daryll40

Actually, you are only partially right. The Town Car/Grand Marquis/Crown Victoria...know by Ford enthusiasts as "PANTER" platform cars....often go 300,000 to 400,000 miles when used as taxi's and limos. I am sure that are not nearly as solid as Lexus or Mercedes at high mileage, but they'll keep on truckin' if you do the maintenance and be tolerant of some repair bills.

The difference, again, is that they'll be rattle traps with broken plastic, etc at high miles while Lexus/MB/BMW will be more solid. And of course you'll be driving your grandfather's Ford product. (Heck, a base Grand Marquis at $25,000 is a pretty good bargain, dollar per mile, dollar per pound...but then you'd be driving' a Grand Marquis )

Lexkost

I use to work for Boeing...all I can say with Mulally running the show they are still in trouble.

encore888

You mean the cost overruns on the 777 program when Mulally was in charge? I think the 777 program has turned out to be a huge success...

The 787 Dreamliner is doing fantastic sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes is #1 in sales overall...production is switching to 'moving assembly lines'...

I was under the impression they are doing better than ever...?

gteach26

I used to own a Navigator and I'd get a towncar loaner when in for service. I was always impressed with the power that car had. I also LOVED the roominess of the cabin.

The problem is that the car just looked and felt CHEAP. My inlaws had a "Cartier Edition" Towncar with all the wood, high-end leather, etc -- the car STILL felt "plasticky" and cheap.

How hard can it be to put together a solid, quality-feeling interior? I know that means different things to different people (for example, I'm not into that brushed aluminum look so popular today and prefer rich, texured wood tones), but regardless -- even if a car were all black/grey with a no frills interior, it should still "FEEL" like a high quality ride.

I understand Ford probrably makes lots of money on fleet sales -- but they should have a few "special" models whose sole purpose is to WOW the public with the quality look, feel, and driving characteristics of the car.

I'm always bragging about my LS430's powerful, smooth, and ultra-hushed ride. I've yet to sit in or drive another car that looks and feels as "high quality" as the LS.

I really am rooting for Ford though, and I hope they can pull it off. I'd love to brag about a Lincoln just as much as I do about my LS. It seems like they are still a ways off from competing at that level though.

Lexmex

I dated a girl who worked for Ford down here at the corporate offices, but she drove a VW to work. They always chastized her for it (even though both have terrible quality). Glad to see the new CEO knows what he is shooting for.

Aska888

I always like the idea of "if you can't beat it, joying it!" Why can't they just copy the lexus or any other Japanese car manfactures like Honda (Acura) and Nissan (Infinity). Even Mazda builds better car than GM and Ford. Just look at the interior of most GM and Ford, you will notice that the plastic they used is simply cheap (I have to say except for Caddi). These are just minor areas that can be easily improved by switching suppliers. What are those people doing in the design room that generated Aztek (Pontiac). What was on their mind???

No doubt, there is a long way to go for Ford to ever build a car any where close to the quality of Lexus. Not to offend anyone, the UAW union is partially liable too.

anwar1337

What about the Pontiac Rendezvous LOL. Who was on what drugs in that design room? Thats all I have to say about that.

Drew11545

Hopefully Ford can revive their Land rover's. I love range rovers but would never get on until their quality gets better

Lexkost

All Mulally knows is how lay off people and the only reason Boeing is doing fine is because Airbus is even run worst.