Ford needs an additional cheaper brand in Europe, something to compete against Renault's Dacia and Volkswagen's future Wartburg.

Due to the current situation in Europe, Dacia's sales went from 22,000 in 2004 to 814,000 last year.

 

As bad a move as closing a plant is, they gotta stay profitable. I have faith they're making the right moves. Unfortunately it'll take time to see whether or not this was a worthwhile decision.

Another brand wouldn't be wise at this point. While other companies are doing it, Ford has trimmed the fat enough where introducing a sub brand would dilute their global plans. It doesn't seem smart at this stage. Maybe offering cars at a lower price point to start, but not a whole brand.

 

I agree...........Ford needs to focus (no pun!) on their core products (and Lincoln, of course).

That's not to say Ford couldn't develope cheaper version of Ka, Fiesta and Focus to compete against Dacia/Wartburg/Whatever in the Chinese/Russian/Indian markets. Go back to basics, cheap hardwearing trim, steel wheels, no air-con, no elecrtric windows/toys. Selling as a Ford in these markets would not, IMHO, devalue the brand in the rest of Europe.

Alan Mulally knows what he's doing, and he'll turn Ford of Europe around (as hard as that be in the short term). I just hope his successor (Mark Fields?) will continue his great work.

What still amazes me though, is that good product alone isn't enough. Ford clearly needs to adopt a lean and mean approach to its manufacturing too, in terms of what/where/how/who builds what.

I really, really hope things turn around for them over here.

 

You want me to believe there was no pun intended. BS!! lol

 

How much cheaper can Fiesta and Focus get?

I've seen Fiestas for under 9,000 euros. Sure, you get only weak 1.2L petrol engine, but still ...

 

Wow, that's just over £7k................you'd be luck to find a basic Fiesta for £9k here!

But, if they're that cheap, they should sell well in other markets

 

I thought a could a ford to get away with a little one

 

The problem is, even 9,000 euros is a lot of money in countries like Serbia (from where that Fiesta's ad was from).
You get the really outdated 1.2L petrol engine rated at only 59 hp and no standard equipment at all.

For much less (5,500 euros) there are few choices, like Fiat Punto Classic and Dacia Logan.

 

Makes you wonder if they make profit on a 5000 Euro car!

Guess that's one reason why all Transit production will now move to Turkey, as labour is cheaper there than here in the UK.

Pretty sad that we're now losing the last bit of Ford vehicle production in the UK

 

that fiat is ugly as sin

 

Fiat Punto Classic is built in Kragujevac, Serbia (the same factory that also produces Fiat 500L and used to produce the Yugo) where the average salary is 660 euros. That's pretty much the only way how companies make money on 5,000 euros cars.

 

It's actually a pretty nice car. I drove few of them, both petrol and diesel .. It runs very nice. For 5,000 euros ($6,500) you can't really expect much, but Fiat's MultiJet diesel engines are very reliable.
It's the closest thing to an 1980s Volkswagens which have the reputation of being extremely reliable, especially Mk 2 Golfs with a 1.6L diesel engine.

 

Sooooo....back to the FUSION

 

I think its toooooo big.. zorro thinks its to much... gary thinks it just right

 

After driving one I like it even more!

 

2013 Ford Fusion Awarded IIHS Top Safety Pick

http://wot.motortrend.com/2013-ford-...#ixzz2BeyUfAwQ

 

still true

 

sat in one the other day, and was surprised at how roomy it was. I really, really liked the car, and can't wait to drive one. I think it may make my short list for new cars.

 

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...A&feature=plcp


Also love the slanted LEDS in place of the round foglights

 

Holy moly! That looks good!