just back from the show
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: atlanta
just back from the show
Hi Everyone,
Well one thing is for sure, we all have a pretty strong opinion about the new 150. Thought I would add my 2 cents on it and the show.
First off, the vehicle looks much better in person. I warmed up to it after about 15 minutes. Liked the side profile the best. It looks taller for sure and feels larger as well. I am still not certain if I like the lariat grill, but like many things in life, it grows on you.
Disappointed like many of you that they only had one on display and it was not open on the floor. But I am also going to give them the benefit of the doubt, unlike many of you. It is 7-8 months before launch and some of you are acting like it is in the showroom tomorrow. I assure you, all of the questions you have will be answered by the time you can order this vehicle and pricing is set-usually about 90 days before launch.
I spent about 45 minutes with someone who is on the 150 launch team, not the product specialists who are employed by a modeling agency. Not that it's a bad thing though! This guy knew his stuff for sure. He works at the virginia factory and says they have been building this vehicle for a year and a half.
The information he passed along was more than my mind can comprehend-especially on a hangover. But points I remember.
1. No 6.5' bed on the supercrew. He has never seen one and sounds like he has seen them all. I sincerely hope he is wrong because I really could use a longer bed than 5.5.
2. Says center console with a floor mounted shifter will available on the xlt. I hope so, because I like the exterior of that model the best. If not, I will step up and get the lariat trim level. I just love the idea of two comfortable seats with a big center console, although no more hanky panky in the front seats-oh yah, we got back seats!
3. Production starts on June 9th. They are doing a batch launch-basically a build and hold-meaning hope like hell that we don't have to recall the thing 6 times in the first few months of production like explorer, focus, thunderbird, etc. Same way they launched the expedition and aviator. They will build 10k units and hold for 30 days. Production of the supercrew is not handled at the virginia plant-it will follow 30 days later.
4. I asked him if he had any misgivings about purchasing the vehicle right away. His response was most satisfying. He indicated that most of the staff that handles "line repairs" have been reassigned. Basically there is no need to perform repairs on the vehicle as it is assembled. I personally expected that since they have been building the same vehicle for 8 years.
5. There were lots of little details that I just could not remember, but some of them were about seat length being longer, definitely safer, tailgate can open and close with one finger. Interior dimensions all improved, quieter, etc.
Other thoughts about the show. Ford by far had the best display. I have attended the past 4 years and would not always say that. The prior displays had to many walls and not enough product. Plus it went all the way back to Jaguar and Aston Martin. They had huge video screens on both sides and played various clips about company history etc. It made you realize that ford has been around for a long time, been a part of your life at some point and is a family owned company.
The mustang was incredible! By far the most attened display-second was the cadillac 16. If I had the $$ for a play vehicle I know where my money would be spent. Just looked badass, which is the way the Ford 427 looked as well. Ford has to find a way to bring to market the 427 or the 49 they showed last two years. I don't want to see these incredible looking products and see no future product with these strong design cues.
I could write a few more chapters but will save space for later! Plus I am hungry as hell and still have a slight hangover.
Well one thing is for sure, we all have a pretty strong opinion about the new 150. Thought I would add my 2 cents on it and the show.
First off, the vehicle looks much better in person. I warmed up to it after about 15 minutes. Liked the side profile the best. It looks taller for sure and feels larger as well. I am still not certain if I like the lariat grill, but like many things in life, it grows on you.
Disappointed like many of you that they only had one on display and it was not open on the floor. But I am also going to give them the benefit of the doubt, unlike many of you. It is 7-8 months before launch and some of you are acting like it is in the showroom tomorrow. I assure you, all of the questions you have will be answered by the time you can order this vehicle and pricing is set-usually about 90 days before launch.
I spent about 45 minutes with someone who is on the 150 launch team, not the product specialists who are employed by a modeling agency. Not that it's a bad thing though! This guy knew his stuff for sure. He works at the virginia factory and says they have been building this vehicle for a year and a half.
The information he passed along was more than my mind can comprehend-especially on a hangover. But points I remember.
1. No 6.5' bed on the supercrew. He has never seen one and sounds like he has seen them all. I sincerely hope he is wrong because I really could use a longer bed than 5.5.
2. Says center console with a floor mounted shifter will available on the xlt. I hope so, because I like the exterior of that model the best. If not, I will step up and get the lariat trim level. I just love the idea of two comfortable seats with a big center console, although no more hanky panky in the front seats-oh yah, we got back seats!
3. Production starts on June 9th. They are doing a batch launch-basically a build and hold-meaning hope like hell that we don't have to recall the thing 6 times in the first few months of production like explorer, focus, thunderbird, etc. Same way they launched the expedition and aviator. They will build 10k units and hold for 30 days. Production of the supercrew is not handled at the virginia plant-it will follow 30 days later.
4. I asked him if he had any misgivings about purchasing the vehicle right away. His response was most satisfying. He indicated that most of the staff that handles "line repairs" have been reassigned. Basically there is no need to perform repairs on the vehicle as it is assembled. I personally expected that since they have been building the same vehicle for 8 years.
5. There were lots of little details that I just could not remember, but some of them were about seat length being longer, definitely safer, tailgate can open and close with one finger. Interior dimensions all improved, quieter, etc.
Other thoughts about the show. Ford by far had the best display. I have attended the past 4 years and would not always say that. The prior displays had to many walls and not enough product. Plus it went all the way back to Jaguar and Aston Martin. They had huge video screens on both sides and played various clips about company history etc. It made you realize that ford has been around for a long time, been a part of your life at some point and is a family owned company.
The mustang was incredible! By far the most attened display-second was the cadillac 16. If I had the $$ for a play vehicle I know where my money would be spent. Just looked badass, which is the way the Ford 427 looked as well. Ford has to find a way to bring to market the 427 or the 49 they showed last two years. I don't want to see these incredible looking products and see no future product with these strong design cues.
I could write a few more chapters but will save space for later! Plus I am hungry as hell and still have a slight hangover.
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 61
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From: atlanta
Forgot to mention two things.
The doogie door will be offered on the 2004 model. It is a small door on the front side of the bed. Chevy showed it on a concept truck and ford responded immediately that it would be available. The gentleman that I talked with told me it was removed for cost cutting purposes-fine by me because I don't think I would ever use it.
The other information was about 2005 product. They are already getting ready for the 2005 launch. It will be offered with a updated V6 and 5 speed manual. Makes sense to bring out a less expensive product after the first year where you are limited with production constraints. Gee, if I could build 200,000 fairly loaded versions=major profits or produce a mixture of less expensive products=less profits. Does not matter to me anyways, because I am not going to purchase a V6 or manual.
The doogie door will be offered on the 2004 model. It is a small door on the front side of the bed. Chevy showed it on a concept truck and ford responded immediately that it would be available. The gentleman that I talked with told me it was removed for cost cutting purposes-fine by me because I don't think I would ever use it.
The other information was about 2005 product. They are already getting ready for the 2005 launch. It will be offered with a updated V6 and 5 speed manual. Makes sense to bring out a less expensive product after the first year where you are limited with production constraints. Gee, if I could build 200,000 fairly loaded versions=major profits or produce a mixture of less expensive products=less profits. Does not matter to me anyways, because I am not going to purchase a V6 or manual.