Carmakers build cars. The Truth About Cars (TTAC) reviews cars. What’s the problem with that? Any car company that takes account of TTAC’s no-holds-barred reviews is better positioned to appreciate their strengths and learn from their mistakes. To grow, develop, improve, compete and thrive. And yet, the list of automakers that refuse us access to their press cars is, shall we say, comprehensive. As of today, I’m launching a campaign to change that, to get the latest vehicles into the hands of TTAC’s reviewers. Not by altering this website’s call-it-like-we-see-it remit (heaven forfend), but by appealing to the automakers’ sense of honesty, integrity and fair play—and bludgeoning them with our site stats (1m+ unique visits per month, over 2m page views, top Google rankings).
It’s going to be an uphill battle. But it’s always been an uphill battle. And TTAC does have its industry supporters. Ford, for example, has put us in the driver’s seat of many of their new products. For that, we salute The Blue Oval Boyz—who’ve promised to read your comments below. So please, join me in thanking FoMoCo for having the courage to face the music, and dance.
There will be more updates to follow, so you can know which carmakers are willing to consider the truth about cars. [If any car company wants to reach out, please email farago@ttac.com]
Congratulations Ford!
It really is true that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!
Yet another reason that Ford is the only one of the three domestics I’ll consider when shopping for a new car!
Ford has come a long way since their lawsuit against blueovalnews.com.
I’m seeing an increasing level of consumer interest in the Fusion over at TrueDelta.com. It’s becoming the car to buy for people who want to buy domestic, but are afraid to.
+1 Rick T!
I will be placing an order for a new F150 4-door this fall!
Exactly what Rick T said ^.
My coworkers respect my information and thoughts on cars. I can honestly say that I sold two Ford Fusions for the Blue Oval Boys. And I own a Honda. The Fusion was just the best product for what they’ve needed. So, the message is finally getting through. Good job! Keep building good cars.
I give hearty thanks to the folks in Dearborn. Your cars keeping getting better, and I glad you give TTAC the opportunity to try them out.
Heck, it’s worked so far. I have a 2009 Flex in my garage!
Keep up the good work Ford! Even though I currently drive an Acura and a Mazda (Ford in a way), I still consider myself a Ford guy ever since my grandmother bought her ’88 Taurus. Great car, the ’97 and ’02 not so much.
Ford bring us more sporty cars with nice interiors, and more manual transmissions. Don’t let any of your vehicles rot on the vine anymore!
The Ford area at the Feb. ’09 Chicago auto show was much better than the others. People really liked the Hybrid driving simulators and Mustang area exhaust sounds. There were several Fusions and Mustangs in different trim levels instead of the others with just a fully loaded car. Also had Ford credit there to give a quick idea what price range you can get credit for.
I got a Fusion in March, I am very happy with it.
Just bring over the Focus RS, and I’ll be in the Ford showroom signing on the dotted line when my Subaru lease is up.
Ford sold me on a new Fiesta, or next-gen Focus if I can hold out that long. They still need to work on my wife, though, who thinks Ford = Pinto.
Thanks Ford.
If Ford can keep their products as reliable and enjoyable to drive as my 2006 Fusion SE then I’ll be happy to keep them at or near the top of my shopping list. I’ll probably be checking the reviews and comments here for some insight before I purchase however.
Can we get some sort of new Ranger? Like with a new chassis and everything? I would consider a small Ford pickup when my Tacoma wears out, and I wouldn’t say that about a GM or Chrysler pickup.
Sorry! Duplicate!
Bought my first domestic car last year, after 10 years of VW, BMW, MB… a 94 GT Stang ‘vert, for loud flowmaster hoonery.
Drove the ’10 GT Stang on a whim. Want it.
Robert: Good Luck! I think that it’s a missing ingredient from the site. I opened the 2005 Tribeca review and said a prayer for you (while snickering).
Ford: Good on ‘ya. You’re going to make me like you, aren’t you? What’s next, a return to F1?
Guzzi’s wife summarizes the problem very well. It’s exactly the problem facing all the domestics. Decades of getting burned by shoddy domestic products – which translates today into the lack of consideration problem – that hurts all of them in conquesting new buyers to their brands.
