Red Horse

Well no argument about say a class 8 tractor. Class 8 vocational? They do it now with F-750's Not many but they do build 35,000 lb 750's Dealer friend just got an 84" CA in for 6-8 yd dump. 12-23 axles, 31,000lb rear springs and a "derate pkg" that provides a 33,000 lb plate to avoid FET. Again, if they would address the power train, They could be cranking out low cost class 8 vocational tandems that in my opinion would appeal to the operator who can get by with such a truck.

Paul- the one right on Grand Central Parkway-just before you exit right for the terminals.

Agree-in particular if the GM product is competitively priced. Shop I hang out in always has alligator hood Power Stroke and Duramax V-8's in for work. I shake my head at the mess-for lack of a better word- you see under these hoods. Real or not, the idea of a tilt hood has to be a positive.

Well as KSC said, perhaps Bill Ford's commitment is enough I just wish some of this heavy truck enthusiasm would trickle down to the US.

Kevin- I get that-just being a wise ass. Marketing guys trying to create some buzz. And I have to say "Dodge" is making good progress. A lot of 5500's running around these parts. Often times I think they are doing it on price. But I think the memories of Power Stroke 6.0/6.4 still haunts the Blue Oval.

If Ford showed an interest in class 8 trucks in the US, I would think that would help the cause of this effort. Given fact this effort is coming out of Turkey, does the political instability of that country hurt this effort? It maybe good-but is it that good that I would invest in it vs anyone of the other seven players? How about it KSC?

What no green ones? tow hooks? Now that is clever. and I thought only Ford had "brillian"t truck marketers.

As an old LI guy you will recognize this. We had a Gulf Station just before LaGuardia that was undergoing complete rebuild. I'm in the office in Boston and I hear the engineer who is handling the project-and on the phone with the contractor who is at the site- call out.."plane just hit WTC"! My first thought -"hah-some idiot in a Cessna 172 sight seeing". Some things you'll never forget-although too many loons in this country have.

OD-thx for posting-saw Freightrain right away-when I get the issue first stop is the Mack Section.

Kevin you might be right about visibility, but does Ford need it with respect to the Transit? Seems to me the Transit has already earned the respect of the market as the best in class. And we know all about Ford's view of chasing small margin deals. Its all about the average transaction price or so it seems. And as for the USPS, as I think we have kicked around, mind boggling that The Transit and even the FCA vans should have been considered by the USPS. Given the fact they don't have to be engineered for right hand drive-they've been doing that for years-and with some body mods, how much could the PO have saved.-a fortune I would bet.

I would have to believe MB gave them some sort of unbelievable warranty package. Can you imagine what a high percentage of these "contractors" will be doing to these vehicles knowing residual value is not their problem. I think ford was wise to stay away from this deal.

I just stumbled on a You Tube video..".2018 Ford Focus Titanium". Beautiful hatchback with 6 speed manual. Was this vehicle ever available here? It was a left hand drive but speedo went to 220KM so assume this video was made in Europe. They are truly idiots!

LaNeve obviously is getting his fair share of Hackett Kool Aid. Get ready for all the future press releases when the monthly sales stats come highlighting the declining Fiesta, Focus etc sales..."The decline in the sales of these vehicles further confirms Ford's decision to discontinue these vehicles was the proper action". Brilliant!

JB-You are sort of making my point-The Explorer is doing well in a world populated by a lot of similar competitors. The Everest IMO would represent something Ford does not have here and also would not have as many competitors competing for that true "off road capable" vehicle.

Correct!

Well Kevin I did agree with that article-but I don't think Trump has done anything that is significantly counter to that point. IMO he sat face to face with him and basically said .."cut the BS". I think he is smart enough to know that there is no military solution that would not mean the immediate loss of life for thousands of South Koreans. And I don't think he is in to regime change-to me it was more of..."if you think your people are starving now, only you can bring an end to that-by changing your behavior".

