Ford's Fast Forward

Big response to my last blog on Ford Motor Company's acceleration of The Way Forward program, dubbed 'Fast Forward.' Here's a taste of what you're saying:Editor's Note: Some submissions have been edited slightly from original versions

Ford's problems are mostly of their own making. Paying customers buy products that represent their needs/wants and perceived value, period.Over the last 10-years Ford has had competitive product offerings in several categories - namely full-size truck, small and medium SUV, and sports car with new Mustang. This is severely inadequate for a car company that is supposed to be mainstream.

A full range of competitive products is the right answer. Then sales would increase and plants would expand. It is that simple. But Ford has the opposite situation, and it is entirely their own fault by not focusing on core products that the customer will love.

The customer has instead chosen to "love" the Honda Civic/Accord and the Toyota Corolla/Camry. Simply because these cars provided customer value that the second-class Ford Focus/Contour did not.

Ford has to concentrate on building competitive mainstreams vehicles. For example, the Ford Ranger at one time was leader of the pack in compact trucks. It was not mentioned in your article. Ford fumbled the lead in this vehicle category - the Ranger is very stale. It is their market loss and a loss for the workers at that plant or plants. Think about it. If today Ford had a competitive, tough-as-nails, compact pickup with high-mileage gas and diesel engines they would have a market winner. But they don't, and it is simply Ford's own fault for not continuing to improve the product.I could go on, but hopefully the point has been made.
--DENNIS PILLOW

Fast forward? Maybe Ford should rewind instead. While the Fusion looks nice, it is stuck with a lackluster 220hp (Editor's note: '07 Fusion is 221hp, huge difference, we know). I know the original SHO also had 220hp, but it felt like it had all the horses present, plus a few more. The Five Hundred is not my cup of tea, however, it does have a pleasing design, but sadly it has a lower power engine than the Fusion. Ford's entry level, the Focus, is old news, although it does look nice, it is chained to last millennium's chassis, and still underpowered compared to the competition. Ford still has the style covered, but what happened to the power?

Ford needs a boost under the hood. First, the Focus needs at least 200hp to even look competitive to the Civic Si. Second, the Fusion would look very tempting with a 300hp V6, all-wheel drive, and a 6-speed manual, a modern day Taurus SHO. Third, the Five Hundred is desperately crying for the 4.4L V8, but not to step on Lincoln's or Volvo's toes, a detuned 280hp 4.0L version would suffice. Fourth, Ford /needs/ to import the Falcon, Fairlane and their FPV variants from Australia, along with the European Fiesta and Ka. Last, Ford should consider another Thunderbird, not like the previous generation, nor the '90s overweight barge, but rather the '80s version, an extended wheelbase Mustang. The cure for Ford's ills is a shot of Vitamin H - Horsepower.
--RONALD NOTTINGHAM; Dalton, GA

I decided to write because I am avid lover of Ford products owning a 1965 and a 2005. I feel that their front wheel drive is one of the main problems. People want more response while driving and cannot get it with front wheel drive, which feels awkward, because it has too much control. I believe that if they started moving their cars to rear wheel drive it would accelerate sales. The other major factor is engines, if these cars had bigger, more powerful, more efficient engines with rear drive, it would make it a great car again.
--JEDIDIAH