Ford’s marketing effort with the Fiesta represents a brilliant effort to start anew with a generation that has no memory of past domestic products. All they know is that their parents bought away – Euro or Japanese vehicles. But the kids don’t have any basis not to consider a domestic car, especially one with techno gadgets and “cool” features. Having “agents” promote and explain that they like their test Fiestas – via the electronic media – to other kids represents the fresh thinking at Ford. It’s got Farley’s signature all over it.
Thank you, Ford. This is one more example of showing yourself to be the one stand-up car company in the US. I look forward to reading reviews on this site and appreciate your willingness to put your products out there for honest reaction.
My hero!
A new Ranger would be great as long as it didn’t grow in size. Update the chassis, improve safety and keep it as a compact truck. It’s already fairly economical in 4cyl guise but more improvements in that area would make it even more appealing.
The Ford brand pretty much has a good car in every segment there is, with the exception of the minivan (if you consider that a segment or maybe the Flex is their minivan). I really don’t see a “weak” car in their lineup. They have all the bases covered.
Good job Ford and keep it up. Learn from your past mistakes in order to be stronger. Don’t be afraid to try new things that have never been done before. Be bold!
‘Fortune favors the brave’
For a long time, from about the ages of 4 to 12, my favorite car in the whole world was my dad’s green Ford pickup. Unfortunetly, another Ford never really grabbed my attention until recently (although there were a couple Mazdas in there). Although the Focus did start off great, but hasn’t received the updates or development it deserved; at least on this side of the Atlantic.
But in the last few years Ford’s started putting out a number of cars that I’m actually considering when it comes time for a new car in the next year or so, across a wide range of price points; from the new Fiesta, all the way up to a Fusion hybrid. And while Lincoln and Mercury don’t even show up on my radar (they’re both still around, right?) both Volvo and Mazda are making great looking cars on shared platforms, the Mazda3 and C30 are also at the top of my list.
There have been a few screw ups; like the 500 which should have been called a Taurus from the begining (and not looked like a puffed up Passat), or the Freestyle, which was pretty much just a nice rental car. But all in all I’ve found myself looking forward to seeing what new cars are coming out from Ford. Unlike the other domestics, where I’ve pretty much given up. And seeing that they have enough faith in their offerings to have them reviewed honestly at TTAC definitely counts for something.
Purchased lots of Ford stock when nobody would and was laughed at.
My finance manager thought I was nuts.
I knew they had the best plan for the next few years.
And proof you don’t need a CAR MAN to run a company.
Just a manager who listens.
And learns.
One of the first purchase the new MKS last October.
Very pleased that I did.
Fantastic new car…with a few thoughts
1) Make trunk opening so I can put things in it.
2) Cup holders…well, OK, but not for two at the same time? They crush each other.
3) Why wasn’t the turbo available when I bought one!?
That’s my next purchase.
Own a 2009 New Mazda6…
I presume Ford had a handle in the development.
Really the best low cost family sedan out there.
I’m willing to consider a Ford car for my next purchase provided their reliability is above average. I think the new Fiesta is the best looking small car I’ve seen, and I’m Ok with the look of Focus. I tested 2008 Focus SES for comfort, and it was good. The price was great – 17,500 CAD for a fully loaded Focus…
I drove Ford Mondeos when I lived and worked in London and Amsterdam. It’s easy for them to turn the company around — just sell here what they sell in Europe. Damn good cars!
Twotone
If a company can’t take some bad press, then it doesn’t tell me anything positive about how that company is run.
GM/Chrysler especially, why don’t you listen to what folks on websites like this are trying to tell you? The comments are usually constructive.
For example, read today’s Ram review. I know that it’s easy to blame gas prices for poor sales, but your product is just not moving. Take the time to see what people are saying about your product. Another example is the Sebring – all I can say about that is that I hope the entire Sebring team has been fired.
As for GM, we are all sick of hearing, with every new car launch, that this is the new wonder car that’s going to bring GM back. Only to watch it become a flop, again, due to some obvious cost cutting on interior/pushrod engines/4 speed transmission.
Ford. Keep it going.
I’m looking at new cars for when my leases comes up… Interested but distressed to see many Ford’s are not available in darkish blue (aka shelby blue of the old GT40’s and original mustangs, or Kona Blue in new mustang or Dark Ink Blue in Lincolns) which all fords have traditionally looked so good in… (the blue available for the Fiesta, Fusion Sport and Taurus are too light.)
Ford has the biggest clue among the artists formerly known as the Big 3. I think their model lineup has some promise, and I would seriously consider their products if I were in the market for a new car.
