Story Comments

wdamsgaard
Thank you for your constructive, intelligent and well-argued message.
Unsurprisingly, I do not agree with your comments. Ford has a great many products that customers want - our steadily increasing market share points to that. We are bringing more of them to the US in the coming years and we are confident that our One Ford plan is working.
Disappointed that you feel it necessary to be rude and nonconstructive on this site and it is clear that you do not have the required open-mindedness that would allow you to come and see what Ford is doing. You would be impressed.

I think Jay Ward is an idiot. I've heard this arguement from Ford for years now and guess what? What Ford is doing is NOT WORKING! America doesn't love Ford anymore. America loves Toyota and for good reason; Toyota provides what consumers want. Ford's Marketing Research team (are a bunch of) has what the Brit's would call... "Learning Difficulties."

I've never had a conscious preference for a particular auto maker, but most my life I seemed to end up owning a GM product. I only had one previous Ford, a 1963 Galaxy. (Remember $.023/gal gas!) Anyway, last summer my wife's 2000 Impala was needing more repairs and I had already spent around $4000.00 on it. So, with 180,000 miles it was time to trade. A friend had been retired from Ford and offered to save us some money if we didn't mind owning a Ford product. I said, "sure, why not, all American cars are pretty much the same". And we only buy American cars just out of principle. We bought a 2008 Mercury Mariner Premier with the 3.0 engine. Our selection critria was basically the following: 1. We are claustrophobic in cars, so no compacts. 2. We don't want a battleship where you need 10 acres to turn. 3. Sometimes I haul computer equipment and folks ride with us, so we need room. 4. It would be our main vehicle so it must be comfortable, ride fairly well and have more than ...(Read more of this comment)just the basics. 5. My wife needed a car that "fit", she has arthritis in her knees and has trouble getting out of low profile vehicles or into very tall ones. So, we needed one she could just step into. We originally wanted the Mariner Hybrid. However, at $8,000 more even if gas hit $8.00/gal it would take a little while to buy $8,000.00 worth of gas. Cost wise and considering the life of the vehicle for us, it would be difficult to justify an extra $8,000.00 and sacrifice the performance of a gasoline engine. So, we decided a good compromise was the 2008 Mercury MAriner Premier. We have been very satisified with the vehicle. It meets all our selection criteria and fun to drive. Plus we got a REALLY good deal and the X-Plan saved us even more on top. Also, while it is rated at 18 - 22 city we are currently getting between 21.5 and 22 MPG. While the Chevy had a similar fuel rating, I think we got more around 18 MPG. We are buying less gas for the Mariner. At our age we are no longer about fast and furious and more about comfort. So, when it comes time to replace my car I want a Lincoln MKZ!. Originally I thought I wanted a Caddy, but not any more. Now with Ford holding out as long as they can on the bailout, and seeing the shape GM and Chrysler are in. I can say that I have a conscious preference for Ford. (PLus, I actually like the looks of the MKZ better.) Ford has already gone where GM and Chrysler are just now going, so its not new territory to them. I think they have a better chance of pulling through. I'm betting on Ford now. Our friend is happy to see he won over two more Ford customers as well. He says that may help keep his pension coming a little longer. The guys at the GM dealership are going to miss me. (Show less of this comment)

James,

Interesting article. Just wanted to make a quick correction on your comments about the Ford Flex. You say that you "remain somewhat baffled by Ford's continuing emphasis on large, gas-thirsty SUV-like crossovers, such as the Flex".
In fact, there is no vehicle in the 7-seat crossover segment that gets better highway mileage than the Flex (rated at 24mpg on the highway). Ford is committed to producing vehicles that are the best, or among the best for fuel economy and the Flex is a great example of this commitment. In addition, whilst we are bringing exciting small vehicles to the US market such as our highly successful Fiesta, we are also committed to ensuring that all our customers have the choice of vehicle that meets their needs and that of their family. As such, our portfolio of cars, utilities and trucks is comprehensive and we feel that we are extremely well placed for a bright future for Ford Motor Company.
Jay Ward