> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
>
> > Wouldn't it be more wonderful to see all of those UN terrorism
> > investigation teams riding around in Bullet Proof White Excursion units
> > than those tinny little Toyota vehicles.

Yes Stan, it would.  But only if you *like* terrorism.

 Firstly, those UN personnel will actually be subjecting the vehicle to
 harsh, unforgiving environments.  No, I don't think rush hour in Pasadena
 qualifies as a harsh, unforgiving environment.  However, that is what the
 Excursion is built for.  Not that there's anything wrong with that, but
give
 credit where credit is due.  It's an American market play-thing, and would
 be terribly out of place in the third world.

 In stark contrast, the Toyota Land Cruiser is rather out of place in
 America.  Until recently, it's utilitarian nature guaranteed it
 right-lane-only status on the Foothill Freeway.  Now days, it's
 "Americanized" with a V-8 and Independent Front Suspension - but that's
only
 the North American models.  The rest of the world - including the UN,
 continues to receive vehicles more at home traveling across a rutted 2
track
 at 25 kph than on a 100 kph roadway.

 Second, you neglect to consider that all the bulletproofing and armor in
the
 world doesn't effectively protect the occupants of a stationary, broken
down
 vehicle for any length of time.  This alone eliminates any Ford product
from
 serious consideration by the UN, even if their mission was only to leave
 their own driveway.

 I think maybe it's best we let the UN continue to choose their vehicles,
and
 let Ford discontinue theirs.

 Regards,
 Reid