However, sooner or later they’re going to have to get around to fixing the problem of some pretty awful local dealers.
C’mon Ford! Be the first one to allow me to purchase a car online without having to deal with some local-yocal jackass dealership.
Ford isn’t afraid of a TTAC review because they make good cars, and they know it. I’m a longtime owner of used Fords, but I’m thinking seriously about breaking my “no new cars” vow for a new Fiesta next year.
Ford,
If only you had brought the new Focus already, maybe I wouldn’t have bought a Mazda3 for my sister-in-law. As it stands, I’ll be happy to move to Europe soon, where you offer more competitive and stylish vehicles than in the U.S.
Congrats for working with a website that gave 1-star to your ford focus!
Congratulations Ford!
I have three toddlers with all the trimmings. We live unhappily with a minivan and an old SW2. I want to get rid of the small wagon because it is too narrow for all those car seats! But, Good heavens! I can’t decide which Ford!
I want a vehicle that seats 5 with room and versatility, great gas mileage and cachet. I like it to be under $30,000.
A Flex? Too big. Interior not toddler-proof.
An Escape? Nah. That design is too old and heavy.
An Explorer? That gas mileage?
Taurus X? Duller than a Honda.
Edge? It’s an Escape with designer duds, right?
Now, there is the new Transit – and I’m very intrigued!
The price is right.
The size is right.
The package is right.
Gas mileage is good.
Can you do something like the Transit for families? I read somewhere that there is a show circuit Transit for families. Looked a little excessive – but I think it is the right direction. After a decade of Saturns, I think it’s time to rekindle my love for Fords.
Alright Ford! I knew there was a reason I was strongly considering buying a Ford next time I go looking for a new car. Actually, that reason is because I believe their products are (finally) fully competitive.
Now, if they would only drop the EcoBoost in an AWD Fusion with a 6 speed manual, I might be looking for that new car sooner than anticipated. Provided, of course, that they buck their current trend over overpricing and offer the car below $35k. Hey, maybe then they could sell it without resorting to a bundle of cash on the hood in the form of rebates and specials.
Thank you Ford! At least we recognize your innovations, like Ecoboost, unlike some talking heads!
http://jalopnik.com/5317204/cnbcs-phil-lebeau-cant-make-ecoboost-point-with-talking-heads
TTAC caused my business partner to buy Ford stock, and we did very well on it.
I’d love to see a review of a Fusion Hybrid here – any possibility of that?
D
Got off the American car kick for close to 30 years (thanks to GM’s MBA engineering). Finally broke down and got an ’06 Ranger 4×4. Great truck. No problems. Yup, next car will be American (that’s as in Ford, NOT as in Government Motors or that other car company – whatever it was called).
I liked the Ford sedans I owned while in the kid wrangling phase of life. Went away from them when they replace the Gen 1 Taurus with the elliptical exercise next gen.
I will need to replace an aging ’99 A4 and the Fusion is on the list. The new A4s are too tarted up, too heavy and too expensive. Just hope they feature a real sport handling option before I need to look at one.
A Fusion wagon or hatchback with a 6-speed manual, and I am there so fast! Of course I am probably the only one in the country.
Ford has some good products right now, although nothing they currently offer fits what I’m looking for.
But I have to give a little dig to whomever was in charge of the Ford booth at this year’s Vancouver (BC) auto show. They had a new 2010 Mustang in the booth, but it was one of only a handful of cars that were locked. All the others were $100k plus exotics.
So here is a brand new Mustang, and nobody is milling around it. People would look, find the door locked, and promptly move on to the Hyundai Genesis coupe only 12 feet away. No chance to experience the brand new interior, check out the trunk, or the interior fit and finish. No look at the engine. What a wasted opportunity.
Proud to be a Fordie! (home sick today so no chop bustin’ for posting not working!)
TTAC reviews of Ford products, along with selected news items and editorials have been showing up on Ford’s internal news ‘clipsheet’ for some time now, so someone’s been looking here for a while, at least.
I said long ago that Ford really had gotten the message, and had truly changed for the better. Glad to see that this truth is finally taking hold.
Three cheers for Mr. Mulally and the whole management team . . . and three more for all the rest of us who are riding out the storm on the way to a bright future.
Drive One!!!
