I'm taking an after-work class with a gentleman who recently purchased a local, small-town Ford dealer and is trying to turn it around. He is very excited about the Five Hundred (and Freestyle). For now, the trucks and SUVs are keeping the dealership afloat. I'll be anxious to see one in the flesh (metal?).
The trucks and SUV's are keeping ALL US brand dealerships afloat. Well, that and service and finance/insurance.
For that reason, this car had best do well. The Asians are making real inroads into the truck/SUV business. Perhaps too late, the American makers are realizing they virtually abdicated the car business to Toyota/Honda etc.
The Five Hundred looks great on paper. Much will depend on execution, quality and marketing.
Perhaps as your classmate learns more about the car, you can share some of the details with us!
I will definitely pump him for information at the next class (which is next Monday), but I don't know if he will be a better source of information than ANT14!
I know you've mentioned that it will not be available in a 2005 model, but do you think the 3.5 engine might have an early release in either car as maybe a 2005.5 model??? I know from past situations where cars are released as a "next years model" even though it's far from the normal release date. My 2003 Acura TL was available in January of 2002, and it might have been before that, but it seems to be the way things are going. I've asked in the past if anyone might have some sort of idea as to what this new engine might be pushing out as far as HP/torque. With some of the cars other manufacturers are pushing out it makes someone wonder if it's worth the wait. I'd hate to see this car show up with 225HP when most others in the class are above that.
Well, that discussion is best had elsewhere here on Edmunds, other than to say that the Five Hundred is critical for FoMoCo. . . and to point out that denial of the problem was widespread as the imports took over large portions of the car market...
" but do you think the 3.5 engine might have an early release in either car as maybe a 2005.5 model??"
Too early to tell, there's various factor that need to be reached before such a answer can be made. I could tell you Aug 2005, and some supplier worker's go on strike and might push it back some weeks.
The Aviator will be the first vehicle to receive the 3.5L, I can say.
2004 F-150 has... Best in class safety (only best pick at www.highwaysafety.org) Best in class performance with highest cargo and towing capacity not to mention must available low end torque. Best Frame, fully boxed with hydro-formed front rails, most cross members and exclusive through frame welds of cross-members. Best in drivability with only independent front suspension on a full size truck, class exclusive cast aluminum control arms and best rear suspension with exclusive outboard mounted shocks and the widest, strongest leaf springs in a light duty truck Best cargo box. Highest volume in all bed lengths. built in cargo management features. double walled. standard rail caps. bolted not welded to the frame. Best utility. 3 cab sizes, 4 doors with every cab. only super cab with power rear windows. Super cab interior volume is greater than a Crown Vics. Don't forget standard tailgate assist... reduces effort to close the tailgate by 50%.
Best Ergonomics... just sit in the cab. Only full size pickup with a center console shifter.
Asians are even attempting to capture the work truck market.
Maximum F-150 payload 3000lb Maximum Titan payload 1640lbs Maximum Ranger payload 1620lbs...thats right, Titan is closer to a ranger than an F-150...
No Asian pickup has yet to have an 8 foot bed.
I know this post doesn't really belong here but the previous post about Asian trucks just had to be responded 2.
Also if Asians ever do decide to make a truck as big as an F-150 well Ford already has F-250, and F-350. (for really hard core truckers there are several body companies that will put a pickup box on your F-450 or F-550 chassis for you.)
Too bad the Titan hasnt been tested by IIHS, so that knocks one off the list, the Titan V8 produces more overall torque than the F150's 5.4L engine (with the Titan peaking at a lower RPM as well), should I continue?
Claims made should be truthful, or at least attempting to disclose the truth.
But yea, this doesnt belong here. Fords F150, and the Focus are just about the only current offerings with anything going for them.
I hope the Five Hundred hits the competition harder than the Freestar has.
...is a stop-gap measure until all-new minivans based on the Mazda 6 platform debut. But I wonder if Ford expected sales to be this slow. Every local Ford dealer has a boatload of unsold Freestars.
