MKII

From article "He said the Blue Oval model will be sold in Europe, Asia, South America and North America, but stressed that the subcompact is not a "world car." Instead, the vehicle will be tailored to meet the unique needs of each market." Here we go again with the cheap stuff for North American market. More of the same old Ford NA mediocre mentality.

Pricing list on this link, which incldes MSRP before taxes and fees, http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_dis...m?release=25529

From Ford's media page, Ford does not state or predict sales numbers, but seem more concerned with conquest sales of 45% as a goal. This year, crossovers are expected to outsell the traditional SUV segment for the first time ever. Through August, industry crossover sales are up 8 percent at 1.62 million units. Already the fastest-growing vehicle segment in the United States, crossovers are expected to be the largest segment in the industry with sales of about 3 million units by the end of the decade. By 2009, the segment is expected to include more than 70 CUV models. Ford Motor Company outpaced the competition in CUV growth in 2005 and will stake an even stronger claim over the CUV market with the introduction of the new Edge, along with the new Lincoln MKX. As vehicle segments continue to shift in the marketplace, Edge will play a critical role in retaining existing Ford customers as well as drawing new customers into Ford dealerships. Ford expects that approximately 45 percent of Edge buyers will be customers who are new to Ford Motor Company. “The success of the Edge will prove that we can bring the same customer-focused intensity we have in trucks to new segments of the market,” said Codina. “The total Edge package – design, flexibility, fuel economy, fun-to-drive character and value – gives us high confidence that we will win new customers.” http://media.ford.com/products/press_artic...$0C$B

Ditto. Ford NA has to learn to go the whole 100 yards, not 85 or 90 yards, but 100. Being just OK does not cut it.

Not bad, slight Alfa Romeo rear treatment.

I kniow I can buy in Estonia, a very well equipped Mondeo SW 1.8l in Canadian $27,000 on the road price, including VAT and fees etc. A Fusion at this trim level (minus engine difference) in Canada would run in the Canadian $28-30,000.00, for the Mondeo sedan 1.8l "on the road" price in Estonia , in Canadian $25,000.00 The new Mondeo ST as far as I understand will be offered with the new SI6 3.0l turbo. This Volvo engine is actually 1mm shorter then Volvo's 2.5T engine, plus a newly developed AWD system from Haldex. Mondeo is attractive in the sense it is offered in 3 styles, sedan, 5 door hatch and wagon New Models: New Mondeo: Pricing announced 26 Feb 07 17:39 Ford has announced pricing for the new Mondeo: it'll start from £14,995 when it goes on sale in June. Entry-level model at that price is the Edge 1.6 hatch (110bhp); most expensive version is the 2.5T Titanium X estate (220bhp, £24,195). Model-for-model, each version is around £300 cheaper than its equivalent in the outgoing range. All models including the Edge have around £700-worth of extra equipment, with standard kit including ESP, an alarm, Isofix child seat mounting points, a driver's knee airbag, the Easyfuel system which prevents you putting diesel into a petrol car and vice versa, air conditioning, cruise control, a leather steering wheel, CD/MP3-compatible audio system, side airbags, electric front windows, remote central locking, heated front windscreen and power/heated door mirrors. Zetec spec (from £16,695, for the 1.6 125bhp saloon and hatch) adds 16" alloy wheels, front foglights, dual-zone air conditioning, a leather gearknob and electric rear windows. Ghia versions (from £18,445 for the 2.0 145bhp saloon) have 17" alloy wheels, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding door mirrors and a six-CD autochanger. Range-topping Titanium X models (from £21,245 for the 1.8 TDCi five-door) have Alcantara/leather trim, an ignition button, adaptive front lighting, blue-tinted glass and unique instrument display. Options available will include sat nav, tyre pressure monitoring, sports suspension, integral rear child seats, front and rear parking sensors, voice-controlled Bluetooth kit and voice-controlled audio and ventilation, rear-seat DVD system and, for the estate, a slide-out load floor. The order books open on 1 March. http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-sto...p?news_id=15836