Excellent IMO This interesting piece was written by someone named Regie. https://regiehammblog.wordpress.com/2018/08/22/trump-or-something-like-him/ . “Give me an asshole who can play …” This is a famous quote from iconic drummer, Buddy Rich. Buddy only wanted the best on stage with him. He didn’t care about their “moral character” or if they were pleasant to be around. He didn’t even care if he, himself, liked them. He hired only guys who could burn the room down with him …not boy scouts who were mediocre. Hence, the famous quote. President Donald Trump appears to be in trouble. A series of confessions and convictions, of and by people around him, are casting a strange, dark light on his presidency at the moment. There is a perception (at least) that shady stuff has gone on around this guy. And when shady stuff constantly goes on around someone in charge, you have to conclude that the guy in charge is okay with shady stuff. Has he hung around tax evaders and money launderers? Clearly. Did he pay off porn stars and Playboy Playmates to keep their dalliances quiet? I think we can safely conclude that he did. Is he a petulant child in the Twitter-verse? One hundred percent. Does he say things in public my mother would slap me for saying? Literally, everyday. Did he conspire with a foreign power to win an election? Maybe. Will any of this make a difference to his supporters? That’s a complicated answer. Let me explain … I have a theory that all presidential elections are reactions to the sitting president at the time. I’m old enough to remember Jimmy Carter getting elected (in large part) because he was a wholesome, moral breath of fresh air in an atmosphere of corruption and scandal created during the Nixon years. I was only a kid, but I distinctly remember entire churches being excited to go out and vote for an openly Christian man for president. Then, after four years of that disaster, I remember those same people breaking speed limit laws to get to the polls to vote for Reagan as fast as they could. The conditions that created a “president Trump” kinda started with Bill Clinton, who led to George W Bush …who led to Barack Obama. By the time we got to him, Mr Obama was going to be the antidote to incompetence and corruption and war mongering and, yes …even racism. But a very strange thing happened during Mr Obama’s presidency. Racism didn’t end. Corruption didn’t end. Wars didn’t end. And incompetence might’ve actually gotten worse. My full day of talking to the customer service agent at the newly created healthcare exchange, did NOT leave me confident. And what was discovered during Mr Obama’s 8 years, was that in a free market nation, over-taxing, over-regulating and a leader who constantly berates the business community and supports policies that place more emphasis on celebrating the “diversity” of people groups than on law and order for every individual, and foreign policies that take everything but the nation you’ve been elected to lead into account, simply doesn’t work. What was also exposed in those 8 years was how feckless and weak Republicans had actually become in their opposition to such things. And with candidates literally talking openly about socialism and nationalizing private institutions, a guy like Trump comes along and promises to re-set the foundation of the nation the way Americans understand it …and the way they want it. Is he really that much of a surprise? I talk occasionally about the fourth revolution. And Donald Trump is the leader of it. If you’re appalled at the lewd behavior of your president, you’re behind. That ship sailed when one was getting blow jobs by an intern half his age, in the Oval Office …AND. NOBODY. CARED. If you wish your president was decent and measured and refused to return fire at his critics, you’re behind. We already had that guy and he was called a war criminal, who should be tried at the Hague (Rosie O’Donell’s public announcement) and “retarded” (Chris Rock’s word – DEFINITELY not mine), someone who should force his daughters to go to war (Matt Damon’s suggestion) a monster who deliberately broke the levies in New Orleans to drown black people (Spike Lee’s claim) and on and on and on …AND. NOBODY. CARED. If you wish your president was upstanding and righteous and said all the right things, you’re behind. Mitt Romney already ran. AND. NOBODY. CARED. If you wish your president was a humble and honorable true public servant, without moral blemishes, you’re behind. Bob Dole (a man who gave his right hand to his country) and John McCain (a man who gave both arms to his country) already ran. AND. NOBODY. CARED. Donald Trump was the last branch to grab before the nation hit the ground. But he has changed the game in some ways. Nobody believes a nice guy can get it done, anymore. We’ve had nice guys …and nothing changed. Cutting taxes and repatriating a trillion dollars was the right thing to do. And it’s working. And only a guy who doesn’t give crap about what people think of him could’ve gotten it done. Moving the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem was the right thing to do. It sends a message to the rest of the middle east and, in turn, creates a stability hard to quantify. Presidents on BOTH sides of the aisle have promised to do it. It should’ve been done decades ago. But only a guy who doesn’t give a crap about what people think of him could’ve gotten it done. Taking Kim Jong Un on …head on …is looking like it was the right thing to do. But only a guy who doesn’t give a crap about what people think of him would’ve even attempted it. While Mr Trump’s lawyers and campaign people were perp-walking in and out of ivory towers, a teenaged girl in Iowa – as middle-America a place as you can find – was being murdered by someone in the country illegally. That creates real world fear for Americans everywhere. We have enough fear of our own citizenry, breaking our own laws. And reasonable Americans don’t think it’s UNreasonable to ask people wanting to come to our country …to sign the hell in. They don’t see how that makes them racists. It simply doesn’t compute. And the only elected leader giving them any cover is the flawed president. So, did Donald Trump collude and conspire with Russians to win an election? What the media and his opponents (and even a lot of Republicans) STILL don’t or can’t or won’t understand is that it doesn’t matter. He didn’t have to collude with anybody. He was going to win either way. He had millions of Americans at “build a wall” and “cut your taxes” and especially at, “I don’t give a crap what people think.” Donald Trump may get impeached or arrested or disgraced or unseated or whatever. But what people had better realize is that if he’s gone, a large percentage of the population will be looking for something or someone JUST like him …to replace him. There’s too much at stake; too many socialists on the horizon, too many empty suits looking for lifetime political gigs, too many “nice guys” with great smiles and weak spines, to take anymore chances. We just want an asshole who can play. And with the economy roaring and North Korea neutralized and ISIS basically contained and defeated, it appears that despite all the weirdness that surrounds him, he can, indeed, play. Reply Reply All Forward

Like the saying goes..."you can't make this shit up"

Agree-that is my point-a Fusion Wagon would give someone with 3 little kids the room they need, and if they are not in the "snow belt" a cost savings as they don't need that extra driving axle. And for those in the snow belt, they could get the cube and AWD without the higher ride associated with the typical SUV.

