I know - I'm becoming a Michigan bore.
But I work with people who work with Ford and therefore I'm closer to the facts than I have been before. So here are four things that America should know about Ford, but doesn't
Ford's don't fall apart
It's not just industry stats that show this. Or Initial Quality surveys. The 'bible' Consumer Reports magazine now says that Ford's reliability "is on par with good Japanese automakers such as Toyota and Honda"
It also says that on quality Ford is continuing "to pull away from the rest of Detroit."
Ford makes the safest cars in America
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave Ford more 'top safety picks' than any other manufacturer.
Ford also has more 5 star crash ratings than any other manufacturer
For is pretty hot on Technology
Sync is exclusive and makes your phone, your i-pod and pretty much your life voice activated. The new Fusion Hybrid has the most advanced dashboard display oin the US, safety technology is lightyears ahead. My Key will allow you to program the car to limit more reckless teen driving behavior
Ford's aren't gas hogs
The new Fusion will be the most fuel efficient midsize in America. The hybrid kills the Camry.
The Escape hybrid is the most fuel efficient SUV on the planet.
The V6 Mustang gets 26mpg highway (31mpg UK)
The Focus equals the best mileage out there too... the 2.0L gets 35pmg (42 UK) on the highway according to the EPA, compare that to the 1.5L Honda Fit which gets 33pmg
Enough. I'm sad I know.
But I keep hearing how the domestics are dinosaurs
"Barely in the 21st century"
Then I look at the F-150 truck that uses RFID tracking to remind you if you've left a tool behind at a job, allows you access to your office computer via a fully hooked up 'in truck office' screen, at Sync, at Hybrid and at the upcoming EcoBoost engines and I think - "why isn't anyone calling these people out?"
Normal service will be resumed tomorrow
1 comment:
Fair enough - Fords don't fall apart, they make the safest cars, they're hot on technology and they're fuel efficient. Alas, the *perception* continues to be that they are not as good as the Japanese - hmmm...if only we knew someone in advertising that could help change that perception...
There's the other question of: all of these things are true, BUT what are their production costs compared with those wily orientals? And here's where it starts to fall apart. If Toyota can produce a car that's almost as good (safe, fuel efficient, technologically advanced and reliable) as a similar Ford, but can do it for less (because they're not hamstrung by the UAW), then they can pass that saving on to the consumer, or reinvest it in safer, more efficient, techie and reliable vehicles, which they can then sell for a lower price than a Ford that does the same thing.
The F-150 has features that some people are going to want, true. But how many people are going to want to spend the money when they can buy a similar truck for less (that granted, doesn't have all the features), saving $000s when the economy (especially construction) is in the khazi?
And the other question is, when are you and the missus coming to the city again?
Post a Comment