The Long-Awaited Ford Transit Connect Electric

March 14, 2009 · Filed Under Bad Design, Cars, Factory-Direct, Hybrids, New · 4 Comments 

We have been waiting oh-so-long for a Ford all-electric car (not really of course – no one cares). Clearly, Ford wanted to check the landscape first to pop onto the scene with an all-star that blows everyone else out of the water. Honda tested the hybrid model first with its Honda Insight all the way back in 2000. Then the all-popular Toyota Prius made it onto the scene. Not much later, Ford itself created the Escape Hybrid to test the waters. But we have waited long, with much anticipation, as Ford was undoubtedly working days and nights to create the best, world-class design for its first all-electric debut. And we finally have it: the Ford Transit Connect:

ford transit connect side The Long Awaited Ford Transit Connect Electric

What?!? Exactly. Let’s try to understand the thought-process here. This is Ford: a car manufacturer that is in some incredibly deep doo-doo – as is the car industry as a whole. They continue to make cars. With each one, they have an opportunity to create something that will have mass appeal. They can create a car that will look amazing and will cater to the most people possible. That way they could sell more cars, make more money, and be in less of that doo-doo. But what do they do instead? Create a crazy-ugly commercial panel van?!?! What in the world are they thinking! And they wonder why they’re failing?

ford transit connect back The Long Awaited Ford Transit Connect Electric

Now that they’ve made a car to capture the hearts of the 20-person market that this targets, I really do hope that they create another such beaty that will grab the attention of another 20 folks with deep pockets. What a great business model, clearly. And take a look at that thing. It’s got all the boxiness that any eye hates. It looks incredibly cheapo and it even has a useless elevated roof that just completely eliminates all appeal. Don’t agree that the higher roof is useless? Well sure, you would reasonably think that there has to be a purpose to it. In a way, you’re right. They stretched the car vertically and ruined asthetics even more to make sure that they have space for the ever-so-necessary overhead compartment. Who doesn’t want to be like an airplane these days!

ford transit connect shelf The Long Awaited Ford Transit Connect Electric

But at least it must be comfortable, no? Oh, yes, of course. In fact, just as comfortable as – once again – an airplane (except even less spacious than coach class):

ford transit connect door The Long Awaited Ford Transit Connect Electric

The Ford Kidnapping Van

November 16, 2008 · Filed Under Cars, Damaged, Old · 6 Comments 

What’s the easiest way to fall into the attention of that nearby police cruiser? Simply drive the standard-issue kidnap van made by Ford and popularized by mobs, gangs, and criminals worldwide (and by worldwide we mean America):

chevy kidnap van The Ford Kidnapping Van

This one clearly has some visible damage from an action-packed kidnapping that must have gone wrong as Police started chasing them. Who knows which side won. At least we know that the kidnap van clipped something on the way. Would be sweet if it was a fire hydrant that created a big scene at the site of collision (or rather, scrape). What’s missing on this kidnap van? Just the marketing signs. The fella who owns this need to get a big label/decal/sign that says “Bob’s Kidnapping Service, LLC” and several special offers such as “Kidnap Two People, Get One Free” or “One Child Free with Every Kidnapped Mother”. Oh, and don’t forget to tape people’s reaction – as well as take pictures of the arrest.

The Opinions of The Professionals

October 2, 2008 · Filed Under Cars, Factory-Direct, Rankings · Comment 
The Wildly Sexy AMC Pacer

The Wildly Sexy AMC Pacer

In the words of singing-woman Pink, let’s get this party started on a Saturday night. Of course it’s clearly not Saturday, but the VP debate was just on and Missy Sarah seems to be getting raving reviews – so we figured that the public might be misguided enough today to be positively inclined towards this new website and actually become fans for no reason.

Before we jump into showcasing the ugliest of ugly cars that this world has to offer (as far as our opinion goes), we thought it would be useful to start off with posting what other sources have deemed to be fugly rides. One of the more recent compiled lists of fugliness by an “authoritative source” came to us from BusinessWeek. Their information came from a survey by Hagerty Insurance whose customers are car collectors. Their picks clearly show that the customer base of that insurance company is 85+ year-old senior-citizens who have carried within them a hate for certain cars 20 or 30 years in the past that we today would not even think of. Yet apparently their opinion is good as gold since the results of the survey made it into a major publication. This just goes to show that our opinions will be equally authoritative – yet hopefully more in-touch with the current times.

Without further ado, their selections were the following (they clearly be hatin’ on the Chevy’s and AMC’s):

10. Chevrolette Chevette
chevette 300x159 The Opinions of The Professionals

 

9. Ford Edsel
9edsel 300x106 The Opinions of The Professionals

 

8. AMC Matador
8amc matador 300x193 The Opinions of The Professionals

 

7. Chevrolet Corvair
7corvair converitble 300x135 The Opinions of The Professionals

 

6. AMC Gremlin
6amc gremlin 300x156 The Opinions of The Professionals

 

7. Chevrolet Vega
5chevrolet vega 300x188 The Opinions of The Professionals

 

4. Pontiac Aztek
4pontiac aztec 300x198 The Opinions of The Professionals

 

3. Ford Pinto
3pinto 300x202 The Opinions of The Professionals

 

2. Yugo
2yugo 300x203 The Opinions of The Professionals

 

1. AMC Pacer
1pacer 300x201 The Opinions of The Professionals