It takes a level of courage to be willing to listen to an honest evaluation of one’s product. My compliments to the leadership at the Blue Oval team for providing vehicles to TTAC. I think this represents a huge step in corporate accountability for Ford.
Congratulations.
Stick that Ecoboost V6 into the Fusion with a 6 speed manual and AWD and we’ll call it even.
Otherwise, good going Ford.
Dearest Ford,
I have owned FoMoCo products my entire life until I purchased my latest car, a yota. I only bought the FJ when I realized the newest Bronco was not going to be made ( http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z7773/Ford-Bronco-Concept.aspx ).
Anyway, Ford is the only domestic I still have any respect for. That is underscored by the fact you encourage REAL auto journalism like that of TTACs.
Thank you for having balls.
It’s not for nothing that Ford is enjoying a much better rep these days than any other US automaker. Kudos to them.
Ford did us all a favor by creating the new Mustang. Too bad they wound up firing a number of the main decision makers that actually made the car worth buying.
Congrats to Ford for not bowing down and sucking the guvment tit. Gave me MUCH more respect for Ford compared to the other two.
Finally, one word of complaint. Years ago (90’s) Ford started making some really nice looking pickups… then they apparently got into a contest with GM to see who could build the UGLIEST truck. How bout getting some new designers and start making EXCITING looking trucks and other vehicles? (You’re doing good on the Mustang). And here’s a hint to help you with design… DON’T ask a Prius drivers opinion on styling. Please.
I am hopeful that Ford does not give TTAC a “carefully prepared evaluation vehicle” for your test. Some of the vehicles in manufacturer test fleets are configured and prepared in such a way that real customers would never actually buy them that way. Ringers.
But I’m sure TTAC will stick to the truth. :)
Ford isn’t just vehicles, it’s heritage. I’m pulling for it to survive and succeed. It’s been my favorite car company since I was 13. If I could find a Fusion or Milan in light green like my wife wants (having seen a Sienna in that color), it’d soon be in our garage.
I’m glad to hear Ford promised to read TTAC comments because I have several suggestions:
— More emphasis on Fusion’s NVH control to bring it to the standard set by Camry.
— A Transit that competes with Fit, etc.
— A Lincoln-branded Flex trimmed for the executive limo and service car industries. (A Flex-based Lincoln hearse would be a natural.)
— Station wagon models for Focus and Fusion.
— The return of straight lines to Grand Marquis and Town Car. Pneumatic design is so over.
— An Escape that’s trim as a CR-V. (But keep the good rear visibility, please!)
— A Police Interceptor version of the Taurus.
Ford’s welcome to use any of these, royalty-free. All I ask is the free use of an MKZ. (What used to be called “Zephyr,” before Lincoln went nuts over initials for model names.)
RF: “and bludgeoning them with our site stats (1m+ unique visits per month, over 2m page views, top Google rankings.”
And THAT my friend is EXACTLY why they WON’T be real excited about giving you new cars to test.
If your going to call their POS a POS (i.e. tell the truth), and MILLIONS of people are going to read that, wwweelll, then they’d much rather just keep plying the slobberin’ beer drinkin’ sofa spuds with those brain dead MULTI-MILLION dollar TV advertisments.
They ain’t real enthused about someone who’s going to tell the masses the truth…
Ford has learned what GM and Chrysler refuse to; it’s all about the product. You fellas are building some good vehicles, and are offering consumers vehicles that are satisfying to own and buy. My wife and I own a 2009 Mustang and are extremely happy with it (although a full power driver’s seat would be a definite plus!!). Thank you, FoMoCo, for proving that Americans can build cars that stand up against the best the foreign competitors can offer. Don’t let it go to your heads, though. Keep putting the best cars possible on the streets, you will reap the benefits.
By the way…
Driving a rental 2010 Mustang this week in Florida.
Um…what’s with the trans?
I mean it is CONSTANTLY shifting to the larger gear when I am not yet at the speed I want.
My son even complained about the constant up and down whining.
He asked if it was me not knowing how to drive.
Well, maybe.
But its an automatic and its simple city suburban traffic.
And the seats really wouldn’t do for a long dive.
Just sayin…..
Show me the 5 year 60K mile bumper to bumper warranty, then I’ll be a believer.
Go get ’em Ford! Even though as a taxpayer I’m hoping that the “new” GM makes it, I’m rooting for Ford, since you are proof positive that the management can and does make a difference.