OK, I had my first sighting of the 300C Hemi tonight. I'm still in shock. What an amazingly beautiful vehicle. I pulled into the parking lot right behind them and was fortunate enough to have the driver turn out to be a fire fighter like me. After a quick intro, he gave me the OK to check over the car, the interior is so well put together, you have to remember it's a car. The radio and the rest of the interior features just grab you. A very comfortable, well built machine. To see this car in real life gives you a whole new appreciation for what DC has built. It's going to be an interesting situation when Ford finally gets the 500 and Montego up and ready to meet the media and the showrooms. I'm Ford, through and through, but this 300C with it's hemi has me second guessing myself, BIG TIME! I wonder how i get my test drive with the new Dodge Magnum. Another whole process using that car.
I for one would like them to get the "F" out of there! It's way too limiting on some great name possibilities, and I already hate enough of the "Free" names to buy something else.
If using the Five-Hundred Sport Wagon name, Ford will be going against their product plans. IN the next decades, vehicles will not be posting 400K+ unit sales as year, like Accord and Camry currently do. Ford is going with this trend and giving each vehicle it's own brand identity.
In the 1960s, the full-size Fords and Chevys regularly scored between 900,000 and 1 million annual sales each! How times change...
Isn't the Chicago plant setting a new standard for flexibility in the Ford empire? If demand for one vehicle wanes, production can easily be switched over the other model. Isn't the Chicago plant the template for future Ford plant makeovers?
Yes, and so is the new Dearborn plant. They wont have a plant dedicated to one design, and then be stuck with it if it doesn't sell well, like the old T-Bird or Ranger plant
Flexible plants will be phased in to numerous Ford plants in the future. Let's not forget, while Ford has had it's current factories retrofitted every so often, the foreign competition has had the benefit of all new flexible plants, allowing them to be more efficient in production.
I've seen many, many sites that are saying that the 500/Montego will be ready for sale in the fall. My question is when do they actually start building the cars, and after they are in production, are the cars held somewhere until the release date, or are they delivered to the dealers right away. I know dealers put orders in for the cars, but when will they have some info such as brochures, etc., for people to check out the new models? Question to ANT. I'm really confused about the CVT. Does this increase gas mileage, and what makes it so different from a regular automatic tranny. Also, why are they using a 6 speed auto as opposed to the 5 speed they've used forever? Any info would be appreciated posted here, or if anyone has input that they think will be to involved, my email is excapt2h@aol.com.....thanks
Pertaining to your first question, JOB1 date is July 12th for the Ford 500 and Freestyle. For the Mercury Montego, it is August 09th, both at the Chicago assembly plant.
As for "build, hold, ship" yes you might see this initially. Although, NOT as severe as when the F-150 was released. So expect to see them 2-3 weeks after that. Dealerships will begin taking orders soon (wish I could confirm a date for you, but I don't have that info with me at this time).
As for CVT, yes it increases fuel economy in vehicles. Instead of the engine having to rev up and down needlessly, the CVT keeps the engine power at the heart of the torque line at all times. Instead of wasting time downshifting to seek power, a nulge of the gas will zip you up to the needed RPM, and KEEP the engine at that revoluation till you reach the speed you need (and ease off the pedal).
As for the 6 Speed automatic, it's a joint venture with GM. The benefits of an extra gear (as six speeds) is also improved gas milage and acceleration. Ford currently uses 4 speed automatics on the Taurus and Focus (and some other vehicles), but instead of going to 5 speeds as the competition, they are one-upping them into 6 speed automatics. Something only seen on more expensive premium brands.
I'm attaching a link, from Ford's Media site that explains the benefits of CVT, and how it works.
I thought that the 6 speed in the Five Hundred, at least initially, was to be an Aisin/Warner unit built in Japan. I didn't think the new GM/Ford transaxles from Sharonville and Streling Heights would be in production until sometime in '06, after the new RWD 6 speeds from Livonia are due.
Aisin World Corp. of America, Downers Grove,IL.. It is one of the worlds three principal specialist in the manufacture of automatic transmissions, it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aisin Seiki Co. and its group companies in Japan. Aisin, is 41% owned by Toyota Motor Corp. according to AutoTech Daily.
