Ford new model plans for the US market

Does anyone else think that Ford has been asleep at the wheel in the US in terms of developing a compelling selection of models? Continue reading for information on the alleged new product portfolio from Ford. My comments are:

(i.) Imagine that Ford thinks it ok to wait until 2009 for a refreshening [that is not a totally new model but a light updating] of the Grand Marquis and Crown Victoria?
(ii.) Why do we have to wait until 2010 for a small crossover vehicle?
(iii.) Why so much engineering effort going to Mercury and Lincoln when Ford's the volume player?

If this is the best that Ford can do maybe there is hope for GM after-all!

Automotive News is reporting this week that Ford's new model plans are:

North American product plans
2007 model year

Ford Edge crossover debuts

Ford Explorer Sport Trac redesigned

Ford Expedition re-engineered, reskinned

Lincoln MKX crossover debuts

Lincoln Navigator reskinned, re-engineered

Lincoln MKZ (formerly Zephyr) freshened


2008 model year

Ford F-250, F-350 Super Duty pickups redesigned

Ford Escape reskinned, re-engineered

Ford Focus reskinned

Ford Five Hundred, Freestyle, E-series vans freshened

Mercury Mariner reskinned, re-engineered

Mercury Montego freshened

2009 model year

Ford minivan alternative debuts

Ford F-150 restyled, re-engineered

Ford Explorer, Crown Victoria freshened

Ford Fusion freshening likely

Mercury Grand Marquis freshened

Mercury Milan freshening likely

Lincoln MKS sedan debuts

Lincoln minivan alternative debuts (or 2010)

Lincoln LT pickup restyled, re-engineered


2010 model year

Ford small sedan likely debuts

Ford small crossover likely debuts

Mustang restyled, re-engineered

rakamoo - 8/2/2006 3:51:18 PM

+1 Boost

yawn

PlanoA4 - 8/2/2006 3:57:25 PM

+1 Boost

now if the public will actually buy them.

webguy - 8/2/2006 4:24:24 PM

+1 Boost

I think GM is beginning to see the light. They have a ways to go, but they're starting to get it.

Now, Ford is completely asleep at the wheel, I agree. Most notably, Lincoln. Bill needs to fire the entire engineering staff and start over. Sorry, but they're a distant last place in the luxury market. Korea is making bigger strides of improvement... and that's bad. Very, very bad. I would hate to see Hyundai's next flagship model surpass Lincoln.

The MKX seems to be the only model with promise in '07. The MKS already needs to be redesigned just to catch up with current models. The Fusion needs more than freshening, the focus needs far more than a new skin.

Ford currently spends the most money per car produced (read: least efficient manufacturing) than any other company. If they don't get their act together yesterday, Ford will be just another listing on "F'd Company.com" in a few years.

Rupert - 8/2/2006 5:21:18 PM

+1 Boost

ford has a perfectly good new (like a year and a bit old) focus in europe, why is it not out in the us?

Dante - 8/2/2006 7:46:44 PM

+1 Boost

I hope all these new and re-freshed Fords actully help them because talking is so mush easier then walking.

chewy - 8/3/2006 3:42:52 AM

+1 Boost

Rupert

It has been deemed to expensive.

courtstone - 8/3/2006 9:31:21 AM

+1 Boost

Ford needs to bring vehicles from the European market here to the US. Its so sad to see, but they offer much better vehicles in Europe than in their homeland. Come on Ford, what are you waiting for?

Rupert - 8/3/2006 3:19:53 PM

+1 Boost

you wouldn't pay the prices we do. would you pay 20000 dollars for a focus?

courtstone - 8/4/2006 2:07:44 PM

+1 Boost

But Rupert, they would have to lower the price. What other choice do they have?

Rupert - 8/4/2006 4:40:31 PM

+1 Boost

but then they wouldn't make a profit. so they stick with tthe old one to make more money.

woood - 8/4/2006 11:25:05 PM

+1 Boost

I think Ford is the volume seller but Lincoln and Mercury are the brands with the bigger margins. Hence the development for these two "luxurier" brands. Maybe just limit the Linclon and Mercury brands to just 3 or four models and lesser trim choices to cut inventory/operational costs.

scottcampbell10 - 8/5/2006 2:23:02 AM

+1 Boost

Bill Ford needs to be fired. Anarchy and capitalism just don't mix.