The truth is SO refreshing!

Smart fellow! Lots of common sense . . . AND uncommon sense!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, the Audi A8 is one of the few large AWD cars but don't be fooled. Remember, 35 years ago the overwhelming majority of cars sold here were American made - that is no longer the case. Ford and GM need to get ahead of the curve, not just try to keep up with it. Mercedes has the 4-matic in the S class, Toyota will be introducing AWD in all of its Lexi, BMW is bound to introduce an AWD 7 series (ever tried to drive one of those things in the snow?). American manufacturers (arguably only Ford and GM now) need to be creative and innovative, not just steadfast. Sooner or later middle America will grow tired of Lincoln Navigators that get 15 mpg - people will wake up to the fact that most truck based SUV are idiotic for the vast majority of regular drivers, and then where will Ford and GM be? Keeping company with Hudson, Packard, and AMC - that's where.

One major flaw with that argument is to say we should follow where others already are and expect to be successful. Never, do the followers have success in an already crowded and competitive market. Profit leaders are really only the market leader and somewhat the market runner-up.

This flaw highlights another negative, that we are not good enough to lead a market segment with new and innovative products. To follow and copy others is what we have been doing for years and it really redefines american autos as second class (there are very few exceptions, Cadillac).

One last comment, the auto industry has seriously shifted into AWD territory and to say that the Audi A8 is proof that this type of car is not successful is again flawed. The Audi A8 may be overpriced and thus not sell well, it may also have a reputation problem after a few idiotic journalists put the Audi brand on its needs with no facts at hand. As Tony said, many luxury manufacturers already have AWD models coming. He forgot to mention that not only luxury brands but economy brands as well are introducing AWD models.

I've been reading Flint's column in Forbes for many years and he's usually right...even when he's off base--which is rare--he has always thought things through...I think his analysis of Ford is right on...and for the record, he predicted a bad outcome for the x-type from the get go...

I remember it well. The Taurus came out, and the look was far more sophisticated than anything previous. But we are missing the point slightly. The Taurus was a success in the mid 80s because it was a good size car for $13,000. You couldn't beat the price at the time, and you got a decent car, not an econo-box for that price, and that is why they sold like hotcakes. The wagon was even nicer, and I believe you had a choice of wagon or sedan for the same price. That appeals to American shoppers, value and choice.

I would say 2 factors saved Detroit, Lee Iacocca standing in front of cars zigzagging behind him, and his offer of 5/50 warranties on cars, 7/70 on trucks.

And the Taurus, it reinvigorated American buyers to trust that the big 3 would deliver quality but more importantly, value.

The reason the Lincoln Continental didn't do well is that the car was just a stretched Taurus with a nicer grill. It may not have shared the same platform, but this is how many perceived the Continental, hence its retirement from the line. So the question is, does Ford really want to revisit this recent failure with that junk they want to replace the Town Car with?

The executives look at shrinking market share the wrong way, when sales fall, they regroup by cutting cost and building a cheaper car, throw the public a bone and give them AWD. Wouldn't be better to just keep building a better car?

Here is an idea, how about giving the Town Car a Diesel option and refine the transmission to say a 7-speed Auto to increase mileage. Put in a center console with a elegant wood grain shifter and leather boot, keep refining the car, and update the skin, headlights and tail lights.

Get marketing to promote the car better. A car the can fit business executives and huge trunk for their luggage and gets 30MPG would be a big hit.

What do we get instead, a stretched Ford 500 with an underpowered engine. Does that inspire you? Junk like this looses its trade in value by half within a week. Keep trying Ford. The big idea eludes you. People know junk when they see it, no matter how many sugar coated commercials you place on TV.