Ford Modifying Plant to Build More Navigators
02-17-18, 03:17 PM
#16
Lexus Test Driver
You have to meet demand or people will buy something else.
02-17-18, 05:49 PM
#17
Lexus Fanatic
If that were the attitude that Henry Ford took over a century ago, when he developed the first automotive assembly line, automobiles would have never been mass-produced, and the chances are that you or I would not have ever had the chance to even own one....much less test-drive them in the numbers we do. 
I think you are putting too much emphasis on gas prices. You mentioned recently that you talked to a man who had plunked down over 100K for a loaded Navigator (from your description, probably a Black Label version). Anybody who can afford that kind of money can surely afford to fill the tank. People know, when they buy a vehicle like this, they are not getting an economy car.
Like it was already mentioned, a gas spike will kill the sales of these large models. Its short sighted.
02-17-18, 06:04 PM
#18
Lexus Champion
What's interesting about the opinions here is that the "large" Lincoln Navigator matches the mileage of the much admired Toyota 4Runner which interestingly enough is often used for the same purposes as the Navigator, although in a different category or trim. The 4Runner is the smaller vehicle. It's mileage runs around 16-21 mpg and the Navigator does that or better, around 18-21 mpg.
So how is a Navigator not supposed to be made or is "short sighted" when Toyota keeps making the 4Runner with no real drive train innovations to enhance its gas mileage? Ford makes the Navigator for the same reason it makes the F150. It's the bulk of the profits for the company in N.A. That's how they will fuel the next generation of electrics or whatever it's going to be. You can't do that without getting the money while you still can.
There is a glut of oil and the US in particular is self sufficient. Gas price spikes are more and more predictable these days. It's not the 70s anymore. Companies know that and plan for it. I'd be more worried about the price of aluminum, and Trump threats to tariff metals coming into the US.
So how is a Navigator not supposed to be made or is "short sighted" when Toyota keeps making the 4Runner with no real drive train innovations to enhance its gas mileage? Ford makes the Navigator for the same reason it makes the F150. It's the bulk of the profits for the company in N.A. That's how they will fuel the next generation of electrics or whatever it's going to be. You can't do that without getting the money while you still can.
There is a glut of oil and the US in particular is self sufficient. Gas price spikes are more and more predictable these days. It's not the 70s anymore. Companies know that and plan for it. I'd be more worried about the price of aluminum, and Trump threats to tariff metals coming into the US.
02-17-18, 08:37 PM
#19
Lexus Fanatic
What's interesting about the opinions here is that the "large" Lincoln Navigator matches the mileage of the much admired Toyota 4Runner which interestingly enough is often used for the same purposes as the Navigator, although in a different category or trim. The 4Runner is the smaller vehicle. It's mileage runs around 16-21 mpg and the Navigator does that or better, around 18-21 mpg.
So how is a Navigator not supposed to be made or is "short sighted" when Toyota keeps making the 4Runner with no real drive train innovations to enhance its gas mileage? Ford makes the Navigator for the same reason it makes the F150. It's the bulk of the profits for the company in N.A. That's how they will fuel the next generation of electrics or whatever it's going to be. You can't do that without getting the money while you still can.
There is a glut of oil and the US in particular is self sufficient. Gas price spikes are more and more predictable these days. It's not the 70s anymore. Companies know that and plan for it. I'd be more worried about the price of aluminum, and Trump threats to tariff metals coming into the US.
So how is a Navigator not supposed to be made or is "short sighted" when Toyota keeps making the 4Runner with no real drive train innovations to enhance its gas mileage? Ford makes the Navigator for the same reason it makes the F150. It's the bulk of the profits for the company in N.A. That's how they will fuel the next generation of electrics or whatever it's going to be. You can't do that without getting the money while you still can.
There is a glut of oil and the US in particular is self sufficient. Gas price spikes are more and more predictable these days. It's not the 70s anymore. Companies know that and plan for it. I'd be more worried about the price of aluminum, and Trump threats to tariff metals coming into the US.