"2006 Ford Fairlane: Fairlane is the working name for this rear-drive sedan conjure nostalgic images, though Galaxy has been mentioned, too. To be based on the DEW Lite platform, the Fairlane is rumored to fit in above the Taurus, making it the likely Crown Vic replacement."
That's from Motor Trend's website. That sounds just like the 500 with rear wheel drive. Or is it an actual fullsize sedan like the Crown Victoria? If it is, I think it should be a watered down Marauder with better styling. And then Mercury can keep the Marauder, but give it new styling too. Those 2 would be a rather good opponents for Chrysler's 300C.
Motor Trend is a terrible source of news for future cars. Automotive News is the most accurate, although it is not perfect either. There are no plans for any new RWD Ford sedans.
While Chrysler has a perceived bombshell at this moment, sales number's aren't in yet. Fat lady hasn't sung.
Although, Ford NA does have, and ARE studying some Ford Falcon's from Australia. And don't think they are falling asleep at the idea of a RWD sedan. If Chrysler does well with the 300, don't be surprised to see Ford answer it.
Now, as the information previously mentioned about the Fairlane (I believe Popular Science has a similar spy report) it's incorrect.
I can't agree with you more, exalteddragon1. I took a test drive in a 300 Limited. The 2 300c's the dealer had lasted less then a day in the lot. Even though I was hoping to take a spin in the Hemi powered car, the one I drove was a very sweet ride. I know it's been beaten to death, by me, as to how Ford could not have prepared themselves better for the upcoming year. The fact they are using the same old engine, again, knocks me out. I really think that even though the 500/Montego might be wonderful vehicles, the fact they are being powered by 200HP "ANCHORS" will push many potential buyers away from their showrooms. What a shame.......
What a shame? If gasoline is either VERY expensive or in limited supply when these come out, it may well be the Chrysler 300 Hemi's that are the anchors...though the base engine in the 300 is a very underpowered unit, indeed, which gets so-so gas mileage.
If you truly think the 300 is such a wonderful and exciting car, buy one and be done with it. Life is too short to try to change something as monstrous as a car company, particularly when one's power is limited to being, or not being, a customer. If you really believe what you say, send Ford the message they will best understand. Buy the Chrysler.
For those of you who are concerned that Chrysler has hit a home run with the 300C, you may be right, but may I remind you that Chevy initially thought the same with their SSR, which went flying off the lots initially with huge add-on stickers attached - and then didn't and are boat anchors at some dealerships today. It's just too soon to tell. Ford still has the Panther cars in full, depreciated production, and they are really great, refined cars for the money. Updating them again would not be too hard or expensive for Ford, and other than the magazines which would denigrate them for being a 20 year old platform, nobody would know.
"2.7L v6 should deliver better economy than fords 3.0L V6, for one."
Not exactly, Chrysler's 2.7L isn't very advanced technologically, and rather crude. It must try that much harder to make it's power, and suffer's from a bit of parasitic power loses.
Ford's Duratec 3.0L is much more advanced, and the 6Speed Automatics and CVT will allow it to post better fuel efficiency number's than the 2.7L.
Ant you could be correct, but just remember that advanced does not necessarily mean fuel efficient, case and point, Malibu 3.5L v6, I personally think it is advanced because it is a v6 with large displacement that delivers the fuel economy of a 4 and in low end acceleration no one will notice a power shortfall. It all depends on how you define advanced. I agree with you that fords V6 could be held as more "modern" than the 2.7, we will see the fuel numbers i guess.
Either way, the 2.7L does not compete with the 3l from ford, no, Chrysler has the 3.5/250 hp for the ford and the poor mercury montego will fight it off with a 5.7L v8 with cylinder deactivation! now who is talking advancement! And don't give me the "ford cyclone is coming" banner b/c we all know it will be roughly 240-250hp based on fords own website and some of the stuff I've read here.
