Is this the future of towing??

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

True..

But, I have what one might call an "insiders" access to information when it comes to Ford.

All right then...spill it...when do I get another new truck!!!!???? You know, I often wonder about people in management and make these absurd decisions. Yes the economy is bad, and fuel costs are the root of that problem. Offer people a vehicle that might save them a few dollars at the pump (without raping them on the purchase price..which seems to be the norm for deisels) and you can bet they will be buying them...bad economy or not!


Ian

 

[outkast7222]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

I know in 2010 the Subaru Outback will be offered in a Diesel. I think that's one of the only Japanese cars in the USA that is going to be diesel.

Just a quick correction....Subaru is and Australian company....not Japanese

 

[md-lucky]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

All right then...spill it...when do I get another new truck!!!!???? You know, I often wonder about people in management and make these absurd decisions. Yes the economy is bad, and fuel costs are the root of that problem. Offer people a vehicle that might save them a few dollars at the pump (without raping them on the purchase price..which seems to be the norm for deisels) and you can bet they will be buying them...bad economy or not!


Ian

Man Ian, I wish I could tell you. I'm also "in line" if they produce it.

It has been shelved "until the economic climate changes." No joke. That's almost verbatum their verbage.

Ford is in the best position to do it.. But as you said, management seems to think otherwise. Ford will miss the boat on Diesel engines, just like they missed the boat on hybrids.. And beleive me, thats not the first time I've said that to folks.. Including higher ups in Ford.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

Huh? Sorry, I just don't understand if Obama likes or doesn't like diesels, or if you do or don't like Obama, or some sort of combination . . . And still not sure what the heck Obama has to do with the question.

I like choices and whether it is a mini-truck, a Golf, a 3 series BMW, an S class Mercedes or a Marine propulsion package why wouldn't I want a hi-tech diesel option to consider?

QC, from what I read and understand, the current administration is moving towards a more environmentally friendly position that will remove the full size towing vehicles, diesel or gas, from the new car choices available to us. We all know that getting rid of big trucks and sport utes have been on their wish list for some time. Buying one may mean higher taxes or "cap & trade" fees or simply no longer available.

The tangential question posed by this thread is: Will we have tow vehicle options available to us that are capable of pulling our 8,000 lb boats? That's a concern to me. I want the liberty to have options without paying fees or taxes. I pay enough of that in my gas tax. Will improved technology bring better mileage and increased tow capacity? Not all of have 3,000 lb boats. Whether you like or don't like the administration is not relevant, except they will point us in a direction we may not like and hence should pay attention. I'm guessing that was jkust's thoughts.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

Just a quick correction....Subaru is and Australian company....not Japanese

Are you sure. My subaru has a metal plate under the hood that says "Fuji Heavy Industries". Doesn't sound very Australian to me.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

Let me respond to a few comments I have read.

1) It will be very hard for ford to miss the boat on diesel technology because they already produce 1000's of diesels in Europe. The only reason why they don't bring them here yet is because there is a large negative stigma remaining from the horrible diesels of the late 70's, many of which were modified gas engines that were loud, lacked power, and smelled/smoked/polluted. If they bring them here and it fails they are up a creek as they are already struggling financially. As soon as someone else takes the risk (which is happening now) and proves that there is a viable market, Ford will come full force with some of the best and most affordable diesel options. (IMHO)

2) sure there are some options like Subaru, VW, BMW for diesels now but I based this thread on the Ford Ranger because it has a frame that can tow unlike the car diesels that are starting to emerge. Diesels have so much torque making them great tow vehicles but none of the new gas sipper diesels have a frame that can take advantage of this. A small truck like the Ranger will change all of this. I mean this thing will tow better than my Ford Escape (that I tow with now) and get better mileage than my Ford Focus (I get 32 mpg mixed driving). Come to think of it forget the Ranger, I want a diesel Ford Escape so I can bring the kids with me,,lol.

 

[rcnut143]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

yes Subaru is a Japanese company...http://www.subaru.com/company/index.html

 

[scipper77]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

yes Subaru is a Japanese company...http://www.subaru.com/company/index.html

I can understand the confusion
Australia:

Subaru:

I this global economy it's hard to keep track of who makes what.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

L
2) sure there are some options like Subaru, VW, BMW for diesels now but I based this thread on the Ford Ranger because it has a frame that can tow unlike the car diesels that are starting to emerge.

2010 subaru forester diesel is rated to tow 4400. yes, short of a ranger, but still respectable.

 

[md-lucky]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

1) It will be very hard for ford to miss the boat on diesel technology... As soon as someone else takes the risk (which is happening now) and proves that there is a viable market, Ford will come full force with some of the best and most affordable diesel options. (IMHO)

So they're not going to miss the boat, but they are going to allow someone else to "take the risk."


