Ford asks: What do you want in a car? And they're ready to listen

[Wretched]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/13/f...=Google+Reader

Questions, comments, snide remarks? Please, tell us what's on your mind by filling out a form and dropping it in the suggestion box on your wait out the door. While such items may be rather common at certain retail establishments, finding such a direct line to the people that run America's largest automotive companies... well, that's just a new idea entirely, no?

Today at the SAE World Congress, Mark Fields, Ford president of the Americas, announced just such a program, which includes a new web portal that allows consumers to leave suggestions for the Ford Motor Company and even lets other users log in and rate the submitted ideas. Currently at the top? A suggestion to bring the ECOnetic diesel engines to America. Agree? Click here to let Ford know what you think.

We'll throw a vote in the direction of more diesels in America any day of the week. And as long as we've Ford's attention, how about offering rally-spec Focus hatchbacks in the States? We'd also be more than happy to see a Super High Output version of the Fusion, complete with the 365-horsepower EcoBoost engine and all-wheel drive system from the Taurus SHO. Oh, and just one more thing... nice work on the SVT Raptor. Click past the break for the complete press release.

The link to Ford's website

My only suggestion is, Ford, do not design a car based on focus groups or committees. It will end badly. Use the ideas by all means but don't base the car design on them.

[SVTVNM]

Sorry, had to be done!

[IMG][/IMG]

[Wretched]

^ and that is exactly what I was referring to

[Polyal]

Yeah I think design should reflect a point in time, not some randoms wishes who is there for the free lunch.

Ive always been suspect of focus groups, how are they not already biased before they walk in the door? They usually get paid and a free feed.

[Wally]

I reckon active drive would be worth investigating.

[chevypower]

When will we all be driving flying cars? BTTF2 said 2015

[BLUEYBA]

I think its a great place for us in Australia to really push home to Ford America that we want a rear wheel drive Falcon that can and should be exported to the relevant markets

[BOSHOG]

Originally Posted by chevypower

When will we all be driving flying cars? BTTF2 said 2015

hell id be happy with a sunroof as an option lol

[dsyfer]

Originally Posted by SVTVNM

Sorry, had to be done!

[IMG][/IMG]

And what is wrong with the "Homer"?

[platinumXR]

Originally Posted by dsyfer

And what is wrong with the "Homer"?

wrong shade of green... :

[trippytaka]

Originally Posted by SVTVNM

Sorry, had to be done!

[IMG][/IMG]

Brilliant!

[Quicksand]

Do Ford Australia get any of this data?

[zetec]

Originally Posted by BLUEYBA

I think its a great place for us in Australia to really push home to Ford America that we want a rear wheel drive Falcon that can and should be exported to the relevant markets

That would probably be instantly ignored. I'd say the "We need the Falcon in America" argument would pull much greater interest. Create a "pull" rather than a push, on behalf of Americans.

If it isn't already exported to the USA, clearly push methods aren't succesful for what is an absolutely brilliant car as we all know.

[SM1DY]

I've got a bunch of suggestions for Ford, but the only one I really care about is the Mustang in Australia. My god I love the Stang.

[csv8]

Flux Capacitor ?

[Grunter]

Originally Posted by csv8

Flux Capacitor ?

No good. You'd get done for speeding getting up to 88mph.

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by SM1DY

I've got a bunch of suggestions for Ford, but the only one I really care about is the Mustang in Australia. My god I love the Stang.

Nah.

Make the next Mustang off the Falcon platform, give the option of Australian versions being badged either as Mustang or Falcon coupe.

[burnz]

1/ no the car shouldn't make that noise, thats normal, their all like that, it's within spec.
2/ we will replace the ball joint; excluding any damage and/of fatality's resuting from failure.
3/ real warranty would be good.
4/ what options have you got?? well uummmm!!
5/ when can i pick it up??????
6/ why has my new car got rust???

[Mechan1k]

Last time Ford really listened they designed the Territory ... so it can't be all that bad.

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Grunter

No good. You'd get done for speeding getting up to 88mph.

But they couldn't catch you !!!!

[Franco Cozzo]

Bring over the Ford F series at a reasonable price.

[vanman_75]

a balanced import agenda, where they can afford ours and we can afford theirs. would like a mustang but in reality its only the look because it is no better than a falcon

f truck is just a bigger ute but not worth a hundred plus k imported , but would like to see it as an option .

we really do get the raw end compared to the rest of the world with our model range and afford-ability.

but what i really would like is a cruiser/patrol sized diesel 4wd .territory is great but a little small for me( and no diesel just yet but its coming) and f truck is quite large , try parking 1

[TUF_302]

Umm, i would like Falcon to outsell Commodore, but thats not really up to Ford sadly, I would like to see the F-truck back here, also hurry up and put a Diesel in the Territory

[last fairlane]

Thanks Chevy
that reminded me of when I was doing my apprentiship
in the 60s we were told at trade school that by 2000 we would have flying cars well let me put you right cars today are exactly as they were back then still have four wheels still have petrol engines just more comfort safety and economy
and as for Van man
yes we have always got the rong end of the car world deal
going back to the fifties
we had four door Cussos the yanks had 2 doors hard tops convertables and to a lesser extent six cylinder motors we got 292s
and the same deal with the Chevs 2 door hard top convertables and utes and wagons all with V8s motors all we got was the basic four door model with six cylinder motors
thanks John

[Riksta]

Originally Posted by csv8

But they couldn't catch you !!!!

They'd probably end up catching you yesterday for tomorrow's offence!

[Matt47569]

flying cars = not gonna happen. most drivers on the road have enough trouble with normal cars can you imagine them all driving flying ones? god help us all...

[hendrixhc]

A Falcon with a clevo engine, holley carb and no blimmin computers. Go back to basics enigine wise but with modern comfort.

This means we could all have a crack at repairing them and wouldnt have to fork out a fortune to ford dealers for half RSed computers diagnosis.

IMHO

[xls3v]

a spark plug that doesn't break in the head
blown v8 ute

[ajxr8]

i want to see a new falcon coupe,

[mik]

enthusiasts always want the same thing, an 800 hp car that gets 5 litres per 100 k`s .