Ford sucks too!

[nikeratos]

Ford is in trouble too. Let's find three things wrong with them while we're at it. I'll throw in pictures this time to paint a more precise picture. Here's why Ford's in trouble:

1. Ford Flex.

Comments

[nikeratos]

First of all, Nissan's reliability can be shoved aside since they make, for example, the Armada, which is statistically the most unreliable car on the road today...last I checked Consumer Reports called its reliability, and I'm not making this up, "abysmal." So to say something is more reliable than Nissan is to say that it's more reliable than an Alfa Romeo from the 70s with 150k miles on the clock.
Ford is very successful in the UK, I agree, but overall it is still failing, the company is shrinking and sooner or later they will need government aid... so I'm not exactly sure what point you're trying to drive home by saying Ford brings in money to the US, especially since it outsources labor on more models than the other two US carmakers.
Yeah, the Flex is ugly. And I agree, the grill is far from the biggest drawback. Thank you for agreeing with me.
Their SUV line is just awful. Terrible gas mileage. Terrible reliability. They're just a waste of money, as you could easily get something far more sensible, such as a Volvo XC90, which is smaller, more practical, and more reliable than any of the three SUVs in this article. Say you have kids....well, it has seven full seats, so you're all set. And you can count on its utility and comfort since Volvo makes some luxurious cars, and they don't skimp on utility...being tested in the snows of Scandanavia really means something.
Ahem. Ford DOES NOT own Mazda. They owned about a third of the shares which control Mazda until they sold them off, leaving Ford with about a 13% stake in the Japanese company.
Ford is not a decent brand, at least not in America. The UK, they have a lot of really old and new small cars, like the Ka (I like the Sportka, I really do) and the Fiesta. Bring some over here, Ford! Please?

[nikeratos]

As a brand Nissan does well. The problems per 1000 cars was within a dozen of Toyota in the ranking I was looking at.
Ford might not be able to continue as is forever, but its in the best condition of the big 3 to make it through the recession.
Again, I'm not too troubled by the gas mileage and considering that you've noted the large amount of old explorers still on the road, it seems as though their reliability problems might not be so bad.
Ford also owns (or owned/had a majority stake in) Volvo.
I agree that Volvo makes quality cars and I like the S40 very much, but it's hardly fair to suggest an XC90 over a Ford SUV. For starters, the XC90 will set you back at least 25% more than an equally equipped explorer, which would still have more interior space. Since you seem to be pretty hung up on gas mileage, the basic XC90 gets the same gas mileage as the larger explorer and expedition, and the V8 version actually gets worse.
As for reliability, CR gives the XC90 the same rating as the expedition: "Good"

[nikeratos]

Good points. Usually when people post in my blog, I don't see points well made!
Ford will have to make some changes, as will all of the big three, but you're right, they're in the best shape. Between Ford, Chrysler and GM, Ford has enough cash to make it through for a while without any bailout money, so that means they'll have less to worry about in terms of government control over how to run their business, MPG expectations, etc.
What gets me about seeing a lot of old Explorers on the road is that they all seem in bad shape, unlike other older cars such as Geo Prizms and Honda Civics which mainly seem to have superficial problems such as failing exhaust and rust, rather than severe engine or transmission problems.
About Ford owning (owned) part of Volvo, yeah, didn't know that, actually.
As for good family cars I really wish the minivan style wasn't in decline, because then I'd have a little more clout to argue alternatives to big SUVs as family movers. You're right, the XC90 isn't a good argument! Dodge's new Caravan still is the standard for good family transport, with practical options such as fold away seats (Stow-n-Go) and DVD players for the kids, and the like. I don't have any figures available but I'm sure, too, that it might get a bit better gas mileage than an Explorer or Expedition. Not as much utility, though. I suppose it depends on what you want.
So, considering your stance about what you want out of a car, yeah, there must be a market still for SUVs out there, so they should be provided, it's just like I said though, why couldn't Ford bring over some of the hip, cool cars they make in the UK over to the US? And why can't they keep factories in the US, rather than outsourcing them to Mexico?