The only thing that will help Ford in the long run is a significant change in their product line. That can't happen quickly, which forces them into these drastic steps in the mid-term.

I honestly wonder how much longer they can keep bleeding money, marketshare, employees, etc. at this rate before they're in bankruotcy.

Did notice that the 06 Focus wagon (manual) now gets 37 mpg. That is a significant jump from the last few years, when they were getting 32-33. I assume this is just a tuning issue as it appears to be the same engine. (Admittedly, I don't know much about Ford.) Hopefully, Ford and all the other manufacturers can get back to tuning for mpg rather than power, in addition to selling smaller and lighter vehicles. A Civic today weighs more than a midsize from the 80s.

Nemo,
"Hopefully, Ford and all the other manufacturers can get back to tuning for mpg rather than power, in addition to selling smaller and lighter vehicles. A Civic today weighs more than a midsize from the 80s."
_This is why they have intorduced subcompacts such as Honda's Fit, and Toyota's Yaris.

Ford seems lost. The same problems year after year.

You can't improve product lines quickly? That is partly true. But you can improve wheels, fabric, carpet, and plastic trim rather quickly. It does cost money but how much does it cost to not sell cars?

Don't want divisions stealing sales from each other? What is your profit if none of them can sell cars?

Finally Ford might concentrate on the weak points of each product. The 500 had two - bland styling and rather weak engine. Each can be improved without huge costs. Ford knew it over two years ago. Was anything done?

Did anyone on Earth think the Lincoln version of the Fusion was worthwhile? Can anyone on Earth name the current Lincoln models? Here are two: ADDS = Attention Deficit Disorder Syndrome, and the XHWV = X Has What Value (algebraic edition).

Jaguar. Totally uncompetitive except at the very top where buyers might 'just want' the Jag. Those are pretty. Jag needs a blazing coupe to take on all comers at the high margin $90K point. Two cars both great.

Focus - constant critism of trim, lack of a performance version, dated styling. Was anything done?

Crown Vic - just drop it. Let those who want a similar car buy the Marquis at a higher margin.

And drop the Ford practice of optioning everything. The buyer sees $19,000 then finds out it is $29,000 once desired equipment is selected. The result is disgust - it leaves the impression that it is a cheap car with stuff nailed on. The desired impression: a fine car with all these features.

The key to Ford survival is mpg. Ford thinking is archaic and that is why its products are not in demand. They are a doomed company if they cannot come up with a way to move ahead to high mpg rather than high HP. The life cycle of any company is ended when it cannot produce a product the consumer needs. It will be sad to see them go but that is the way of business. Companies that made coaches for horses in the 1800's could not last because people switched to cars. Ford cannot expect to be in business if the price of oil continues rising and more fuel efficient types of vehicles are required in this century.

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Any auto executive that could not see this coming 5 years ago does not belong in their position. They are totally dependant on oil and the prices were going to rise significantly. If the execs could not connect the dots, it is their fault. Unfortunately, the rank and file suffer for their incompetence.

Patents have been abused for a long time. They should allow the patent holder to recover their investment and then compete. Instead they are used to keep products off the market and create a monopoly.

"Hopefully, Ford and all the other manufacturers can get back to tuning for mpg rather than power, in addition to selling smaller and lighter vehicles. A Civic today weighs more than a midsize from the 80s."

"This is why they have intorduced subcompacts such as Honda's Fit, and Toyota's Yaris."

Fair enough, introducing (reintroducing) sub-subcompats (or B cars) is great.... but I was referring to tuning within the various classes. The engines could get 10-25% better mpg, with tuning changes only. If the boy racers want the extra hp, they can do their own tuning when they are adding the stupid 20 inch wheels and chrome exhausts.

Also, much could be gained by returning to smaller engines within the classes. Remember when subcompacts (Corolla etc.) had 1.5-1.6 engines, compacts (Camry, Accord) has 1.8-2.0, small SUV's (Bronco II etc.) has 2.3? Minivans has 1.8-2.2?
With all the advances in engine technology, those sized engines now have much more hp and would easily haul around vehicles of those classes. And save us millions of gallons of gas.

Or a two-speed rear end? Volkswagen uses them on its DSG 6-speed auto in the GTI/GLI and gets fuel economy ratings identical to my Dodge Neon (and the Volkswagen has 200hp vs. my 132).

Oh, and double check my spelling too.