Europe’s car market is still a good half-decade away from making a recovery, according to Ford’s top man in Europe. Reuters quotes Stephen Odell, Ford’s European CEO, as anticipating a $1.8 billion loss in Europe this year, stating
“There are indications that an end of the decline may come in the second half of this year. However, a recovery of the market, we estimate, will take at least five to six years.”
After closing multiple plants and cutting thousands of jobs in response to major overcapacity issues and declining demand, Odell stated that he anticipated no further restructuring moves on the continent.
I sure would like that Focus ST wagon…
I thought that was the Fusion wagon (which I would love to have); but I guess you are right.
TTAC Staff:
How about captioning all exhibits in articles? Couldn’t add but maybe 30 seconds to the writing process.
Most browsers show the link target at mouseover. In this case it says “Ford_Focus-ST_Wagon.JPG”. I realize it’s a poor substitute for a caption.
I’m liking the design aside from the big DLO fail at the front, and the matte window trim. It REALLY looks bad when you have a front/rear tint difference.
What really looks bad is I can’t tell if its a TDI with six speed manual, but most of all, no mocha-caramel brown metallic!
Tinting front side windows is not allowed in most European countries.
Whaaat, lame. All side windows should match in their coloring, unless it’s an old Pathfinder or QX4, then they can be gold or green-tint.
I would say 2 years, tops.
You think? That would mean a fast end to both Opel and PSA to get the market rationalized to available capacity.
I’m not saying you’re wrong but I think that that is a little fast and it looks like Ford would agree. I don’t think that France is that willing to let PSA go no matter what Brussels wants and GM is very stubborn. So far, they have deals out to 2016 and look like they are willing to barter with the unions over shutdowns almost indefinitely.
Neither helps Ford, Renault or FIAT.