"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
message ...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1228...s_opinion_main

Bankrupt them, downsize them, get rid of the onerous contracts and
merge Chrysler with Ford.

No bail out.



Ford doesn't want them. They are trying to downsize themselves. They've
sold their stakes in Saab, Jaguar, most of Mazda and are thinking of dumping
Volvo.

Eisboch

On Sat, 6 Dec 2008 07:25:24 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
message ...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1228...s_opinion_main

Bankrupt them, downsize them, get rid of the onerous contracts and
merge Chrysler with Ford.

No bail out.

Ford doesn't want them. They are trying to downsize themselves. They've
sold their stakes in Saab, Jaguar, most of Mazda and are thinking of dumping
Volvo.

That's probably true, but Chrysler does have a few products lines that
would merge very nicely with the overall Ford product line - I'm
thinking Jeep in particular if there was only one. And their design
team could do a lot for upgrading Ford's design group which has been
stuck in neutral for a long time. When was the last time they
upgraded the Crown Vic for example - that design has been around since
1999/2000 I think.

If it were up to me, and it isn't, I'd fold the Mercury/Lincoln lines
back into Ford or eliminate them. There's nothing there that's
exceptional even considering quality - they are Fords - so why keep up
the pretence?

What I find interesting is that Ford is looking like it's the best one
of them all in terms of structure, money and ability to move forward
without goverment money.

Ford may be the last one standing. Which would please me immensely.

I still say that this is a great opportunity for some capital
investment firm to step in and build a new car company from scratch
designed to compete with Honda/Toyota, etc.

I'd be willing to bet that it could be done, start to manufacturing
and distribution, in less than five years.

--

"Far better it is to dare mighty things,
to win glorious triumphs even though
checkered by failure, than to rank with
those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor
suffer much because they live in the gray
twilight that knows neither victory nor
defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt

"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
message ...
On Sat, 6 Dec 2008 07:25:24 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
message ...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1228...s_opinion_main

Bankrupt them, downsize them, get rid of the onerous contracts and
merge Chrysler with Ford.

No bail out.

Ford doesn't want them. They are trying to downsize themselves. They've
sold their stakes in Saab, Jaguar, most of Mazda and are thinking of
dumping
Volvo.

That's probably true, but Chrysler does have a few products lines that
would merge very nicely with the overall Ford product line - I'm
thinking Jeep in particular if there was only one. And their design
team could do a lot for upgrading Ford's design group which has been
stuck in neutral for a long time. When was the last time they
upgraded the Crown Vic for example - that design has been around since
1999/2000 I think.


The Crown Vic is no longer available to the public. (as of 2008) Ford still
makes them for fleet sales only ... police and taxie cabs. The Mercury
version is still available to the public, but not for long.

Ford will end up with about three global car platforms and trucks.

Eisboch

On Dec 6, 7:17*am, "Eisboch" wrote:
"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
messagenews:s3ukj4dksrfj18mrb6l047d3a90lniqpk0@4ax .com...



On Sat, 6 Dec 2008 07:25:24 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:

"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
messagenews:b2rkj4hrnvj4m6p6prft2vp4s3bv7jvpms@4 ax.com...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1228...?mod=rss_opini...

Bankrupt them, downsize them, get rid of the onerous contracts and
merge Chrysler with Ford.

No bail out.

Ford doesn't want them. *They are trying to downsize themselves. *They've
sold their stakes in Saab, Jaguar, most of Mazda and are thinking of
dumping
Volvo.

That's probably true, but Chrysler does have a few products lines that
would merge very nicely with the overall Ford product line - I'm
thinking Jeep in particular if there was only one. *And their design
team could do a lot for upgrading Ford's design group which has been
stuck in neutral for a long time. *When was the last time they
upgraded the Crown Vic for example - that design has been around since
1999/2000 I think.

