Ford car production ain't what it used to be

The people who work for Ford are the same people pushing for Iraq War... Like the Surge for example, if the Surge is working then why pushing for another $50 billion Surge? Soon we all will line up for soup, sooner or later the country will realize the mistake like Ford motor, making huge trucks years after years, same idea, same people.

DUH! Ford still sells the highest volume vehicle in the US, the F150 that sells at a rate nearly twice that of the Camry, the best selling car, because that is what buys want to buy.

For every car sold in the US in 2007 there is a truck sold in the US, why do you think Nissan and Toyota offer Trucks and Honda even tried to make a "truck" out of the Accord with the Ridgeline? The second and third best sellers are the Chevy and Dodge truck, not cars ;)

Ford isn't selling as many F150s now that gas seems to be permanently above $3. Sales are down 12% so far this year.

F-series 635,520 -12.4% Camry 434,277 + 5.8% Accord 360,976 +10.8%

If this trend continues, the F-series could be down to #3 in about three years.

Bzzzt. Oh, I'm sorry. The correct answer (based on sales YTD) is:

1. F-Series
2. Silverado
3. Camry
4. Accord
5. Corolla
6. Ram

Better luck next time.

BTW, Ram was 4th in sales last year behind Camry so your "facts" are at least a year out of date.

Hey Mike, care to comment on US Ford sales falling behind Toyota this year? Or the fact that Toyota may pass Chevy to be the best selling brand?

That's what happens when they don't build vehicles the customers want. And now all three in Detroit are under new management. I like the turnaround in GM so far. Time will tell.

So where does that leave Toyota? For the last ten years they have devoted far more dollars in the US to building ever larger trucks and SUVs. The Toyota car line is stagnant (except for the Prius). Seems to me they have been following exactly the same strategy as Ford. The only difference being they have a protected home market, lower cost labor, and a lot of positive press for some really ordinary products (as a friend of mind explained it - Toyotas are EXTRA ORDINARY). Almost every company that sells vehicles in the US has rushed to produce some mix of vans, SUVs, Crossovers, and Trucks. Even BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and VW are selling SUVs. Apparently the Ford strategy was not so bad.

Ed

Well the November news was not all bad for Ford. They actually sold more vehicle in November of 2007 than November 0f 2006. And in fact, Ford's monthly sales were up more in November of this year (compared to last November) than were Toyotas (Ford was up 0.6%, Toyota was up 0.3%).

And apparently the new Tundra is turning into a disaster. Despite piling on incentives, Tundra sales can only be described as extremely disappointing (sales fell in November, and it is unlikely that Toyota will meet it sales goals for the new monster truck). In my opinion, Toyota screwed the pooch on this one. They replaced a reasonable sized truck with a ridiculously large loser. I do see a few of them around town now, but the only person I know that owns one is very disappointed. It sucks gas and rattles like an old Dodge.

Ed

The Camry was all-new for 2007 and included a hybrid version. The xB is new. The xD is new. The Yaris was introduced within the last two years. The Rav was all-new in 2006. The Tundra is new in 2007. The 4Runner was extensively reworked (don't know if it was a chassis-up changeover) in the last few years. The Avalon is all-new in the last couple of years. The FJ Cruiser is recent. The Highlander is all-new this year. The Corolla is expected to be replaced this year. The Sienna was new in 2004. The Tacoma is new in the last couple of years.

You have a curious definition of "stagnant."

Yup! Soon the number will go like this:

F-series 635,520 -32.4% Camry 434,277 + 35.8% Accord 360,976 +30.8%

Still in your denial ha Mike Hunt? Go check out Craigslist, lots of F-series owners trying to sell theirs.... Heehee....

And so far GMC and FORD bought parts from CHINA... Can you interpret that? Plus Bush pour all our resources to develop IRAQ.

I said "car line." Most of the vehicle you are claiming to be new are trucks or SUVs (or Scions). The point is that Toyota is following exactly the same strategy people are claiming was a bad move for Ford.

I suppose the one exception is the "all new" Camry for 2007. But then Ford had an all new Mustang in 2004, all new 500 in 2005, and all new Fusion in

2006. The Yaris is just a warmed over Japanese product. There are a few new Scion models, but they are mostly just warmed over Japanese models sold as Scions (not Toyotas). The point is, Toyota and Ford seem to be following exactly the same strategy. When Ford concentrates on trucks and SUVs while skimping on new "cars" they are criticized for following a bad strategy. When Toyota follows the same strategy, it is considered a good strategy.

Ed

Come on now Ed, the Mustang was all new for 2005. :-)

You are correct.

Ed

Perhaps but the fact remains as of today the two best selling vehicles are trucks not cars and both GM and Ford outsell any import. Not too many years ago Ford was the best selling 'brand' in the US and the same pundits were predicting Ford Motor Company would outsell GM in the US 'if the trend continued,' but you are entitled to you own opinion ;)

Toyota does well with their imported midget, small and now American assembled midsize cars and the union made small trucks but when it comes to full size cars and trucks they are an "also rans." The Avalon, the T100 have been sales slugs and the Tundra is turning out to be a disaster.

If the Toyota loyalist want a Tundra they should go to one of the Manheim Auto Auctions. Brand new 47K 4WD Tundras are going through the block as low as the mid twenties

Perhaps but the F150 is still by far the best selling vehicle in the US Hee Hee

Yup. Contract demand 479799025B.

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Well Ford is going to be #3 in US sales as of 2007 and that isn't my opinion, it's a fact you can take to the bank. As for Toyota beating Chevy in 2007, that is a toss-up right now.

So these two pickups are the best sellers, so what? That will be scant consolation if Ford and GM go under. It is profit that counts at the end of the day. Either Toyota or Honda could afford to buy both GM and Ford just to put them out of their misery.

True but... Toyota's basis (what they sold in November 2006) was a record month, as was November 2007. Ford is up 0.6% over being in the toilet. Toyota outsold Ford in November by 15,000.

If you look at the year rather than just one month, Toyota is up 4% and Ford is down 12% versus 2006.

Good. I am glad to see any of these stupid trucks fail in the marketplace. Maybe it will influence them and the other automakers to build more sensible vehicles. I would guess that 90% of the pickups I see (admittedly it is an urban environment) are being used for jobs that could be better served by a subcompact.

I think $3 gas is doing a lot of good.

Fact is something already happened. Calling your own prediction as fact? No it aint no fact, I'm afraid you will be disappointed, because what already happened may not repeat itself. Because Ford moves too slow, the Chinese carmakers will beat all of you up again, with cheaper and good gas cars. Go to Habor Freight, and Walmat and enlighten yourself. The Chinese investors now are buying American banks. I used to hear you called the Chinese hyping, man we're 180 degree direction!! Sad sad... I am poorer and poorer with you, make no mistake, I am trying to wake you up.