I wonder what percentage of Mondeo sales are the wagon?? I see enough BMW/MB "station wagons" running around in this area that I would think there would be a good market for these-in particular now that Hackett has declared the "3 box sedan" a dead vehicle.

Well a lot can happen between now and '24. But if you believe in "On job training", here is a person with experience as a governor-and in my opinion I'll take experience as a governor any day over some hack who spent his/her political service in congress-or in the case of Elizabeth Warren-a stint teaching a course at Harvard. And as you say, she has proven to be a tough lady as our UN ambassador. Given the fact that the power of the female vote will be pushed, she will be a good bet.

A most interesting read with an unexpected ending . The author is Joel Ross, Principal, Citadel Realty Advisors, 15 West 36th Street, NYC, NY. Mr. Ross publishes the Ross Rant, a $300 per year subscription newsletter, which makes predictions based upon economic data. Ross Rant July 29 2018 To understand the trade war with China, you need to understand that China at the moment is having a major slowdown economically. The stock market is down 25%. Many banks are being bailed out by the government. Everything and everyone in China is way over levered, and the economy is therefore in a high risk position which the government was trying to fix. The trade war got in the way, forcing the government to subsidize the smaller banks. China is loaning tens of billions to countries like Pakistan to build ports and railroads and infrastructure. Problem is, these countries have zero possible way to ever repay these loans. So now they are faced with stopping the projects or asking the IMF to bail them out. It is a mess for China and the countries who took the loans. There is starting to be pushback against China for this. So, Trump’s timing to go after China is exactly right. They are in a weakened position right now. Ignore all the hype about how they could sell their $1.4 trillion of US Treasuries —to who??? Not going to happen. The whole world agrees China violates every rule on trade and steals IP. Trump is just the only one who is willing to take them on, with the rest of the world cheering him on from the sidelines. Now it appears the EU is willing to cooperate with Trump and revise the WTO and to push China on IP and other trade violations. Something they were never willing to do before. Can 4% GDP growth continue? Maybe. But 3.5% would be great. Remember the left, and the press saying in 2016 and early 2017, 2% was the new normal maximum, and the US was at its peak and we faced stagflation, economic decline, etc. 2% was the accepted number as what good growth would be. Larry Summers was right out there saying 4% was impossible. Some in the mainstream media and Wall St said getting above 2% was pure fantasy, and Trump was dreaming. So, as I have said often, ignore the talking heads, and the mainstream media. They all have an agenda. Almost none are objective. The tax bill and deregulation was a huge boost. The left just can’t admit it. There are even stories now in the press that 4% is really a bad thing??? 4% is great, it may not be 4% next quarter, but 3.5% would be terrific. If Trump really does a deal with the EU, Mexico and Canada, and then Japan, 3.5%, or better, is very realistic. Capital expenditures will ramp up further once the tariff issues subside and that uncertainty goes away. They say exports were hyped due to pending tariffs, but to do that, inventories were drawn down, so this quarter inventories will be rebuilt, pushing up GDP growth upward. The press does not want you to believe it because it means the Republicans win in November, so they will try to convince you otherwise. Even my very liberal economist friends admit privately to me that the economy is going to be booming for at least 6 more quarters. The key is to reelect Republicans to control Congress. Keep in mind Maxine Waters is chair of the finance committee if the Dems get control, and Nancy is speaker. Think about that combo, and the ability to get budgets and more tax reform done. It should drive you to the polls and to take all your friends with you to vote. What a trade: Trump, and 4% GDP, or Maxine Waters. If you want to understand Russia, and the whole gas pipeline issue--- gas and oil is 52% of Russia’s GDP. The GDP of Russia is slightly smaller than NY State, around $1.5 trillion. GDP per capita is only $8,748 in 2017. Far lower than in 2013. We heard this first hand when I was in Russia, but now the stats show it to be true. The standard of living in Russia is declining. 