Ford will only sell Mustang, Focus Active in N.A.

[PimTac]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: Drew2000
Bet Lincoln will go the way of Mercury in a few years.


That brand has been on life support for decades, good riddance its about time. GMC can go under for that matter, they have been playing the consumer for years and now this professional grade tripe.

Put a heavier frame under it, all SS lines, heavier brakes, a truck duty engine, larger diff and better corrosion control and you can sell me on professional grade otherwise your blowing smoke up my arse and playing me for stupid.



Interesting points. GM still has too many brands. Perhaps they should axe everything except Chevrolet and be done with it. Ford’s move puts a spotlight on a scrambling GM.

 

[edyvw]

Not that they made best cars in general. American three never stood a chance against Japanese and Europeans. Japanese rule appliance class, Europeans rule luxury/sport segment. American companies I guess bet on Hertz, Avis etc. Though looking at Chevrolet Malibu one has to admire persistence and ability to make such horrible vehicles in and out.
However, what will happen once Saudi Arabia decides that barrel of oil that is below $100 is not good? I always stay amazed how American corporations are always so focused on short term benefit. We all know EV is not going to be practical for log time. May is coming and if this administration pulls out of Iranian deal, what happens to oil prices? Interestingly two companies that rule car segment for average American, Honda and Toyota are doubling down on cars.

 

[Trav]

Not only did they stand a chance against the Japanese and Europeans they beat them at their own game for decades.
Up to about 1970 there were no other cars built in the world that could match them at the price but thanks to govt regulation and unfair import regulations the industry was ruined.
Just a few examples of what US auto makers could build when they wanted to add to these Cord, Auburn, Imperial and many more.

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/1956_57_Continental_Mark_II.html

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/cadillac_eldorado_brougham.html

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/cadillac_eldorado_brougham.html

 

[PimTac]

Originally Posted By: edyvw
Not that they made best cars in general. American three never stood a chance against Japanese and Europeans. Japanese rule appliance class, Europeans rule luxury/sport segment. American companies I guess bet on Hertz, Avis etc. Though looking at Chevrolet Malibu one has to admire persistence and ability to make such horrible vehicles in and out.
However, what will happen once Saudi Arabia decides that barrel of oil that is below $100 is not good? I always stay amazed how American corporations are always so focused on short term benefit. We all know EV is not going to be practical for log time. May is coming and if this administration pulls out of Iranian deal, what happens to oil prices? Interestingly two companies that rule car segment for average American, Honda and Toyota are doubling down on cars.



In particular to your last sentence, perhaps Honda and Toyota knew that Ford was getting out of the car business. There is still a demand for sedans albeit shrinking but it’s still there. Maybe GM is thinking the same. This news just came out on Ford but I’ll bet the industry insiders knew what was coming months ago.

 

[Silverado12]

Ford had a bad rep with Focus transmissions and the Taurus wasn't as good as the Impala IMO. GM cars are decent, but Ford, except for the Crown Vic and Mustang was lacking. This is IMO, so YMMV.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Not only did they stand a chance against the Japanese and Europeans they beat them at their own game for decades.
Up to about 1970 there were no other cars built in the world that could match them at the price but thanks to govt regulation and unfair import regulations the industry was ruined.
Just a few examples of what US auto makers could build when they wanted to add to these Cord, Auburn, Imperial and many more.

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/1956_57_Continental_Mark_II.html

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/cadillac_eldorado_brougham.html

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/cadillac_eldorado_brougham.html

I do not agree with you on much of anything, but THIS is one example of the opposite.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: Drew2000
Bet Lincoln will go the way of Mercury in a few years.


That brand has been on life support for decades, good riddance its about time. GMC can go under for that matter, they have been playing the consumer for years and now this professional grade tripe.

Put a heavier frame under it, all SS lines, heavier brakes, a truck duty engine, larger diff and better corrosion control and you can sell me on professional grade otherwise your blowing smoke up my arse and playing me for stupid.


It not you. A large percentage of GMC buyers will not own a Chevy. If GMC went away they will go to Ford.

 

[PeterPolyol]

Originally Posted By: PimTac

Interesting points. GovMo still has too many brands. Perhaps they should axe everything except Chevrolet and be done with it. Ford’s move puts a spotlight on a scrambling GM.


Out of all GMs redundant brands, Chevy is by far my least favourite one. Figures they invested so much into it....

 

[Silverado12]

Originally Posted By: PeterPolyol
Originally Posted By: PimTac

Interesting points. GovMo still has too many brands. Perhaps they should axe everything except Chevrolet and be done with it. Ford’s move puts a spotlight on a scrambling GM.


Out of all GMs redundant brands, Chevy is by far my least favourite one. Figures they invested so much into it....


It's funny how different people think; when I think of GM I think of Chevy.

 

[MaximaGuy]

GovMo should have only 2 brands - Chevy and Caddy. Period, all others will become irrelevant.
Engineering managers have too much say in branding and which stays and which goes into oblivion

 

[andyd]

When I think of GM, I think of a '56 Olds

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Not only did they stand a chance against the Japanese and Europeans they beat them at their own game for decades.
Up to about 1970 there were no other cars built in the world that could match them at the price but thanks to govt regulation and unfair import regulations the industry was ruined.
Just a few examples of what US auto makers could build when they wanted to add to these Cord, Auburn, Imperial and many more.

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/1956_57_Continental_Mark_II.html

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/cadillac_eldorado_brougham.html

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/cadillac_eldorado_brougham.html

You could argue like that that Germans were driving cars while Americans still used carriages.
Really, beat them in 1970's? cccccc Do you know automotive history.
I find it always to blame regulations and import regulations (although the U.S. has ridiculous import regulations). Did you ever have a chance to see [censored] FORD was making in Europe, or Opel (GM)? Cost cutting everywhere, gas guzzling engines etc. are not product of government regulations.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: andyd
When I think of GM, I think of a '56 Olds

When I see Impala I am thinking: why would you do that to yourself?

