Jamaican Bulldog

I also doubt Ford will enter the class 8 market in the U.S with the European truck. Especially since they are dropping certain segments in their vehicle line up that sell over 100k units per year. Maybe some shared tech or components with updates F750 or if some kind or joint venture with another company, but I doubt the Ford emblem on a class 8 in NA.

The incredible story of a B-85 fire truck that responded to the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon and served a unique roll because it could fit in the tunnels. https://www.firehouse.com/historical-incidents/news/10504285/maryland-company-provided-vital-element-at-pentagon-on-911

Ford informed us a few months back that they will be pulling back marketing support for the Fusion. Another way to slowly kill the car and then say " see it is not selling". They complain about declining sales but like mentioned before and also by the person's letter in Automotive news, dealers are not getting the cars that can sell. They also tell us that they will instead be supporting the slow selling Hybrid more than the regular version thus making the latter more expensive than the former. Probably to meet the requirements of some govt mandate. Hybrid Fusion do not come AWD and have a smaller trunk. They also told us they would not be scheduling regular versions in August, only hYbrids. Even though more expensive the Sport should have been marketed properly and been the halo trim to attract people. In the last week alone I encountered 3 people under 30 who love their Fusion and will NOT replace them with CUVs. CUVs will never be as sporty as cars. Younger people prefer sporty and sexy cars then move onto CUVs later within the same brand if they develop a likeness for the brand and develop a relationship with the dealer. The successful brands that realize that sells both and make money doing it.

True. I do commercial fleet sales and some these discounts can be very steep for fleets, municipalities and even non-profits who get govt funding. Sometimes middlemen get them too. For example companies that sell or install Trane products can use a Trane fleet code on single purchases. Not sure if it was mentioned but was Ford in the bid? We are seeing alot of companies converting over from Sprinters to Transits. Based on these customers feedback. The Sprinters are great and reliable but being a Mercedes they are very expensive to maintain as they rack up miles close to 100k. Even for things like brakes, suspension or front end parts. Not every Mercedes dealer services them and a Freightliner dealer maybe be even harder to find. Meanwhile some companies run their Fords to 200k miles or more before replacing. However if these Sprinters are being leased then long term maintenance may not be an issue especially if the lease terms are good.

Yep.

Yes, plus if it also has the rugged 'look' effect it would be a win-win for not only selling to those who really go off road but also for those who want to look like they do. That has been one of the successful aspects of the Wrangler.

The Everest is based on the truck frame Ranger and is a very nice vehicle, however the Explorer fits the N/A market better for various reasons. Most people here do not use that type of vehicle the way an Everest was intended and the N/A extensive paved roads or highway system is more favorable to 'car like' driving SUVs. The Explorer offers easier exit and entry ( especially for elderly parents) and the 3rd row seat is more comfortable. My family has an Everest in the Caribbean so I am comparing to the Explorers I sell here. I would rather have an Everest there due to the road conditions and terrain but an Explorer here unless I did serious off roading in the U.S or needed more ground clearance. Toyota does still sell their Everest competitor here, the 4runner but their Camry based Highlander sells almost twice as much last year. Lexus wised up and is selling a 7 pass Camry based RX. Their 4runner/Prado based 7 pass GX shunned many who preferred the qualities favored by this market mentioned above. However, since the Ranger will coming back to the U.S it may be viable to offer an Everest type SUV here for people who need those capabilities. It may not look like the Everest overseas though or use that name. The Bronco will use the Ranger underpinnings so maybe that will be it but with retro Bronco styling. Keep in mind that the last U.S Ranger shared underpinnings with the older body-on-frame Explorer, so the economies of scale allowed both to be offered here. When the Explorer went to the Volvo derived platform that further killed off the Ranger ( even though I know others will agree with me that there was a case to keep the Ranger here). The new Explorer next year will sit on Ford's new very flexible platform and will have a longitudinal mounted powertrain. I think Ford is keeping it as quiet as long as possible because we are still selling the current Explorers like hotcakes.

Was it rare for Superliners or Macks in general to be non- Mack powered but have a Mack transmission like this one on Craigslist? https://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/hvo/d/1983-mack-truck/6684741023.html

Yes I think more people are buying SUVs because of the AWD option in the snow region but also for functionality, ease of entry and egress ( especially older people) and also because they are more efficient that they used to be. However many people still prefer sedans like me and they are generally less expensive. We also sell Subaru's and their sedans do primarily well in the snow region because of the AWD. Sedans to many people are more stylish and sporty than SUVs

Every now and then I see a pic of a Mack from the 30s or 40s referred to as a DM model . Did Mack use the DM model name in that time period before the of set cab model that came out in the 60s, or are some trucks being mislabeled? The trucks I have seen labeled as as DMs looked like the BM models or E models from the 30s or 40s era and do not have off set cabs. From what I know of Macks, they do not reuse series designation if the cab design is completely different, so would be surprised if the DM designation in the 60s was used before. The off set cab Mack DM that came out in the 60s is my favorite Mack and the truck that got me liking Macks in the first place.

