2012 Bird

[bosco]

O.K. Here we go with the age old question, When, if ever, will we see the Thunderbird come off the shelf. I really think Ford should think about a "muscle" bird. Chevrolet has the Camaro to compete with Mustang. I would love to see the T'Bird move into the Corvette arena. What is the thinking out there? Bosco

[ibjeff]

Re: 2012 Bird

O.K. Here we go with the age old question, When, if ever, will we see the Thunderbird come off the shelf. I really think Ford should think about a "muscle" bird. Chevrolet has the Camaro to compete with Mustang. I would love to see the T'Bird move into the Corvette arena. What is the thinking out there? Bosco

The Thunderbird is not dead, just in Fords future "vault" from what I understand. Who knows......maybe someday the bird will fly again.

[Bill Brown]

Re: 2012 Bird

O.K. Here we go with the age old question, When, if ever, will we see the Thunderbird come off the shelf. I really think Ford should think about a "muscle" bird. Chevrolet has the Camaro to compete with Mustang. I would love to see the T'Bird move into the Corvette arena. What is the thinking out there? Bosco

This is a 56 year old comment:"I would love to see the T'bird move into the Corvette arena". This did not happen in 55 when Ford had the opportunity instead They took the "Personal Luxury Car" avenue. T-bird has some ways to go and I can't see a willingness from Ford to divert attention from the Tangs.

[Lindy]

Re: 2012 Bird

The latest body-series of Corvette features headlights which are no longer hide-away. The T-Birds and Vettes both sport "after-burner" tail-lights. Although T-Birds appear small, and Vette's appear long; both are about the same length! However, GMC simply has a bigger motor than the small but potent motor which FoMoCo put in the T-Bird. While on the one hand the Ford GT was the answer to Chevrolet's super-car Vette, I would however like to see Ford make new history by creating the next Thunderbird to compete with the Corvette as was the case in 1955-57. And there is nothing new under the sun! I do believe a Corvette competing T-Bird model could be sustained in the marketplace just like the Corvette has done for so many many years.

Lindy

[BITWTB]

Re: 2012 Bird

Where would a new Thunderbird fit into the current market place? You are the Ford Development/Marketing/Bean Counter departments, where could a new Thunderbird compete or would it create a whole new niche market?
With the Solstice and Sky gone, here are some market examples:

Under $30,000
Mazda Miata MX-5
Mustang

Under $40,000
Audi A5 2.0T Premium
Audi A5 2.0T Premium quattro
BMW 1 Series 135i

Under $60,000
Mercedes E350
" E550

Over $60,000
Porsche Boxter~$60k
Porsche 911 Cabriolet ~ $80k
Mercedes SL Class ~$102k
Audi $8 Spyder~$115-$165k

[00mustng]

Re: 2012 Bird

......This ship has already sailed......

[FritsB]

Re: 2012 Bird

Where would a new Thunderbird fit into the current market place? You are the Ford Development/Marketing/Bean Counter departments, where could a new Thunderbird compete or would it create a whole new niche market?
With the Solstice and Sky gone, here are some market examples:
Under $30,000
Mazda Miata MX-5
Mustang
Under $40,000
Audi A5 2.0T Premium
Audi A5 2.0T Premium quattro
BMW 1 Series 135i
Under $60,000
Mercedes E350
" E550
Over $60,000
Porsche Boxter~$60k
Porsche 911 Cabriolet ~ $80k
Mercedes SL Class ~$102k
Audi $8 Spyder~$115-$165k

Amazing... even cars from Europe are much cheaper in US than they are over here. Cheapest Audi R8 Spyder cost € 221,900.00 in NL, that is $300,464.00. Someone is our wallets.

[Ediron]

Re: 2012 Bird

In one of my auto magazines (motor Trend ,etc.) not sure which one they said Lincoln has to produce a lux 2 seater to compete with the european market and Lincoln is considering it.Only problem $$$$$$ maybe out of the reach of most people.

[FritsB]

Re: 2012 Bird

The Lincoln is already there. All they need to do is produce it

[jerrym3]

Re: 2012 Bird

That Lincoln's platform has been discontinued when the Jag S, Lincoln LS, and TBird were killed off.

Look at the TBN owner age poll. Average TBird owner age is too high. The Ford youth market wants Mustangs, not TBirds.

A Lincoln 2 seater personal touring car makes more sense, but Lincoln's got too may problems with brand identification. (Lincoln's domestic competition is now Buick, not Caddy.)

Unless they turn the TBird name into a typical people mover car, which I hope they never do, I think the name is gone for good.

[EllisonCal]

Re: 2012 Bird

Ford has their Taurus SHO and the various Mustang performance models. They don't want a low volume car like the Thunderbird to effectively lose money that they could be making with a higher volume model. The new Focus ST is an example of a high performance model made off a higher volume platform. In addition with CAFE fuel efficiency standards going up an ecoboosted 4 cylinder makes more sense looking to another Ford high performance car.

[Larro]

Re: 2012 Bird

The Lincoln is already there. All they need to do is produce it

I noticed that Lincoln yesterday when I looked at your Texas pictures. That is one beautiful car! It probably will never be built and if it were built I couldn't afford it, but I can still dream!

[Dallasblackbird]

Re: 2012 Bird

It is best to enjoy the car we have.

[MATBird]

Re: 2012 Bird

My guess is; if anything, they could use the name to bring back the 4 seater (square Birds) that would fit the growing senior population. People who may be wanting to get out of the "Arks" (Caddy) like I drive and smaller, but room for 4 and some class with a traditional name. - That may entice me to change. JMHO

[BITWTB]

Re: 2012 Bird

Oooooh, I forgot the 2011 Jaguar XK Convertible at $89,000.