Ford asks: What do you want in a car? And they're ready to listen

[Wretched]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/13/f...=Google+Reader

Questions, comments, snide remarks? Please, tell us what's on your mind by filling out a form and dropping it in the suggestion box on your wait out the door. While such items may be rather common at certain retail establishments, finding such a direct line to the people that run America's largest automotive companies... well, that's just a new idea entirely, no?

Today at the SAE World Congress, Mark Fields, Ford president of the Americas, announced just such a program, which includes a new web portal that allows consumers to leave suggestions for the Ford Motor Company and even lets other users log in and rate the submitted ideas. Currently at the top? A suggestion to bring the ECOnetic diesel engines to America. Agree? Click here to let Ford know what you think.

We'll throw a vote in the direction of more diesels in America any day of the week. And as long as we've Ford's attention, how about offering rally-spec Focus hatchbacks in the States? We'd also be more than happy to see a Super High Output version of the Fusion, complete with the 365-horsepower EcoBoost engine and all-wheel drive system from the Taurus SHO. Oh, and just one more thing... nice work on the SVT Raptor. Click past the break for the complete press release.

The link to Ford's website

My only suggestion is, Ford, do not design a car based on focus groups or committees. It will end badly. Use the ideas by all means but don't base the car design on them.

[SVTVNM]

Sorry, had to be done!

[IMG][/IMG]

[dsyfer]

Originally Posted by SVTVNM

Sorry, had to be done!

[IMG][/IMG]

And what is wrong with the "Homer"?

[platinumXR]

Originally Posted by dsyfer

And what is wrong with the "Homer"?

wrong shade of green... :

[trippytaka]

Originally Posted by SVTVNM

Sorry, had to be done!

[IMG][/IMG]

Brilliant!

[Wretched]

^ and that is exactly what I was referring to

[Polyal]

Yeah I think design should reflect a point in time, not some randoms wishes who is there for the free lunch.

Ive always been suspect of focus groups, how are they not already biased before they walk in the door? They usually get paid and a free feed.

[Wally]

I reckon active drive would be worth investigating.

[chevypower]

When will we all be driving flying cars? BTTF2 said 2015

[BOSHOG]

Originally Posted by chevypower

When will we all be driving flying cars? BTTF2 said 2015

hell id be happy with a sunroof as an option lol

[BLUEYBA]

I think its a great place for us in Australia to really push home to Ford America that we want a rear wheel drive Falcon that can and should be exported to the relevant markets

[zetec]

Originally Posted by BLUEYBA

I think its a great place for us in Australia to really push home to Ford America that we want a rear wheel drive Falcon that can and should be exported to the relevant markets

That would probably be instantly ignored. I'd say the "We need the Falcon in America" argument would pull much greater interest. Create a "pull" rather than a push, on behalf of Americans.

If it isn't already exported to the USA, clearly push methods aren't succesful for what is an absolutely brilliant car as we all know.

[Quicksand]

Do Ford Australia get any of this data?

[SM1DY]

I've got a bunch of suggestions for Ford, but the only one I really care about is the Mustang in Australia. My god I love the Stang.

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by SM1DY

I've got a bunch of suggestions for Ford, but the only one I really care about is the Mustang in Australia. My god I love the Stang.

Nah.

Make the next Mustang off the Falcon platform, give the option of Australian versions being badged either as Mustang or Falcon coupe.

[csv8]

Flux Capacitor ?

[Grunter]

Originally Posted by csv8

Flux Capacitor ?

No good. You'd get done for speeding getting up to 88mph.

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Grunter

No good. You'd get done for speeding getting up to 88mph.

But they couldn't catch you !!!!

[Riksta]

Originally Posted by csv8

But they couldn't catch you !!!!

They'd probably end up catching you yesterday for tomorrow's offence!

[burnz]

1/ no the car shouldn't make that noise, thats normal, their all like that, it's within spec.
2/ we will replace the ball joint; excluding any damage and/of fatality's resuting from failure.
3/ real warranty would be good.
4/ what options have you got?? well uummmm!!
5/ when can i pick it up??????
6/ why has my new car got rust???

[ltd]

Originally Posted by burnz

1/ no the car shouldn't make that noise, thats normal, their all like that, it's within spec
2/ we will replace the ball joint; excluding any damage and/of fatality's resuting from failure.
3/ real warranty would be good.
4/ what options have you got?? well uummmm!!
5/ when can i pick it up??????
6/ why has my new car got rust???

So you came out from under your bridge hey troll?
How's your SIDI - ECOTEC bucket of bolts going? Still casting blocks at Fishermans Bend are we BURNZ? :
OK, just for giggles, here we go:

Originally Posted by burnz

1/ no the car shouldn't make that noise, thats normal, their all like that, it's within spec.

Yes, all of the GEN3's are supposed to sound like Diesels and drink oil.

Originally Posted by burnz

2/ we will replace the ball joint; excluding any damage and/of fatality's resuting from failure.

Fatalitities? Since when have 3 shopping car incidents produced fatalities? I would have thought more were injured from random airbag deployments, or rupturing fuel tanks, or engine bay fires. What about the hearing loss to so many from that noisy pile of poo ecotec?

Originally Posted by burnz

3/ real warranty would be good.

Sort of like all the GEN3 owners who were told it was normal, and had to take action in the supreme court to get GMH to honour their warranties huh?

Originally Posted by burnz

4/ what options have you got?? well uummmm!!

Says the troll who overlooks air conditioning being an option on his beloved commodore. Reilly, you should try to do better, or is that Go Better?

Originally Posted by burnz

5/ when can i pick it up??????

What, you think that's a complaint? Unlike Holden, Ford don't have yards full of excess stock sitting around getting old, only to be sold at a pittance of their retail because they are really old stock. And you wonder why GMH is losing money?

Originally Posted by burnz

6/ why has my new car got rust???

Clutching at straws much? Considering one sits outside for several months and one goes right on to a truck for delivery, I wouldn't be laying the boot into ford over rust. Speaking of all things metallurgical; how many ingots was it you said Holden use to make the SIDI?

Face it burnz; one should always remove the log from ones eyes before criticising the splinter in others'.

[DanielXR8]

LTD.
As someone who owns a Terri with rust in two different places, where it shouldn't be in a five year old car, ball joints that need replacing from what can only be considered premature and excessive wear and isn't happy with his choice of Ford dealer (no we all don't have multiple dealers to choose from). I think I am qualified to say you missed his point in your haste to bag him and all things Holden.

[ltd]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

LTD.
As someone who owns a Terri with rust in two different places, where it shouldn't be in a five year old car, ball joints that need replacing from what can only be considered premature and excessive wear and isn't happy with his choice of Ford dealer (no we all don't have multiple dealers to choose from). I think I am qualified to say you missed his point in your haste to bag him and all things Holden.

On the contrary.
This was supposed to be a subjective look at Ford asking customers what they want. Burnz and others saw it as an opportunity to lay the boot in with spurious accusations.
I merely highlighted the insidiousness of it all and how tit-for-tat arguments get nowhere.
As for your rust problem, it would be covered under warranty as they have a 5 or 10 year corrosion warranty.
As for your choice of dealer I'd travel to find another; perhaps even another dealership brand ie toyota, mazda etc. Ford still honour warranty at other licenced mechanics.

[Mechan1k]

Last time Ford really listened they designed the Territory ... so it can't be all that bad.

[Franco Cozzo]

Bring over the Ford F series at a reasonable price.

[vanman_75]

a balanced import agenda, where they can afford ours and we can afford theirs. would like a mustang but in reality its only the look because it is no better than a falcon

f truck is just a bigger ute but not worth a hundred plus k imported , but would like to see it as an option .

we really do get the raw end compared to the rest of the world with our model range and afford-ability.

but what i really would like is a cruiser/patrol sized diesel 4wd .territory is great but a little small for me( and no diesel just yet but its coming) and f truck is quite large , try parking 1

[TUF_302]

Umm, i would like Falcon to outsell Commodore, but thats not really up to Ford sadly, I would like to see the F-truck back here, also hurry up and put a Diesel in the Territory

[last fairlane]

Thanks Chevy
that reminded me of when I was doing my apprentiship
in the 60s we were told at trade school that by 2000 we would have flying cars well let me put you right cars today are exactly as they were back then still have four wheels still have petrol engines just more comfort safety and economy
and as for Van man
yes we have always got the rong end of the car world deal
going back to the fifties
we had four door Cussos the yanks had 2 doors hard tops convertables and to a lesser extent six cylinder motors we got 292s
and the same deal with the Chevs 2 door hard top convertables and utes and wagons all with V8s motors all we got was the basic four door model with six cylinder motors
thanks John

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by TUF_302

Umm, i would like Falcon to outsell Commodore, but thats not really up to Ford sadly, I would like to see the F-truck back here, also hurry up and put a Diesel in the Territory

I think you would be suprised what a new dealer network and a genuine commitment by Ford Aust to quality customer service and quality processes (including recalls when required) could do for Falcon. Holden is far from the only problem for Falcons success and its been that way for years.

Dan

[Matt47569]

flying cars = not gonna happen. most drivers on the road have enough trouble with normal cars can you imagine them all driving flying ones? god help us all...