Ford takes a page out of the Hyundai playbook

[Wagner]

But..better...Hyundai stops at just shy of $300/mth, Ford goes up to $700/mth

Again America, back this horse.

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DEARBORN, Mich — Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday it is offering a payment protection plan to help reassure consumers who may be putting off buying a new car because of worries about losing their job.

The offer comes as auto sales have been battered by the recession and tight credit.

Ford said Tuesday it will cover payments of up to $700 each month for up to a year on any new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle if consumers lose their jobs. The program runs until June 1.

Hyundai Motor Co. has been offering a deal that allows buyers to return a vehicle within a year if they can't make the payments due to a job loss or disability. That offer helped curb the decline in the South Korean carmaker's U.S. sales in February.

Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford is also offering zero percent financing on certain Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.

"Consumers remain anxious about the economy and their own outlook for the future," Ken Czubay, vice president of sales and marketing, said in a statement.

Ford's announcement comes a day after President Barack Obama said the government will back new car warranties issued by General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC, who have accepted federal assistance and are seeking more, to help boost consumer confidence about buying their vehicles.

Ford has not requested federal bailout funds.

Ford also said that it will offer more details in April on its program to help charities affected by the economic downturn.

[ravenheart]

Too bad that Ford is hideously expensive.

We've been shopping for a replacement for the X5 - I could not believe it when we spec'ed out an Edge - it was 38.000 with the Z plan! For that kind of money you can get a Genesis - or better yet - a loaded 3 year old 750i. Who in their right mind would choose the ford?

We owned a ford escape before we bought the X5 - it was a nice car and it was cheap, so the cheapness of the car was expected. The Edge however still feels cheap, but it obviously isnt.

[TQ2K]

Yeah man! I'm liking what Ford is doing and they're definitely going the right direction.

[blondboinsd]

Originally Posted by ravenheart

Too bad that Ford is hideously expensive.

We've been shopping for a replacement for the X5 - I could not believe it when we spec'ed out an Edge - it was 38.000 with the Z plan! For that kind of money you can get a Genesis - or better yet - a loaded 3 year old 750i. Who in their right mind would choose the ford?

We owned a ford escape before we bought the X5 - it was a nice car and it was cheap, so the cheapness of the car was expected. The Edge however still feels cheap, but it obviously isnt.

I'm not sure how loaded you made it but the Edge is a great crossover. I had it in GA last year and drove it from 5 hours straight and it was fantastic. Great mpg, good engine and great interior.

[Meiac09]

If they were smart, the gov would implement something like Sec 179 to promote sales of domestics. If that happened, there would probably be an Expedition in my garage, and the X would go bye-bye for a 135.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by ravenheart

Too bad that Ford is hideously expensive.

We've been shopping for a replacement for the X5 - I could not believe it when we spec'ed out an Edge - it was 38.000 with the Z plan! For that kind of money you can get a Genesis - or better yet - a loaded 3 year old 750i. Who in their right mind would choose the ford?

We owned a ford escape before we bought the X5 - it was a nice car and it was cheap, so the cheapness of the car was expected. The Edge however still feels cheap, but it obviously isnt.

you just compared a used sedan to a new crossover

I agree with BB's response.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by blondboinsd

I'm not sure how loaded you made it but the Edge is a great crossover. I had it in GA last year and drove it from 5 hours straight and it was fantastic. Great mpg, good engine and great interior.

To quote Michelle when seeing my Expedition EL "..it looks like it just crapped my X5"

And as follows, the GM version of the Ford/Hyundai style plan...but with new an improved stupidity....

GM calls its plan "GM Total Confidence." The automaker will make as many as nine monthly payments of up to $500 each for buyers who lose their jobs "for economic reasons" during the first two years of ownership. Only those eligible for state unemployment benefits will be able to have their car payments covered, GM spokesman John McDondald said.

GM is also offering to protect consumers against the loss in their vehicles' value. If you want to purchase another GM vehicle later on but the GM vehicle you purchased today is worth less than the amount you still owe on it, GM will cover that difference, up to $5,000.

Chevrolet needs to get the he!! out of GM.

[FSETH]

I agree that Ford has it going on right now. The Fusion is a good car in normal and hybrid forms, the new Taurus looks pretty darn good and is very safe, the focus is a a good little car, the Mustang isn't bad and the trucks have been good for a long time.

I will agree that I was surprised to see the sticker prices on the Edge and Flex. They were way higher than I anticipated, but overall Ford is going in the right direction. I also think about what pre-owned BMW's I would be able to buy for the price of new cars, so I don't think comparing new to pre-owned is that strange.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by FSETH

I agree that Ford has it going on right now. The Fusion is a good car in normal and hybrid forms, the new Taurus looks pretty darn good and is very safe, the focus is a a good little car, the Mustang isn't bad and the trucks have been good for a long time.

I will agree that I was surprised to see the sticker prices on the Edge and Flex. They were way higher than I anticipated, but overall Ford is going in the right direction. I also think about what pre-owned BMW's I would be able to buy for the price of new cars, so I don't think comparing new to pre-owned is that strange.

Not saying that was strange but sedan to crossover was odd. Hey, you could look all day at a 2000 Aston Martin for less than a new Navigator. Doesn't make it worth it

[FSETH]

It seems like GM is going to lose a ton of money in upside down trades in the future.