Top 20 cars in the U.S. 2006 1 Toyota Camry....................... 448,445 2 Toyota Corolla/Matrix .......... 387,388 3 Honda Accord ...................... 354,441 4 Honda Civic.......................... 316,638 5 Chevrolet Impala ................. 289,868 6 Nissan Altima........................ 232,457 7 Chevrolet Cobalt.................. 211,449 8 Ford Focus ........................... 177,006 9 Ford Taurus.......................... 174,803 10 Ford Mustang...................... 166,530 11 Chevrolet Malibu ................ 163,853 12 Pontiac G6 ......................... 157,644 13 Hyundai Sonata.................. 149,513 14 Chrysler 300 ...................... 143,647 15 Ford Fusion ........................ 142,502 16 Chrysler PT Cruiser............. 138,650 17 BMW 3 series ..................... 120,180 18 Nissan Sentra..................... 117,922 19 Dodge Charger.................... 114,201 20 Pontiac Grand Prix............... 108,634 Source: Automotive News

And I thought all Volvo owners were level headed. I'll have to check myself in and fix my un-level head. BTW I do not claim that Volvo safety is superior, but you have to admit they sure do work hard at this, and make lots of material available to state such efforts for public viewing.

Designing vehicles with Real World safety is Volvo's methodology and priority. Excelling in one particular nation's governmental or third party tests is not. In third-party tests, such as the recent American IIHS Top Safety Pick Awards, or the NHSTA Crash Tests, vehicles are ranked based on the performance of front, side, and rear crashes. These rankings are based on results from one test vehicle, at one impact speed, and one angle of impact. While any form of testing can be a positive step, safety is a MUCH more complex subject than just one single crash test. Volvo builds vehicles with safety systems developed from data contained in an Accident Research Database that dates back to the early 1970s. This database contains the intricate details of more than 35,000 collisions involving Volvo vehicles with more than 50,000 occupants. http://www.volvocars.us/footer/about/NewsA...1458B268CC74%7D Rest assured that this information is used to design our vehicles with safety systems to meet or exceed world class requirements. More importantly, it enables us to build vehicles that help protect occupants in many Real World situations, not just one specific crash. Consider, for a moment, the following analogy for Volvo's holistic approach to safety: A decathlon athlete must perform well in different 10 events to win first prize. While that means they are not "world class" in one particular category, it also means they are the BEST all-around athlete. That is how Volvo views the field of safety. While each government and third party test will only address one type of impact, at one speed, in one event, Volvo considers the consequences of real world factors. For example, if a vehicle is hit from the side, then pushed into a ditch, how well will it protect the occupants? Or how will a vehicle fair in a side impact followed by a rear collision? The vehicle should be able to help protect occupants in many different situations, not just one test into one barrier. I'll take my chances in my Volvo, besides , IMO the V70 fits your "trick question"

Being a Volvo owner I am curious why I would laugh at that suggestion?

It would be naive to think Ford did not catch this weakness before deciding how to go with what brakes. Its all about cost, and again Ford went the negative or wrong direction. Will Ford NA ever learn? Yes I know, that is a STUPID question.

Volvo base model V70 2.4l 5spd MT.

I disagree. Most consumers will look at vehicles at a car show instead of going to the dealership showroom because of the slick fast talking arrogant salespeople. At a car show you can browse in comfort instead of an atmosphere of high sales tactics and pressure at a dealership. There has to be a product that intises the consumer even before he/she will visit the showroom, hence why auto shows are valid.

