sparky said - "Anything to stop the progression of the import explosion is a good thing to me, and Ford is definately on the right track! "
I'd conclude otherwise with regard to Ford being on the right track. Both Ford and GM continue to bleed market share - they have for the last 25 years. Daimler-Chrysler had a bit of an uptick this year, however I suspect that too will be temporary. As soon as folks realize their new crop of rear-drive 'hemi' powered vehicles have the same abysmal quality that most of Chrysler's line has had historically, those buyers will make different choices too. Were it not for their sheer size, based on their performance relative to other car companies over the last quarter century, both Ford and GM would be out of business, or merged/acquired by someone else as Chrysler was.
The reason Ford and the other domestic manufacturers are not on the 'right track' is because they've shown a consistent inability to produce quality vehicles that are competitive globally in the Corolla/Civic/Camry/Accord market. Ford/GM don't seem to be able to come up with one on their own, and they either refuse or don't know how to copy someone else's success. Ford's new "500", designed to compete in that market segment, has already left testers wanting based on reaction to the early pre-production models. Will it be better than the Taurus/Sable it replaces? Yes. The problem is 'better' isn't nearly good enough.
Today, when the other manufacturers bring out a new car in those segments, they aren't just incrementally better than their previous offerings - they are orders of magnitude better. Ford and GM historically have been completely incapable of that in their 'bread and butter' cars. Unless/until they have some breakthrough competitively in that car segment - they will continue to lose share. Their consistent winners have been largely confined to 'niche' segments (Mustang/Corvette/Caddy for example) and their truck/truck-related segments. Cars like the Mustang/Corvette/Caddy simply don't have enough volume at their price points to make a huge difference. And Ford/GM are coming under increasing fire in the truck segments from both non-domestic competition and from higher real oil prices. Adding to the problem is that the buyers they've lost - beginning in large numbers with part of the baby boom generation, and most of generation X, historically have not come back to domestic makers as time goes by. On the contrary - the success of brands like Acura, Lexus and Infinity has been based on the fact that once buyers stray from domestic companies, they're looking to 'move up' with the non-domestic competition. Strategically, it does not look good for either company. And culturally, both company's leadership seem incapable of solving the problem.
The Mustang will be a hit for it's target audience. The problem is that Ford needs MUCH MORE than that right now to be considered 'on the right track'. I've been consistently predicting it for the last 5 years or so. Don't know exactly when it will happen, but unless there's a HUGE shift in culture and leadership in both companies (GM/Ford) they will have to merge/be acquired to continue to exist. And I don't think their pride will allow them do that with a non-US based company. That leaves one option - given that bigger usually has it's way in these things - you can plan on your Mustang being 'GM' badged at some point in the future unless they figure it out in a hurry. Sadly, even that will only be a temporary fix for these two lumbering 'oafs'.
Sean - nice post; I'd add Porsche's new 'S' 911 3.8L and the new M5 5.0L powerplants to the list of non-domestic 'over achievers'. Porsche have squeezed 350HP out of a 3.8L flat-six naturally aspirated; the new M5 motor is a 5.0L V-10 naturally aspirated - 503HP at 7900 rpm with a redline at 8250. Kinda makes last year's Cobra with 390HP out of 4.6 supercharged liters look, well, puny. 351CJ - seems to me that Ford are the ones that are having trouble keeping up, not everyone else's 'little V6's'.
The '05's 300HP 4.6L may look great compared to what was available in the same car in '04. But on the global front, it doesn't really stack up. Once again - it's incremental change, rather than the break-through, order of magnitude change that's required to be successful in today's markets.
It occurs to me given Sean's list, that some of you will cry 'yeah, but they're more expensive'. Well, save your breath. Yes, they're more expensive - and guess what - they're STILL taking market share away; duh - that's WHY they're taking market share away - they're putting content INTO their cars. Ford/GM aren't going to 'rebate and incentive' their way back to the top. Why is it they can come up with $3000-$7000 per vehicle for advertising/rebates/incentives/special marketing programs, but they can't come up with that same money per vehicle for product development? Simple - they've got their strategic priorities in the wrong place; it ain't rocket surgery to everyone else, but apparently it is to Ford/GM. And until/unless they discover that for themselves, well, let's put it this way - I can hear the fat lady warming up off-stage.
Edit footnote - perhaps Ford is beginning to see the light. I read last night where the new Euro-Focus (we can't get that one yet - another Ford blunder) hi/po model for 2006 will be powered by one of Volvo's turbo-5 cylinder engines. Ford concluded their internally developed 4-cylinder didn't have enough 'umph'. Perhaps the tiniest sliver of light under the heavy door at the back of a long, dank, very dark tunnel. IF they pay attention - and I doubt they'll do it quickly enough - Volvo will be Ford's savior; Subaru will be GM's.
Anything to stop the progression of the import explosion is a good thing to me, and Ford is definately on the right track! 
