Ford shows profit.

[cuda]

I'm wrong that I don't think that? Guess you misunderstand an opinion. If you just read a little on the internet you'll see far more "I'll buy a Ford now but never a government motors cuz I'm no socialist" rather than "Ford has first class quality so I'll buy one" which is what I've based my opinion on.

I'm more than a little aware of Ford's quality improvements over the past few years. I'd say I'm more aware of both Ford's turnaround plan and GM's in this time frame than very few would have the "privilage" of being.

Also, when I say product perception I mean the whole package, style, performance, quality interiors (rather than durability type quality as measured in reports).

I have bought new Fords that have been exeptionally trouble free since 1997. That's not my opinion, it's a fact.

 

[clayinaustin]

I would argue that Ford's success is less about how they have changed (for the better) and more about the lack of options at GM. Anyone who was looking to buy a Pontiac or Saturn, will now look at a Ford automobile. Someone wanting an American made Hummer will not buy a "Chinese" Hummer, but will instead look at a Ford Truck or SUV.

People don't really care if GM and Chrysler got bailed out by the government. They care much more about their own personal finances. When they buy a new car, they want to be sure that the manufacturer will still be in business when the car is finally paid for.

Just my two-cents...

 

[yesrej]

I would argue that Ford's success is less about how they have changed (for the better) and more about the lack of options at GM. Anyone who was looking to buy a Pontiac or Saturn, will now look at a Ford automobile. Someone wanting an American made Hummer will not buy a "Chinese" Hummer, but will instead look at a Ford Truck or SUV.

People don't really care if GM and Chrysler got bailed out by the government. They care much more about their own personal finances. When they buy a new car, they want to be sure that the manufacturer will still be in business when the car is finally paid for.

Just my two-cents...

makes sense.

 

[RLJ676]

I have bought new Fords that have been exeptionally trouble free since 1997. That's not my opinion, it's a fact.

What on earth does a single anecdote like this have to do with anything I said?

 

[RLJ676]

You're right, I apoligize. I should have said, "In my opinion your opinion is wrong". :sifone:

In my opinion it was good business sense and not "luck" that landed Ford in their current position.

I'm not disagreeing with that really. Mulally had the good sense to borrow as much cash as he could for restructuring. He knew two things from Boeing, they are more expensive than you plan, and anything can happen. He had no idea it would get where you couldn't borrow a penny, but he still was a genius for borrowing that money. In turn, they didn't have to rely on the gov't as heavily (although I believe they did borrow some for Ford Credit). GM and Chrysler did. Great move by them, bad luck for anyone else that tried to raise cash later.

If you spend much time on auto blogs (I do as it's my career) or even on sites like this there are TONS of people talking about how they won't buy govenment motors cars now. There's far less buzz about buying Ford's because of improved quality. Quality has improved for everyone so much that it really should not be at the top of anyone's decision matrix because most anything's a "safe bet" (including the Koreans, Germans, etc).

So, while Ford's products have improved greatly (as has GM they just have a ton more older models still in the mix bringing down the overall quality performance) it's not in my mind the key driver for their recent "success."

 

[cuda]

What on earth does a single anecdote like this have to do with anything I said?

It's a true life experience, not some pie in the sky like you offer. Figure that one out o wise one.

 

[Audiofn]

Cuda I could counter that I have had Horrible Ford experiences. My F-350 was in the shop almsot weekly and my Escape Hybrid was 1 year old and needed a 1500 dollar brake job and has paint peeling off it. Non of this was covered by Ford. They would not even let me get in touch with the area rep. I had my local shop fix my breaks and the paint is still peeling. Now the breaks when stopping often times just stop working for a second and I know they are going to tell me to **** up a rope on that as well.

 

[RLJ676]

It's a true life experience, not some pie in the sky like you offer. Figure that one out o wise one.

Cuda I could counter that I have had Horrible Ford experiences. My F-350 was in the shop almsot weekly and my Escape Hybrid was 1 year old and needed a 1500 dollar brake job and has paint peeling off it. Non of this was covered by Ford. They would not even let me get in touch with the area rep. I had my local shop fix my breaks and the paint is still peeling. Now the breaks when stopping often times just stop working for a second and I know they are going to tell me to **** up a rope on that as well.

Well, it doesn't take a "wise one" to know that any individuals experience with a particular brand is irrelivant. It takes more than one persons experience to be remotely stastically signifigant (Ford sells millions of cars a year, so a few experiences tell absolutely nothing about the other millions of them). For example, Audio has countered yours, so which is to be believed now? So, your personal experience of quality as a "comment" to my assertion that Ford has gained more from not going bankrupt than their improved quality (which I agreed with) still makes absolutely no sense. It neither addresses my point, or has any bearing towards their quality.

You will disagree, great, keep buying Ford's as I agree they are quality.

 

[03darkshadow]

i still cant wait till ford puts the 400+ hp 6.2 in the trucks. its about f'ing time they make a bigger motor. they've been getting stomped on by everyone else for too long.

 

[phragle]

Im not sure what it is, but for will be offering a bigger motor for the raptor next year....

 

[RLJ676]

Im not sure what it is, but for will be offering a bigger motor for the raptor next year....

It'll be the 6.2L, and like 411 hp similar tq. Will make that truck even that much badder.:driving:

 

[03darkshadow]

6.2 liters and about 411 hp and 430ish torque. its on their website, it looks like its going to be bad ass