Ford F-150 gets 41MPG. US Automakers: EAD

[CorvallisBMW]

Seriously, all this bitching and complaining by the Big 3 about how the new mileage standards will bankrupt the industry and make every car cost $10,000 more and blah blah blah bullshit....Here comes a private company who takes an ordinary, run-of-the-mill F150 and bumps it from 16mpg to 41 mpg.

http://jalopnik.com/399208/hev-technology-builds-41-mpg-plug+in-hybrid-ford-f+150-pickup-truck

That's a 250% increase in MPG.

Think about that. 250%, without any effect to the driveability or capability of the truck. Seriously, why don't automakers jump on stuff like this? It just pisses me off when they try and say that regulations and CAFE standards will bankrupt the industry. They said the same thing about seat belts. And airbags. And catalytic converters. And crash testing. And the first CAFE standards. Turns out people like having safe, economical cars. Sales actually went up! Holy shit.

According to the Big 3, each one of those things was going to bankrupt them and cause the US economy to implode on itself because of their collapse. Hey, Big 3: EAD.

[Vedubin01]

good read!

the Big 3 have been clueless for about as long as they have been around. They rather keep things the way they are and hope that the governemnt will bail them out. The big brass of these companies have not seen a huge loss in their paychecks but rather cut the little guy living check to check.

Its all cooperate greed at its best. The lack or morals and respect for their fellow man!

I say let it all fall! The little bitches will be the first to squeal! Then its just a witch hunt from there on out!

We will be a 3rd world country in the next 50 years!

[CorvallisBMW]

Its all cooperate greed at its best. The lack or morals and respect for their fellow man!

I say let it all fall! The little bitches will be the first to squeal! Then its just a witch hunt from there on out!

We will be a 3rd world country in the next 50 years!

That may be taking it a little far ;)

[JasonC]

I had a 93 Ram with a 360 auto that got 21mpg. And it was a big ugly box. So i've been wondering about any car companys, not just the Big 3 with their gas mileage that they get now. They can all improve from what they got in the past years.

[Turf1600]

That may be taking it a little far ;)

I actually kinda agree with him.

[uofom3]

I actually kinda agree with him.

ditto.

F the big three. They make shit products and clearly have no fucking idea what the market wants or needs. Their business practices are garbage. I don't feel bad for them in the least because they simply are not capable of reacting to the market properly. I don't wish bad things on them, but when you don't understand your industry or the economy you will fail.

There was a major article in the local paper that by 2010 they will be selling a ton of econo-box cars that they already make in the EDM, but can't get the factories reconfigured before then. That could be the only thing that saves them.

[2Big4a3Series]

Seriously, why don't automakers jump on stuff like this?

Because it's wise on their part to see how a new invention or technology will pan out before taking on the responsibility of adding it to the production. If you look at the history of auto production, you will read about stories where an automaker decided to adopt newer technology only to later be dissapointed because the supplier didn't deliver.

American Motors got screwed over royally when they were producing the Pacer because some of the suppliers backed out and/or provided sub-standard quality parts. They spent an inordinate amount of money to retool their factory only to end up making it exactly like all of the other AMC cars with a different body style.

[CorvallisBMW]

I actually kinda agree with him.

To an extent. But none of us want to see the US turned in to a 3rd world country. That would suck teh ballz

Though I think I detect some subtle VeDubin sarcasm in the post anyway ;)

ditto.

F the big three. They make shit products and clearly have no fucking idea what the market wants or needs. Their business practices are garbage. I don't feel bad for them in the least because they simply are not capable of reacting to the market properly. I don't wish bad things on them, but when you don't understand your industry or the economy you will fail.

There was a major article in the local paper that by 2010 they will be selling a ton of econo-box cars that they already make in the EDM, but can't get the factories reconfigured before then. That could be the only thing that saves them.

Agreed. They try their hardest to dig in their heals, resist change and never innovate more than absolutely necessary. Case-in-point: One of Europes best cars, the Ford Mondeo. Built by Ford, sporty, luxurious, reliable, economical. Gets over 42mpg with the diesel. But do they sell it here? Nope. Hell, even TG likes it, and they never like anything that costs less than $100K or doesn't hit 180mph.

BTW, what is EDM?

[allwheeldrive]

It always comes down to cost, whether it be manufacturing cost or maintenence cost. Not to mention that most automakers cannot afford to offer a warranty on brand new technology like that on a car that'll sell millions. Usually goes into higher end vehicles which cost alot, and are easier and cheaper to support in the big picture. Then it trickles down to the lower ladder of mass production giants once any potential bugs are worked out.

[rwh11385]

To an extent. But none of us want to see the US turned in to a 3rd world country. That would suck teh ballz

A lot of people in the media focus on the sad parts of society... there's actually a good amount of people adding value in the nation... and won't let that slip

[uofom3]

To an extent. But none of us want to see the US turned in to a 3rd world country. That would suck teh ballz

Though I think I detect some subtle VeDubin sarcasm in the post anyway ;)



Agreed. They try their hardest to dig in their heals, resist change and never innovate more than absolutely necessary. Case-in-point: One of Europes best cars, the Ford Mondeo. Built by Ford, sporty, luxurious, reliable, economical. Gets over 42mpg with the diesel. But do they sell it here? Nope. Hell, even TG likes it, and they never like anything that costs less than $100K or doesn't hit 180mph.

BTW, what is EDM?

You're spot on.

EDM - european domestic market.

I agree about change resistance, and a lot of that comes from ego. Firms that are innovative do better than those that don't more often than not. In this case, they just simply missed the boat.

Plus, the build quality on their cars/engines cannot be helping the overall MPG performance. They can keep whining, but all that's doing is pushing them more and more twoards failure.

Also, while I'm here... the ford focus SVT is a realiable little car that is fun to drive and gets pretty decent mileage. They have to be able to build something else like that.

[uofom3]

a lot of people in the media focus on the sad parts of society... There's actually a good amount of people adding value in the nation... And won't let that slip

+1

[Money$hit]

We will be a 3rd world country in the next 50 years!

Thats pretty ignorant, and I would bet my life against this comment.

[blunttech]

for the most part the big 3 make cars for the masses. we, a bunch of auto enthusiasts who like to drive are not the masses. they would go broke even faster trying to emulate BMW and other high end marques because most drones in the USA want to drive their POS from one costco lot to the next trying to door ding my shit

[Jon325i]

The reason why the Big 3 always stuck with the truck and SUV as we know it is because the profit margins were huge on these things - they chose not to invest millions and millions into developing new small, efficient cars. Instead, they took their existing trucks, gave them cushy interiors and lots of trinkets, then jacked up the price. To sweeten the deal, they lobbied before congress to convince them these vehicles shouldn't be held to stricter mileage standards by giving a pass up to a certain curb weight. When this deal was struck, Big Oil took the Big 3 out and they all got drunk. Since then they've been laughing all the way to the bank.....well at least Big Oil has. The Big 3 are still saddled with union worker pension issues.

I don't have one shred of sympathy for the mess the Big 3 is in. They made their own bed.....now they can sleep in it. Meanwhile the Japanese are gaining ground. Quickly.

Jon