When should we be scared?

[SkyTorch]

I don't shop for cars much, but I decided to see what was new on the Ford site. First thing, there a menu that direct the shopper to various car sites, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury I expected. I didn't expect to see Mazda, Land Rover, Volvo, Aston Martin and Jaguar. That's a hell of a portfolio. I can imagine that financial troubles brought Ford to the door with an offer they couldn't refuse. But at what point does this become a problem for the buyer? Are we to expect that Ford won't manipulate the the Euro-companies to push thier own cars? Is it better for a company to die out instead of getting a bail out? Does Ford share technologies between companies to tip the playing feild in thier favor? When should we be scared?

[chrisr67]

Personally, I'd be scared buying ANY American made car! hehe

[BP2K2Max]

ford has owned thoser companies for a few years now. the jaguar x type is a taurus silver jaguar emblem on the front and higher price tag. i'll never understand how they got in with Aston Martin though, or Volvo for that matter. it seems to be a pretty common practice. Gm owns saab, chrysler has mercedes. it's very common. i wouldn't be worried.

[SkyTorch]

Originally Posted by BP2K2Max

ford has owned thoser companies for a few years now. the jaguar x type is a taurus silver jaguar emblem on the front and higher price tag. i'll never understand how they got in with Aston Martin though, or Volvo for that matter. it seems to be a pretty common practice. Gm owns saab, chrysler has mercedes. it's very common. i wouldn't be worried.

And maybe if it was just one, my mind wouldn't have gone there. But they (Ford) own 4 Euro-makers and a Japanese. Granted, none of these acquisitions are what we would call major players in the market. Almost all would be makers for a specific kind of consumer, except Mazda. It does open up manufacturing, market share and pricing in 3 continents in this case. Sounds like Ford beat the 'anti trust' law and is going to run with it.

[SledgehammerVette]

I thought the X types chassis was based off the LS platform?

Oh well ya Ford has owned all those manufacturers for quite some time now. In a way Ford has helped Aston Martin out nicely now they can produce more cars, but will quality go down?

And you think Ford has quite a collection. GM has way too much. Subaru, Saab, Suzuki, Isuzu, Fiat, and too many more.

[joeB]

Originally Posted by SledgehammerVette

I thought the X types chassis was based off the LS platform?

They are.