Here is a post from a forum that is a general car talk forum, not related to any specific car brand. The poster is posting in a thread about the new Ford Mondeo, and his opinion of Ford NA lineup after being at the Toronto Auto Show. And this posters comments are echoed by others on this Forum, which again I have to mention is not biased towards any brand, as there are posters that own all brands. "well i just got back from the car show a couple of days ago and when i walked through the ford area i just couldn't believe how bad their line up really was. are these cars mde by the same company? the taurus is made for a 70 year old, crown vic??? the fusion is ok at best. the new focus is a big dud. the mustang was being checked out by a couple of mullet heads and three 10 year olds. - this is a niche market ford!! if you want to attract market away from the imports you need to compete mechanically and visually. i have always bought imports and won't buy domestics until they prove they have the real goods. the mondeo, at least, has the visual style to attract a buyer like me. i don't agree with the above comment saying most buyers don't care about the mechanical bits. if you want to win people back from honda, toyota and nissan you better pay attention to the mechanical bits. these people left the big three because of this reason. bring the mondeo lineup you bunch of knuckle heads!!! okok calm down ......... dear ford execs, you have basically killed your company, my suggestion is do something like bringing the mondeo because you think it is wrong because everything you do that you think is right, is actually wrong. understand? "

Ford Mondeo=problem solved, IMO. But there are 1,000,000,1 reasons why this is a bad idea. There is some type of illness in North America Ford fans regarding a stellar family sedan wearng a Ford badge. It just cannot be, and will not be. Mediocre(def-When something is distinctly not as good as it could be) is on the menu at Ford NA.

IMO, Ford NA attitude=mediocre results. Which as far as I perceive from Ford fans remarks and postings is quite alright with the status quo.

Tell those disgruntled workers to get on line here at BOF, and in no time with all the posters here defending Ford NA products, moral will rise. :boring:

Designer boss Martin Smith video interview speaks about the new Mondeo and says price will be the same as current Mondeo http://www.autocar.co.uk/VideosWallpapers/...4192&Mode=B

Whether the cars "can" be imported. What are you saying, that North America or Ford is in the dark ages, that these requirements can only be done by manufacturers such as GM (Opel), VW, Volvo, MB, Porsche, Nissan, Mitsu, and on and on. You ask why would anybody fly to Europe to buy to buy a "Ford". Why not? Volvo program saves you 8% off the MSRP, the customer gets a chance to see some of Europe, some people actually like to travel and experience other countries, its fun, it has snob appeal, you can combine it with cool ideas such as Volvo's Germany progam "the driving school at Nurburgring, in Germany. You will be able to experience a driving school like no other on this famed grand-prix race track" Or just to drive your new Ford on the autobahn. Are we not in what all the marketing companies call "lifestyle" times. Consumers want life-style experiences from there personal purchases these days, and I think this would boost Ford NA image in more ways then one. You think this is only good enough or of interest to the customer whom purchases a Volvo? Then I think you are wrong or just have little imagination.

So make them legal. Is Ford not contemplating importing S-Max,Mondeo, and maybe more? Many in North America already believe the propaganda that Euro Fords are TOO expensive,but some know better. And so what if "only Luxury" auto manufacturers are doing it. What's wrong with sticking your head above the crowd and doing something that creates some type of PR or excitment. So many excuses I read daily "WHY" Ford NA should not do SOMETHING. I am just suggesting SOMETHING, instead of trying to do something. Trying is qute the opposite of DOING.

Seeing that there are so many anti-International Ford people (at least on these forums). How about Ford NA offering the Overseas Delivery program for consumers in North America , that see the value in Ford's vehicles in other world markets. Ala Volvo Cars OSD program see link http://www.volvocars.us/salesandservices/overseasdelivery/ This way Ford can keep building whatever and wherever they are at the moment, and consumers get what they "want"!! Nobodies ego, pride, wll be damaged. Having the "CHOICE" would be mucho appreciated.

