far as I can throw them. They can't even get a simple chart right.

MAP will also be down for a week in December. Better article in Automotive News. They mention BON too: http://www.autonews.com/article/20131126/OEM01/131129882/ford-to-idle-fusion-plant-in-michigan-extra-week-in-dec-to-curb#axzz2lseXQayk

Nice looking, but still too big for those who want a true compact truck (think 1980's Ranger). I do see the Colorado siphoning off sales from the Silverado. Chevrolet, without knowing it, just guaranteed that the F-150 will stay the best-selling pickup truck.

Maybe not. They had the chief engineer of the new Corvette on Autoline After Hours last week. I found it interesting that the frame of the new C7 'Vette varies in thickness depending on how much load it may get. I believe he said that low-stress areas of the frame are only one centimeter thick while high-stress areas are ten centimeters thick (from memory, so don't quote me on this). Ford may do the same with the new F-150.

From today's Automotive News: "Ford introduced the Ka Concept today in Brazil, calling it the company's first global entrant in the sub-B small car segment." "Speaking to reporters last week in Detroit, Joe Hinrichs, Ford's president of the Americas, said the Ka Concept is "one of the most important product programs in the company in the last few years." "Brazil is the third-largest market for Ford, and the company believes that the Ka Concept can help expand its current 9.5 percent market share in the country. Designed and built in Brazil, the Ka Concept is smaller and less expensive than a Ford Fiesta, but Ford designers tried to give it a premium look while keeping the price point low." Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20131113/OEM04/131119961/ford-says-ka-could-build-share-in-global-markets#ixzz2kY7GJrnY

I just found this post. Like really, how many guys, nationwide, are putting Chevy engines into Fords? A few thousand? Out of 320 million people? If anything qualifies as something that is not important, this is it.

1991? Can we say old news? So glad to see that AutoBlog is right on top of things.

Heard this on Autoline AfterHours. Other manufacturers (notably GM with the Volt) triple-wrap their battery packs so as to offer maximum protection in a collision. The battery in the Tesla is single-wrapped, hence, if it gets in a wreck, it's more likely to rupture and start on fire.

Jim Hall (2953 Analytics) figures Tesla will be bought out by somebody, probably Toyota. His reasoning: Their upcoming CUV will be based on the Model S platform so won't require much new engineering (so not much additional $$$$). Their planned small car though, will be brand new (meaning new platform) and require about $1 billion dollars in development costs. Plain and simple, they don't have the money. Look for Elon to bail then. Also interesting is that Tesla is only "profitable," now, by selling EPA credits. They have yet to make a dime by selling their vehicles.

You're right, this doesn't belong in the Ford Discussion section. And why introduce politics into the discussion? I'm no lover of Tesla, but to be factual, they paid off their $465 million federal loan last May.

Just amazing.

No doubt. Martin Smith, Freeman Thomas, Max Wolff, Joel Piakowski (I'm sure there are others), are all top-notch designers. I hope they stay at Ford.

People seem to forget that Mays has worked 33 years in the industry. There comes a time in your life when you realize the years are going by and you really want to do something else before you cash in your chips (I speak from experience). That being said, I imagine theres's more to this story than what the PR release says. While I'm not the biggest Mays fan on the planet, the guy seemed to truly like his job. I'm more curious now if Callum will radically change things.

I'll guess we'll find out what Callum has up his sleeve next year. Wolff, Martin Smith, Freeman Thomas were all hired by Mays. Maybe we'll see new roles for all involved, if they stay with the company.

Here's the Automotive News article: http://www.autonews.com/article/20131105/OEM02/131109902/fords-design-chief-j-mays-retires-replaced-by-moray-callum#axzz2jn5rQutK

According to Automotive News, it will be Moray Callum.

From today's Detroit News: "Ford Motor Co. on Tuesday said three long-time executives will retire at the end of the year. J Mays, 59, Ford’s chief creative officer and design chief, will retire after a 33-year automotive career. Jim Tetreault, 58, North American manufacturing chief, will retire after a 25-year career at the Dearborn automaker. And Marty Malloy, 57, labor affairs vice president, calls it a career after 34 years at Ford." From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20131105/AUTO0102/311050067#ixzz2jmnb1ZG2

A lot of it is probably pent-up demand. Corvette aficionados have been waiting patiently for the new car for months. Now that it's here, they all want it, like now! I suspect the same thing will happen next year when the new Mustang comes out. Sales will probably rise dramatically.