One minor niggling note: My wife and I rented a Ford Fusion recently and found it to be an entirely satisfactory car, with the exception of the seats. These are in my experience a holdover from the “old” Ford, where the seats were intended only to be comfortable long enough to sell the car. This car deserves better seats, even if they feel a little harder in the showroom. Otherwise, the Fusion is a worthy competitor to the Camry.
Good luck and thanks from another TTAC regular.
I’ve made no less than 3 friends TTAC regular readers due to the no-BS reviews.
Good stuff Ford for having a pair and letting them hang.
Side note: I don’t get some readers hung up on only reviewing “enthusiast’s” cars. An honest review of a Fiesta is as pertinent as a review of a Porsche.
I can’t say for sure that I would buy another Ford, but I will always give you special consideration.
Good luck in all your endeavours.
I have always had a soft spot for Ford. As a child in the 70’s, I grew up in a household that had 2 Pintos and a (Euro Ford)Mercury Capri. Since my father drove over 100 miles per day for work, they needed to be reliable. With the exception of a fan belt, not one of them let him down. Unfortunately, Dad bought a gaggle of GM cars in the years that followed. They were not as reliable, and not as fondly remembered.
When I turned 16, I learned to drive on a 1984 Mustang GT, and my car-nut fate was sealed. I realized that I LOVED cars.
The Mustang SVO, Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, Lincoln Mark VII and Merkur XR4Ti became some of my favorites. For me, very few cars of the day came close. (In fact, I still own a 1984 SVO–it’s a keeper.)
Then, the Taurus/Sable of 1986: Wow. Compared to the boxy, bland, pedestrian sedans of the 80’s, the Taurus was exciting. The first one I saw was through a crowd of people at the local mall, surrounding it, debating it. By the time the SHO arrived, Ford could do no wrong in my eyes.
But over the next 2 decades, the competition got a lot better. And I couldn’t understand why Ford got so complacent with cars, made such huge bets on trucks, and made tactical errors by purchasing Jaguar, Volvo, etc. while letting Lincoln rot on the vine. And the beloved Mustang was beginning to remind me of Mick Jagger–still had some moves, but it’s age was showing.
Today, I feel like Ford is really clawing its way back from the product abyss. (And I have fallen back in love with the Mustang, thank you very much!)
Going forward, my advice to the powers-that-be at Ford is this: Make it part of the Ford culture to Excite People with your products. A Ford should always be attainable, so don’t create these exciting products for the rich only. Also, don’t forget the younger clientele–once they respect your products, they will create more buzz than you can buy. Finally, continue to make Quality a priority.
And for goodness sake, don’t take your eye off the ball again!
Ditto– the longer warranty, if your cars are good whats it going to cost you. Get honest and own up to your mistakes, you know 4 aluminum threads are not enough to hold the spark plug in the 4.6 truck engine. Thousands of customers have paid $3000.00 to have one head replaced. Go to http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_spark.html. The internet will make you get honest.
Something just doesn’t feel right around here…
Oh yeah…flaming Pintos, Taurus AXOD, flaming Crown Victorias, rolling Explorers, flaming F150’s, shooting sparkplugs…a Ford article wouldn’t be the same without these trigger words.
Well, good on ya Ford. Also, good on ya for your continued support of motorsports in all forms. I was at the Kohler Challenge vintage racing weekend at Road America this weekend, and your GT40 display was outstanding, as was your Ford Motorpsports display down by the lower paddock. The “Ride & Drive” and drifting exhibitions were great marketing outlets for your products, and very entertaining during the lull in between race groups. This kind of direct marketing engagement is what you and others need to be doing far more of, so please do keep it up!
To the auto companies out there I’d say that you need to realize that internet-savvy car enthusiasts and car purchase “influencers” — which includes most TTAC B&B I’d aver — are way too “plugged-in” to be swayed by shills and stupid marketing schemes. We’re on to you like a bad habit if you try to shill your products through the sycophantic buff book media. We can smell marketing spin BS a thousand fiber optic miles away, so don’t waste your marketing $$$ trying.
Instead, earn our business earnestly: Put out solid, well designed and executed cars and trucks, engage the auto blog world confidently, forthrightly, and even-handedly, then let the chips fall where they may. Let the cars speak for themselves, and take any criticism for what it is – a chance to learn what other people really think about your vehicles from outside your own echo chamber. And a chance to earn our business – and those we influence – you might not get otherwise.
