COOLDADDY

Since Ford is going global with its platforms, it might be able to team up with the european Galaxy! Small= C-Max Medium= S-Max Large= Galaxy / Flex Using this leverage, it could be truly World Class!

In this NPR talk show about the auto industry, Jack Kain, a Ford dealer in Kentucky, compares the old Explorer's gas mileage with the new one. He says the 2011 Explorer will get 31 MPG. The whole show (it's long-about 46 minutes) is worth listening to, but he says it about the 43 minute mark it you want to fast forward. http://www.onpointradio.org/2010/08/us-auto-industry-revving-up

http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2010/06/spy-photos-2011-ford-explorer-nearly-uncovered.html

Like it or not, more luxury car companies are going small. Look at BMW with the 1 Series; or Audi with the A1. If they don't sell, why are they spending money in this segment? And why shouldn't Lincoln?

Even if they don't build seperatly it as is, they can offer it as a trim level like King Ranch. Or even offer the equipment in the parts catalougue to build it yourself .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/EcoBoost-Con...ml?x=0&.v=1

Here in DC, I'm seeing the Flex more and more frequently. Even saw one as a cab, as you can see in this picture: Flex_Cab.bmp The same day, I saw one as a company car. The driver says he likes it, but kind of hard to park in small city spaces (parking here in DC is terrible).

I remember looking at some Ford articles right around the time the Firestone cases were at full throttle . A co-worker looked over my shoulder and asked why I still liked Ford, because they're going to be dead in a little while. It's amazing to look back and see where Ford is now! On a side note: Would you market a new T-Bird as a cruiser or true sports car? I'm too young to remember, but when it first came out didn't it compete against the Corvette? (Sorry I'm off subject)

At the CES show this week, Mullaly showed a video of possible Sync upgrades in the future; with EVA. In the video was the interior of a concept Lincoln vehicle that no one mentioned anything about. I'm curious if that's the coup that was hinted at. I guess we'll find out in a couple of days, but I'm not real good with patience right now!

http://www.centredaily.com/business/techno...ory/946737.html

I don't think it's exported out of the US.

Looks good to me. I like the direction Mercury's heading.

Ford's main goal is increased sales. With the RWD market declining, what ARE the majority of people buying? It seems to be FWD cars with good milage and space, with decent handling. It wouldn't be a bad idea to pool resources between Ford NA/AU, Volvo and Lincoln to come up with a very credible front drive platform with great engineering, space, handling, and fuel economy that they could use globally. If they're concerned about performance, there are FWD sedans that can handle, just look at the Mondeo or even the Nissan Maxima; plus if you want increased performance, you can use AWD. For those who can't do without RWD, by then the Mustang is up for a full redesign. Develope a world class RWD platform for the Mustang and sell it globally. With a choice of fuel efficient turbo V6s and high powered V8s, anyone needing performance can look in that direction. With that two-tiered approach, you wont bring volume down in the sedan market for those who need performance. Just my rambling thoughts.

They sell the Fiesta Van as a commercial vehicle in the UK. Not sure if they'll need it here with the Transit Connect coming. http://www.ford.co.uk/ie/all_vans/-/-/-/-/-/- (bottom left)

The link should be fixed now. Sorry about that.