xcel
01-14-2007, 09:24 PM
Will it be enough? (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/in-the-news/t-detroit-auto-show-2007-fords-bold-moves-3269.html)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/2008_Ford_Focus_Coupe.jpg Wayne Gerdes/Tom Baleno/Rich Krueger - CleanMPG.com (www.cleanmpg.com) - Dec. 7, 2006
2008 Ford Focus Coupe.
Few companies are as closely identified with the history and development of the automobile industry throughout the 20th century as Ford Motor Company. Ford Motor Company's single greatest contribution to the automotive manufacturing business was the assembly line. First implemented at the Highland Park plant in Michigan, the new technique allowed tremendous efficiencies, helping the company far surpass the production levels of its competitors of the time and making its vehicles much more affordable for the average consumer.
In its 103 years, it has seen its share of highs including the infamous Model T, Thunderbird, Mustang and Taurus to lows including the Edsel. As 2006 came to a close, Ford saw losses exceeding $6.8 Billion in USDs and the red ink is projected to continue into the 2009 model year. With that, Ford has leveraged its name, its brands, its plants and its business to the tune of $23 Billion so it can continue until more profitable times turn the company’s fortunes around. Let us all hope this turn around will occur much sooner then later as this cultural icon can ill afford to be lost to the bankruptcy courts for all our sakes.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/SYNC_Graphic.jpgWhat did Ford bring to the table for 2007? Its main emphasis appears to have been on the Ford - Microsoft technology partnership using Microsoft Auto’s technology in the upcoming Ford “Sync” (http://www.syncmyride.com/) Bluetooth and USB 2.0 connected product. What is Sync? Sync allows consumers to bring a variety of mobile phones or digital media players into their vehicles and operate them by voice command, or by using the steering wheel or radio controls. The first automobile to receive the Ford “Sync” will be the 2008 Ford Focus which in itself had a mid-model year makeover. Sync will also debut later this year on the 2008 Ford Fusion, Five Hundred, Edge, Freestyle, Explorer and Sport Trac, along with the Mercury Milan, Montego, Mountaineer, and on the Lincoln MKX and MKZ.
From our discussions with a variety of reps, the only thing we came up with as far as cost is concerned is that it costs significantly less then a competing Daimler/Chrysler product with a hard drive included at a ridiculous $2,000. My personal opinion is that it had better come with NAVI capability if it is going to cost anything over $1,000. The “Sync” product itself looks to me to be worth all of $250. Although I am not the type of individual who cares much about connectivity or extreme fidelity, I do care that a NAVI screen's graphics can be understood at a glance, NAVI spoken directions or phone messages can be heard clearly enough to be understood by all front seat occupants and that any spoken commands by the driver through his or her cel or to the NAVI unit are understood and sent on to the caller or NAVI system without undue confusion.
Today, just about all manufacturers have NAVI units with these capabilities including Bluetooth connectivity for cels. I am just not sure where Ford will be going with this parallel technology, but Ford has placed quite a bit of advertising $'s behind it. As a counterpoint to my thoughts on its utility, at the 40th Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas this past week, CNET voted Ford Sync as the most significant new product introduced at the show.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/2008_For_Focus_Silver_Exterior.jpgThe 2008 Ford Focus was mentioned above receiving a mid-model makeover. Although it did not receive the European Ford Focus/American Mazda 3 platform which would have allowed it to rise to the top of the Asian owned compact segment in terms of handling performance, it did receive some suspension tuning, a more modern instrumentation package including an a and iFCD (finally!), steering wheel controls with not just a modern look and feel but which can control the new Ford “Sync” feature, NAVI never before seen in an entry level Ford product, and improvements to sealing and sound deadening materials which reduce noise, vibration and harshness providing a somewhat more comfortable and quiet ride versus its predecessor.
