As fuel prices rise and environmental awareness spreads, fuel economy - which has always been a priority to a consumer - has gradually risen to the top of the priority list like cream in old milk. Ford isn't pushing its popular F-150 or Mustang as much anymore. Instead, they're touting the facelifted Focus and Escape as competitive gas-misers. GM is shouting to the rooftops that its line of passenger cars are the greatest things since sliced cheese because of their fuel economy.

The thing is, are we buying it? The reason Ford had so many Mustang and F-150 ads is because they were their most popular models. Now that their sales numbers are dropping like loogies from an overpass, we go to the new Focus that looks like a duck after an accident? I don't know if that's going to work. And the Chevy Impala, whose 3.9L V6 shuts of half its cylinders once in a while, but won't make a lick of difference if you're a little heavy-footed. Yes, both companies are working really hard to turn their businesses around, but in the meantime, we're buying Hondas and Toyotas.

And Ford - you really should have put that new focus on the C-platform. When you're designing a car, think about what you would want to buy, not what a committee wants to sell. That way, when we see your commercials, we won't laugh quite as loud when you say, "Ford is helping you lead a fuller life."


[Source: AutoWeek]