Ford's Steep Climb To Move Way Forward

It's no secret that Ford is not doing well at selling its cars lately. With the decline of pickup sales due to high gas prices, long in the tooth model refreshing, and quality issues of the past that seem to repeatedly plague the manufacture, it's a wonder they still have hope that a bright light even exist at the end of the sales tunnel.

The Ford Americans have known for the past decade, has forgotten how to design desirable vehicles for the American public, putting out models that are years behind in design and quality of its competitors. The last desirable car, the Focus, was allowed to age and wither in sales, before that was the Lincoln LS.

As of late, Ford has taken measures to improve the quality and reliability of its entire vehicle line. But the question still remains, is it a little too late to save this dying American icon. While that ending is still yet to be written, Ford executives are busy cutting cost, aligning its global designs and platforms and working hard to sell off its premium brands Land Rover and Jaguar.

While these measures will go a long way to slow the hemorrhaging of sales and revenue, Ford needs the new blood of its fresh European kinetic designs along with excellent quality to bring back American customers to its dealerships. A glimmer of the possible future was shown at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show with the introduction of its Verve Sedan concept vehicle, which is still two years away.

General Motors, the world's largest automaker was in the same shape not long ago, but quickly figured out how to infuse some life into the company by dumping many of its underwhelming American models for models from its German brand Opel to renew interest.

If it sounds like I'm down on Ford, I'm not, I want the company to survive and better compete in the market. To compete, Fords way forward is going to entail scaling the Mt. Everest of American opinion.

What's Right:

• Improved Realiablity
• Lower NVH
• Microsoft Sync Technology
• Ecoboost Engine Technology

What's Not:

• Slab-Sided Designs
• Unimaginative Interior Designs
• Hard Grainy Plastic Interiors
• B-Pillar Quarter Windows