I thought the MP10 was discontinued, or maybe just in the NA market.

I wondered about that too. Why not put the modern Transit body and powertrain on the heavier duty E-series chassis even if they had to put the flared fenders like the discontinued E550.

Yep because often the customer has to pay for an additional after market seat in the rear which takes up space. However there are some flip and fold up types that are pretty good aftermarket. Years ago Ford had a crew van package with a rear seat but they discontinued it.

No I haven't heard anything about new cabs. There was a time when we would hear more about this stuff but nowadays its like most factory reps only know what they need to know at the time. However a few real car veteran people left actually know a thing or too or seek it because they are the really the only car people left. Very often you ask a question of a new green rep, and they come back and tell you something you already know. It is not their fault its just how the company is now. Ford doesn't realize that alot of their customers make long term plans and if there is uncertainty they will actually consider competitors.

Yep, I only mentioned that to support your point that Turkey has been an important part of Ford global production of commercial vehicles which sometimes make it to the U.S.

We mostly sell the 3.7 naturally aspired V6 even for the larger and heavier versions up here in the NE. Most of our customers are ok with that engine. Eve though the diesel runs great, we don not sell many of them even for the high mileage customers that does airport shuttles etc.

The first generation Transit Connect in NA also came out of Turkey, now they come from Spain.

All wheel drive and a 3 pass front seat is rumored for 2020 NA refresh. Not sure why those options took so long especially the 3 pass front seat because both Ram and Sprinter offered it. Also the first NA Transit brochure in 2015 showed a pic so naturally alot of customers asked about it too. Ford should seriously consider the mid size Transit Custom for NA. Just like Mercedes were ahead to bring the Sprinter before Ford's own Transit ( even though they have had it for years overseas), they now are ahead of them with the Metris. There is a big demand for that size which can fit foot 8ft sheetrock but can also fit in regular parking garages or not too small. There is a reason GM made the Astor for so long. Speaking of GM...they are way behind in van market now. The Econoline will stick around for a while because its frame allows much higher GVW than the Transit which max at a little over 10k GVW. Ford may want to consider putting some ecoboost V6 or smaller diesel in it since it will be around for a while.

I didn't see mention of South America or Brazil in particular. A few years ago I noticed quite a few heavy Ford COE trucks there with the Cargo name. Are they different from the Turkish ones? They were not bad looking either and I could see how the medium duty ones could sell in the U.S to compete with COE, Isuzu, HIno etc. Interesting too that they have invested so much in there own 13 liter engine and proprietary components. Makes me think they are really serious about starting to extend their market globally like they said.

I live near Elmsford NY where Brookfield Resource Management is located. They scrap and recycle cars and heavy trucks. I Notice that many of their trucks look like they have alot of life left in them especially the Macks which are often not that old and nor wrecked. Someone once told me that some of the trucks do get sold whole and often wind up exported. Does any one here have any experience with Brookfield Resource Management and know if they do sell any of the trucks rather than part out? It would be a shame to know that so many get scraped. I sometimes drive pass there just to see which Macks got hauled in. Btw for many years the Mack Bulldog hood ornament was manufactured in Elmsford at Elsmford Diecasting Co. They even did the redesign of the bulldogs ears after someone injured their ring finger on one.

I have heard great things about these engines. I wonder if they had ventured into large diesel engines ( not sure if they did any diesels) if they would still be around.

https://www.overdriveonline.com/cant-run-with-the-big-dogs-stay-on-the-porch-junior-elmores-1984-super-liner/ It would be interesting to know if this old dog will be restored.

Do they still use the Leyland name on their truck or just DAF? I grew up with Leylands. They were tough reliable easily maintained trucks and buses and were found all over the world especially before high powered American and other European trucks started to dominate. There are still a large number of working older Leyland working in the Caribbean. Their buses were also tough. In the Caribbean islands like Jamaica local bus bodies were build on Leyland truck chassis. Even after newer buses from other brands started coming in such as Tata, Autogago Encava and even Volvo. As their powertrains and axles wore out they were replaced with Leyland parts especially for the step terrain areas.

Yep sadly they are getting rarer at municipalities too. The town of Greenburgh NY had quite a few they were also manual shift. I used like hearing them cleaning snow but they are being phased out for newer Granites. That might still a one or 2 RMs though. One driver told me he preferred the old RM to the newer trucks even though the newer ones are automatics,

Glad to see a DM tractor. So rare to see and my favorite Mack.