Apologize in my post regarding the paint colour/color it is not black, the colour is called Kelp. http://www.fordeurope.net/forum/images/articles/3413-10.jpg http://www.fordeurope.net/forum/images/articles/3413-04.jpg http://www.fordeurope.net/forum/images/articles/3413-06.jpg http://www.fordeurope.net/forum/images/articles/3413-01.jpg http://www.fordeurope.net/forum/images/articles/3413-11.jpg http://www.fordeurope.net/forum/images/articles/3413-03.jpg

Well put Biker16!! Mmmm S-Max Sport Plus in black http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/7149/sp...us1klein3zi.jpg

The All-New Ford Mondeo , Daring to be different, Striking and individual, Premium quality, transformed, Impressive, Great to drive, No-compromise safety, Distinct series, Flexible and Spacious, and most importantly "CRAFTED BY FORD" Full Mondeo range : Three distinct bodystyles – a classic four-door limousine, a stylish and flexible five-door sedan and the capacious wagon Ford of Europe is utilising an innovative manufacturing technique known as 'laser-brazing'. This provides a way of joining the side and roof panels together in a more aesthetically pleasing way. A higher quality finish is achieved as there is no need for plastic or rubber trims running the length of the roof to cover the area where the panels would conventionally meet. All Mondeos will be available with a special infra-red (IR) front screen. This provides a cooling effect to the interior in comparison to non-infra-red glass. Tests show that the reflected energy performance of the IR glass is up to four times better when compared to standard glass. Front seat legroom and shoulder room have been increased by 24mm and 52mm respectively. Second row passengers also benefit from optional seat heating elements and dedicated reading lamps that are standard on high-series models. In two-seat mode the wagon and five-door models offer substantial luggage capacities of 1745 litres and 1460 litres respectively. The closed luggage area of the four-door has a generous capacity of 535 litres. New Keyless Entry and Keyless Start Two major new technical features available to Mondeo customers for the first time are the keyless entry and keyless start functions Hill Launch Assist When the optional Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control (IVDC) system is specified,Ford'sHill Launch Assist (HLA) system can also be fitted. Using the braking system, HLA is engaged when the car is stationary to prevent it from rolling downhill. HLA provides a two and a half second delay when the driver moves their foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal as the system maintains pressure to the braking system. Ford's optional new Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control (IVDC) with Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) can be specified for even better handling, comfort and stability, plus shorter braking distances. The CCD system continuously adjusts the damper properties to the current road and driving conditions and offers the driver a choice of three different settings: Comfort, Normal and Sport. The system has been tuned extensively to the specific weights and wider track of the new Mondeo. The new Mondeo is available with a wide choice of petrol and diesel engines, including the range-topping 220 PS Duratec 5-cylinder petrol unit as used in the Ford S-MAX and based on the engine of the high performance Ford Focus ST. The following active safety features for driver assistance are standard: A standard, enhanced Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) system Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) Standard Hazard Warning Light Assistant and 'follow-me-home' lights Highly developed, advanced lighting systems For added reassurance, a host of new driver assistance features can be specified as optional equipment (depending on series and powertrain) including: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Alert (FA) audio and visual collision warning system, and collision mitigation by braking Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control ( IVDC) active suspension system with Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Run Flat tyres Hill Launch Assist (HLA) The following passive safety features come as standard on all series of the new Mondeo: Enhanced Ford Intelligent Protection System (IPS) with seven airbags, including a new driver's knee airbag and full length side curtain airbags Ultra-stiff body structure for a rigid safety cell Improved driver protection through a horizontally stroking steering column Retracting safety pedals Optimised airbag deployment Enhanced safety belt system with pretensioners for front seat occupants Advanced seat design Advanced neck injury protection system for front seat occupants High-level child protection with ISOFIX Designed from the outset with enhanced pedestrian protection as an objective New Mondeo has built on all of the strengths of its predecessor but now has more design emotion, more refinement, more technology and more presence.

Now I know it is not Ford NA fault for not offering better vehicles in North American market. From many posters here I can read a large majority are quite content to settle for the half baked stuff Ford has been dishing out the last century. And making very good profits, I hear as well.(sarcasm) Comments such as the Fusion being 95% as good as the Mondeo, and from people who have no idea, or I assume they have not driven or seen a curent Mondeo. As long as Ford NA has target customers such as Richard Jensen and others that have no need for better looking, higher engiineered, "cool" Ford cars, then Ford NA has absolutely nothing to worry about. :reading: