Originally posted by Pete D:

AFAIK, Ford's market share is still slipping and this isn't going to bring many customers too them. Sure people might end up getting a Freestyle or something with the new engine (because it isn't underpowered any more) but they won't be stealing any competition from the Japanese (and now Korean) name plates, which is what they NEED to do.



And you think its high powered engines and turbos that are winning the Japanese a higher market share?
NOT. Those are low volume niche vehicles.
It is the trucks and commuter cars that the Japanese are winning at, mainly through higher quality, reliability, and resale value...or at least the perception of that.

They are still riding high on their reputation from the 80s and 90s though in reality they are now suffering from some of the same stinging recalls and quality issues that the big three have been going through for years.
Witness the latest string of recalls and Toyota executives that are under investigation right now.

I really think that Ford isn't producing vehicles that are behind the competition, they aren't. The vehicles are reliable and high quality. It is the American Mindset and impression of quality from the 70s and 80s that still persists and is driving a lot of present day attitudes....which directly affects sales.

Think about it, you buy a new Ford and you get one problem and you think "Hell, poor quality american car I shoulda bought a Japanese car, this is the first sign of a lemon"

You buy a Japanese car and get one problem and think " Oh well, they aren't perfect and this is a minor issue, probably the only problem I'll have on this HIGH QUALITY Japanese car, man I'm glad I didn't buy a Ford as it would be so much worse"

In effect the attitude will now cause the person to slam the american car on initial quality surveys yet with the japanese car they will minimize the problem to defend their purchase of the higher quality car.

So there is so much more going on in this issue of Technological superiority and quality versus the Perception of quality or advantage.

Former owner of '99 CSVT - Silver #222/2760 356/334 wHP/TQ at 10psi on pump gas! See My Mods '05 Volvo S40 Turbo 5 AWD with 6spd, Passion Red '06 Mazda5 Touring, 5spd,MTX, Black