I'm hoping they decide on a new name so I can change the topic title soon!
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I've been a proponent of having a FWD personal coupe, in Ford's line up. Not Probe like, but more Solara like. A 2door Futura coupe I think would compliment the line well, although some have an issue that it'll dig into Mustang sales... Whereas I say, they are totally different buyer's.
Futura, Fusion are terrible names, it reminds me of the Fairmont based Fox platform of the late 70's. Falcon, Festiva, Fiesta they all suck. How about Maverick now that was a great car or Fairlane 500. Why not bring back the Torino name. My dad had a 69 Torino Cobra with the CJ428, now that is a great car.
Seriously, Freedom, 400, Talledaga (if they still own the rights)Formula, borrow Typhoon from Australia
If Ford does use Maverick, it would probably be under the Mercury badge, since they are naming them with "M"s.
While some of us might know or remember the history of such past cars, those names from the past really don't mean much for people nowadays. Actually if it wasn't for this topic, I wouldn't have bothered researching some of these names that have been floating around. I just know the vehicles by their numeric designations within the company.
Since they're NOT likely taking suggestions for a new name from this discussion, any chance we could look for some OTHER info??
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Angered the gods again.. My apologies. Well, I don't know a damn thing about this car except what I have learned right here, so I guess I'm done. See y'all.
Yes there is a media embargo and Ford is trying to keep a tight lip over the specifics of the vehicle. Knowing what you now know, is more than they would like you to know.
Post 452 totally went over everyone's head, It's like playing win lose or draw...
I'm trying to see if I can get camoflauge pictures of the prototype. They don't have any working models as of yet. They only have one in the dearborn engineering site if anybody knows about that here. I don't know if I can promise pictures because I don't want my relative to lose his job for me posting pictures of the car. He isn't directly on the "nameless car" project ,but hes working on one of the replacement cars for the Taurus and I'm not talking about the 500,futura,freebie. The one prototype currently in the engineering site in the garage is often being used by the team that uses it for testing and calibration. From what ive been told by my relative its like a cross between a cts and the 427. IF I can get my relative to bring it over sometime I'll take pictures of it ,but it is in camoflauge so you wont completely be able to make out the shape of it. I cant simply promise a date as my relative is busy on his own product right now. In order to pass the govt fuel emissions hes having to calibrate the engine just right which is a lot harder then you might think.
By working models I mean final production, they're still making changes to it before the final version comes out.
That's not an artist rendering, that's a morph of the 427, Futura rendering, Zephyr which a guy posted on another site, which does these photo-chops for fun.
Oh I'm not complaining, he did a very good job marring all 3 vehicles together. He used the Futura/427 front, unto the Zephyr sides. Told him he should go work as a stylist for Ford actually.
Suppose Sherwin-Williams will mind, their Krylon spray paint has new line just for plastics? Fusion Paul
Don't care what it's called or looks like, I want a wagon and common rail option that exists in Europe. The 48 mpg 360 ft lbs. @ 1800 one. It has to handle like the Contiques, also. Just a reminder.
MrMoose, scroll back to the beginning messages of the forum, post #1 gives you the first info over it, (way back when)... As a few updates here and there since then.
I really wish Ford was NOT listening to some of these terrible name suggestions I've heard on this board. Although, I don't care as much about what its named, as I care that it is a good looking, high quality vehicle that is engineered well.
ANT14, I think what MrMoose is referring to is post #483, in which dave2222 seems to say that his relative is working on a Taurus replacement, and it is not the Nameless car formerly known as Futura, nor is it the Five Hundred.
The names are currently being tested on some consumer groups. Don't be shocked if you hear it be announced at one of the up-coming auto shows, as they reveal a concept like version of it....
I worry about that method of naming product. Perhaps I should have more faith in my fellowman. But unfortunately, I know a lot of my fellowmen, and many of them are car-morons. Current company excepted, of course.
It doesn't work that way. They are scientifically selected. The mere fact you volunteer for one makes you atypical and far less likely to be representative of the buying public at large. Put another way, they will contact you if they choose to use you, not vice versa!
Whatever they call it, I hope Ford is paying attention to the rather tepid sales of the new Malibu. That car isn't bad, but in too many ways it's "almost there."
Unfortunately, when a company is coming from behind in a segment, "almost there" doesn't cut it anymore.
If the car looks like that photo shop posting, at least the styling will be good.
According to GM's website, the new Malibu has racked up 66,154 sales for the calendar year through June. GM set a target of at least 175,000 sales for the new model. It will not reach that goal this year.