Which is good, Ford will match One of Chryslers engines and out perform a low end version. What about the V8? RWD? What does ford have inside? Do they have a navigation system I can show off to my friends? Do they have an automanual transmission so I can have fun in the corners? The Ford we can forgive, at least put these as options on the Mercury. Whether or not anyone needs one, this is one of those things, like a few generations before us, talked about automatic transmissions. Yes, you don't need one of those, either.
I understand Ford and GM are working on a new tranny, I hope it has an automanual gate.
I am a Ford fan; don't get me wrong, I am utterly and disgustingly abhorred at the Ford product pipeline with FWD and backseat imagination. I really hope Ford shapes up, or else all of the foreign competition is going to force it to ship out.
Lighten up! Give Bill a chance, will ya? Ford still HAS a great line of RWD product that dominates the world in the class at the moment. It's Chrysler that is "catching up" with the 300 C, and if they surpass the Panther cars, then Ford will need to comeback and surpass them back! Don't worry about GM, they're busy producing a hybrid Silverado that gets 17 MPG! Big whoop!!!!
Yesterday I took my wife's 04 Mountaineer on a road trip. This vehicle was astoundingly solid, exceptionally quiet even at 85 MPH, and smooth as glass. If they build the Five Hundred with that kind of attention to detail and quality, it'll do just fine. I just don't see things so negatively I guess. I think this is the dawn of a new age for Ford, frankly.....
All depends on someone's buying preferences. I see so much comparison's with the Chrysler 300, but the only similarity they share are being somewhat full-size, and new designs. That would be like comparison an Eclipse and a Mustang. Sure, both sport coupes, but that's where it ends.
Ford wasn't answering anything when designing the new 500, and closest thing comparible to it would have been Chrysler's previous LHS sedans. With so many choices in the market, you can find something about a vehicle to cross shop it against another. Using the best "spin" to credit your example.
I just had a friend cross-shopping the 500 with a Audi A4. In his case, he was looking for AWD/V6 under $30K, and the deciding factor was the 500's space.
Performance wise, the Duratec 3.0L in the 500, will perform closely to that of the 3.5L Chrysler has in the 300. Mainly because of the transmission gearing, aswell as the weight penalty the 300 possesses.
If Ford wanted to answer the Chrysler 300, they would bring over the Australian Falcon. If need be, lets hope the 300 sales do quite well, and hopefully Ford will watch and respond. And as I've stated previous, Ford DOES have Australian Falcon's here in the U.S. they are studying....
Either I've been in a coma, or Ford slipped something past me. Ant, could you please explain this car if possible. Also, any photos or specs? I never realized that Ford had so many "other" vehicles. Thanks......
Wow!!! Unreal!! I was in shock when I saw all those Australian Fords. All that technology being wasted on a bunch of kangaroo jockies...just kidding. I had no idea what the conversion is for the HP or Tourqe, but some of those cars looked hot. How the hell can Ford let those vehicles be built in Australia, and not bring that technology to the United States. Sport-shift tranny's, RWD, hot engines, and the list goes on. I had no idea that a company like Ford would have such a variety of cars in other countries. I was only aware of the Mondero(I think) in England, or some place in Europe. Thanks for a real treat, Johnclineii. I put that site into my favorites so I can do some more exploring.
Powerwise, your looking at the 5.4L 4V DOHC V8's doing north of 350HP and around 385TQ, I don't have the specific's off the top of my head.
Those vehicles have received quite a bit of attention down there and abroad for their performance, drivability, and handling. Which is why Ford US has a few of them at hand, they are studying.
So if Ford really wanted to, they could bring over the next generation Falcon to battle the 300 if need be.
Just like GM brought over the Pontiac GTO (overthere it's the Holden Monaro). Although I highly doubt the UAW would allow Ford to do such a thing, and then if so, in very limited amounts as the GTO.
But again, all these are examples of high performance RWD mid-size sedans. When the 500 is definitely targeting another type of consumer.
Those Falcons are sharp, but I have to wonder if the GTO's less-than-stellar sales performance gives Ford pause about bringing over Australian Fords. The GTO is selling at about one-half the rate of its initially projected sales volume.
