[rpvitiello]

Originally Posted by focaljet-1

Lincoln needs to compete with Cadillac directly IMHO. If you don't, there is no reason for it to exist. The Lincoln brand needs to once again mean something.

And as much as GM wants Cadillac to be compete with BMW, it ain't happening. You might convince some Americans to cross shop, but in Europe, it's not working.

I'll reiterate my stance that Mercury could sell the C1 Focus, the Mondeo, etc. Although I do agree that you lose the global branding momentum. But, it would be better than what Mercury is now.

Ford is not in the position, financially, to introduce a new brand (the Scion-beater as you refer to).

And, you really have to leave the PAG brands and Mazda somewhat out of the equation. They have their spots, but should continue to operate outside the Ford Universe IMHO.

Ford already said they are NOT going after BMW, because Cadi is hitting for that market, and they just do not have the resources to go after it. They feel Acura and LExus is a better goat to shoot for...

And the reason Cadi is not doing well is they are releasing cars WORSE than the US spec models in the europe (like there saab based intro car) instead of importing there better RWD V8 cars. IF they sold the same cars in the US and EU, and listend to the demands of customers on BOTH sides, they would make cars that were more appealing to both markets.

And if i brought in the PAG group, i would do it by killing off allot of the ford side. Ford should be selling tricle down tech from those companies, not tryign to do there own thing. As it is many of the ford cars, motors, safety are ALL from the PAG, why not just improve relations and make them one, but NOT have ford teams take over, but have PAG teams take over. With the old polotics of the company that would have never happned, but now there is a chance to do that.