Along with the interior technology and consumer friendly options, a somewhat updated exterior including a new 2-door coupe which replaced the 3-door hatchback (ZX3) will be a mainstay. The 5-door Hatch (ZX-5) has been retired. With the rest of the world selling compact sized coupes in numbers that make other manufacturers envious (Fit, Yaris and Versa), I am not sure this was a smart move by Ford? We applaud the inclusion of i and aFCDs in particular as that is indeed a huge enhancement (we did not see them but were told they will be included). With no mechanical improvement to the current 2.0 and 2.0e (PZEV) ICE’s currently rated at 27/37 (07 EPA) with a stick and 27/34 with an Auto, it barely competes with a bevy of much larger automobiles including the mid-sized Honda Accord (24/34 w/Auto), Camry (23/33 w/Auto) last generation Malibu (24/34 w/Auto) or the next generation Malibu with even higher highway FE. Is there any sense in even mentioning the Corolla’s or Civic’s FE capabilities here? I really believe Ford should have improved upon its ICE technology with an increase in FE and lowering of GHG emissions as a Focus (no pun intended) in and of itself.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/2008_Ford_Escape_Hybrid.jpg2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. Although we have previously discussed the 2008 FEH in detail when it was first introduced at the LA Auto show last month, it was nice to see it in person for our own overview.
Exterior … Besides the updated more truck like grille, removal of the previous Escape’s lower cladding and raising the window sill height, the exterior has not really been changed. There was supposedly a small drop in its Cd but we did not receive confirmation of this. A new acoustic laminate sandwiched between two glass panels in the windshield and an acoustic headliner help reduce wind noise. New interior carpeting further improves the isolation from road and wind noise allowing the 2008 Ford Escape hybrid to be 12 percent quieter on the highway and 20 percent quieter in high velocity crosswinds then its predecessor.
The interior is where the real changes lye yet once again, it is more a model refresh then a “Bold Move” we would have expected from a company in this much financial trouble. The interior fabrics are made from a 100% recycled post industrial material and there is a new top of the dash information display with an external temperature indicator, radio functions and climate-control readouts. An advancement? Yes but only to catch up to the latest competition, not meant to surpass it. The two improvements I deemed an absolute necessity was front and side air bags as well as side canopy airbags that protect both rows of occupants as standard equipment. Ford received the message. The second item needed was a much more advanced and competitive sized NAVI screen and system. The Visteon based NAVI unit as sold in the 2005/2006 FEH was too small, not all that user friendly and rated the worst of all NAVI units on the market in the recently released J.D. Power and Associates - Navigation System satisfaction survey (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061113/lam117.html?.v=41). The new unit appears to have overcome the worst attributes of the previous version with a much larger screen and is DVD based. We did not see it live so will have to withhold judgment of its capabilities until sometime in the future.
What about the mechanicals as that is where the rubber meets the road? We know that Ford engineers were working on Gen 3 hybrid drivetrains well over a year ago. What was released was a software based improvement to a Gen 1 drivetrain reducing harshness during the transition between ICE-On and ICE-Off and back again operation. This transition is now supposedly so seamless it should be imperceptible to the driver according to the Ford representatives we spoke with. Nothing that improved its FE or EV capabilities was expected or released. The 08 FEH is possibly running with either a Delphi supplied NiMH pack, inverter/converter, MGSets or control software but again, we received no confirmation that anything had changed?
With GM’s upcoming 08 Saturn VUE with a front wheel drive DualMode drivetrain as well as the now available non-hybrid Jeep Compass using a 2.4L 172 HP I4 achieving 26/30, the 166 HP rated 2.4L equipped Honda CRV at 23/30 or the Toyota Rav4 w/ its 2.4L 166 HP w/ an AUTO punching out 24/30, I think Ford should have upped the ante here. The non-hybrid competition in particular is catching up fast with higher performance ICE’s for less $’s.
Ford’s Concepts shown including the Airstream and Interceptor were so far out that they will probably never see the road with an everyday consumer behind the wheel. The Lincoln MKR with a V8 using DI to receive the FE of a V6 may but I wouldn’t hold my breathe. The refreshed Ford 500 looks again to be too old in style to make the splash it could have 2 years ago if designed with a bit more youth in the first place.
Overall, I was very under whelmed with what Ford presented and I can only hope they can somehow advance plans for updated and exciting interiors similar to the recently introduced 08 Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac CTS. I hope they install new life under the hood with engines capable of higher FE as well since that is where they are severely lacking from my perspective.
