StasisLAX From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 2272 posts, RR: 3 Posted (1 year 7 months 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 22816 times:
The boxy but popular Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner models are rumored to be replaced in North America in 2010 by their cousin, the new European Ford Kuga, according to Automotive News Europe.
2008 Ford Kuga
Ford's president of the Americas, Mark Fields, confirmed that the U.S. is slated to receive multiple "C-segment" vehicles that have already debuted in Europe and Japan. The first vehicle that could be brought to market is the new Kuga crossover vehicle, which shares the C1 platform with the Euro Ford Focus and could be marketed as the next Ford Escape or Mercury Mariner. The Kuga displays Ford of Europe's edgy "kinetic" styling and would compete with GM's Chevy Equinox, Saturn Vue (a badge-engineered European Opel Antara) and the Dodge Journey, along with a host of Asian models like the Honda CR-V and Element, the Hyundai Tucson, and Nissan Rogue.
2008 Ford Kuga dashboard
The second Ford model thought to be crossing the Atlantic is the C-Max, which is a modern take on the tall station wagon, and would compete with the Mazda5 and Kia Rondo.
2008 Ford C-Max
The completely new Ford Focus is rumored to be making its debut in North America in 2010 as a 2011 model and will definitely be built off the C1 platform that underpins the newly re-engineered European Focus.
LTBEWR From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 9540 posts, RR: 7 Reply 1, posted (1 year 7 months 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 22789 times:
The only issue to me is are these models to be imported, made in Mexico (like they plan to do with the NA market Fiesta) or make them in a UAW/CAW union plant in USA or Canada. This is very important as we need to keep as many good paying jobs in the USA/Canada.
It seems to me that they would all do well and finally we will get the real Focus, not the cheaper and older versions. The Kuga would be an excellent replacement for the quickly obsolete and fuel guzzling mid-sized SUVs, the C-Max would do well with families for most use.
N328KF From United States of America, joined May 2004, 5748 posts, RR: 7 Reply 3, posted (1 year 7 months 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 22781 times:
What the US needs are a lot more efficient 7-seaters outside of the SUV and minivan categories. Minivans are alright for some but some families just need the 7-seater to haul a family of four or five (2-3 kids -- you need space between them sometimes!) and their gear. The choices are limited here...Volvo V70, Ford Taurus X, and Mazda5, and a few others... Whether people would admit it or not, these products do much of what families need.
When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.' T.Roosevelt
L410Turbolet From Czech Republic, joined May 2004, 4644 posts, RR: 25 Reply 4, posted (1 year 7 months 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 22772 times:
I don't think the C-max has a 3rd row of seats as it is built on a Focus platform. The S-max (bigger than C-max and smaller than the full size Galaxy) does and I think it would be a better match for the US market.
HuskyAviation From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 1148 posts, RR: 4 Reply 5, posted (1 year 7 months 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 22720 times:
Quoting JJJ (Reply 2): So expect the usual downgrading of interiors, etc.
Ah, there's the rub. Everytime I look at one of the US makers' offerings in the UK/AUS market, I am surprised by how good the interiors look. And yet, when those models make it across the pond (the Pontiac G8 is an example) the interiors revert to the crap that they've earned such a bad name for.
When caught on a golf course during a storm, hold up a 1-iron. Not even God can hit a 1-iron. --Lee Trevino
N328KF From United States of America, joined May 2004, 5748 posts, RR: 7 Reply 6, posted (1 year 7 months 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 22698 times:
Quoting HuskyAviation (Reply 5): Ah, there's the rub. Everytime I look at one of the US makers' offerings in the UK/AUS market, I am surprised by how good the interiors look. And yet, when those models make it across the pond (the Pontiac G8 is an example) the interiors revert to the crap that they've earned such a bad name for.
Let's take the European market as an example. Europeans buy smaller cars, by and large. That doesn't mean they buy cheap ones. The European Focus has a high-quality interior because it has to in order to compete with other offerings in that market. This can be seen in the products that European makers import to the US, even at the lower end. The lower-end VWs, Volvos, etc., have nice interiors because they are imported to the US with as little modification as can be managed, though the variety of choices is limited. What I mean by that is that Europeans can pick and choose options, where as European makers importing to the US group things together in packages.
When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.' T.Roosevelt
PHLBOS From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 5705 posts, RR: 28 Reply 7, posted (1 year 7 months 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 22689 times:
Quoting StasisLAX (Thread starter): The boxy but popular Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner models are rumored to be replaced in North America in 2010 by their cousin, the new European Ford Kuga, according to Automotive News Europe.
