Could be a repost...But....there is some hope.

ricardoa1

Registered User
From Thunderbirdsnest.com

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20057


"Recently, I had the privilege of speaking in person to Carl Yarber, Saleen/Ford Specialist, of Team Ford - Marietta, Georgia. We spoke in detail about the Thunderbird, the COP problem, about customer service, about the shake up in top management, and that we should expect to see many Ford dealerships closing in the near future.

Some of the highlights that Carl spoke about:

2010 will be called "The Year of the Mustang". (ok Mustang lovers, that news is out of the way....nuff said, I have no details on the new Mustang, but thought you would be pleased to hear that bit of info)

Now most importantly, Thunderbird lovers will be pleased to hear that our beloved Thunderbirds will make a comeback in 2012. Ford will call 2012 "The Year of the Thunderbird". When asked if the car would be a 4 seater, Carl replied "Ford has never even considered bringing back the 4 seater, the 2012 Thunderbird will definately be a 2 seater". Carl stated the biggest change in the Thunderbird will be the materials used in making the car, with emphasis on a lighter weight car and fuel economy. That is about all I was told, except that he did say "Thunderbird lovers will love this car". Yes, there is a prototype Ford is working with now, but Carl was not forthcoming with any other details other than what I mentioned above.

Carl stressed that we should all read the book "1908, The Year That Changed Everything". He said that only after reading that book will we understand what Fords future goals will be for the next 100 years. A panel of Ford executives was put in place and as a result of reading and studying that book, all upper top management were let go recently and a whole new management team was set in place with new goals. The main goal being a return to customer service and satisfaction, and getting those lost and unhappy customers back into the Ford dealerships again.

When I mentioned Fords "NO customer service", he said that Ford realizes their mistakes and intends to change and some of those changes have already been implemented. He said in the months to come we will see big changes in dealerships and a new better relationship with the customer. The dealerships around the country are all being reviewed and not to be surprised when we see the doors of some close. He said to keep in mind that "all changes and closures will be for the good".
We briefly spoke of the COP problems with the Thunderbird, there was no need for me to explain or go into detail as Carl knows about the COP issue and all he could say is "hopefully Ford's position on taking care of only the 03 car will change soon to include all retro Thunderbird years". He says Ford is aware of how unhappy we are with their decision to take care of only the 03 owners. I can't stress enough how many times Carl said to continue to call customer service,
1-800-727-7000, and to begin the conversation with "I am a service customer with a service concern". As I mentioned above Ford is under all new management, and there is now in place a special team who acts on complaints from customers with special needs or complaints. In other words, there are key trigger words that you might use in your conversation with customer service that they are told to react to immediately and switch your call to this new team who will then really listen and react to your complaints. Carl told me that "special team" has the authority to override any decisions made by your dealership that made you unhappy enough to call customer service in the first place.
Carl then gave me his business card and told me to call him anytime with any Thunderbird issues or complaints that I can't get resolved through customer service and then called his new general manager over and introduced him to me. That man also gave me his business card, and on that business card I not only saw his work number but his cell phone number. He also told me that if I have any issues that customer service will not help me with, I should call his cell phone any time of the day or night and he will take care of the problem for me.
Well Carl was right when he said I will notice some new changes immediately, how many of you out there have your dealerships general managers cell phone number?

So Thunderbird owners, in short, I know Carl was sincere and honest in the information he gave me. Now all we can do is wait and see if it all happens as Carl described it. At least now we know when our Thunderbird will make another appearance. I don't want to wish the next 4 years away, but I'm very excited and I eagerly await the new Thunderbirds appearance in 2012,"
 
My opinion is that if they just bring the retro bird back again it will be a big flop unless they make it interesting with at least SOME power and a stick shift. If it's a 2-seater underpowered automatic then it will be DOA. An MN-12-like powerful cruiser coupe with a stick would work again. I think you have to have the back seat.
 
My opinion is that if they just bring the retro bird back again it will be a big flop unless they make it interesting with at least SOME power and a stick shift. If it's a 2-seater underpowered automatic then it will be DOA. An MN-12-like powerful cruiser coupe with a stick would work again. I think you have to have the back seat.


Of course WE think that! :D I sometimes wonder what the rest of the population thinks about the MN12 T-Birds...not that I care, but it would be neat to know.
 
Sure! However, the MN12s, aside from the SCs, were a pretty good seller as a body style. There were quite a few sold and you still see a fair number on the road even though they are now more than 12 years old. I know several acquaintances who bought the standard LX birds and loved them. My sister-in-law had a 96 for well over 200K miles and thought the world of it.

I still say that the body style is extremely attractive and I CAN'T believe that others don't think so!
 
Yeah, I know a lot of people that used to have mn12's and they all loved them, a few of them wouldn't mind getting another one sometime. Come to think of it, I haven't really ever heard anyone talk down on them, especially the SC's.

Sean
 
I am thinking it will be a modern-styled coupe and roadster with a stick option. I don't know if it will get a V8. Maybe a big V6. I am thinking they want to compete with Nissan 370Z, BMW 3-Series, etc.
 
Maybe they will have that ecoboost V6 as an option for it... That would be bad ~~~! I can't wait to start seeing vehicles running around with those motors in them, it will be pretty neat.

Sean
 
Of course WE think that! :D I sometimes wonder what the rest of the population thinks about the MN12 T-Birds...not that I care, but it would be neat to know.