Our Ford Focus Product Representative at the 2007 NAIAS - Beth Donovan. --- 2008 Ford Focus - Info Center and Entertainment controls upper.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/Beth_Donovan_-_Ford_Product_Representative.jpghttp://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/2008_Ford_Focus_Interior_climate_and_entertainment_controls_upper.jpg
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/2008_Ford_Focus_Driver_Instrumentation.jpghttp://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/2008_Ford_Focus_Interior_climate_entertainment_controls_lower.jpg
2008 Ford Focus driver instrumentation. ------------ A/C and Entertainment controls lower.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/2008_Ford_Focus_Coupe.jpg Wayne Gerdes/Tom Baleno/Rich Krueger - CleanMPG.com (www.cleanmpg.com) - Dec. 7, 2006
2008 Ford Focus Coupe.
Few companies are as closely identified with the history and development of the automobile industry throughout the 20th century as Ford Motor Company. Ford Motor Company's single greatest contribution to the automotive manufacturing business was the assembly line. First implemented at the Highland Park plant in Michigan, the new technique allowed tremendous efficiencies, helping the company far surpass the production levels of its competitors of the time and making its vehicles much more affordable for the average consumer.
In its 103 years, it has seen its share of highs including the infamous Model T, Thunderbird, Mustang and Taurus to lows including the Edsel. As 2006 came to a close, Ford saw losses exceeding $6.8 Billion in USDs and the red ink is projected to continue into the 2009 model year. With that, Ford has leveraged its name, its brands, its plants and its business to the tune of $23 Billion so it can continue until more profitable times turn the company’s fortunes around. Let us all hope this turn around will occur much sooner then later as this cultural icon can ill afford to be lost to the bankruptcy courts for all our sakes.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/SYNC_Graphic.jpgWhat did Ford bring to the table for 2007? Its main emphasis appears to have been on the Ford - Microsoft technology partnership using Microsoft Auto’s technology in the upcoming Ford “Sync” (http://www.syncmyride.com/) Bluetooth and USB 2.0 connected product. What is Sync? Sync allows consumers to bring a variety of mobile phones or digital media players into their vehicles and operate them by voice command, or by using the steering wheel or radio controls. The first automobile to receive the Ford “Sync” will be the 2008 Ford Focus which in itself had a mid-model year makeover. Sync will also debut later this year on the 2008 Ford Fusion, Five Hundred, Edge, Freestyle, Explorer and Sport Trac, along with the Mercury Milan, Montego, Mountaineer, and on the Lincoln MKX and MKZ.
From our discussions with a variety of reps, the only thing we came up with as far as cost is concerned is that it costs significantly less then a competing Daimler/Chrysler product with a hard drive included at a ridiculous $2,000. My personal opinion is that it had better come with NAVI capability if it is going to cost anything over $1,000. The “Sync” product itself looks to me to be worth all of $250. Although I am not the type of individual who cares much about connectivity or extreme fidelity, I do care that a NAVI screen's graphics can be understood at a glance, NAVI spoken directions or phone messages can be heard clearly enough to be understood by all front seat occupants and that any spoken commands by the driver through his or her cel or to the NAVI unit are understood and sent on to the caller or NAVI system without undue confusion.
Today, just about all manufacturers have NAVI units with these capabilities including Bluetooth connectivity for cels. I am just not sure where Ford will be going with this parallel technology, but Ford has placed quite a bit of advertising $'s behind it. As a counterpoint to my thoughts on its utility, at the 40th Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas this past week, CNET voted Ford Sync as the most significant new product introduced at the show.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/2008_For_Focus_Silver_Exterior.jpgThe 2008 Ford Focus was mentioned above receiving a mid-model makeover. Although it did not receive the European Ford Focus/American Mazda 3 platform which would have allowed it to rise to the top of the Asian owned compact segment in terms of handling performance, it did receive some suspension tuning, a more modern instrumentation package including an a and iFCD (finally!), steering wheel controls with not just a modern look and feel but which can control the new Ford “Sync” feature, NAVI never before seen in an entry level Ford product, and improvements to sealing and sound deadening materials which reduce noise, vibration and harshness providing a somewhat more comfortable and quiet ride versus its predecessor.
Along with the interior technology and consumer friendly options, a somewhat updated exterior including a new 2-door coupe which replaced the 3-door hatchback (ZX3) will be a mainstay. The 5-door Hatch (ZX-5) has been retired. With the rest of the world selling compact sized coupes in numbers that make other manufacturers envious (Fit, Yaris and Versa), I am not sure this was a smart move by Ford? We applaud the inclusion of i and aFCDs in particular as that is indeed a huge enhancement (we did not see them but were told they will be included). With no mechanical improvement to the current 2.0 and 2.0e (PZEV) ICE’s currently rated at 27/37 (07 EPA) with a stick and 27/34 with an Auto, it barely competes with a bevy of much larger automobiles including the mid-sized Honda Accord (24/34 w/Auto), Camry (23/33 w/Auto) last generation Malibu (24/34 w/Auto) or the next generation Malibu with even higher highway FE. Is there any sense in even mentioning the Corolla’s or Civic’s FE capabilities here? I really believe Ford should have improved upon its ICE technology with an increase in FE and lowering of GHG emissions as a Focus (no pun intended) in and of itself.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/2008_Ford_Escape_Hybrid.jpg2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. Although we have previously discussed the 2008 FEH in detail when it was first introduced at the LA Auto show last month, it was nice to see it in person for our own overview.