Is it me or are vehicles getting more & more uglier during each succession.
As far as the Kuga is concerned:
"TransEastern! You'll feel like you've never left the ground because we treat you like dirt!" SNL Parady ad circa 1981
Boeing74741R From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2007, 1044 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (1 year 7 months 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 22568 times:
Quoting L410Turbolet (Reply 4): I don't think the C-max has a 3rd row of seats as it is built on a Focus platform. The S-max (bigger than C-max and smaller than the full size Galaxy) does and I think it would be a better match for the US market.
The Ford C-Max is a 5 seat car hence no 3rd row of seats, the S-Max and Galaxy are 7 seat cars so have a 3rd row of seats.
Tugger From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 1980 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (1 year 7 months 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 22520 times:
Quoting N1120A (Reply 10): There is absolutely no need for a 7 seat car for a family of four. A mid-sized sedan is just fine.
Unless you happen to be like many normal families and carry other families kids with you to "whatever" practice or go to dinner with grandma and grandpa. Also when you go to the mountains or camping.
Five seat cars for a family of four is fine, fives seats for a family-of-four's LIFE may not be.
Tugg
everything I have learned I have learned by mistake
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 24124 posts, RR: 86 Reply 13, posted (1 year 7 months 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 22502 times:
Quoting Tugger (Reply 11):
Five seat cars for a family of four is fine, fives seats for a family-of-four's LIFE may not be.
The trunk on your run of the mill family sedan will hold anything the family needs and some.
Quoting Tugger (Reply 11): or go to dinner with grandma and grandpa.
And how often does that happen? Once a week? You can't meet them there? I know plenty of people who got by on family sedans for years with that exact situation.
Quoting Tugger (Reply 11): Also when you go to the mountains or camping.
If that is a once in a while thing, rent. If it is more often, buy a Subaru.
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MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 26781 posts, RR: 75 Reply 14, posted (1 year 7 months 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 22490 times:
Quoting N1120A (Reply 13):
Quoting Tugger (Reply 11):
or go to dinner with grandma and grandpa.
And how often does that happen? Once a week? You can't meet them there? I know plenty of people who got by on family sedans for years with that exact situation.
I've had at least one seven seat vehicle for as long as I can remember, and I've absolutely needed the third row a significant number of times.
Ever hear of something called carpooling? As in one a mom with two children might stop by and pick up two or three other children to go to school.
Get a life and stop dictating what other people need. Many families of four need seven seat vehicles. If you're family of four doesn't need a seven seat vehicle, good for you.
And you know what? Even if a family of four doesn't need a Chevrolet Suburban or a 7-seat compact Toyota RAV4, if that is what they want, then good for them and so be it.
N328KF From United States of America, joined May 2004, 5748 posts, RR: 7 Reply 15, posted (1 year 7 months 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 22469 times:
Quoting N1120A (Reply 10): There is absolutely no need for a 7 seat car for a family of four. A mid-sized sedan is just fine.
Quoting Tugger (Reply 11): Unless you happen to be like many normal families and carry other families kids with you to "whatever" practice or go to dinner with grandma and grandpa. Also when you go to the mountains or camping.
Tugger is exactly right. I have a Passat (seats 5) and with one kid on a weekend trip it's already pretty tight. It'll be positively cramped when #2 comes along in a few months. And heaven forbid we want to take our two nephews along anywhere. Neither of us wants a minivan...a seven-passenger car in this category will fit the bill perfectly. SUVs are banned from our household.
[Edited 2008-07-10 18:57:09]
When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.' T.Roosevelt
RayChuang From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 7140 posts, RR: 8 Reply 16, posted (1 year 7 months 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 22441 times:
I think within five years Ford will essentially sell the same line of vehicles on both sides of the Atlantic.
The US model line will probably look like this by 2012:
Fiesta in three-door hatchback and four-door saloon versions
B-Max "tall wagon" based on new Fiesta platform
Focus (third-generation) in three-door hatchback and four-door saloon versions
C-Max "tall wagon" based on new Focus platform
Fusion four-door sedan (based on Mondeo platform), the last holdover of US-designed models
S-Max "sports minivan" based on Mondeo platform
Mustang sports car, now with turbocharged V-6 power instead of V-8 power
Escape SUV, essentially a rebadged Ford Kuga
ACDC8 From Canada, joined Mar 2005, 7024 posts, RR: 50 Reply 17, posted (1 year 7 months 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 22432 times:
Quoting RayChuang (Reply 16): Mustang sports car, now with turbocharged V-6 power instead of V-8 power
Blasphemy! No V6 should ever deserve the Pony on the grill (and that includes all the current V6 Mustangs on the road ) ....
