I heard on the news last night that Toyota is now the #2 automaker in the USA. They took it from Ford. I was surprised that no one is talking about that subject here.

 

This is the first I have heard about this, kind of a surprise too.

 

It was expected and I think intentional. The dropped a lot of production they sold as rental and fleet sales. They weren't making a profit on them so there was no point of making them.

 

Looks like Ford is focusing on quality instead of quantity. It's about time.

 

and toyota is doing the oppisite.

 

Toyotas quality as off late as suffered. Its amazing that really Toyota is about perception rather then reality. The perception is Toyota is perfect an Ford isnt. I hate burst you Toyota lovers ballon. But Toyta has had some serious recalls as off late on there vehicles an more problems with them then anybody else. I would put any domestic car against any off these foreign out fits anyday as far as relaibility is concerned.

 

I have been living that scenerio for the last 5 years or so. Basicly Ford's best vs Toyota's best. 2000 F150 vs 2002 Camry Solara. It's no contest that the Toyota has been far more reliable with far less maintence.

It hasn't been flawless though. We did have a water pump sieze at 58000 miles. That was fixed under warranty in under 24 hrs no questions asked.

IMO it's no suprise that Toyota is #2. I'm sure they will be #1 before long.

Mike

 

#1 in what, aint its time to do a real truck comparision, when trucks were really trucks.

 

Oh you again. This should be fun

Mike

 

1 could argue the other way that Toyota has take responsibility and made recalls vs. Ford that in some cases turns a blind eye to the situation.

 

The news reports said that Toyota had taken the #2 spot away from Ford, a position they had held for 75 years...but the 75 years part is incorrect.

In the late 1930's, Chrysler overtook Ford for the #2 spot in sales.

Ford didn't regain the #2 spot till after WWII.

In 1938, Ford offered: Ford, Lincoln & Lincoln Zephyr cars, Ford trucks.

Chrysler offered: Chrysler, Dodge, DeSoto, Plymouth and Imperial cars, Dodge and Fargo trucks.

Mercury introduced 1939, the senior Lincoln was dropped after 1939, only the Lincoln Zephyr continued.

Lincoln Continental introduced 1940.

 

Yah Bill is right Ford was number three in sales until Henry Ford II took over in 1945. He came out with a redsighned car the 49 Ford that pulled Ford out off a disasterous finacial situation. Rmeber Edsel Ford Henries son passed away an Henry took over as haed off the company. Henries grandson Henry II took over the reighns in 1945. A young guy that needed some guidance. He hired some great people that really turned the company around. Being in different roles with Ford CEO,President Henry II was in command off Ford from 1945-1979. 34 years. An on the board off Ford until his death in 1987. History lesson for the day.

Another twist here Ford could have been number 1 today if it Henry would have switched over the Model T to the Model A quicker. Between the two models for several months. Ford was not producing any cars. Dealers wer literally were taking a finacial hit until the Model A arrived at the dealerships. Theoretically you couldnt buy a new Ford in that time period. They werent being made. History lesson for the day.

 

When the changeover occured, there were no Model A's for 9 months...in fact, there were no new cars for 9 months, period.

Ford shut down the assembly line, and went to work designing the Model A.

At the time, there were 10,000 Ford dealers in the US alone. When T production ended, over 2,000 of the dealers, with nothing to sell, switched to other makes.

What was wrong with the T? A 1915 model looked similar to a 1927 model, little was changed in the way of styling from 1908 thru 1925.

Nothing was changed in the powertrain = nothing!

The same: engine, transmission and rear end that was used in 1908 was still being used in 1927!

The other problem besides stubborn 'ol Henry's refusal to change the styling was Ford's use of a planetary gearbox.

Just down the street from the Ford dealer, the Chevy dealer had an OHV 4 cylinder with a 3 speed transmission-what ppl wanted.

 

well sounds like ford has been in this situation before and pulled through hopefully they can do it again.

 

I think that they definitely will, but it won't be overnight for sure.

They need to keep up the good work with improving quality and rebuilding thier good name. Quality definitely has improved greatly.

Another thing they need is more innovation. 4 speed autos in trucks don't cut it anymore. Expand hybrid technologies. Make thier gas engines more competitive.

As far as looks, Ford is still hands down my favorite and it what has and what will keep me coming back (For trucks and SUVs at least), even if there are quality issues.

For cars, the Fusion has a lot to prove against the foreign cars that I've driven.

Mike