The Crown Vic is no longer available to the public. (as of 2008) *Ford still
makes them for fleet sales only ... police and taxie cabs. *The Mercury
version is still available to the public, but not for long.

Ford will end up with about three global car platforms and trucks.

Eisboch

Ypu mean no more Crown Vic? Oh my ! how about the Town Cars?

On Dec 6, 7:17*am, "Eisboch" wrote:
"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
messagenews:s3ukj4dksrfj18mrb6l047d3a90lniqpk0@4ax .com...



On Sat, 6 Dec 2008 07:25:24 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:

"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
messagenews:b2rkj4hrnvj4m6p6prft2vp4s3bv7jvpms@4 ax.com...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1228...?mod=rss_opini...

Bankrupt them, downsize them, get rid of the onerous contracts and
merge Chrysler with Ford.

No bail out.

Ford doesn't want them. *They are trying to downsize themselves. *They've
sold their stakes in Saab, Jaguar, most of Mazda and are thinking of
dumping
Volvo.

That's probably true, but Chrysler does have a few products lines that
would merge very nicely with the overall Ford product line - I'm
thinking Jeep in particular if there was only one. *And their design
team could do a lot for upgrading Ford's design group which has been
stuck in neutral for a long time. *When was the last time they
upgraded the Crown Vic for example - that design has been around since
1999/2000 I think.

The Crown Vic is no longer available to the public. (as of 2008) *Ford still
makes them for fleet sales only ... police and taxie cabs. *The Mercury
version is still available to the public, but not for long.

Ford will end up with about three global car platforms and trucks.

Eisboch

All this started when they quit the Taurus.

"Tim" wrote in message
...
On Dec 6, 7:17 am, "Eisboch" wrote:
"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
messagenews:s3ukj4dksrfj18mrb6l047d3a90lniqpk0@4ax .com...



On Sat, 6 Dec 2008 07:25:24 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:

"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
messagenews:b2rkj4hrnvj4m6p6prft2vp4s3bv7jvpms@4 ax.com...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1228...?mod=rss_opini...

Bankrupt them, downsize them, get rid of the onerous contracts and
merge Chrysler with Ford.

No bail out.

Ford doesn't want them. They are trying to downsize themselves. They've
sold their stakes in Saab, Jaguar, most of Mazda and are thinking of
dumping
Volvo.

That's probably true, but Chrysler does have a few products lines that
would merge very nicely with the overall Ford product line - I'm
thinking Jeep in particular if there was only one. And their design
team could do a lot for upgrading Ford's design group which has been
stuck in neutral for a long time. When was the last time they
upgraded the Crown Vic for example - that design has been around since
1999/2000 I think.

The Crown Vic is no longer available to the public. (as of 2008) Ford
still
makes them for fleet sales only ... police and taxie cabs. The Mercury
version is still available to the public, but not for long.

Ford will end up with about three global car platforms and trucks.

Eisboch

All this started when they quit the Taurus.

Actually, the Taurus is back. I believe it's a replacement for the Ford
"Five Hundred" which never caught on. The new Taurus is based largely on a
colaborative effort by Ford and Volvo and incorporates many Volvo designs.

Eisboch

Eisboch wrote:
"Tim" wrote in message
...
On Dec 6, 7:17 am, "Eisboch" wrote:
"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
messagenews:s3ukj4dksrfj18mrb6l047d3a90lniqpk0@4ax .com...



On Sat, 6 Dec 2008 07:25:24 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:
"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
messagenews:b2rkj4hrnvj4m6p6prft2vp4s3bv7jvpms@4ax .com...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1228...?mod=rss_opini...
Bankrupt them, downsize them, get rid of the onerous contracts and
merge Chrysler with Ford.
No bail out.
Ford doesn't want them. They are trying to downsize themselves. They've
sold their stakes in Saab, Jaguar, most of Mazda and are thinking of
dumping
Volvo.
That's probably true, but Chrysler does have a few products lines that
would merge very nicely with the overall Ford product line - I'm
thinking Jeep in particular if there was only one. And their design
team could do a lot for upgrading Ford's design group which has been
stuck in neutral for a long time. When was the last time they
upgraded the Crown Vic for example - that design has been around since
1999/2000 I think.
The Crown Vic is no longer available to the public. (as of 2008) Ford
still
makes them for fleet sales only ... police and taxie cabs. The Mercury
version is still available to the public, but not for long.

