DrDiaboloco

I haven't, either. Just rumors that they will. I sure hope they do... If only because it might give Ford more of an opportunity to offer one as well.

How long into the new 6's cycle with the Fusion share the platform? I presume the Fusion will remain as-is for the first couple of years, but perhaps you can clue us in.

As for the CURRENT engine, aren't they basically the same except for the cylinder heads? If one were willing to lay out the cash for the many necessary modifications, couldn't you bolt the Mazda manual transmission to a Fusion? Or alternately, pop any Ford Duratec into the engine bay of a MT 6?

playdoh43

Ford takes another step toward becoming more competitive and efficient
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../61030001/1024
Looking for Stability
Ford will slash production in '07

By AMY WILSON | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

AutoWeek | Published 10/30/06, 7:52 am et



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DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. expects to slash North American production by as much as 12 percent for the first six months of 2007, then rebound after midyear.

The forecast suggests the company expects its automotive business to bottom out next summer. Although production is expected to rise later that year, Ford's vehicle output in 2007 could be as much as 5 percent lower than this year's total.

In an interview last week with Automotive News, Ford CFO Don Leclair disclosed the plan to cut vehicle production 8 to 12 percent in the first half of 2007.

By the second half of next year, North American production should rise as inventory levels fall in line with consumer demand, he said.

Leclair predicted second-half production will increase 5 to 10 percent over this year's low levels.

"The comparisons are easier," Leclair said. "But importantly, we have a lot of new products coming, products that will be hitting their stride in the third and fourth quarter of next year."

But first Ford has to get through the painful eight months ahead.

"With the inventories coming down, it takes a little bit of time for our cost-reduction efforts to kick in," CEO Alan Mulally said in an interview last week with Automotive News.

Mulally and Leclair are taking pains to prepare investors for the tough times to come. Last week they announced that Ford's third-quarter net losses totaled $5.80 billion.

Ford's pretax automotive losses totaled $1.83 billion, and fourth-quarter results are expected to be even worse. Mulally said Ford's year-over-year financial results will worsen over the next three quarters.

Fewer trucks

In part, that's because Ford will build fewer pickups and SUVs during the first half of 2007. But Leclair notes that a little more than half of the total first-half production decline will result from the demise of the Ford Taurus.

The Taurus went out of production last week. In the first half of 2006, Ford built 109,746 Tauruses.

The new Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossovers are expected to compensate for some of that loss. Ford started building those two vehicles this month in Oakville, Ontario.

The loss of Taurus production will be less of a factor in the second half of 2007 because Ford won't build the car for the last two months of this year.

The automaker expects an upturn late next year, in part because it will be relatively easy to top this year's weak production. In August, Ford slashed fourth-quarter production 21 percent, its sharpest cut in more than 20 years.

As of Sept. 30, Ford reported an inventory of 652,000 vehicles.

Company insiders expect Ford to end this year with a low vehicle inventory -- lower even than the 631,800 units Ford reported at the end of 2001, when a post-Sept. 11 sale depleted vehicle stocks.

Third-quarter production cuts to pickups and SUVs added $1.1 billion to Ford's North American automotive losses, says Citigroup analyst Jon Rogers. Trucks accounted for just 61 percent of Ford's production, down from 68 percent for the prior 2½ years, he said.

Looking for stability

Truck production eventually will stabilize at 65 percent of Ford's total production, Rogers predicts.

In the first six months of 2007, Ford's financial results will suffer because the company's Way Forward cost-cutting plan won't compensate for the loss of revenue caused by production cuts.

Next fall, Ford's automotive earnings are expected to start rebounding as cost-cutting begins to generate savings. "The cost reductions in the second half of next year will start to mount up, and we will see some improved performance on a year-over-year basis," Leclair said.

But Ford's North American automotive business will continue to lose money through 2008, he warns.

BaronVonBigmeat

Would buying put options count?

CarAndDriver

That is if the US makers can keep their dominance in the truck market. At least gas prices dropped a bit.

