Ford Motor Company (F)

1poorguy (97.63) Submitted: 3/09/07 1:56 PM

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Ford trucks have a great rep, no doubt. But what about cars? I don't know anybody that wants a new Ford car. A 1966 Mustang, oh yeah! But not a new Mustang.

And where are Ford's innovations to meet the changing market? Gas prices are up. Where are the hybrids? Toyota has them. Honda has them. I hear talk about Ford doing one, but so far it's all talk. Ford is already behind the curve.

People want affordable, economical, reliable cars. Ford isn't making them. Ford seems to get at best two of the three. Toyota and Honda have reputations for getting all three right.

I really hope this changes. I don't want to see the country that invented the car not have anybody making them. But "the Big Three" haven't been impressing or adapting for a long time, and they're going to die if they don't start very soon.

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rick1427 (35.11) Submitted: 3/19/07 10:00 PM

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The reason no one wants a new Ford, there are none! That is why they are in the mess they are in. However that said, what does Toyota have? The Camry is just transportation. Secondly a lot of people don't want to accept, is Toyota had more recalls last year than they built cars. These were not small items either, one of them was the oil port were clogging up and the engine would freeze up.

Ford does have a hybrid, it is the only SUV as a hybrid. The Excape Hybrid!

I think if you take a look and compare the Fusion vs the Camry you will see very little difference in quality, price, handling, fuel mileage or options.

I think part of Ford problem is perception. Many of the American customers have the illusion that Toyota is miles ahead. The FACT is they are only feet ahead and are not gaining ground.

Here is a fact, Toyota is trying so hard to get into the Truck market they have budgeted 100 million dollars for the Tundra marketing.

If you want to discuss automobiles, that is one thing, but if you want a stock that will double in the next 3 years, then that is the blue oval!

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1poorguy (97.63) Submitted: 4/03/07 1:43 PM

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Toyota has had problems recently. No doubt. If they don't fix them they will lose the reliability reputation that they have been building for the past decade. Much as Ford did 20 years ago.

The Escape Hybrid looks promising. We'll see if Ford can seize the market with it. They have a major perception problem (i.e. bad quality) to overcome.

And of course the Camry is transportation. So is the Fusion. So is the Prius. So is any compact car. The key is whether the quality is there, the reliability is there, the ergonomic function is there, and the economy is there. The answer for Ford has been 'no' for a very long time now (almost literally since I began driving around 1980). Ditto GM.

For now I stand behind my "underperform". But if Ford can get past their bad reputation they may have a chance at recovery. If the UAW doesn't kill them first (but that's another rant).

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Nittany95 (98.27) Submitted: 5/14/07 2:12 PM

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My wife own a Ford (Explorer) and just got rid of a Taurus. The Explorer is a 99 and has been nothing but a headache. It has 60K miles and there is always something that I have to fix. The Taurus was a 99 and was great for the 1st 30K miles and then it to had one issue after another. Typically small annoying things like the dash light going out, the sunroof stopped opening, etc. I currently drive a 2001 Honda Accord EX. It has 154K miles and doesn't miss a beat. I change the oil regularly (as with the Fords) and never have any significant issues. At 90K I changes the timing belt and water pump for safe keeping as they tend to wear out around 100K miles. That is it.

Hopefully Ford is improving its reliability. I never met a Ford owner who thought it was a reliable car. At the same time, I think the stock was oversold and it will go up. I am betting that you are right that Mullaly will get it fixed.

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rick1427 (35.11) Submitted: 5/23/07 10:54 AM

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I owned a 1998 Merc Sable. Put 192k miles on it and did nothing to it except 2 sets of tires and 2 sets of brake pads. Then sold it. Sorry to hear about your explorer, but the "pre-2001" model year was somewhat junk. In 2001 they changed out the suspension and started to get serious about quality. Hopfully, you will get a chance to take ride in one of the new Ford Products. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised that you don't have to send american dollars to japan to get the quality, styling and transportation that your dollars deserve. The new Fusion is getting really good reviews and I personally own one, and love it.

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MrRatface2U (74.00) Submitted: 4/09/08 11:07 PM

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Your at the factory. I am at the dealeship level. He'll be gone within 2 years. The new Taurus is a monstrosity. The sales are insignificant to say the least. Closing the Norfolk truck plant made no sense. His plan is to build more Taurses and less F-series. OK Dokey. Is he kidding ? Good bye Mulally - I just hope you leave enough cash in the company to make a couple final payrolls before the Chinese step in and raise their flag over Dearborn. The Chinese buy this company and take it private with little or no buyer premium due to the extensive leverage.

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