ASH8

You are kidding aren't you mate, cost of making any product and that includes labor has EVERYTHING to do with the equation.

If you owned/managed a company and made a million cars a year what would you prefer...the expense of $200 or $2200 per car for labor and entitlements.

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

Unions had a good thing going, and then they abused it.

True story- My family is in the building biz.

Back in 1999 or so, Ford and GM employees would sneak out of work, go build a couple houses, while they were on the clock, and makes a couple hundred thousand or more dollars per year. All while getting a BIG 3 paycheck, health benefits, and whatever the fark else they got.

Is it any wonder manufacturing jobs are leaving the slimy union's grip, and going overseas or down south?

I would support an honest and productive union. Not the monstrosity that has threatened to kill the American auto industry.

Spin9k

I'm speaking of the ability of a plant's workers to build a quality car. A quality car starts with engineering and next comes quality of materials.

It's as easy (or hard) to build a crap car as a quality car was the point... IOW garbage in garbage out (building a Ford)

Japan8

That may be your opinion, but that's about all that it is.

dillsrotary

ok, name one quality difference that ford should adapt....

Spin9k

Oh I don't know...go sit in your RX-8 and glance around at the materials used and the finish, then go sit in a Mustang, look around and compare the two.

Not saying Ford should has to use the same materials, but there IS an obvious quality difference. Doubt it takes any less time to assemble the 'tang

Or take the independend rear suspension of the 8, vs the solid rear of the Mustang. A cost cutting measure, and also easier (and cheaper) to handle big torque engines, but a less refined solution does detract in some handling situations.

dillsrotary

{walks outside}

{sits in car}

{steps out}

{sits in car}


{gets out}

{goes back to rx8club.com}

its not as large as a divider as you think...

Renesis_8

hahahaha
________
HEAD SHOP

Renesis_8

It seems to be a cultural thing that Japanese people are very passionate about their jobs. Puts tons of effort into it. At least thats what I observed.
________
Jomtien condos

Japan8

More like they follow the rules exactly.

For example crossing the street... on a two lane road a person goes to cross at the crosswalk... the light is red (don't walk), so they stand there and wait... even though there is absolutely nothing coming... even though it is 1am and the road is empty... they wait for the green, because that's the rule.

Efficiency at work... bwahahaha.

Example... go to a department store. There will be one person to receive your purchase and check it, another that is cashier and another to wrap it.... this is for EACH register.

Come to Tokyo and check out the area around most office buildings... especially in the old districts like Otemachi and Kasumigaseki... you'll see tons of salary men outside smoking away or in a nearby coffee shop... smoking away... this takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes of course.

Come work in Tokyo in a non-English teacher position. Enjoy the numerous pointless meetings. Having a meeting with a supplier/system integrator/other middle man about having a meeting with the customer.

It goes on and on. The Japanese do their job, because they are supposed to... they have to pull their own weight or it affects the other around them... who would then start to talk about them behind their backs, bully them, etc. So they follow the rules...

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

... You don't even know what RX7s and RX8s are:

ASH8

Yeah Right!

What's in a name RX-2,RX-3,RX-4,RX-5,RX-7,RX-8....call the car what you want for marketing, sales, or retail purpose...

I have had many years experience as a Mazda Parts Manager here in Australia, so I think I have some authority on how their vehicle model code system works.

I look at the vehicles V.I.N (Vehicle Identification Number) model code as any Mazda spare parts person does..
The RX-8 shares the same model code alphabetical sequencing as the RX-7.
The RX-7's VIN model code history starting prefixes are SA (FB), FC, FD, and RX-8....FE

Mazda have never before shared a model code sequence for any all new rotary until the RX-8, I can go back 40 years.

In fact their piston engine cars also have their own model codes and don't share any VIN resemblance like the RX-7 and RX-8.

MX-5 Miata...NA,NB,NC.
Old 626..GC,GD,GE

The vehicles model code also has a direct correlation to Mazda part numbers and their identification/use.

It is my belief that the RX-8 is the RX-7 replacement apart from the name.

The only visible difference is the RX-8 being a 4 door sports car where all RX-7's were 2 door sports.

The RX-8 should therefore have its own unique VIN model code starting prefix as ALL other Mazda's do.

Mazda has never reused or rebirths a rotary models RX- name after it has been discontinued for export use...

So I believe that the RX-7's name is gone for good.

Tirminyl

Even though the manufacturer and higher up themselves stated the RX-8 is not the RX-7 replacement and the only RX-7 replacement is the RX-7. It is a successor to the RX name.

Socr8tes

But the answer to all Ford's problems is right here:

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...1029/1508/FREE

vOc

Sad

Japan8

That sounds a lot more like an April Fools joke... or...

They are wrong about the styling and name, but Ford is listening to us (and Car mags) about bringing back RWD sports sedans in the US... like the Australian Ford Falcon.

Tirminyl

Which already fits perfectly with the Ford Falcon being dubbed a 4-door Mustang :D

I like this idea and Ford is finally listening. Bring us the Aussie V8's (and straight 6)!!!

Tirminyl

I do believe this wagon/sedan will be shared platform between the Mustang, Lincoln, and whatever this model name would be. Hell, they can call it Falcon for the US.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Haven't you read RG's response in the other thread? I suggest comparing Chassis code instead of VIN numbers.

Japan8

I agree completely. And while some people might think a Mustang sedan/wagon for the family is cool... the Mustang enthusiasts will be in an uproar... and Ford listens to them a lot.... they are regular repeat buyers. So the looks and name being Mustang just sounds too far fetched, but a RWD sedan/wagon based on the Mustang's platform or the Falcon's... that's a great idea and something that Ford could use in their lineup.

bascho

As a Ford employee I can tell you that a Mustang wagon is never going to happen. As a Mustang owner and long-time enthusiast I can tell you that if it ever did happen, I would drive my car to the WHQ in Dearborn and light that bitch on fire.

......and I wouldn't be alone.

This Mustang wagon has the same probablility of happening as an RX8 wagon or MX5 wagon.

playdoh43

if the dodge magnum can work i dont see why a mustang wagon would be so bad?

j_tso

the magnum isn't a legacy car. It has no hisory behind it like the Mustang or charger does, that's why the RX-8 is not called RX-7

ASH8

The Chassis number code is part of the vehicles VIN...