Japan8

That's true. The new Toyota full-size is pretty nice...

Razz1

Ford needs to be more inovative. They are way behind the times. Even the Lincoln is behind.

The Mustang is still the same old car, it just has a bigger motor.
No conviences what so ever. Big disapointment.

DrDiaboloco

What do you mean it's still the same old car? It's a new design in the last two years, and it's one of the bright spots in their car lineup... I don't need sales figures to know it's a huge hit, as you almost CAN'T go without seeing one or more on any given car trip. And what does the comment about "no conveniences" mean?

Japan8

Exactly Dr.Diaboloco. The new Mustang is entirely new... an entirely new platform... not just new sheet metal. It handles better than previous models... even moreso with suspension upgrades like the Ford Racing Handling Package which is available at most dealers. It also rides better, has a better interior and more power.

The motor is in noway bigger. The same 4.6L V8... just with different 3 valve heads, "charge motion" (variable intake tracts), electronic throttle and advanced ECU.

No conveniences? Like what? A factory moonroof or glasstop would be nice, but I suppose they'd say that's what the convertible is for. It only really lacks Nav and HIDs.

Clavius

Hopefully Ford is planning to have these be add ons for the next few years.. just slowly introduce a few new things each year kinda like what Mazda is doing for our 8's ::shrug::

I still like the car just wish there was not so damn many of them on the road lol..

bascho

HID's are optional starting in 2008. Side airbags are optional with the 2007. Every year at least one new version of the Mustang will be offered.

I agree about them being all over the road......but that is what the aftermarket is for. You can easily customize a stang to stand out in a crowd with an aftermarket RX8 owners can only dream about.

bascho

The S197 platform is not entirely new.......it's a modified DEW98 platform. For those outside the company, the DEW98 is the platform used for the Jag S-Type, Lincoln LS and Ford Thunderbird. The reason for the very unMustanglike ride quality of the S197 is the change from the cheap Fox platform from the 80's to the expensive modified DEW98 platform.

I have been extremely happy with my commutes since buying my stang. Haven't broken the cherry on her first mod yet........I'll wait till spring to add the tuner and CAI.....maybe some gears too.

DrDiaboloco

I think that was the point of his post... Entirely new to the MUSTANG, unlike that Fox platform you mentioned, which if memory serves actually dated back beyond the 80's to 1977.

Japan8

I knew that. I just meant that it was new to the Mustang... changing from the ancient Fox platform to S197... which came from DEW98.

And as we all know the DEW98 platform cars all have IRS... so enough with the bashing about the Mustang not having IRS. It obviously could have easily had it, but for reasons I've mentioned many times, Ford went through the added development of going with a live axel rear-end.

Clavius

If memory serves I remember watching a show (I believe Rides) about how Ford gave cars to several aftermarket companies months if not a year before the actual release so they could create modifications like intakes, exhausts, bodykits at the same time as the car's launch. I think the year of its release at Sema they had the cars given to the companies on display showing off different concepts of what you could do. Very good advertising strategy I might add.

bascho

Being a Mustang guy I figured that you probably knew about the modified DEW98 platform......I was just adding some information for the less informed.

Yes, the S197 had an IRS until very late into the design schedule. The whole program was over budget and they had to remove content or kill the project. Many of the things people complain most about the Mustang are the reason we still have one. The HVAC controls, exterior mirrors, interior switches, and some other content had to be borrowed from other vehicle programs to eliminate cost.

I'm glad Ford was able to make budget and offer this car.......I have been extremely happy so far.

bascho

You are correct. For the 2005 SEMA show, Ford had a contest with the Mustang and various aftermarket companies. The finalists also got to display their car in the Ford display at 2006 NAIAS among other shows.

DrDiaboloco

This sounds familiar... Didn't Honda do the same thing recently with the Civic Coupe or the Civic Si?

bascho

I am not sure......but I wouldn't be surprised. The Civic is another car with an immense aftermarket.