No Wonder Ford is Having Trouble

[CameronJr9]

I read this article a couple of days ago about Ford shutting down several plants across the states. I'm sure Toyota's advertising isn't helping any! This might even be some Jay Leno material...

[medcina]

Here's the link in case someone would actually like to read the whole article rather than CameronJr9's screen.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/...WS01/601230368

[CameronJr9]

Ha! Thanks. I only included the printscreen since that ad changes each time you load the page. And...the screencap shows the entire story.

[skittleslegend]

The same day, Chrysler closed 14 plants and layed off 30,000 workers.

[BlueCSX]

IMO, a major factor behind the troubles of the domestic manufacturers lies with the unions.

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by BlueCSX

IMO, a major factor behind the troubles of the domestic manufacturers lies with the unions.

Exactly...

[watice]

Originally Posted by CameronJr9

Ha! Thanks. I only included the printscreen since that ad changes each time you load the page. And...the screencap shows the entire story.

Where is the Jay Leno material? Am I the only one that DOESN'T get it? Explain please?

[nick06ex]

toyota ad on a story about ford ....

[jandree22]

The only thing I see that's mildly humerous is Toyota's phrase "Moving Forward" while Ford is obviously going, well... the other way. But that's all I see.

I dunno, cute play on words I guess

[John2009]

Had to drive a Ford Focus today while my 01 Civic was in the shop due to a fight with a deer. The Focus is a vile little car. I'd gladly pay more for my 2001 LX with 140k miles on it than I would for a new Focus. If the rest of the Ford line is like this they won't be long for this world. Shopping for a 2006 EX Coupe and plan to get top dollar for my 01.

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by John2009

Had to drive a Ford Focus today while my 01 Civic was in the shop due to a fight with a deer. The Focus is a vile little car. I'd gladly pay more for my 2001 LX with 140k miles on it than I would for a new Focus. If the rest of the Ford line is like this they won't be long for this world. Shopping for a 2006 EX Coupe and plan to get top dollar for my 01.

The Euro Foci and Cosworth Foci are totally different beasts from the US versions...they NEED to bring those over.

[Gonzo]

They had the Focus SVT. Auto mags loved it, so naturally Ford killed it after one year.

Pretty much all Ford vehichles I've ridden in or drove feel lifeless.

[CivicWithNav]

ford gm sucks... Chrysler Corp is the only one that is decent and I would not hesitate to buy(all their SRT lines are saweet)

[jet1206]

Originally Posted by BlueCSX

IMO, a major factor behind the troubles of the domestic manufacturers lies with the unions.

What are you say that the unions caused these plants to close or the fact that Ford is just not making a quality product that the masses want to buy. Because I'm sure that the Union is and has been in to the table with the excutives from Ford on the closings.

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by CivicWithNav

ford gm sucks... Chrysler Corp is the only one that is decent and I would not hesitate to buy(all their SRT lines are saweet)

And pointless...

Who needs a Viper powered SRT-10 Ram? Traction is a bitch in that thing. That's part of the reason Tyson Beckford had his accident.

I want one sooooo bad...lol

[John2009]

Originally Posted by skittleslegend

The Euro Foci and Cosworth Foci are totally different beasts from the US versions...they NEED to bring those over.

Good point on the Euro Focus. Interesting that Ford's US operations are the big money loser.

[peliROJO]

I use Firefox with Adblock extension so I don't see Ads. :)

[chenslee_cheese]

Originally Posted by John2009

Had to drive a Ford Focus today while my 01 Civic was in the shop due to a fight with a deer. The Focus is a vile little car. I'd gladly pay more for my 2001 LX with 140k miles on it than I would for a new Focus. If the rest of the Ford line is like this they won't be long for this world. Shopping for a 2006 EX Coupe and plan to get top dollar for my 01.

I had a Focus rental once, what a turd. I drove it over a curb and destroyed the wheel when it went straight instead of turning on a wet corner. I guess I was expecting it to handle as well as my '97 Saturn wagon, which was mostly a turd as well.

I looked under a Focus once and noticed that the lowest part of car in the front is not the oil pan, or a structural member, but the AC compressor. I wonder how many Focus owners have lost AC due to flotsam damage.

[sbigshot]

Originally Posted by BlueCSX

IMO, a major factor behind the troubles of the domestic manufacturers lies with the unions.

I disagree ... the unions have always been there (there weren't many complaints about the unions when they were making money) .... Ford & GM need to build vehicles that people really like and that have above average quality. They have killed themselves slowly over the past 20 years with poor quality and questionable design on some models (Pontiac Aztec ring a bell??) and it has finally caught up with them. I remember reading Motor Trend magazine's first review on the Aztec - they said it looked like "A Rhinoceros on crack." Your future in the business is going to be bleak with reviews like that.

[BlueCSX]

You'd be surprised at some of the extensive and often outrageous benefits that the unions have gotten for the workers over the years. While I don't blame the unions 100% for the problems, I still say they are a contributing factor.