@h82w8 Well, good on ya Ford. Also, good on ya for your continued support of motorsports in all forms.
The old saying used to be “Race on Sunday, sell on Monday”.
Don’t know how well it applies these days though.
Well done Ford. I come from a family of Ford owners and have finally convinced my wife to ditch her 99 4Runner for an 06 Freestyle LTD and she loves it. Her family will take longer as they all drive Nissans and Acuras and will not even consider Fords despite my telling them over and over again that Ford quality is up there with Toyonda and that Ford builds fun cars. It is starting to gain some traction as my MIL drove my 05 Focus ST for a week and told me it was as fun as her Acura. Keep it up Ford, I am rooting for you.
Hi Ford folks. Thanks for listening.
Our family’s had Fords/Mercurys/Lincolns for 50 years.
I’m 37 and put 208,000 miles on an ’97 Escort before buying a Focus. Maybe I’ll be able to afford those Stang convertibles I keep driving by at the local Ford store? Maybe you’ll consider leasing them again? ;-)
More to the point. I like that you brought back the Taurus name. Nice.
How about some other historic nameplates? Like:
* Continental
* Cougar
* THUNDERBIRD??
Don’t those sound better than some random amalgam of letters and numbers?
I second the Fusion wagon. Toyota (Venza) and Honda (Crosstour?) seem to think people want a non-wagon on stilts when all some of us want is a safe, reliable, practical family car that hold a lot of stuff, while getting good gas mileage. I’ve already seen the great safety ratings on the Fusion at http://www.informedforlife.org, the above average reliability on truedelta.com and the reported average fuel economy on fueleconomy.gov is higher on the ’09 Fusion than the Accord and the Camry. So give me a little more space in the back, and I’m sold.
Ford continues to set itself apart from GM and Chrysler. Good job on that.
Now, can you folks figure out how to get your products’ resale values comparable to those of competing Toyota and Honda products?
Also, count me in on the wagon love. Fusion is going to converge with the Mondeo, right? You will always have Mondeo wagons, right? Ergo, a Fusion wagon please!
The Focus wagon really needs to come back as well. Scads of business users are still doing what they do out of the back of older Focus wagons. Why did you abandon that market? Since the Focus is also going to be a world car it should be trivial to offer the wagon version in North America on the next go round.
Finally, if you want to revive Lincoln for serious you need serious names. MK_ does not cut it, and somewhere in the corporate brain you must know that already! Zephyr was a great name. MKZ is a horrible name. I don’t even know what your other MK_ products are. Lincoln Continental is one of the great brand names of all time. Get with the program!
Ford, thanks for listening.
Kudos for 2005+ Mustang, even more so with 2010+.
This is your youth marketing tool.
Advice:
Don’t take the ‘corporate look’ thing too far, i.e. Mach-3 razor look.
Let your Stylists breathe.
However, pure aggression look is OK, even equipped with with turbo four-bangers.
Gutless is OK with $5/gallon gasoline.
Price with insurance in mind.
Layer with ABS, ESC, 4-wheel disks, with insurance in mind.
I’ll give a cheer for Ford too. My wife and I both like Mustangs, and probably will buy one based on our experience with a rented one a year ago. Really something, coming from someone whose last five main drivers have been Accords.
“Thank you Ford! At least we recognize your innovations, like Ecoboost, unlike some talking heads!
http://jalopnik.com/5317204/cnbcs-phil-lebeau-cant-make-ecoboost-point-with-talking-heads ”
BTW, it really ticks me off that Phil Lebeau gets paid to write and talk about cars. I’ve read a lot of his stuff, and it ranges from wrong to mind-numbingly shallow.
+1 on the resale value…but I think that will come with time. I absolutely love my 2006 SE (4 cylinder with 5 speed…go figure!)…sunroof and 6 CD changer with steering controls. Bought it used (I don’t really do new cars anymore…rather 3 or so year old used) and still love the look of it when it s clean and shiney in that dark maroon metallic. Rented a new Altima on the way home from Huntsville to Charleston, and while the overall driving was a tad more fun in the Altima, the boring gray interior and appallingly cheap metal used in the doors and hood (which fluttered at speeds over 60 MPH) turned me off to it. My dual-color interior of the Fusion and front seats that I truly dig made me miss the Fusion when I saw it again (I was picking up my son’s 1997 Toyota Tercel to bring back to Alabama…that’s another story about superb quality and reliability…why in the hell did Toyota move away from such solid little cars??). Kudos to Ford…I look forward to seeing more coming from the Blue Oval Boyz…maybe a cool Fiesta in a few years for fun!
