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Ford: Ideal Time for Consumers to Recoup Fuel Efficient Powertrain Costs is 4 Years

MSN Autos -- Fuel-efficient powertrains -- especially ultra-fuel efficient ones that utilize electric or plug-in hybrid technologies -- often come with drawbacks that turn off the average consumer: they can be difficult to refuel (both in terms of time spent and available infrastructure), they may offer limited range and they typically cost more. While manufacturers are looking to push battery technology forward to reduce the impact of the first two problems, Ford has also been delving into the cost issue -- and thinks it has found the sweet spot in terms of what customers will pay upfront versus the time it takes to recoup that investment.

According to research carried out by the Blue Oval, about one in four customers would be willing to pay more for a fuel-efficient vehicle should that upfront exp

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Submitted Aug 08, 2012 By: aservant

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remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,973 Points:2,119,340 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2012 6:47:06 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse And how about the REST of the vehicle???
carloco75 Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,721 Points:602,215 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2012 1:04:57 AM Ignore carloco75 Report Abuse Oh...is that all...
Zonk Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,491 Points:2,104,715 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2012 12:30:38 AM Ignore Zonk Report Abuse I'll sit back and wait.
mfeldstein Champion Author Ottawa Posts:8,181 Points:1,932,430 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2012 12:23:27 AM Ignore mfeldstein Report Abuse Let others be the guinea pigs.
OGW Champion Author London Posts:5,329 Points:1,532,975 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:23:08 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse Vehicles are already overpriced and fuel efficiency should be a normal next step by manufacturers not another added cost.
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:10,906 Points:2,133,555 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:20:21 PM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse Yes they should realize that most PHEV buyers don't need the above luxury level of options, just the typical basic ones. That would save 2-3 years of payback time right there.
farn1958 All-Star Author Twin Cities Posts:886 Points:183,385 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:19:06 PM Ignore farn1958 Report Abuse What is the point of paying through the nose for a "ultra efficient" engine when the cost out ways the benefit for four years?
OOXXFF Champion Author Greensboro Posts:3,073 Points:1,081,355 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:14:19 PM Ignore OOXXFF Report Abuse A lower initial cost would solve the problem. [Edited by: OOXXFF at 8/8/2012 11:15:29 PM EST]
roland1971 Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,509 Points:332,085 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:13:20 PM Ignore roland1971 Report Abuse ok
libertyut Champion Author Utah Posts:1,355 Points:292,600 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:11:12 PM Ignore libertyut Report Abuse lower the price of your vehicles. [Edited by: libertyut at 8/8/2012 11:13:24 PM EST]
altima2008 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:8,170 Points:1,738,965 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:07:30 PM Ignore altima2008 Report Abuse Do Fords last that long?????
cokezero All-Star Author Philadelphia Posts:830 Points:401,510 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:04:11 PM Ignore cokezero Report Abuse ok
dulberg Sophomore Author Long Island Posts:242 Points:265,480 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:04:06 PM Ignore dulberg Report Abuse K
firefly09 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,497 Points:716,700 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:02:10 PM Ignore firefly09 Report Abuse Hmmmmmmmmm. I don't think so.
Tekkersmom57 Champion Author Syracuse Posts:1,884 Points:702,165 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:00:05 PM Ignore Tekkersmom57 Report Abuse They need to keep that recoup investment to the four years. Many consumers are on a four year cycle with trading in vehicles. If we can't recoup the money, then it won't be worth the investment.
N5EXY Champion Author Austin Posts:5,502 Points:1,512,030 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:58:51 PM Ignore N5EXY Report Abuse I wonder about this study - lotsa variables to consider. Not just four years time but usage - total mileage - for one example. The unknown future fuel cost is another, driving habits - commute or long haul trips, etc.
justmedc Veteran Author Michigan Posts:382 Points:174,045 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:58:13 PM Ignore justmedc Report Abuse no Fuc**d Over Rebuilt Dodge for me. Thanks
mrbee Champion Author Little Rock Posts:3,764 Points:2,468,380 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:51:50 PM Ignore mrbee Report Abuse Not for me.
fedupMN Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,964 Points:575,405 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:49:48 PM Ignore fedupMN Report Abuse ok
DandyDapple All-Star Author North Dakota Posts:715 Points:312,320 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:48:38 PM Ignore DandyDapple Report Abuse ...
famu35 Rookie Author Oklahoma City Posts:67 Points:112,655 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:47:40 PM Ignore famu35 Report Abuse I don't care for this timetable.
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:34,302 Points:2,373,320 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:43:08 PM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse proof, suckers are born every minute...
walkingtall Champion Author Toronto Posts:4,004 Points:1,122,655 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:42:09 PM Ignore walkingtall Report Abuse Setting goals is just the begining but does it garantee the end results.
NorthglennBill Champion Author Denver Posts:7,432 Points:1,474,645 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:42:00 PM Ignore NorthglennBill Report Abuse 4 years seems pretty good if it holds up.
