Ed Wallace, of Business Week does not think so, only because Ford Escort was the bestselling car in America for a decade. The man, however, was aware how Ford’s Freestar failed, ‘The second it hit the ground it was dead’.



As for me, I do not place that much of faith in Ford. I believe troubled times are here for Ford, which spells a capital... TROUBLE! First, three of the recent Ford releases have flopped, and in the second quarter of 2005 it lost a whooping $936 million. Last year, Ford lost $1.6 billion in North America and witnessed a shrink in its market share shrink by 5 percent. A decade earlier, more than a quarter of cars sold in US were Ford cars now its brands including Mercury, Lincoln, Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Aston Martin make up just 17.9 percent of the U.S. market. What do you say-do you think one Escort can be Ford’s savior?



As long as Ford continues presenting products customers fine unappealing then it is going to reach the fag end of its career. Even if discounts were offered for the product, as it did with Ford Five Hundred-it will never regain the losses made. Ford has become the target of environmental groups and is boycotted by American Family Association for its pro-gay and lesbian policies. Owned by United Auto Workers, it also owes billions in pension and health benefits to union members.



The company went through a major reorganization beginning of this year, aiming to slash 25,000 jobs and close 10 factories in North America to reduce costs. However, unless it reorganizes its product strategy, Ford, I believe will continue to incur losses. Ford should not have backed out of its hybrid promise. Unless it brings out fuel-efficient cars fast, the company would soon have to make way for its competitors.



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