The Classic has sold 55,187 units for the calendar year through June. The only way to get 120,000 sales for the Malibu is to combine the new Malibu with the Classic.
Considering that by this point last year the old Malibu had racked up 73,213 sales (with another 6,011 sales of those rebadged as Classics), I'd say that the new Malibu's sales could accurately be described as tepid.
Plus, 20 percent of those new Malibus are going to fleet customers. Not all fleet sales are bad, but GM specifically said it was reserving the new model for retail customers to boost profits. For Camrys and Accords, about 10 percent and 2 percent, respectively, go to fleet customers. I think 20 percent is awfully high for a brand-new model that was supposed to be reserved primarily for retail customers.
And GM is now offering loyalty rebates of $3-4,000 on the NEW Malibu. Remember, the goal of all of the new models (including the new Malibu) is to wean buyers from incentives. It doesn't look as though it is working.
Ford should definitely be taking note of the Malibu's sales performance as it prepares its Mazda6-based car for release. The Malibu isn't a bad car, and the Maxx is unique and practical, but the bottom line is that "almost there" isn't enough today when a car maker is coming from behind in a competitive segment.
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Here's one. the FLINT...
How about FISSION, if you don't like FUSION??? Or, the Sedan could be the FISSION and the Coupe could be the FUSION? What? No coupe?????
How about the Ford FONTANA???
Tee hee.
Seriously, Freedom, 400, Talledaga (if they still own the rights)Formula, borrow Typhoon from Australia
While some of us might know or remember the history of such past cars, those names from the past really don't mean much for people nowadays. Actually if it wasn't for this topic, I wouldn't have bothered researching some of these names that have been floating around. I just know the vehicles by their numeric designations within the company.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
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Review your vehicle
In reality, there is an embargo on important information on this, and other forthcoming Ford vehicles...
Post 452 totally went over everyone's head, It's like playing win lose or draw...
And Ford leaks things it DOES want known. Been done for years. And others leak things Ford doesn't want known. That's been done for years, as well.
For all you know, I am a high level executive with Toyota Motor Manufacturing. Or not.
That's the beauty of the net.
And NO ONE knows that Ford is NOT listening to name suggestions here. On the other hand, Ford itself may have asked that the name discussion cease.
That all being said, a mod asking us to change the subject is no reason to leave the room!
See http://www.courier-journal.com/business/news2004/04/07/F3-futura0- 7-3273.html for details
By working models I mean final production, they're still making changes to it before the final version comes out.
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/uploads/post-20-1088609606.jpg
He's somewhat close though...
Fusion
Paul
Don't care what it's called or looks like, I want a wagon and common rail option that exists in Europe.
The 48 mpg 360 ft lbs. @ 1800 one. It has to handle like the Contiques, also. Just a reminder.
Ford Fantom
Ford Flanx
Ford Flight
Ford Fart
Ford Feron
Ford Figtree
Ford Fox
Ford will never hire me
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!
Unfortunately, when a company is coming from behind in a segment, "almost there" doesn't cut it anymore.
If the car looks like that photo shop posting, at least the styling will be good.
According the WSJ, CYTD sales of the Malibu through June 2004 are 121,341, exclusive of the Classic.
CYTD sales of the 2003 Malibu through June 2003 were 79,224.
Thats a very healthy jump, not a tepid one.
~alpha
The Classic has sold 55,187 units for the calendar year through June. The only way to get 120,000 sales for the Malibu is to combine the new Malibu with the Classic.
Considering that by this point last year the old Malibu had racked up 73,213 sales (with another 6,011 sales of those rebadged as Classics), I'd say that the new Malibu's sales could accurately be described as tepid.
Plus, 20 percent of those new Malibus are going to fleet customers. Not all fleet sales are bad, but GM specifically said it was reserving the new model for retail customers to boost profits. For Camrys and Accords, about 10 percent and 2 percent, respectively, go to fleet customers. I think 20 percent is awfully high for a brand-new model that was supposed to be reserved primarily for retail customers.
And GM is now offering loyalty rebates of $3-4,000 on the NEW Malibu. Remember, the goal of all of the new models (including the new Malibu) is to wean buyers from incentives. It doesn't look as though it is working.
Ford should definitely be taking note of the Malibu's sales performance as it prepares its Mazda6-based car for release. The Malibu isn't a bad car, and the Maxx is unique and practical, but the bottom line is that "almost there" isn't enough today when a car maker is coming from behind in a competitive segment.
Paul