20% of the Russian budget goes to weapons and the army. So Trump is right - how can Germany build a new gas pipeline with Russia which will fund more weapons spending, when they are supposedly having sanctions because of weapons and Crimea. It is nuts. The gas line will provide Russia billions of new cash flow for weapons which are aimed at ----Germany. But Merkel also thought letting in over 1 million Muslims was also a great idea until the voters rebelled, and the rest of the EU voted right wing in response. Reality is Russia is now in economic decline due to lower oil prices and corruption. Defense spending was reduced this year. So what does Merkel want to do – build the pipeline to pay them more badly needed money. Trump is not out of line for his comments. The pipeline is the same as Obama paying Iran $150 billion just as their economy was tanking. Truth is Russia cannot afford to wage a real war in Europe now that Trump has forced NATO to materially up spending and readiness. If Obama was still in power Putin could take over Baltic states and have only a few sanctions because under Obama NATO was militarily unable to react. That was why Putin felt he could go into Crimea with no big problem. Putin also knew he could continue his cyber war with no real consequences under Obama. Don’t believe the crap about Trump favors Putin, or they have something on him. It is more lefty nonsense. The US pays 71% of NATO costs. Germany pays less than 1.2% of their GDP for their own defense. We pay far more for Germany’s defense than Germany does, and they can afford to pay. Trump is right for making this a major issue. So in 2018, NATO and the US are upping spending on defense and Russia cannot keep up. Russia is forced to reduce spending because oil prices did not rise as much as Putin needed. Under Obama US defense spending went down from 2013 on, and Russia went up a lot, and China even more. Obama left us in very bad and weak shape vs our main adversaries. It was massive US defense spending by Reagan vs Russia, that won the cold war. The story now is very similar vs Russia and Iran. The best way to win a war is to far out spend the bad guys until they fold with no shots being fired. A strong offensive capability and willingness to use it (missiles fired at Syria) is the best defense. Putin and Xi got the message. Putin blew it by favoring Trump. The last thing he wanted was a much stronger US military and stronger, capable NATO. Iran’s GDP is $439 billion, less than that of 14 states. And now it is tanking. Obama gave them $150 billion - 34% of their GDP. Iran cannot compete with US and Israel. Israel is much smaller by population and has a GDP of $320 billion. With sanctions Trump is imposing, Iran is in real economic trouble, and cannot afford a war with us, the Sunnis and Israel. The Obama nuke deal just empowered Iran to go on an expansion into Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon. Now Israel and the US are pushing back with the help of the Sunnis. Reimposing sanctions will severely cripple Iran and they will likely try to attack shipping in the straits and the Red Sea. It will end very badly for them now that the Sunnis, Israel and the US are teamed up, the US military is being rebuilt, Sadr is pushing back on Iran trying to control Iraq, and the Iranian people are protesting and ready to revolt. The entire Mideast situation is going to change by year end when sanctions go back into effect. Iran will run out of money to continue their expansion. What is astonishing is Merkel and the EU prefer to try to get around the US sanctions and trade with Iran instead of cooperating with us and destroying the regime. And the press thinks Trump acts badly with the EU??? The EU doesn’t pay for their own defense and they favor Iran. The US economy is on a roll. It will be strong well into 2019 and maybe into 2020. The stock market will go up. Just be patient. Bond prices will decline further. All equities will continue to work. They will resolve trade in the next 90 days. Before November. NAFTA will get revised. WTO will get revised. Putin is in no economic shape to invade anyone, or do another Syria. He is now motivated to try to work with Trump. If oil prices stay around where they are, Russia is hurting. Q3 GDP will be over 3%. This is like under Reagan. Trump will bury Putin in military spending and Putin will have to concede on some issues. It will just take time. It took Reagan three years. If the result is no pipeline, Russia is in more trouble. Farm products in the EU will still be a big problem. Macron cannot give in on this and stay in office. From here on it is all about China, and how Xi can give in and not lose face. Bottom line, a very strong US economy and big defense spending will overwhelm Russia and Iran. A strong economy, allowing big defense spending, matters a lot in terms of geopolitics. The price of oil is strategic, not just economic. Nicky Haley will be elected president in 2024. She will be the first woman president. Mark it down Reply Reply All Forward

IMO this would be a stand alone competitor in the US -at least as far as GM and FCA competition. I wonder why they did not consider leaving the Explorer with its current configuration (E-W engine lay out) and capitalizing on the rugged Everest as the N-S engine layout and making a PI out of that. Instead seems like they are spending a lot of $$ on converting the Explorer to a RWD, N-S engine layout and ignoring what could have been done with Everest. So much for Mulally's "One Ford"-or so it seems to me.

I too thought "X"was "Severe Service" KSC??

Just came down I -495 in MA. Right at Exit 4 is a CH in Breakdown lane. Aluminum wheel sitting on the asphalt- didn't see any sign of the tire before I passed him or after.-either it took off into woods or driver gathered it all up. No service vehicles there yet. Lucky driver as well as those around him.