Product explosion?
Ford's GT40 is to be priced over $200,000? THAT will surely endear them to the hearts and pocketbooks of middle America.
If this is the type of “product explosion” Ford has in the “pipeline,” the pipeline really is empty.
Cathy Cook
Product Engineer
Roxboro Facility
GKN plc
Editor's note: Your outrage is well-placed, but relax. Expect GT40 to sell under $200,000, Ford reveals.
A Focus by any other name
Regarding Ford's promise to introduce 20 new products in North America annually, how does Ford define a product? They have implemented the removal of the Mercury Villager, Ford Escort, and Mercury Cougar from their lineup, which adds up to three products by product definition. Where are these 20 new annual products coming from?
Would an individual product be distinguished vehicle trim, for example, as a Taurus GL or a Taurus LX? Or would this include minor revision from one model year to the next by the addition of Ferrari Red paint color? By this reasoning, I would not believe the hype.
Paul M Paplinski
Program Management - Venezuela
Jeep Special Programs Engineering
DaimlerChrysler Corp.
Californians are real
As an automotive engineer myself, my common sense was offended by your editorial (see WAW — Aug. '02, p.5) on two levels.
First, you're assuming the “elected” California officials are forcing ideas about CAFE improvements down the throats of constituents. Don't you think someone else with the OPPOSITE agenda would've been elected by now if that were the case?
After the last 10 years of media reporting, the California public is QUITE aware, I'm sure, that saving the environment has a cost. What you seem to miss is that they feel the environment has a value, too - something you seem to miss. People do replace their $500 catalytic converters, instead of straight-piping them.
Gary M. Kempen
South Lyon, MI
Fuel cell hype
RE: “Behind the Fuel Cell Hype” (see WAW — Aug. '02, pp. 50-54). It is good to see one magazine that isn't worshipping the fuel-cell idol. I may be biased, but fuel cells have a lot of catching up to do if they are really going to compete with IC engines.
Dalebert
Credit where due
A small point but you say the new version of the Ford 5.4L is being launched at Windsor (see WAW — July '02, p.10) and in the body of the story, you say correctly that it is being built at the Essex Engine plant.
A point of clarification: the current 5.4L engine is built at Windsor with the new 3-valve being built at Essex along with the 3.8L and 4.2L engines.
They are both great plants but I'm sure the good folks at Essex Engine plant don't want to be confused with the Windsor engine plant (or vice versa).
Jerry Coulter
Wacker Chemical Co.
Adrian, MI
A vote for pizzazz
Jerry Flint is right on target. Today's automobiles are nothing more than what I call euro-ugly. They all look the same. They are of very good quality but absolutely no pizzazz.
If GM wants Cadillac or Ford wants Lincoln to be the standard of the world then they should quit copying their foreign competition.
Put the chrome and paint and pizzazz back.
Bob Gunow Jr.
Put on the gloves
In the Dana Corp. advertisement (see WAW — Aug. '02, pp. 32-33) on Tailor Metal Structures Technology, the Product Engineering Manager is holding a metal part and wearing safety glasses but no gloves. I'm not sure of why the safety glasses, but handling bare metal with the proper gloves is a must.
At least she is wearing proper glasses and sleeves to her wrist.
Gregg Lovell
SQA/Readiness
General Motors
Pontiac, MI