seeyardee Champion Author Sacramento Posts:9,111 Points:1,807,430 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:40:24 PM Ignore seeyardee Report Abuse Cars can last a long time if you don't abuse it. Taking 4 years to recoup the costs is hardly any time at all.
TheHermit Champion Author Maine Posts:3,404 Points:128,230 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:38:03 PM Ignore TheHermit Report Abuse Not many cars can last 10 years, so 4 years is a lot more realistic.
F81M Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,509 Points:789,085 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:36:29 PM Ignore F81M Report Abuse Whatever.
mrinmoyd Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,095 Points:364,525 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:35:12 PM Ignore mrinmoyd Report Abuse ok
danreino Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:8,363 Points:1,542,680 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:34:39 PM Ignore danreino Report Abuse Charge it at home for free with your solar, wind and geothermal. If you can :/
clermont40miles Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:10,583 Points:1,774,295 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:33:30 PM Ignore clermont40miles Report Abuse EV's are not affordable. Setting goals is beginning but does not guarantee the end result. Go Ford!
darkknight1 Champion Author Winston-Salem Posts:4,345 Points:897,785 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:30:50 PM Ignore darkknight1 Report Abuse ok
phinsup67 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:5,365 Points:1,179,880 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:30:03 PM Ignore phinsup67 Report Abuse As I tend to drive a car until the wheels fall off, a four year return would be very doable.
scubadaniel Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,431 Points:694,020 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:28:27 PM Ignore scubadaniel Report Abuse Blah blah blah..
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,229 Points:520,575 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:27:56 PM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse These vehicles must be cost effective. Otherwise we won't buy them.
Bleeder Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,038 Points:1,700,375 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:27:07 PM Ignore Bleeder Report Abuse Makes sense to me.
Gas Thirsty Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,882 Points:3,230,420 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:26:30 PM Ignore Gas Thirsty Report Abuse 4 years is not too bad.
txkrb Champion Author Texas Posts:1,563 Points:639,965 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:19:18 PM Ignore txkrb Report Abuse If the gas mileage in vehicle is increases just 2-3 mpg, that would results in huge gasoline savings and to sillywagon: next years Focus will not get 50mpg and they will be no where near 75 mpg in 10 years [Edited by: txkrb at 8/8/2012 10:20:09 PM EST]
kyjlh Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,628 Points:654,455 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:17:11 PM Ignore kyjlh Report Abuse need to be proven before people will buy
knot2swift Champion Author Calgary Posts:4,393 Points:698,930 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:16:55 PM Ignore knot2swift Report Abuse Time is money. No one wants to spend hours and hours charging up a car all night long to save a few bucks after paying quite the hefty fee up front! Demand CNG cars now folks! [Edited by: knot2swift at 8/8/2012 10:17:24 PM EST]
snakebitef22 Veteran Author Corpus Christi Posts:447 Points:31,520 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:16:50 PM Ignore snakebitef22 Report Abuse Whats up with that GM had a full size 2500 chevy van fully electric with a range of 70 to 80 miles on 12volt batteries..add a generator and you can extend the range.... were are they now...
regasaz Champion Author Phoenix Posts:5,775 Points:1,283,130 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:15:16 PM Ignore regasaz Report Abuse Costs, Comfort, Quality all are required to gain this Buyers attention.
sillywagon Champion Author New York Posts:14,899 Points:1,442,320 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:15:07 PM Ignore sillywagon Report Abuse I prefer Ford's. But they have to make a vehicle that meets my needs and can compete against the competition. I intend to replace my Ford Focus with another Ford Focus in about a decade. By then the improvements in fuel mileage? Maybe 75 on the highway? I'd pay a little more for that. Next years 2014 model should get about 50 mpg. And the 2007 model got just 30 mpg on the highway.
12mpgnavigator Champion Author Seattle Posts:2,779 Points:653,410 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:15:06 PM Ignore 12mpgnavigator Report Abuse don't think so
iceman11 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,715 Points:536,425 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:14:16 PM Ignore iceman11 Report Abuse Hmmmmmm
ericbcire Champion Author Nevada Posts:4,530 Points:1,269,285 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:09:00 PM Ignore ericbcire Report Abuse Size and range are just as important as cost.
brutherruther Veteran Author Fort Worth Posts:435 Points:237,540 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:05:09 PM Ignore brutherruther Report Abuse ok
unicornIL Veteran Author Chicago Posts:446 Points:387,195 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:04:43 PM Ignore unicornIL Report Abuse prices!!!!
thinkaboutit Champion Author Colorado Posts:1,071 Points:75,875 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:01:30 PM Ignore thinkaboutit Report Abuse Fuel efficiency advocates and deniers are forgetting the message: About 1 in 4 customers is willing to pay extra for fuel economy. These percentages can change! What one wants, what one spends money on, an what will happen is not one and the same!
1stClicker Champion Author Texas Posts:5,326 Points:2,245,495 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:01:22 PM Ignore 1stClicker Report Abuse Not interested
bevmill Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,587 Points:602,270 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 10:00:59 PM Ignore bevmill Report Abuse Time will tell if consumers buy into it.