Too bad Ford doesn’t build a small crew cab pickup, with a diesel.
Good move Ford. Reviews that don’t just regurgitate your press releases can only help. You can identify problems and features that people really like.
Take advantage of TTAC’s policy and let a couple reviewers drive your cars, get two opinions.
after GM announced today they are keeping LaNeve, I am tossing my loyalties out the door. My 3500 customers will now receive a quote on the comparable Ford model. I’ll be visiting a Ford showroom tomorrow.
The truth shall set you free.
And sunlight is a great disinfectant.
All the pay-for-play editorial-buying will only dilute a publication (like CD, RT, etc.) and won’t fool many people for long.
If a company builds a good product, they should not fear having it reviewed honestly.
There is such a thing as good bombast, in addition to the aforementioned, “Less luxury than an Egyptian’s toilet”-variety.
People like GM trying to ‘buy’ editorial are doing nothing more than showing weakness.
Thank you Ford for playing fair. Continue that tradition.
(+Oh, and stop it with the Fugly designs! Bring the euro designs+designers over here, dammit!!! )
Ford,
You guys are by far my most favorite car company out there for the average consumer. My family has owned 6 of your vehicles and although I admit, a couple made us frown, the rest made us loyal customers! I suggest you guys make those European Fords here in the states.
Also, try supporting Libertarian causes seeing as your arch-nemesises (GM and Chrysler) are branded by the government now. Trust me, we libertarians like that your not on the tax payers payroll :)
Is Ford the only manufacturer to provide new cars for road tests? That’s a shame, if it’s true.
Ford has earned a high mark from me. I bought a 2005 Ford Focus for Mrs. Monty, and it has surpassed my expectations. When we were testing possible new cars, it was a standout, along with the Fit and the Mazda 3, but better priced with all the options it had. We have tested several other Fords since then (always looking, always) and Ford seems to have been building quality into their cars since at least 2003, and it’s starting to show results for Ford.
We/I have driven a Freestyle, an Escape, a Fusion and each vehicle for their market segment has been at least in the middle of the pack, if not outstanding. While the Escape is an ancient platform, it’s shape gives it an edge up on the competition for interior room. The Freestyle was, excepting the weak motor, a revelation of quality, refinement and value for it’s then price. The Fusion? If I could convince Mrs. Monty to buy a larger car, that would be the hands down choice. I tested the SE trim with a manual transmission and I was blown away. I liked it far more than the Accord, Camry and Malibu, and only the Mazda 6 (a distant sibling) was a worthy competitor.
I can’t wait for the Fiesta and Focus RS. Those two cars may even stop her pining for a Versa.
I am very positive on Ford, and coming from a former Chrysler and later Toyota fanboy, that’s really saying something.
Good effort, Ford! Keep it up!
Dick
Too bad Ford doesn’t build a small crew cab pickup, with a diesel.
Dick, they do, but not for North America.
Hey, Ford, how come that even Russia gets said Ranger with Crew Cab and diesel AND third generation Focus, but not North America?
Also, since Mazda does not sell a hatchback and station wagon of Mazda6, maybe you should offer Fusion with those two body styles. And Focus station wagon too would be great, since in Canada Transit Connect starts at $26,800.
P.S. I really like new design of Fusion, Taurus, Flex and of course ‘the Horse’!
MUST have
MUSTang!
Whoa… Buickman is a Ford convert? What did I miss? Oh yeah, that bankruptcy…
I’m still really keen on getting a Mazda again… if only the Mazda3 weren’t so ugly in the new iteration.
I guess there’s always waiting for that Focus RS as was mentioned above :D
Long time car fanatic. My wife owns an 07 Focus, not exciting but very dependable. I have owned 5 brand new Fords. I currently own a 370Z and would have liked to look at the Mustang, but it was not out when I bought my car. Ford is always on my short list when it comes to car shopping.
Everyone has an opinion, so why enable (with a press car) opinions you feel are unfavourable? Ford is liking what it sees from TTAC in regards to coverage, so they’re rewarding you with press cars. The many, many others that don’t approve of TTAC will continue to take their press efforts elsewhere, where the subjective truth is more pleasing to their executives.
