Someone is about to lose their job at FIAT.

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-the wheels are too small
-the panel gaps are just terrible
-teh interior seems a bit basic

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Ford needs to do the right things in the right order:

1) Update the Ranger

2) cancel all Lincoln truck rebadge jobs and special "King Ranch" and "Eddie Bauer", "Tonka", and "Super Chief" editions. They're really not worth the effort.

3) offer two distinctly differentiated trim levels of F-series trucks: one for Work, one for Luxury. simplified configurations (e.g., no 6-foot bed option with the Work-level trim).

4) implement smarter engine management to save fuel -- a manually activated economy mode that cuts fuel to cylinders when not towing or hauling; an engine auto-stop like the BMW 1-series, or whatever it takes to get ahead of the next fuel crisis.

5) for light-duty models (F150), REDUCE THE WEIGHT. Drop the useless chrome trim and cushy appointments. A truck should NOT be a rolling living room.

6) Don't cancel manual transmissions. Offer at least one powertrain that goes all-out for fuel economy. There are many truck owners who carry low-density cargo - need the volume, but don't want or need towing the torque of a huge V8 w/auto tranny.

7) Big and bold is one thing (necessary for street credibility, we all know) but being an aerodynamic brick isn't necessary. Ford has been proudly advertising how the 2009 F150 has the lowest aerodynamic Cd in its class -- now how about cutting down the wind noise and bringing the Cd down about 20% on the Super Duty?

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