Jamaican Bulldog

Thanks for sharing your informative links as always KS. One thing to remember too is that the Fusion which replaced the original real mid size Taurus in 2005, became Ford's midsize competitor in that segment with the Camry, Accord, Altima etc. The Five Hundred was larger than the original Taurus and moved to the large sedan segment competing against Dodge Charger, large Buicks etc which was a smaller market than the midsize. Like you said the Five Hundred was a flop especially as Ford mated the 3.0 with an annoying CVT transmission on the AWD versions. The engine revved higher and made the car seemed like it was going slower that it was really going. The front wheel drive versions had a 6sp auto which behaved better. When the Taurus name returned in a mildly refreshed five Hundred's body, it brought the much needed and more powerful 3.5 liter engine. When it was properly redesigned I think in 09, it was like a niche car because the midsize Fusion had already established it self as Ford's real midsize sedan and had more factory support for leasing etc. The Taurus went to mostly fleets such as police cars. It also didn't help the Taurus that although it was technically a large car, it was not much roomier than the mid size Fusion etc. especially with its bulky center console. As a Ford salesman I can tell you that I think they would have sold alot more Tauruses if it was available with a front split bench seat with column shifter. The Taurus SHO is an awesome but under rated car, that was not marketed properly. Ford is very good at making sleeper cars but then don't tell anyone. Demographic changes and preferences have made the market for large sedans shrink even faster than what is happening now for midsize sedans. Personally I prefer sedans to CUV,s and SUVs, but the latter is more versatile and viable especially as they have become more efficient and comfortable to drive etc. In many ways the Ford Fusion has proven to compete and in some ways exceed against the Japanese cars in both quality, performance and technology. When the Fusion was redesigned in 13 it was stunning and it still looks modern and stylish, but Ford lags in keeping the car 'fresh' in a segment that refreshes often. Your point is well taken on how Ford has stupidly abandoned segments such as the mid size truck and Bronco and then years later play catch up. I would add to that the mid size 7 pass Aviator that left Lincoln without that type of vehicle for over a decade while selling loads of Explorers. No the MKT does not count. Another flop apart from in the Funeral industry. Now they might do it again by casting doubts on the future of the Fusion as they think everyone wants a CUV. I sell 4 brands and can attest to the movement towards the crossovers but many people still want cars. Even Honda is cutting back on the supply of the new Accord. I also understand that midsize sedans are not as profitable and it takes higher volumes in their sales than trucks and CUVs to make them more economically viable to produce. My suggestions regarding Fusion: The platform it currently on is still very advanced. Significantly refresh the car and add the smooth and efficient 8 sp transmission coming in its CUV platform mate the Edge. The Fusion is one of the few mid size sedans that offers AWD. I have the Sport which comes with many performance parts apart from the high output and torquey 2.7 twin turbo. They should make the Sport a ST which would help to market it and fit it in the growing ST lineup. Later on Ford should keep the Fusion and move it to the new CD6 platform which may help reduce it's cost to produce as it will share it with other models. Otherwise if costs is still a factor to keep the sedan, do what they did very successfully originally with the first Fusion. Collaborate with Mazda on a midsize platform that still gives both brands its own sheetmetal and personality. Either way it would help Ford to borrow an idea from Subaru that is working for them. Offer high sitting versions of the sedans and even a wagon version of the Fusion/Mondeo. Yes I think a Fusion wagon that sits like a Subaru Outback would sell well in the U.S.

Wow. Very well done. Beautiful truck

Wow I don't think I have ever seen one at a show such as Macungie, unless I did not realize it. I have seen them with the round lights though. Were the Superliner headlights available from factory or and add on after?

What model Brockway is that? Was that original? It looks a lot like a Superliner

Learning lot of interesting stuff here. Thanks. Where there any advantages or disadvantages when some models switched to the Volvo frames?

People like Farley should stick to rolling out cars without delays and recalls, listen to dealers and properly figure out what customers really want such as the Transit Custom you showed. Rather than condescendingly telling dealers what the Farley/Hackett 'think' they should sell or how to operate their dealership. They haven't figured out that many loyal to the brand are only really loyal because of the relationships dealerships have nurtured with customers. They talk about customer service but not long ago wanted the squeeze out small dealers because they figured people would just travel a little further to buy from big ones, not realizing that the small town dealers had forged relationships with customers. When the small ones were squeezed out. The many local folks just bought from other local competitor brands. They pushed heavily electric cars and hybrids years ago that were mostly supported by heavy govt subsidies. When they didn't sell as people preferred the value of other models, they blamed the dealers while being oblivious to the customer preferences. Then they would say for you to get the XYZ models that you really want that have good turn over you must take certain numbers of the hybrids etc. ( the same ones that sit on the lot for months which the dealers have to pay Ford floor plan expenses while they sit. I foresee the same thing will happen when the autonomous and electric vehicles roll out which are the recipients for loads of funds that was diverted to them from other models.

Is the MR the only model left with an original Mack designed/style frame or did it also transition to a Volvo frame?

https://newhaven.craigslist.org/for/d/mack-parts-galore/6527562708.html

Someone recently told me that the Mack MH, Superliner and CL all were on the same chassis and that is one reason the E9 V8 fit in all of them. If that is true, I am curious which other Mack models shared the same chassis especially if they were not produced at the same period? I know the R model and U model shared the same chassis but not with the DM even though they shared cab and hood styles. As a side note I always thought it was interesting that even the F models shared grill and windshield styles with the R, U and DM models but had come out earlier. Did the F and R share the same chassis too?

