Before buying a new Ford consider this.

[KiltedBanshees93GT]

I think this is another example of something that I've noticed lately, which has probibly always happened, but becomes more apparent now in the world of "mega-corporations".
You have a business, started by an entrepenuer [sp?] with a vision, usually admirable, almost always revolutionary. The business takes off, and for a while, things are good, both for the public and company/employees. Eventually the founder moves on/dies/is replaced by the directors, whothen bring in what I call the "Sharks". These types have nothing vested in the company, or the original philosophy, and are only loyal to the salary. They "change focus" for the company toward the short term bottom line, alienate the customers, frustrate the employees, crap out the product, anything to make bigger checks.
At first, no one, or not enough "someones" object. Eventually, they have things running so top heavy that collapse is almost inevitable, at which time they bail, with a nice payout, to find another high-paying company to run into the ground.
My experience with this: I worked for MCI, when things were going well, up until just before things started going very badly. Actually, I think we got axed just in time to avoid getting really screwed. At least we got severance.
Short time at Wal-Mart: That companys philosophy completly changed (before I worked there) from not only being cheaper but also having real workers, to "we'll hire anybody for low money and crappy conditions/compensation, and if you care about doing the job right, and want a living wage, we'll let you go and get 2 cheaper apes to half-a** the job".
Hope Depot: (Where I'm at right now.) Used to be a great company, well paid/compensated employees, who actually knew what they were talking about inre home improvement. Now we cant maintain full staffing on the floor, they hire 7-8 dollar an hour kids who know nothing, and are supposed to be able to tell you how to do things around the house that could get somebody killed if you do it wrong. Nardelli has been accused of some of the shadiest buisness practices out there.
Ford seems to be falling into the same pattern, I just read the other day that they backed out at the last minute on the (IIRC) "Pony Ride" which would have allowed a small number of the die hard a tour, some other amenities, and a discount on an '05. A thread I was reading on another board summed it up nicely. "Why should they alienate the dealers and/or give a special break to people they already had sewn up as customers."
Woah, sorry, didn't mean to get a rant going.
I'll go lurk now

J