Glad to see that Ford seems to have a clue, unlike those other two craptacular domestic manufacturers.
My parents bought a used 2004 Ranger last year and seem to like it so far. Too bad the 2010 Ranger looks pretty much the same as the 2004 model. It’d be great if Ford updated it with a better interior and a turbodiesel option.
And while I like the Fiesta, it’s too bad that it’s still not available for sale. I’ll take a look at it when it shows up on lots, but I’m afraid I’ll probably end up buying a Golf TDI when the time comes to replace one of our cars. If Ford offered the Fiesta with their TDCi engine, I’d likely buy it instead if the price is right.
Firms like Ford, poised for greater success, seldom shy away from an informed critique. It not only establishes the stuff they’re made of, but shines a brighter light on what passes for competition from American Leyland and their enablers in DC.
I’ve driven Ford Trucks for years. We’re old friends. I have an Explorer that will be replaced in the next 60 days. And friends don’t let friends drive Obamamobiles.
Come on Ford! Give Jack B. a crack at an ecoboot Flex. And read his honest review carefully for input. (fearless prediction: Upgrade the brakes!)
Both by way of their improving products *and* via the fact that they weren’t in on the huge bail-out, Ford has earned my respect.
I’m not saying they can do no wrong; I’m saying that they are by far the best positioned of the domestic auto manufacturers, and they have *by far* the best line-up.
I’ve be recommending the Fusion for a while now, as I honestly do like it better than the Camry and Accord.
Now Ford, bring us the Fiesta *quickly*, and while you’re at it, give us the Focus you give the rest of the world, including Cosworth and RS variants. Thanks!
Congratulations on the wise decision, Ford. I prefer the reviews at this site than other auto related blogs or magazine reviews for consumers.
Now, when can we expect a diesel Focus?
Further evidence that Ford is the only one of the (formerly) big three that “gets it.” Not sure when I’ll next be in the market for a new car, but sitting here right now I can think of three different Ford vehicles (Flex, Mustang, and Fusion) that I’d genuinely like to own, no domestic handicap applied. Combine that with the fact that they’ve steered clear of the public trough (to a much greater extent than GM/Chrysler, anyway) and they’ve earned a lot of goodwill with me.
Kudos to Ford.
I am 40 and have never purchased, or even considered purchasing, a car from a US manufacturer. My formative years were in Toyotas, Datsuns, and Hondas that were unbelievably reliable. The US-built cars I was exposed to, mainly Pontiacs, would literally break apart before 40k miles. The Chevys and Chryslers were no better.
I would love to buy an “American” car. (I use the quotes because the lines have become so blurred.) I had a rental Fusion and was quite impressed. Much better than the Saturn Aura. Even a Toyota Highlander was filled with cheap interior plastic.
I would seriously consider stepping out of my Acura (talk about a car company that has lost its way) for a Fusion V-6 with AWD and a 6-speed.
The inner teenager in me, like many others on this site, is praying for a Focus RS!
Ford is the only Detroit company I’ll consider when my VW TDI dies (272000km and counting).
Except maybe the Volt – if GM doesn’t chicken out and makes it a true electric car with a gas generator on board.
Kudos to Ford. But it’s tough slog out there – I just bought a low end Civic new for a commuter vehicle because of brand perception and a great finance deal. I would have gone with the Euro spec Focus if it had been available in Canada
And next year when our Mazda 5 goes off lease we need a well designed minivan – the Flex doesn’t hold a candle to the usability of the Sienna / Oddysey, which are far more versatile for us (4 kids 9 & under). It’s too much like an SUV inside where the 3rd row is not usable on a daily basis.
All,
To all you well-wishers out there – thank you. We do believe that regardless of the outcome of any review, we should be prepared to back our product 100% and as such, we are more than happy to get the team at TTAC behind the wheel of our vehicles.
Where they call us out, we can either agree or disagree as you would expect, but honest, well-meaning, well-written and informed commentary on our product is what car journalism is all about, and we stand by that whether in the more traditional print media, the hugely important internet-media and, increasingly nowadays, the social media as well.
We do not expect, (nor I am sure will receive) any preferential treatment for our approach. However, we are confident that our products will stand up to scrutiny, and if not, we will strive to ensure that they do in the future.
Kind regards to all at TTAC (writers and the excellent commentators).
Jay Ward
Ford Communications