 

[E365]

Originally Posted By: MaximaGuy
GovMo should have only 2 brands - Chevy and Caddy. Period, all others will become irrelevant.
Engineering managers have too much say in branding and which stays and which goes into oblivion


Buick is a huge hit in China, so that would be a terrible decision.

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Not only did they stand a chance against the Japanese and Europeans they beat them at their own game for decades.
Up to about 1970 there were no other cars built in the world that could match them at the price but thanks to govt regulation and unfair import regulations the industry was ruined.
Just a few examples of what US auto makers could build when they wanted to add to these Cord, Auburn, Imperial and many more.

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/1956_57_Continental_Mark_II.html

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/cadillac_eldorado_brougham.html

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/cadillac_eldorado_brougham.html



That was a necessary step towards the world economy we see today. The glorifying and constant bias towards Japanese brands is also not an accident.
We see the fruits of this campaign today where many will cheer or Honda, Toyota, VW and soon Chinese companies for opening up low skill, low wage assembly plants while chanting "global economy" when true value adding jobs like engineering and manufacturing are outsourced.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Originally Posted By: Trav
Not only did they stand a chance against the Japanese and Europeans they beat them at their own game for decades.
Up to about 1970 there were no other cars built in the world that could match them at the price but thanks to govt regulation and unfair import regulations the industry was ruined.
Just a few examples of what US auto makers could build when they wanted to add to these Cord, Auburn, Imperial and many more.

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/1956_57_Continental_Mark_II.html

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/cadillac_eldorado_brougham.html

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/cadillac_eldorado_brougham.html



That was a necessary step towards the world economy we see today. The glorifying and constant bias towards Japanese brands is also not an accident.
We see the fruits of this campaign today where many will cheer or Honda, Toyota, VW and soon Chinese companies for opening up low skill, low wage assembly plants while chanting "global economy" when true value adding jobs like engineering and manufacturing are outsourced.

Do not understand what stops American companies to open plants in Japan or Europe? Actually GM recently sold their European division.
There is no argument that the U.S. during post WWII period pushed Japanese economy a well as European. However, that is not reason why this is happening. Reason is simple, horrid products.

 

[E365]

Originally Posted By: edyvw



Do not understand what stops American companies to open plants in Japan or Europe? Actually GM recently sold their European division.


Ford has 7 plants in Western Europe. 6 more in Eastern Europe, Turkey and Russia.

https://corporate.ford.com/company/operation-map.html

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: Trav
Not only did they stand a chance against the Japanese and Europeans they beat them at their own game for decades.
Up to about 1970 there were no other cars built in the world that could match them at the price but thanks to govt regulation and unfair import regulations the industry was ruined.
Just a few examples of what US auto makers could build when they wanted to add to these Cord, Auburn, Imperial and many more.

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/1956_57_Continental_Mark_II.html

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/cadillac_eldorado_brougham.html

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/cadillac_eldorado_brougham.html

You could argue like that that Germans were driving cars while Americans still used carriages.
Really, beat them in 1970's? cccccc Do you know automotive history.
I find it always to blame regulations and import regulations (although the U.S. has ridiculous import regulations). Did you ever have a chance to see [censored] FORD was making in Europe, or Opel (GM)? Cost cutting everywhere, gas guzzling engines etc. are not product of government regulations.



I said up to about 1970 that does not include the 70's. You need to search some more about automotive history.

In the 50's and 60's The Europeans did not make a full size car with V8, A/C, Automatic with PS and pb that was affordable by the majority of the buying public.

Not one muscle car or full size convertible. Yes the Americans beat them at their own game, the features available in the biggest MB, Bently or Roller were available to all not only the wealthy.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: Trav
Not only did they stand a chance against the Japanese and Europeans they beat them at their own game for decades.
Up to about 1970 there were no other cars built in the world that could match them at the price but thanks to govt regulation and unfair import regulations the industry was ruined.
Just a few examples of what US auto makers could build when they wanted to add to these Cord, Auburn, Imperial and many more.

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/1956_57_Continental_Mark_II.html

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/cadillac_eldorado_brougham.html

http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/cadillac_eldorado_brougham.html

You could argue like that that Germans were driving cars while Americans still used carriages.
Really, beat them in 1970's? cccccc Do you know automotive history.
I find it always to blame regulations and import regulations (although the U.S. has ridiculous import regulations). Did you ever have a chance to see [censored] FORD was making in Europe, or Opel (GM)? Cost cutting everywhere, gas guzzling engines etc. are not product of government regulations.



I said up to about 1970 that does not include the 70's. You need to search some more about automotive history.

In the 50's and 60's The Europeans did not make a full size car with V8, A/C, Automatic with PS and pb that was affordable by the majority of the buying public.

Not one muscle car or full size convertible. Yes the Americans beat them at their own game, the features available in the biggest MB, Bently or Roller were available to all not only the wealthy.

Europeans still do not make cars with V8 that is affordable to the general public. I am not sure full size V8 cars are practical in Paris, Berlin etc.
Many cars still in Europe do not have A/C (nor homes do).
That does not mean they were behind technologically, on contrary...

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: E365
Originally Posted By: edyvw



Do not understand what stops American companies to open plants in Japan or Europe? Actually GM recently sold their European division.


Ford has 7 plants in Western Europe. 6 more in Eastern Europe, Turkey and Russia.

https://corporate.ford.com/company/operation-map.html

I know they do, what do you think where current Fusion was developed?
FORD is doing OK in Europe, GM could too, but they did not. They sold Opel which they owned since (I think) 1932.