True, this is something they would have to take into consideration. Being a 2 door, and seeing the pricetag, one would wonder why someone would buy the GTO, when a Mustang GT can be had for much less... that's if they are looking for a performance coupe, with RWD and V8. The only real benefit of the GTO would be it's limited sales number, and it can smash through any animal that jumps in the road since it's designed in Australia for those conditions.
Hmmm, a 2 door 500, wouldn't that be interesting to see....
I guess I have two questions, since I am sorely tempted by the new Subaru Legacy 2.5GT but need the room of the Five Hundred:
a. Is the potential strike at the Chicago plant that I hear is slated for Job One day still a possibility?
b. Does anyone know what the embargo date for reviews and outside information on the Five Hundred is? I would like to see others' impressions of the Ford before jumping into a Subaru I fear will be too small for me but much more powerful than what I suspect may be the anemic Five Hundred. Time is of the essence, as my old car has 156,000 miles on it now and I travel a LOT. I need reliability, and I need it soon!
One more reason that the US manufacturers can't seem to keep up, if the workforce would stike on Job 1 day, after Ford invested a boatload of $ in the plant, and they are (supposed to be) making what is probably the most important car that Ford has introduced in quite a while.
johnclinelli - WOULD YOU PLEASE WAIT AND DRIVE THE THING BEFORE YOU ASSUME THE POWER SUCKS!! Honestly, I have rented many a Taurus and Sable, where I had to lift the hood to see if they had either the 3.8L or the Duratec under there, because they were surprisingly peppy, and every time, it was the old Vulcan 3.0. Give the car a chance! It may be just fine.
GTO Sales disappointing? IMO, it's a direct result of typical anemic styling. The car looks like a Bland Am unles you eye it closely. May run well, but it's not eye catching at all. Unless you despise Fords, anybody would likely prefer the Mustang..... I'm not surprised at all.
STRIKE: Don't it figure....we don't have enough trouble with jobs moving overseas, which nobody is complaining more about than the UAW, and they're threatening to strike on Job One day! If they do, and I were Bill Ford, I'd never make another damn Ford in Dearborn. I'd move them all systematically off shore as soon as I could build the new plants. With the condition GM and Ford are in right now, anybody with the brains of Daryl Hanna could figure out that labor trouble can only cost the union jobs and why jobs are leaving, and this is #1 on the list. Sorry for the rant. I need my medication now......
Comments
For that reason, this car had best do well. The Asians are making real inroads into the truck/SUV business. Perhaps too late, the American makers are realizing they virtually abdicated the car business to Toyota/Honda etc.
The Five Hundred looks great on paper. Much will depend on execution, quality and marketing.
Perhaps as your classmate learns more about the car, you can share some of the details with us!
Too early to tell, there's various factor that need to be reached before such a answer can be made. I could tell you Aug 2005, and some supplier worker's go on strike and might push it back some weeks.
The Aviator will be the first vehicle to receive the 3.5L, I can say.
Best in class safety (only best pick at www.highwaysafety.org)
Best in class performance with highest cargo and towing capacity not to mention must available low end torque.
Best Frame, fully boxed with hydro-formed front rails, most cross members and exclusive through frame welds of cross-members.
Best in drivability with only independent front suspension on a full size truck, class exclusive cast aluminum control arms and best rear suspension with exclusive outboard mounted shocks and the widest, strongest leaf springs in a light duty truck
Best cargo box. Highest volume in all bed lengths. built in cargo management features. double walled. standard rail caps. bolted not welded to the frame.
Best utility. 3 cab sizes, 4 doors with every cab. only super cab with power rear windows.
Super cab interior volume is greater than a Crown Vics. Don't forget standard tailgate assist... reduces effort to close the tailgate by 50%.
Best Ergonomics... just sit in the cab. Only full size pickup with a center console shifter.
Asians are even attempting to capture the work truck market.
Maximum F-150 payload 3000lb
Maximum Titan payload 1640lbs
Maximum Ranger payload 1620lbs...thats right, Titan is closer to a ranger than an F-150...
No Asian pickup has yet to have an 8 foot bed.