I for one am glad to see many of the European models finally coming to our shores. Personally, I like smaller cars and the versatility that many offer. But, I'll agree with some of the other posters, the North American versions (such as the Focus) are usually of a lesser quality in materials, performance and handling.
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RayChuang From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 7140 posts, RR: 8 Reply 18, posted (1 year 7 months 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 22429 times:
Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 17): Blasphemy! No V6 should ever deserve the Pony on the grill (and that includes all the current V6 Mustangs on the road ) ....
Ford already can generate 268 bhp from a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, so turbocharging it could boost it to around 350-360 bhp with no problems. That means a turbocharged V-6 will work with the Mustang.
ABQ747 From United States of America, joined Dec 2006, 727 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (1 year 7 months 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 22428 times:
Quoting RayChuang (Reply 16): The US model line will probably look like this by 2012:
Fiesta in three-door hatchback and four-door saloon versions
B-Max "tall wagon" based on new Fiesta platform
Focus (third-generation) in three-door hatchback and four-door saloon versions
C-Max "tall wagon" based on new Focus platform
Fusion four-door sedan (based on Mondeo platform), the last holdover of US-designed models
S-Max "sports minivan" based on Mondeo platform
Mustang sports car, now with turbocharged V-6 power instead of V-8 power
Escape SUV, essentially a rebadged Ford Kuga
Don't forget the new Transit van is also coming to the US. Also, Ford will never abandon F-Series trucks.
The reason New Mexico is so windy is because Texas sucks and Arizona blows.
ACDC8 From Canada, joined Mar 2005, 7024 posts, RR: 50 Reply 20, posted (1 year 7 months 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 22427 times:
Quoting RayChuang (Reply 18): Ford already can generate 268 bhp from a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, so turbocharging it could boost it to around 350-360 bhp with no problems. That means a turbocharged V-6 will work with the Mustang.
Didn't say it wouldn't work, I said it was blasphemy A Mustang just isn't a Mustang unless it's got a V8 in it ....
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VonRichtofen From Canada, joined Nov 2000, 4460 posts, RR: 50 Reply 21, posted (1 year 7 months 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 22414 times:
Quoting RayChuang (Reply 18): Ford already can generate 268 bhp from a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, so turbocharging it could boost it to around 350-360 bhp with no problems. That means a turbocharged V-6 will work with the Mustang
True, but then they could just supercharge the V8 and have a real monster
N328KF From United States of America, joined May 2004, 5748 posts, RR: 7 Reply 23, posted (1 year 7 months 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 22344 times:
Quoting ABQ747 (Reply 19): Don't forget the new Transit van is also coming to the US. Also, Ford will never abandon F-Series trucks.
The F-Series (and other such pickups) are a product category that will probably never go away as long. People will need to haul stuff. These people are usually farmers, ranchers, tradesmen, etc. That many people who buy them don't need one is another matter entirely.
When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.' T.Roosevelt
Transport Canada: A division of the US Department of Homeland Security
25 AvObserver: I'm skeptical of this claim; the Escape, Mariner and Mazda Tribute were just heavily refreshed for the '08 model year and are getting upgraded powert
26 KC135TopBoom: I use my F-150 to tow my camper and my boat. But, anyone who wants a F-150, Chevy/GNC C-1500, or Dodge Rum ( ), or any SUV/Large vehicle, are free to
27 N328KF: Well, the Taurus/Sable (ex-500/Montego) were designed by Volvo based upon the S80 platform from the past several years. There is a redesign coming so
28 StasisLAX: Here's the general reasoning behind using the European "C-Segment" platform here in North America. Ford had way too many platforms for building vehic
30 AvObserver: The Taurus/Sable (recently Five Hundred/Montego) are good cars that haven't sold as well as hoped due likely to bland styling but are great values an
31 RayChuang: That's why the next-generation Mazda3 (due spring 2009) will become the basis for the unified Focus model again--don't be surprised that Ford could u
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A Mustang just isn't a Mustang unless it's got a V8 in it .... 
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