Exterior … Besides the updated more truck like grille, removal of the previous Escape’s lower cladding and raising the window sill height, the exterior has not really been changed. There was supposedly a small drop in its Cd but we did not receive confirmation of this. A new acoustic laminate sandwiched between two glass panels in the windshield and an acoustic headliner help reduce wind noise. New interior carpeting further improves the isolation from road and wind noise allowing the 2008 Ford Escape hybrid to be 12 percent quieter on the highway and 20 percent quieter in high velocity crosswinds then its predecessor.
The interior is where the real changes lye yet once again, it is more a model refresh then a “Bold Move” we would have expected from a company in this much financial trouble. The interior fabrics are made from a 100% recycled post industrial material and there is a new top of the dash information display with an external temperature indicator, radio functions and climate-control readouts. An advancement? Yes but only to catch up to the latest competition, not meant to surpass it. The two improvements I deemed an absolute necessity was front and side air bags as well as side canopy airbags that protect both rows of occupants as standard equipment. Ford received the message. The second item needed was a much more advanced and competitive sized NAVI screen and system. The Visteon based NAVI unit as sold in the 2005/2006 FEH was too small, not all that user friendly and rated the worst of all NAVI units on the market in the recently released J.D. Power and Associates - Navigation System satisfaction survey (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061113/lam117.html?.v=41). The new unit appears to have overcome the worst attributes of the previous version with a much larger screen and is DVD based. We did not see it live so will have to withhold judgment of its capabilities until sometime in the future.
What about the mechanicals as that is where the rubber meets the road? We know that Ford engineers were working on Gen 3 hybrid drivetrains well over a year ago. What was released was a software based improvement to a Gen 1 drivetrain reducing harshness during the transition between ICE-On and ICE-Off and back again operation. This transition is now supposedly so seamless it should be imperceptible to the driver according to the Ford representatives we spoke with. Nothing that improved its FE or EV capabilities was expected or released. The 08 FEH is possibly running with either a Delphi supplied NiMH pack, inverter/converter, MGSets or control software but again, we received no confirmation that anything had changed?
With GM’s upcoming 08 Saturn VUE with a front wheel drive DualMode drivetrain as well as the now available non-hybrid Jeep Compass using a 2.4L 172 HP I4 achieving 26/30, the 166 HP rated 2.4L equipped Honda CRV at 23/30 or the Toyota Rav4 w/ its 2.4L 166 HP w/ an AUTO punching out 24/30, I think Ford should have upped the ante here. The non-hybrid competition in particular is catching up fast with higher performance ICE’s for less $’s.
Ford’s Concepts shown including the Airstream and Interceptor were so far out that they will probably never see the road with an everyday consumer behind the wheel. The Lincoln MKR with a V8 using DI to receive the FE of a V6 may but I wouldn’t hold my breathe. The refreshed Ford 500 looks again to be too old in style to make the splash it could have 2 years ago if designed with a bit more youth in the first place.
Overall, I was very under whelmed with what Ford presented and I can only hope they can somehow advance plans for updated and exciting interiors similar to the recently introduced 08 Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac CTS. I hope they install new life under the hood with engines capable of higher FE as well since that is where they are severely lacking from my perspective.
Our Ford Focus Product Representative at the 2007 NAIAS - Beth Donovan. --- 2008 Ford Focus - Info Center and Entertainment controls upper.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/Beth_Donovan_-_Ford_Product_Representative.jpghttp://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/2008_Ford_Focus_Interior_climate_and_entertainment_controls_upper.jpg
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/2008_Ford_Focus_Driver_Instrumentation.jpghttp://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/2008_Ford_Focus_Interior_climate_entertainment_controls_lower.jpg
2008 Ford Focus driver instrumentation. ------------ A/C and Entertainment controls lower.