Busted, ugly, old Ford driven by whatever racial/demographic stereotype the person you asked doesn't like pretty much covers that question. Of course, this is the response you'll get from anybody who isn't an enthusiast about a particular car, so don't think it's only a Tbird thing.


As for the subject of the thread, the responses the author was getting were everything a Thunderbird enthusiast would want to hear and more. In fact almost too good. I'm not going to be a complete cynic, but at the same time I'm going to need to see some action before I go into Ford cheerleader mode.
 
I call bs. Remember how long it took the last Thunderbird to go from concept to production? Has anyone seen a new Camaro on the road yet? If we don't see a T-Bird concept within the next 6 months I don't believe there will be a production version of any kind by 2012. I'd love for Ford to prove me wrong but I'm not holding my breath.
 
I call bs. Remember how long it took the last Thunderbird to go from concept to production? Has anyone seen a new Camaro on the road yet? If we don't see a T-Bird concept within the next 6 months I don't believe there will be a production version of any kind by 2012. I'd love for Ford to prove me wrong but I'm not holding my breath.

Typically drivetrain and platofrm development takes four years for a completely new design. For planting an existing powertrain into an existing platform it should take about three years(Use your imagination). The Chevy Volt is an ACCELERATED brand new program and is ultimately going to take about three years from concept to showrooms. Camaro's will be out soon, they're all but ready, and they are badass.
 
Of course WE think that! :D I sometimes wonder what the rest of the population thinks about the MN12 T-Birds...not that I care, but it would be neat to know.

I've heard plenty of bad from people about these cars. Alot of people that I've talked to feel that they are ugly, which is expected after 12 years since the last one was build and 14 years since the last SC. And plenty of my car buddies feel they have rx8 syndrom, overweight and underpowered. I obviously don't feel this way about our cars seeing as how I'm on these boards and own one. Hell even the people on this board will tell you the SC is finicky, unpredictable, and not for the faint of heart or people with shallow wallets, wether that is quality or age related doesn't matter to a non-enthusiast.

I plan on using the SC's reputation within my group of friends to my advantage by playing the underdog and smoking their 350z, GTO, turbo audi TT and the like. (with modifications of course on my part):cool:
 
I plan on using the SC's reputation within my group of friends to my advantage by playing the underdog and smoking their 350z, GTO, turbo audi TT and the like. (with modifications of course on my part):cool:

Yeah, I have a buddy with a 99 mustang gt, he thinks his car is the shiznit because he ran a 13.66... Some of you might remember it from the shootout a couple of years ago when the fuel pump in my cougar went out after our race. Well now my main focus is building my 35th just to beat his car so I can embarass him with beating him with a V6 haha. Should be good times.
 
I would assume the Tbird would share a chasis with another car. If they are going two seater they better be going in the sportscar direction. I personally wouldnt want a 2 seater thunderbird that cant outperform a mustang in every way imaginable.

Now could they offer a vette killer? Not for less then what a Vette currently costs. Hope they dont miss the mark here
 
Last edited:
Of course WE think that! :D I sometimes wonder what the rest of the population thinks about the MN12 T-Birds...not that I care, but it would be neat to know.

Well, between 1993-95 Ford was selling an average of 120k units, so people must have really been liking them. Now, many could care less about it due to it being an abandoned line. After doing some research I found it interesting that their highest sales were in 1978 and 79!!?? In 78 the sold a record 333,767 units (http://www.edmunds.com/ford/thunderbird/history.html). So with that said, there is a market for these birds. They always seem to sell the best when they made them with a back seat that could comfortably seat adults. IMHO, if the bean counters at Ford can not see this, then they deserve to fail!!! What would I prefer to see?? I would like to see something simular to the MN-12 line (does'nt have to be the MN-12) with an optional sports addition, 2 door 4-5 seater, a six-speed manual option with a boosted v-6 and/or v8. If this is what shows up on the showroom floor in 2012, then I WILL be there to buy one, if not, then the new Camaro or Regal will be my option. Frankly, I am tired of being disappointed from all three of the big three, although GM has grasp my attention lately. Anyho, this is all IMHO, what am I but the low guy on the totoom pole on a forum, in the decision making.
 
Funny you bring this back up. Looks like 2010 is really shaping up to be the year of the stang. So maybe we will get something in 2012.
 
hey what we also need to tell them is to bring the cougar back as well.base it off the mustang platform like they used to be so there would be a better aftermarket support on it and style it like the 68 eliminator.
 
Personally, I would LIKEthe new bird to have a 'base' 6 model, a 'LX' with a V8 and a new version of the infamous 'Turbo Coupe' with the SHO engine.
Possibly base it off the 'new' Taurus body as a 2-door version. Would at least get me into the showroom!!
Lance
 
It's an interesting idea. I really love what they did with the new Mustang and Taurus (SHO or not), and even the new Festiva looks pretty sharp for an econobox (30/40mpg city/hwy :eek: ). Perhaps they already have a "working" platform in Australia or something, and are just putting a new body on it? Something cool to think about, but I won't hold my breath.
 
I had forgotten all about this post, good thing too because it kind of makes me want to puke. haha

"Definitely a 2 seater"

"focus on fuel economy"

"something Thunderbird enthusiasts will love"

So, in other words another sterile, boring, asexual car for the 50+ (now 60+) country club patron.

Wonderful.

You can't have a 2 seater unless it competes with an already established market. Ie. Corvette or MX5 (Miata) crowd. How can they do this????? If it is a 2 seater that automatically puts all of us out because we are all (typically) married with children. A 2-seater is just plain dumb.
 
Back
Top