I know this post doesn't really belong here but the previous post about Asian trucks just had to be responded 2.
Also if Asians ever do decide to make a truck as big as an F-150 well Ford already has F-250, and F-350. (for really hard core truckers there are several body companies that will put a pickup box on your F-450 or F-550 chassis for you.)
Mark
Claims made should be truthful, or at least attempting to disclose the truth.
But yea, this doesnt belong here. Fords F150, and the Focus are just about the only current offerings with anything going for them.
I hope the Five Hundred hits the competition harder than the Freestar has.
~alpha
It starts with an F.
It is, therefore, grand.
Blasphemer!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
BTW: Taurus/Sable production ended at the Chicago plant 4/23. 500/etc starts July 12th!
Isn't the Chicago plant setting a new standard for flexibility in the Ford empire? If demand for one vehicle wanes, production can easily be switched over the other model. Isn't the Chicago plant the template for future Ford plant makeovers?
As for "build, hold, ship" yes you might see this initially. Although, NOT as severe as when the F-150 was released. So expect to see them 2-3 weeks after that. Dealerships will begin taking orders soon (wish I could confirm a date for you, but I don't have that info with me at this time).
As for CVT, yes it increases fuel economy in vehicles. Instead of the engine having to rev up and down needlessly, the CVT keeps the engine power at the heart of the torque line at all times. Instead of wasting time downshifting to seek power, a nulge of the gas will zip you up to the needed RPM, and KEEP the engine at that revoluation till you reach the speed you need (and ease off the pedal).
As for the 6 Speed automatic, it's a joint venture with GM. The benefits of an extra gear (as six speeds) is also improved gas milage and acceleration. Ford currently uses 4 speed automatics on the Taurus and Focus (and some other vehicles), but instead of going to 5 speeds as the competition, they are one-upping them into 6 speed automatics. Something only seen on more expensive premium brands.
I'm attaching a link, from Ford's Media site that explains the benefits of CVT, and how it works.
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=16906
The GM/Ford units come NEXT calendar year, not now...
"2006 Ford Fairlane: Fairlane is the working name for this rear-drive sedan conjure nostalgic images, though Galaxy has been mentioned, too. To be based on the DEW Lite platform, the Fairlane is rumored to fit in above the Taurus, making it the likely Crown Vic replacement."
That's from Motor Trend's website. That sounds just like the 500 with rear wheel drive. Or is it an actual fullsize sedan like the Crown Victoria? If it is, I think it should be a watered down Marauder with better styling. And then Mercury can keep the Marauder, but give it new styling too. Those 2 would be a rather good opponents for Chrysler's 300C.
Crysler has a bombshell with 340hp/390 tq and RWD coming fast... what does ford have? An exposed midsection, thats what!
Dam it, am i the only one that feels horrible about the fact that it takes a foreign company (DC) to make a truly American sedan (300C)?
Although, Ford NA does have, and ARE studying some Ford Falcon's from Australia. And don't think they are falling asleep at the idea of a RWD sedan. If Chrysler does well with the 300, don't be surprised to see Ford answer it.
Now, as the information previously mentioned about the Fairlane (I believe Popular Science has a similar spy report) it's incorrect.
If you truly think the 300 is such a wonderful and exciting car, buy one and be done with it. Life is too short to try to change something as monstrous as a car company, particularly when one's power is limited to being, or not being, a customer. If you really believe what you say, send Ford the message they will best understand. Buy the Chrysler.
Ford, and other than the magazines which would denigrate them for being a 20 year old platform, nobody would know.
Not exactly, Chrysler's 2.7L isn't very advanced technologically, and rather crude. It must try that much harder to make it's power, and suffer's from a bit of parasitic power loses.
Ford's Duratec 3.0L is much more advanced, and the 6Speed Automatics and CVT will allow it to post better fuel efficiency number's than the 2.7L.
It all depends on how you define advanced. I agree with you that fords V6 could be held as more "modern" than the 2.7, we will see the fuel numbers i guess.
