Whatever Ford is planning to do, NOW would be a good time. Full story.

Cars like the POS '08 Focus won't do anything to regain market share. And frankly, neither will asinine commercials like this. I mean, WTF does a "lion man" have to do with selling a car on its own merits? When I see stuff like this, I'm convinced that Ford of North America still doesn't get it.

 

Does it always have to be "Chicken or the Egg"? Seems Ford is trying to develop and fine tune many of their processes regarding quality as eveidence as of late. I think this is an outstanding idea to put the horse before the cart as it should. I suppose it does beg the question why not parlay the recent upward trend in quality with more "eye appealing" automobiles?

I still think they (FMC) are headed in the right direction. If they stay at the forefront of (and continue to improve) quality in the marketplace I think they will earn some trust (and sales) back from said marketplace, especially when many of their new designs debut.

 

Ford needs some awesome new products combined with thier focus on quality ASAP.

While a bit behind on quality GM is coming out with some great products where Ford has nothing to compete with (G8 and Volt come to mind, I'd like to say Vette also but with Viper, how many domestic sports cars can the market hold).

 

You said something very profound here.

"I suppose it does beg the question why not parlay the recent upward trend in quality with more eye appealing automobiles??"

BRAVO! I've been saying this for a couple years now. Whether we want to admit it or not, people buy with their eyes. Just look at how many non-Ford people have bought a Mustang because....of the way it LOOKS. Call us shallow, but it is a fact. People buy with their eyes.

This is also why Subaru continues to have a very small market share in the US.

 

Then how do you account for the overwhelming sales success of Camrys, Accords and Corollas...?

 

Clearly the subliminal messages being transmitted from the Seaview sub in your avitar is having an effect on them.

Toyota being on every single network stating that "its smart thinking to buy a Toyota" doesn't hurt either. If you offer the pudding long enough, people will begin to eat it.

 

Perhaps so, but it does demonstrate that there is a significant percentage of the population that don't necessarily just buy with their eyes.

That being said, I think a Ford vehicle that is priced competitively, offers equivalent or greater perceived quality, and has much sexier looks, could do very well at this moment in history.

The problem is: This moment in history won't last long. Aside from Mustang and Edge - and perhaps Fusion - where are those sexy Ford vehicles? C'mon Ford, you won't get another opportunity like this...it's time to make the most of it. Start giving us MKRs and Interceptors and the like. Bring over the new Euro Focus and flush that North American turd down the toilet.

 

lets be real......rather than just having either a great looking car, OR a good quality car.....Ford should come out with great looking cars WITH good quality. Thats what they need to do. Come on guys, you cant just have one or the other to sell. Ford is trying to do that and has with some cars so far.....and soon they will be doing that with all their models. DONT BE CHEAP! You cant sell a bad product!!!!!

Good looking cars gets customers

Great quality keeps them

 

I think that's what I was trying to say.

 

Haha to tell you the truth.....I totally missed your last post. But anyways yeh I agree 100% with your point. Ford needs to keep bettering the cars that they are coming out with. We're getting a lot of new products and its up to Ford to keep them sharp looking and over their lifespans continue to refine them.