"The entire team at Ford felt the time was right ..."
Nice to know they are on the pulse of modern green, economical, environmentally friendly motoring trends...
Del

So every car produced must meet your specifications? Why not let the market decide what kind of product it wants? Some cars are just fun to own and drive. I have a 2010 Mustang GT. I drive it when the mood strikes and it's a blast.

Why not let the market decide what kind of product it wants?
Yup exactly...
And the market showed US (and UK) car manufactures that they weren't building the right vehicles, that's why they went down the tubes...
Some cars are just fun to own and drive...
Indeed, but they aren't profittable mass market cars.
If manufacturers want to make niche cars at a loss to promote interest, then surely something more forward looking would be better...we see endless 'concept' cars which don't get to market, wouldn't pushing the button on one of those be better than harking back to the 60's...yeah I know, man I had hair back then an was full of testosterone too. Aren't there any new designers out there?
Enjoy your Mustang, I'll bet it is fun, and I'd enjoy it too if I had play, I have no prob with old cars, ya gotta love 'em...just new cars that that are old cars.

Now if I was a lady and I wanted to wind you up...I'd say.
"No need to be so defensive"
Del

They are:

http://www.hybridcars.com/vehicle/ford-fusion-hybrid.html

But, it's also nice to know that not only are they 'on the pulse' with sound environmental stewardship, but they are also on pulse in every other facet of the automotive industry... they lead, or come in close second in almost every vehicle class.

I don't own a hybrid yet, but my 2010 Fusion I4 gets, on average, 26 MPG in the City and 34 MPG Highway.

JavaHead

but my 2010 Fusion I4 gets, on average, 26 MPG in the City and 34 MPG Highway.
<Cough snort flump thud>
I think those figures would be considered abysmal in Europe.
(Maybe I've got it all wrong..I'm quite happy to be shown to be wrong here...I'm not grinding any particular axe...)
Del

I concur, I've lived in Europe and their is no denying that Europeans have a much different view; a primary reason why diesel is so prevalent there and can't see the light of day here.

I'm not grinding an axe either... I like cats

I actually wish that the latest diesel technology would take root over here but, like was previously said, if the market wont bear it then you can't sell it. And if you know you can't sell it, why make it?

Rolling out new automotive technology in the US is probably the most difficult in regards to change management; not only do they have to design cutting edge technology, but they also have to sell it to a market that seemingly has it's head up it's ass most days in regards to sound environmental stewardship.

So, we share the same point of view, all I'm adding is that Ford is doing a pretty good job leading market advancement in the US... now the US just has to catch up to the rest of the world.

JavaHead

I bow my head with tear filled eyes as I watch ALL the cars drive by in the funeral procession for this planet. Now, I get in my truck to go to the Sound Environmental Stewardship conference, oh man, I need to stop at Walmart to pick up some oil

Right Del - Here 34 mpg road only would also be considered horrible.

"I'm not grinding any particular axe"

that is the blacksmith's job.. not the bowyers. you might be sharpening the arrows though.

I have to agree the statement seems a little off. Given the world economic situation where discretionary spending is down and people do seem more concerned about fuel mileage a highly specialized car with limited usefulness (especially for those in nothern climates) just seems a little contrary to current conditions. Theres nothing wrong with building the car and heck I would love to have one just saying the statement that the time felt right feels wrong to me.

Shawn

Big deal - Not too many will be made and anyone buying them won't be counting spare change!

I would love it but don't want to pay: 1) the initial price, 2) taxes, 3) insurance, 4) tickets, 5) fuel

No reason everyone has to get too serious!

I think you can have the best of both worlds. My Corvette Z06 has a 7 liter motor and I just drove it 1500 miles and averaged 29.4 miles per gallon. If they can do that with a Z06, just imagine what they could really do with some 4 cyl. motors.