Ford will end up with about three global car platforms and trucks.

Eisboch

All this started when they quit the Taurus.

Actually, the Taurus is back. I believe it's a replacement for the Ford
"Five Hundred" which never caught on. The new Taurus is based largely on a
colaborative effort by Ford and Volvo and incorporates many Volvo designs.

Eisboch




It's a very nice turnpike cruiser. It could use a bit more displacement
in the engine, I think. I've rented them a few times on trips.

Eisboch wrote:
"Tim" wrote in message
...
On Dec 6, 7:17 am, "Eisboch" wrote:
"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
messagenews:s3ukj4dksrfj18mrb6l047d3a90lniqpk0@4ax .com...



On Sat, 6 Dec 2008 07:25:24 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:
"Tom Francis - SWSports" wrote in
messagenews:b2rkj4hrnvj4m6p6prft2vp4s3bv7jvpms@4ax .com...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1228...?mod=rss_opini...
Bankrupt them, downsize them, get rid of the onerous contracts and
merge Chrysler with Ford.
No bail out.
Ford doesn't want them. They are trying to downsize themselves. They've
sold their stakes in Saab, Jaguar, most of Mazda and are thinking of
dumping
Volvo.
That's probably true, but Chrysler does have a few products lines that
would merge very nicely with the overall Ford product line - I'm
thinking Jeep in particular if there was only one. And their design
team could do a lot for upgrading Ford's design group which has been
stuck in neutral for a long time. When was the last time they
upgraded the Crown Vic for example - that design has been around since
1999/2000 I think.
The Crown Vic is no longer available to the public. (as of 2008) Ford
still
makes them for fleet sales only ... police and taxie cabs. The Mercury
version is still available to the public, but not for long.

Ford will end up with about three global car platforms and trucks.

Eisboch

All this started when they quit the Taurus.

Actually, the Taurus is back. I believe it's a replacement for the Ford
"Five Hundred" which never caught on. The new Taurus is based largely on a
colaborative effort by Ford and Volvo and incorporates many Volvo designs.

The marketing idiots at Ford decided that all cars in the Ford line
needed to have their names start with "F" and all SUV's needed to start
with "E". So when they redesigned the Taurus the named it Five-Hundred
when nobody bought it the renamed it back to Taurus. The
Five-Hundred/Taurus could be based on a Volvo platform.

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...


The Crown Vic is no longer available to the public. (as of 2008) Ford
still makes them for fleet sales only ... police and taxie cabs. The
Mercury version is still available to the public, but not for long.

Ford will end up with about three global car platforms and trucks.

Eisboch

Oh my...my brother-in-law has been talking about getting a Crown Vic for
years....he is winding down his contruction company and wants a big car to
tool around in.

On Sat, 6 Dec 2008 10:03:11 -0400, "Don White"
wrote:


"Eisboch" wrote in message
m...


The Crown Vic is no longer available to the public. (as of 2008) Ford
still makes them for fleet sales only ... police and taxie cabs. The
Mercury version is still available to the public, but not for long.

Ford will end up with about three global car platforms and trucks.

Eisboch

Oh my...my brother-in-law has been talking about getting a Crown Vic for
years....he is winding down his contruction company and wants a big car to
tool around in.


One of my golfing buddies was a Cadillac guy (retired Navy...). About five
years ago, Cadillac wouldn't give him the deal he wanted, so he sold his
and bought a Lincoln Town Car. He loves it. He's now looking to see if he
can get a good deal on a new one.
--
John H.