robertlane Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 On a chilly morning in February, the new chief executive of Ford Motor Co. (F ), Alan R. Mulally, boarded one of the company's Falcon twin-turbo jets and flew to Consumer Reports magazine's automobile testing facility in East Haddam, Conn. He was joined by two senior engineers. Their mission: to spend half a day with the publication's staff getting detailed evaluations of every model made by Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury. It wasn't a fun trip, according to a source close to the company. At one point, the Consumer Reports team criticized the new Ford Edge crossover SUV for lacking an electric opener triggered by the key fob--or at least a handle on the rear hatch. Both are standard equipment on many of its rivals. A woman on the magazine's staff demonstrated how she, at five feet tall, struggled to open the rear of the SUV as she carried two bags of groceries. Had it been a rainy day, she would have had to set her purchases down on the wet pavement and then muscle up the hatch. Once she'd done that, she'd face another hurdle: She was too short to shut it. READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 That article tells you in a nutshell why Ford is where they are today. It also shows why Mulally is one of a handfull of CEOs in the world that have the ability to fix it. And why he's worth every penny they're paying him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndkeeper Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 I had a hatch with my Mazda Tribute.....it definately was a nice conveinance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgy Girl Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 Im 5ft 1" - I can reach to close the hatch - with EASE.... As for hands full of groceries - thats why they have carts... Although a power release would be nice - we can manage... good grief.. however did we handle the older days with no power anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sim Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 (edited) Im 5ft 1" - I can reach to close the hatch - with EASE.... As for hands full of groceries - thats why they have carts... Although a power release would be nice - we can manage... good grief.. however did we handle the older days with no power anything We couldnt have coped in those days, just like AC, cell phones and the like! Edited May 25, 2007 by sim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xplorgee Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 Well see what good ol Ford will do in the next few years. I think there on the right track. They just have to open their eyes for small details and focus on what customers want. Not what they want to sell. Good times for everyone. Good article by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmerz Posted May 27, 2007 Report Share Posted May 27, 2007 I agree about the lift gate. Even though I am a big guy, I think that is a ridiculous statement. WOW, some of the stupid things people whine about. Like Edgy Girl said, it would be nice to have a power lift gate, but GET A GRIP! it isnt that heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted May 27, 2007 Report Share Posted May 27, 2007 I agree about the lift gate. Even though I am a big guy, I think that is a ridiculous statement. WOW, some of the stupid things people whine about. Like Edgy Girl said, it would be nice to have a power lift gate, but GET A GRIP! it isnt that heavy. Agreed. My wife and I actually feel comfort in the Edge being built so sturdy. Now a days its just great to not have plastic cars. I love the weight of the doors and the hatch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edged out + Posted May 27, 2007 Report Share Posted May 27, 2007 To me it doesn't seem much different than a 2003 Explorer limited that I once owned. Although that had the added benefit of the rear glass that would open but weight wise it seems comparable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueS Posted May 31, 2007 Report Share Posted May 31, 2007 Quite honestly some people just feel the need to whine! My liftgate is not as heavy as my Expeditions was. Opened and closed that one for 8 1/2 years and guess what....I'm still here and maybe my arms aren't as flabby as they may have been if I hadn't owned the truck. Don't think of it as something to whine about, think of it as another way to workout!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK-Kayaker Posted May 31, 2007 Report Share Posted May 31, 2007 The sad truth is, that even though alot of people would not have any issue with, the alleged problems listed by Consumer Reports. The only way Ford can make a big come back, is to listen to and change things listed as problems, by the American car hating whiners at Consumer Reports. Because most of people that read their rag know even less about cars than those writing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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