Ford Motor CEO warns of stagnant sales through 2009

Now maybe the American car companies will
finally wake up and produce a competetive
product ? I haven't bought an American
car in 20 years, for the money, they're flat out
garbage.

I watched this go on for years. Ford, GM, and many others followed the market trend for the gas guzzling vehicles. They were unable to "see the forest for the trees", and will lose big now.
Long ago, I only drove fords. My last was a 1995 F150 which remains the nicest, most comfortable vehicle I ever had. But, It only got 15 mpg. I had to get rid of it, and replaced it with a Nissan Frontier Pickup. My wife drives an 05 Xterra now. Evern with its large 4.0 V6, it gives 23 mpg hwy, and 17 mpg city. Not bad. My uncle had an 06 Ford Ranger with the essentially the same drive train. It only gave 15 mpg, and it was small than the Xterra!
They have to figure this out. Otherwise I will never have another Ford. Very sad.

Comparing some recent models, released as "quality" by Ford [like the Taurus], to other competitors, they have had ten times as many recalled failing parts, according to independent reviews. That "track record" over the last ten years makes people consider Ford's products as a less viable option in a tight economy as people hope to make better investments than the risky ones Wall Street typically has.

Ford cars are pure junk and always have been
and the people know it. Ford should be closed
down for good for selling so much junk!

I bought my first American car in 21 years last year (2007Ford Mustang GT). I have not had any problems with it at all and it is as well put together as my 2006 Subaru. I can feel your apprehension at buying any vehicles from American manufacturers, given past history of reliability, but I would at least take a look and a drive the next time you buy a vehicle, jdunn. I am seriously considering a Chevrolet Malibu as my next lease after my lease on the Subaru is up. The Malibu is a nice-looking vehicle that has better looks than many of the new foreign vehicles. It gets pretty good gas mileage and a very nice interior comparable to the foreign makes. I used to be a Toyota buyer for many years but I don't like the designs they have come out within the last few years. As with all vehicles, make sure the dealership is known for their great service department, more so with American auto dealerships than Japanese auto dealerships.

Dont count on the quality to improve in this economic time...

I use to buy only Ford products. Lincolns, trucks, Merc wagons, many mustangs, Pantera, etc. My last was a 1990 pickup that at 13 months and 6,000 mi had the paint going bad, bad trans., and paint falling off the wheels. I called, they said it was "my problem". I or my family have never since or ever will again own a Ford product. Now it's "their problem". We only buy foreign brands now. (seven households)

As an owner of an auto repair shop, I must say we really like Ford. They keep us in business!

help to destroy the US economy buy Japanese

I bought a Ford F150 Supercrew new in 2001 and it now has 200,000 miles on the odometer without a single mechanical failure. I get 20 MPG with the 4.6L V8 and while I'd like better mileage I feel the fit and finish is as good as any car I've owned in my 40 years of driving. Fit a hydrogen generator to the throttle body and I'd wager the truck could get 35 MPG or better.

just read your all of your comments and it is so easy to see why this country is in the shape it is in.

Not sure what your complaining about. I have over 109k miles on my 2000 focus. Two sets of front brakes and one set of rear brakes during 8 years for an adult driven car isn't bad. Recently I had the trans pan dropped and the fluid and filter changed. Oil change every 3k miles and the car has been very good, even in Chicago winters. I also have a Ford 350 for hauling stuff.

Perhaps japanese cars will take more abuse, but if you care for your Ford, it'll get you where you are going.

I work as an engineer for an American Corporation (not Ford) and I buy American made products.

I am a Ford shareholder and have been buying it's stock as I think at it's currently level it's a great deal.

Ford is in trouble because it does not make cars that people want to buy. That alone is Ford's problem, not the economy. Ford could easily increase its sales by 400% per month if it would only start making cars people want to buy. We want Ford to go bankrupt as punishment for not making cars people want to buy.

Look at the trucks from 'yesteryear'. They got way better mpg's than todays trucks. So much for the new being better. Tell me the government had nothing to do with this...

Hate to tell this FORD guy but the economy isn't going to turn around until 2011 or 2012. By then he is going to be having his going out of business sale.

I have no sympathy for Ford or any of the other American car makers! They have had 35 years to change and produce cars that could compete with the world market. They make an overpriced product that lacks the quality of Japan, Korea or Germany! And just think, they once ruled the roads! If they cannot keep up, then they must go out of business!

My first ford was a 1969 mustang. Had it 12 years. Great car. My current is a 2001 F250 diesel. 210000miles. Has used batteries, tires and the only other failure was a cam sensor. Ford paid for that. I must be the pretty lucky, they have been great for me.

i own a 1998 ford escort zx2 with 95,000 miles.never had a problem with it.running great and get 32 mpg hwy.

I've had Fords and Chryslers. Never, ever again.
I'm on my third Audi and will never look back.
Fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice......

Or.........keep buying stuff from Generous (to the unions) Motors and Fix Or Repair Daily, thus postponing the day they have to start building in the quality which allows Honda and Toyota to sell all over the world. Despite all the HAAARVVVVVVARD boy executives and their hords of engineers, GM will be reduced to contract manufacturing CHINESE cars in the US before long. Maybe THEN they will build something worthwhile. They had to go to Australia to get their last two Pontiac sedan designs. Real efficient.