2k7gtcs

Yup. Good looking car. I'd actually buy one if I needed one. Maybe someday for the oldest for college. Who knows? My guess is they will only get better. Problem is they will become more expensive the better they get.

Is it made here?

MARZ

Ford consolidating their design and engineering resources, vehicle platforms, etc, under "One Ford," is an excellent idea regardless of how you look at it. Because of the financial crisis currently crushing European economies, it's hard to gauge how successful "One Ford" can be in that region. It seems to be working well here in the US, though, in terms of technology and new model design and production expediency, in my opinion. And this is just the beginning...

bob

IIRC, most of Ford's quality troubles stem from MyTouch - its played hell with initial quality and reliability ratings lately.

Zastava_101

We'll see how excellent idea it was over the long run.
So far, Ford still makes majority of the $$$ in the USA thanks to the larger USA-specific vehicles, such as F-Series, Explorer, Edge and Escape (the new One-Ford Escape just went out on the sale).
I understand that there is currently a crisis in Europe, but that's not stopping VW, BMW, Audi, Mercedes ... to continue to make profits.

I don't mind of One-Ford sharing each and every mechanical part, but they should not look the same for both continents because those buyers are very different. IMO, with a 2013 Fusion, Ford should've done what he has done with the previous Fusion. Shared platform (in previous Fusion's case it was with Mazda), but unique American design. It worked really well since Ford sold ~250,000 of them last year.

And I personally love the looks of the 2010-2012 Fusion.

bob

I wonder how Ford will do now that they've shut down the Genk(sp?) plant? I can't remeber the exact numbers (1.2 billion euro to shut it down and do buyouts for the workers but they will save 730 million euro a year as I recall).

Ethanjbeau

That's true.

And my dad has it. It's a good system but slow and buggy.

That's Microsoft for ya.

StangMahn

most of the problems people were reporting with the MyTouch was simply because they didn't know what they were doing. There were a few glitches that were worked out, but it's a hell of a lot more due to driver error than computer error.

Ethanjbeau

I'd have to disagree as someone who uses it multiple times a week.

Many glitches an sometimes it downright doesn't work. Parts of the screen disappear and can't get them back without disconnecting the battery.

StangMahn

i wish theyd have kept ms out of it!

stangfoeva

Agreed.

Google might be the best choice for that purpose now...

cdynaco

But they'll sell your driving habits and gps to the po po!

stangfoeva

Haha that might actually be true. Oh well

2k7gtcs

Microsoft sucks *****!

cdynaco

Its bad enough there is any kind of software controlling the ECU...

but to voluntarily invite Bill Gates into your car and play MyTouch???

RUN BILLY RAY, RUN!!!

Ethanjbeau

Ill take apple please

stangfoeva

I didn't even suggest them because I think they'd be too controlling to 'partner' with an auto company. Buy if they did it'd be great

cdynaco

Definitely! Just ask the Beatles!

MARZ

Of course.

It's funny you chose to mention those premium brands. They're almost the only ones making money in Europe...

"Although mass-market brands bore the brunt of the declines, with Renault falling by more than 30% and Fiat tumbling by 15%, premium vehicles were also affected. According to the ACEA, Jaguar sales in the EU fell 10% year-on-year, Lexus declined by 13% and Mini fell by the same amount. Mercedes declined by 6.4% although other German premium brands fared better, with BMW rising by 10.5% and Audi managing growth of 1.4%."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2...-registrations

...and who knows how long those premium brands will continue to remain profitable in the European market.

Europe monthly car sales fall at fastest pace in a year

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8LG1QP20121016

If there's one bright spot in Europe for Ford, it's England. They're doing pretty well in that country this year.

FORD EXTENDS UK MARKET LEAD IN IMPORTANT SEPTEMBER SALES MONTH

http://media.ford.com/news/fordexten...salesmonth.htm

It's still way too early to tell whether the new Fusion, using the example you cited above, will resonate globally in terms of sales. The "One Ford" Escape has been out longer and, at least initially, seems to be doing pretty well here in the United States.

August Compact Crossover Sales: Ford Escape Takes Huge Lead Over Honda CR-V

"With 28,188 Escapes sold in August, year-to-date sales jumped to 176,927. Although the CR-V also saw significantly increased August sales it wasn’t enough to regain first place. With only four months left in 2012, the Escape could unseat the CR-V as the king of compact crossovers."

http://wot.motortrend.com/august-com...#ixzz2AvPUVP5L

"The boxy old Escape was a big seller for Ford, so starting over was a risk. The new version hit showrooms in June and sales that month jumped 28% from a year ago, according to Autodata."

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money...ape/56753218/1

Let's just hope the Escape won't face any further recalls...

Evil_Capri

MFT works perfect in our two vehicles and has since we've had them.

bob

This was my perception based on what I've read, unfortunately americans tend to trend toward the luddite end of the spectrum, if it isn't one button intuitive we get frustrated with it and percieve it as being poorly designed or implemented.

Heh, this reminds me of the time my dear ol' departed dad was using a word processor, he was throwing a fit and used some 40 years worth of pejorative phrases that could have only been learned by being in the merchant marines and US army.

The source of his frustration, a letter to his congressman, were the word processors red and green lines indicated bad grammar and spelling.

I couldn't help but laugh, which only made things worse.