02-17-18, 09:50 PM
#20
Racer
Thread Starter
For the first time in a long time, the US oil reserves are such that we are not dependent on what the countries in the Middle East decide. The probability of a massive price spike is less than in the past. The Navigator is the Lincoln halo vehicle and is needed to restore their luxury image. The expansion means more jobs for American workers at a time they are needed. In the US, we are not required (nor expected) to guarantee long term employment, only fair, well paying, and safe jobs. That's a significant difference between the US and socialist economies.
02-17-18, 10:35 PM
#21
As for the naysayers saying Ford is stupid for increasing production capacity of the Navigator, are you all stupid??? This isn't some sort of limited production Porsche or Ferrari where exclusivity is part of the allure. You sell as many as you can make.
And for the naysayers, have you actually sat inside new Navigator, saw one in person, much less taken a test drive???? This new Navigator is SO MUCH BETTER than the old one its hard to put into words. This new Navigator is the real deal, it is premium, both inside, outside, and under the skin with the engineering.
Personally I think Lincoln has a massive hit on their hands, this is a WAY nicer truck than the Escalade, its nicer and way bigger than the similarly priced and similarly truckish Land Cruiser/LX570. Granted the Toyota twins have the Navigator beat off the highway and in terms of longevity/reliability/dependability/long term ownership costs, but in every other metric the Lincoln is way nicer.
Also not to get off on a political tangent, but the US is a lot more energy independent than what we were 10 years ago, perhaps the most energy independent we have ever been. Despite constant war in the middle east, gas prices have remained fairly cheap. Nobody gives Obama credit for this, but he easily could have shut down the then new fracking industry with environmental regulations(to the delight of certain parts of his fanbase). Yet he didn't. Energy policy is one of those key areas where he left this country in a lot better shape than when he found it.
And for the naysayers, have you actually sat inside new Navigator, saw one in person, much less taken a test drive???? This new Navigator is SO MUCH BETTER than the old one its hard to put into words. This new Navigator is the real deal, it is premium, both inside, outside, and under the skin with the engineering.
Personally I think Lincoln has a massive hit on their hands, this is a WAY nicer truck than the Escalade, its nicer and way bigger than the similarly priced and similarly truckish Land Cruiser/LX570. Granted the Toyota twins have the Navigator beat off the highway and in terms of longevity/reliability/dependability/long term ownership costs, but in every other metric the Lincoln is way nicer.
Also not to get off on a political tangent, but the US is a lot more energy independent than what we were 10 years ago, perhaps the most energy independent we have ever been. Despite constant war in the middle east, gas prices have remained fairly cheap. Nobody gives Obama credit for this, but he easily could have shut down the then new fracking industry with environmental regulations(to the delight of certain parts of his fanbase). Yet he didn't. Energy policy is one of those key areas where he left this country in a lot better shape than when he found it.
Last edited by Aron9000; 02-17-18 at 10:41 PM.
02-17-18, 11:44 PM
#22
Lexus Test Driver
Of course Ford should sell all it can. That is the whole point of being a business. I wouldn't tell them otherwise. However, what scares me is they are saying there may not be another Fusion. That is like driving blind in a rainstorm. When gas prices spike again (now touching $4/gallon in L.A.), they need to have all their other bases covered. I rather hear about a new Ford Fusion story, than increasing Navigator factory capacity. Better yet, I rather hear both at the same time.
Or here's another way to look at it... Sedans will always be around and always be a reliable sell. Jumbo luxury SUV's are a niche that is frosting on a cake. Betting the farm on the frosting, and not with the cake, is the danger.
Or here's another way to look at it... Sedans will always be around and always be a reliable sell. Jumbo luxury SUV's are a niche that is frosting on a cake. Betting the farm on the frosting, and not with the cake, is the danger.
02-18-18, 06:40 AM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
while ford shouldn't FLOOD the market with navigators (which it won't) it should meet demand, that's the goal for all auto makers unless your strategy is all about exclusivity and limited availability like ferrari with its 2 year waiting list to buy a new one. but ford is no ferrari.
as for no discount being unheard of for american products let me remind you of the ford GT right now...
Betting the farm on the frosting, and not with the cake, is the danger.
Last edited by bitkahuna; 02-23-18 at 07:15 AM.
02-23-18, 07:16 AM
#26
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
.......... 
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