Either way, the 2.7L does not compete with the 3l from ford, no, Chrysler has the 3.5/250 hp for the ford and the poor mercury montego will fight it off with a 5.7L v8 with cylinder deactivation! now who is talking advancement! And don't give me the "ford cyclone is coming" banner b/c we all know it will be roughly 240-250hp based on fords own website and some of the stuff I've read here.
Which is good, Ford will match One of Chryslers engines and out perform a low end version. What about the V8? RWD? What does ford have inside? Do they have a navigation system I can show off to my friends? Do they have an automanual transmission so I can have fun in the corners? The Ford we can forgive, at least put these as options on the Mercury. Whether or not anyone needs one, this is one of those things, like a few generations before us, talked about automatic transmissions. Yes, you don't need one of those, either.
I understand Ford and GM are working on a new tranny, I hope it has an automanual gate.
I am a Ford fan; don't get me wrong, I am utterly and disgustingly abhorred at the Ford product pipeline with FWD and backseat imagination. I really hope Ford shapes up, or else all of the foreign competition is going to force it to ship out.
Yesterday I took my wife's 04 Mountaineer on a road trip. This vehicle was astoundingly solid, exceptionally quiet even at 85 MPH, and smooth as glass. If they build the Five Hundred with that kind of attention to detail and quality, it'll do just fine. I just don't see things so negatively I guess. I think this is the dawn of a new age for Ford, frankly.....
Ford wasn't answering anything when designing the new 500, and closest thing comparible to it would have been Chrysler's previous LHS sedans. With so many choices in the market, you can find something about a vehicle to cross shop it against another. Using the best "spin" to credit your example.
I just had a friend cross-shopping the 500 with a Audi A4. In his case, he was looking for AWD/V6 under $30K, and the deciding factor was the 500's space.
Performance wise, the Duratec 3.0L in the 500, will perform closely to that of the 3.5L Chrysler has in the 300. Mainly because of the transmission gearing, aswell as the weight penalty the 300 possesses.
If Ford wanted to answer the Chrysler 300, they would bring over the Australian Falcon. If need be, lets hope the 300 sales do quite well, and hopefully Ford will watch and respond. And as I've stated previous, Ford DOES have Australian Falcon's here in the U.S. they are studying....
Click on Falcon.
Don't miss the video!
Those vehicles have received quite a bit of attention down there and abroad for their performance, drivability, and handling. Which is why Ford US has a few of them at hand, they are studying.
So if Ford really wanted to, they could bring over the next generation Falcon to battle the 300 if need be.
Just like GM brought over the Pontiac GTO (overthere it's the Holden Monaro). Although I highly doubt the UAW would allow Ford to do such a thing, and then if so, in very limited amounts as the GTO.
But again, all these are examples of high performance RWD mid-size sedans. When the 500 is definitely targeting another type of consumer.
Hmmm, a 2 door 500, wouldn't that be interesting to see....
a. Is the potential strike at the Chicago plant that I hear is slated for Job One day still a possibility?
b. Does anyone know what the embargo date for reviews and outside information on the Five Hundred is? I would like to see others' impressions of the Ford before jumping into a Subaru I fear will be too small for me but much more powerful than what I suspect may be the anemic Five Hundred. Time is of the essence, as my old car has 156,000 miles on it now and I travel a LOT. I need reliability, and I need it soon!
Decisions, decisions.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
GTO Sales disappointing? IMO, it's a direct result of typical anemic styling. The car looks like a Bland Am unles you eye it closely. May run well, but it's not eye catching at all. Unless you despise Fords, anybody would likely prefer the Mustang..... I'm not surprised at all.
STRIKE: Don't it figure....we don't have enough trouble with jobs moving overseas, which nobody is complaining more about than the UAW, and they're threatening to strike on Job One day! If they do, and I were Bill Ford, I'd never make another damn Ford in Dearborn. I'd move them all systematically off shore as soon as I could build the new plants. With the condition GM and Ford are in right now, anybody with the brains of Daryl Hanna could figure out that labor trouble can only cost the union jobs and why jobs are leaving, and this is #1 on the list. Sorry for the rant. I need my medication now......