http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24714435/

It's an ok read. Leno wrote the article itself, it's not an interview. The thing he doesn't address is that the US automakers are always reacting to what the European and Asian auto manufacturers are doing. They are never setting the trend. It's hard to come up with new ideas when you're figuring out how to implement everyone else's into your cars I guess.

If Ford wanted to put a new product on the market right now that would sell and would be the only game in town, take the drivetrain from the Hybrid Escape, put it in the Ranger. Or put a small 4-6 cylinder diesel in it. A small pickup that gets 25 mpg (my V6 ranger always got 16-18) would be in huge demand for consumers and commercial fleets.

Where are the Focus and Taurus hybrids? Or are they content letting the prius and civic remain the only options in that class for consumers who need commuter cars?

Just some thoughts on a Sunday morning.

 

He is absolutely right! This is not rocket science Detroit!.............Set the Automotive Trends instead of following foreign companies! Geeeezzzz!....

 

The 4 cylinder Ranger gets 25/29. Best fuel economy of any small pickup in the US..

 

does look like the 2.3L 4-cyl with standard trans gets real-world 25mpg avg. The automatic gets 21 mpg. I just have to believe if you put a hybrid version out there, could it get 30-35mpg? More importantly, it would be something that isn't offered elsewhere and Ford would be attracting buyers to them that are both Ford loyalists, and maybe buyers who would normally be gravitating towards the Nissan Frontier or the Toyota Tacoma.

Oh, and I do realize my title is wrong for the thread. He says "Detroit doesn't get it" not just FOrd.

 

I don't know what Ford is thinking either. Now a ton of windstar minivans are being investigated for the cruise control problem. Their idea of the 9/10 f100 pickup is ****in stupid IMO. you dont need 2 fullsize pickups in the same class so you can take the cheap road and combine sales numbers. If this 9/10 truck gets 25+mpg with a v6 or v8 then good that makes sense, but im not expecting it to. I want to look at a ranger this summer, but the nissan frontier is making more and more sense everytime i compare the two.

 

Have you guys seen the 2010 Ford Taurus? That combined with the new Chevy Malibu--- it's a start. Both are very appealing, very affordable cars IMO.

 

We'll have a Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid late '08/early '09 as well.

 

Stealth doesn't get why this thread isn't in GD.

It is now.

 

Sorry, but the hybrids are a bad joke. The full size BMW 540D will beat any hybrid on fuel mileage and so will the VW diesel. But I would agree that the Ranger with the diesel like is available in Australia would be a killer over here. They probably couldn't make enough of them and I'd be among the first in line to have one.
http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/Conte...1024&c=DFYPage

Considering that Mulally has stated that Ford is going global with all of its platforms, we may just see this truck. The Falcon is already here and being tested, no reason why the Ranger can't be next.

 

The Euro Focus will be here in 2010/11~. Let's just say I spoke directly to someone at the very top of the focus division for that. I can't wait...

 

I agree, Labnerd. Now if we could get diesel to drop in price, and we elect people who will let us drill for more oil and build more refineries, it would help.

 

I'm just tired of disposable automobiles.

 

American manufacturers did this to themselves, they've built better vehicles with more options (models, quality, diesels etc) overseas then for their own country....figure that one out. Only recently their starting to "get it" except late to the game, as usual.

 

wait so theyre going back to a design similar to the old one?? it looks great and all but that seems kinda strange.


The current focus you cant beat for an econocar. LOW lease deals ( current one around here is $180 a month with $1000 down) and they get 35MPG.

 

Hybrids are worthless unless you are a city driver. Try putting 5 large adults or a family of four with luggage in a Hybrid and then tell me how good they are. As far a Diesel engines. IMO the US is not set up for Diesel cars yet. I know here in the east Diesel is almost impossible to find. I mean you go to a gas station and you see 15 pumps of unleaded and maybe 1 or 2 if any of Diesel. Until Diesel is more readily available, we will not see the Diesel Rangers and cars of Europe..