I fail to see how that is different than the hybrid situation, where they "allowed" other manufactorers to develope a hybrid and take the market long before they even had an option to offer. 2010 is the first year you can purchase a hybrid Ford car. They not only missed the boat, they missed the damn dock.

They need to do it. It just flat needs to happen. The only way it is going to happen is if we "the public" keep pressure on them to make it happen!

 

[clarkbre]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

Just a quick correction....Subaru is and Australian company....not Japanese

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru

Yep, do your research. Just because Crocodile Dundee drives an Outback doesn't make the company Australian.

That is pretty impressive with the Forrester and the diesel towing capacity.

 

[outkast7222]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

I do stand corrected....sorry I guess i always assumed it was an Australian company due to the symbol...and I had a Justy that was manufactured in Australia.

 

[skargo]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

I do stand corrected....sorry I guess i always assumed it was an Australian company due to the symbol...and I had a Justy that was manufactured in Australia.

Nope, they were manufactured in Japan, and the Europe version was made in Hungary.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

QC, from what I read and understand, the current administration is moving towards a more environmentally friendly position that will remove the full size towing vehicles, diesel or gas, from the new car choices available to us. We all know that getting rid of big trucks and sport utes have been on their wish list for some time. Buying one may mean higher taxes or "cap & trade" fees or simply no longer available.

The tangential question posed by this thread is: Will we have tow vehicle options available to us that are capable of pulling our 8,000 lb boats? That's a concern to me. I want the liberty to have options without paying fees or taxes. I pay enough of that in my gas tax. Will improved technology bring better mileage and increased tow capacity? Not all of have 3,000 lb boats. Whether you like or don't like the administration is not relevant, except they will point us in a direction we may not like and hence should pay attention. I'm guessing that was jkust's thoughts.

Care to post the source of this speculation?

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

Speaking of Ford and their great European diesels, sure beats a 30 mpg Focus of a 45 mpg Prius.
The 65 mpg Ford the U.S. Can't Have
http://www.businessweek.com/magazin..._autos+--+lifestyle+subindex+page_top+stories
I would love a diesel Ford Edge, love that little truck. Loved the looks of the Buick Enclave but I wont seek out another car from Obama motors, if a great deal on something I can flip comes along fine but I wont buy something from Obama Motors. How the US Gubmint undercut Ford with the GM bailout deal is a darn shame, I guess it isnt all bad as it looks like GM is going to slowly wither and die.
With the changes GM is talking about making its obvious to me GM Mgm't still doesnt get it, they've come a long way since 350 diesels.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

So they're not going to miss the boat, but they are going to allow someone else to "take the risk."


I fail to see how that is different than the hybrid situation, where they "allowed" other manufactorers to develope a hybrid and take the market long before they even had an option to offer. 2010 is the first year you can purchase a hybrid Ford car.

The difference is that they already have diesel technology developed and in production. It's not like the hybrid situation where the options were to develop there own hybrid system from scratch or pay to use Toyota's technology like Nissan did. Everything is already diesel in Europe.

The only delay would be the time it takes to set up the tooling for US production and perhaps adding extra emmisions controll for the US market.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

Seems to be a poor decision at any rate. There has to be more to this then marketing managers regurgitating previous managers concerns about bringing deisels to north america. It seems like a no brainer to me, and many many people that I talk to. Heck, even around here people often wonder why deisel I/O's aren't available. I just don't get it, and it stinks.

Ian

 

[jkust]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

QC, from what I read and understand, the current administration is moving towards a more environmentally friendly position that will remove the full size towing vehicles, diesel or gas, from the new car choices available to us. We all know that getting rid of big trucks and sport utes have been on their wish list for some time. Buying one may mean higher taxes or "cap & trade" fees or simply no longer available.

The tangential question posed by this thread is: Will we have tow vehicle options available to us that are capable of pulling our 8,000 lb boats? That's a concern to me. I want the liberty to have options without paying fees or taxes. I pay enough of that in my gas tax. Will improved technology bring better mileage and increased tow capacity? Not all of have 3,000 lb boats. Whether you like or don't like the administration is not relevant, except they will point us in a direction we may not like and hence should pay attention. I'm guessing that was jkust's thoughts.

Thank you, yes.. basically my thoughts.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

Care to post the source of this speculation?

Sorry, I'm not speculating. Read the news. When I get a chance, I'll pull up some news articles for you.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

Thank you, yes.. basically my thoughts.

I don't think any of us want to turn this into a political dialogue or digress into petty politics. As an industry and large group of tax paying citizens, we need to pay attention to the direction our government is heading and speak out either in favor of or against those issues we see as helpful or harmful to us. I am all in favor of improving technology and increasing fuel mileage. But, I want the option available to me to purchase the vehicle of my choice to perform the tasks I need accomplished. Low mileage means I buy more fuel and pay more taxes. Adding additional fees (taxes) is not in my favor.

I'd love to see a diesel truck capable of towing 10,000 lbs and get 30+ mpg. Especially one made by Ford.