Binder or Corn Queen? Lol first I am hearing that nick name. Where I am from Internationals were nick named 'Nash' with no relation to the car company of that name..

What is a binder?

Ho would you compare the quality and performance of the MP 10 versus the X15?

Yes true. I wonder if we might see in the trucking industry the trend in the auto industry where manufacturers are able to get more power out of smaller engines that could only be available in larger displacement years ago. We see in the four wheeler industry 4 cyl replacing 6cyl, 6cyl replacing 8cyl and even 3cyl replacing 4cyl. Maybe in the trucking industry we might see more 13 liters replacing 15 liters. I think I read once ( maybe here) that this may be happening already in some ways in the trucking industry.

If Volvo is designing building that brands trucks with the ability to accommodate Cummins but the redesign the Macks to not have that ability, it only reinforces the point that they deliberately constraining the Mack brand.

I will do just that. Thanks for the info. In the mean time I was hoping to hear the insight and thoughts from others on this forum. The info on Peterbilt and Kenworth was interesting btw.

Back to the topic. Is there any chance Mack will offer Cummins in its heavier trucks?

I would like to learn more from what you mean by that

I am always fascinated how the very similar Peterbuilt and Kenworth brands strive. All of my memory of them seem that only the badges were different and maybe some hood styles. Was there a time when they were more distinct under the Paccar ownership?

I work at a dealer that does multiple brands in lower NY. Markets can vary a lot even in that same state. We do a lot of leasing and Cuvs across the brands we sell dominate by far even when the deals on the sedans are great and cheaper. Up state people tend to buy more than lease, so higher demand there for less expensive versions or pre owned. We do a lot of F-150s but mostly crew cabs and some supercabs but very few regular cabs. Many people buy these for a mix of business and pleasure, or the versatility of doing Home depot runs, towing etc. We sell a lot of loaded ones too. We do lots of full size Transits and get a lot of Sprinter trade ins on them. The Mercedes is a good van but gets expensive to maintain when the miles add up. The demand for crossovers is driven mostly because they really are very versatile and offer AWD, even though we do offer and cars. The CUvs are easier to get into for older folks and easier to handle baby seats and strollers etc for young couples. We get to order pretty much what fits our market even though Ford does try to get us take stuff not in demand such as hybrids and electric. I am not sure which registration data you are referring to but from what I see in lower CT, NY and over into NJ, a lot of trucks and SUVs are sold. If you go into wealthier suburbs. Lots of full size SUVs too.

I do not think they are pruning themselves from other markets. Things released here very often ends up overseas especially since the line is more global now. Ford is heavily invested in China even though they have recent down turn. It impossible that one platform could do Focus and Fusion/Mondeo size cars. Subaru Impreza platform will do cars even as big as the new 7 passenger Ascent. The new Focus will be larger and come from China for the NA market. Not sure what is happening with the Fusion. Ford has not been clear despite mixed messages. They sell 200K Fusions per year plus the cars off its platform such as the Edge, China version Taurus, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Continental, and European Mondeo. I drive a Sport model which I love and not a fan of CUVs plus I work at a Ford dealer. The market overseas has a better demand for the capabilities of body on frame platforms such as the Ranger and Everest in Australia. People in many markets tend to go more off road or travel on unpaved surfaces than the NA market. In many markets like Europe and South America the Ranger size is the biggest Pick-up truck most people want for many reasons and that is why the F 150 is not available in volume there. Some markets offer the Ranger then the Super Duties for heavy applications.

I think a Chinese Co. bought shares in Volvo but as to outright buy or controlling Volvo I not up on that.

Another thought. Whether due to demand or not manufacturers are adding more hybrid availability and even the Mustang may get a hybrid. Since the Mustang has evolved to where a potent ecoboost 4 is acceptable, do you know what variant of Mustang would greatly increase sales especially in areas that get snow? One with an AWD option. AWD in a sports car is not unusual anymore, so a ecoboost AWD Mustang might be viable. It would sell a lot more than a hybrid version.

Yes and it still has prestige and strong brand equity/recognition. People who are not even in to trucks use the expression 'as tough as Mack Truck'.

Ford needs to add the middle size Transit Custom. It is sweet spot that the old Chevy Astro occupied as long as possible. A van not too small or too big but can fit sheet rock or 8'x4'. Also a class 4 to 5 cab over. The last one the lCF was really an International till the divorce happened. Yes the sedan market is shrinking for everyone. Even Honda dealers are cutting back on ordering the all new Accord. However some customers still prefer cars over SUV and CUVs so Ford would be ill advised to surrender that market as some have indicated. The idea to cut the number of platforms and configurations is wise if done properly and will speed development times and help quality. For years Toyota used only 3 door handles across their Toyota and Lexus lines and few noticed.

I have a friend with a Volvo with over 1million miles on its Cummins which has not needed a overall yet. He bought it only because it had the Cummins and the deal not bcs it was a Volvo. If Mack offered a Cummins he would seriously considering upgrading to a Mack. So to your point, the brand does'nt excite him just the engine and price.