Did anyone watch the Bill Ford interview on Larry King?

One thing that was mentioned is that FoMoCo stayed in the Truck/SUV model too long.

Bill did admit that FoMoCo and their small European lines were very profitable and NOW these models are going to show up in the US (I would like to own a turbo diesel Transit Connect myself).

Go to the Ford Motor Company and check out the News section of the website. (lower right corner of the page). Okay, I know it is the Ford website, but Ford maybe a leader for the others to follow.

There is a lot of info at the website, I hope Ford does pull ahead and produce better cars and trucks. (new turbo diesel trucks that run on B100 that is and also cars that run on other alternative fuels)

 

Well, it's hard to say that they stayed with trucks and suv's too long, as they were thier bread and butter. They rode that train untill the wheels feel off. The F-150 is still the best selling truck in america and the escape suv's are still selling like hot cakes. We just bought a new 4x4 mariner, we need it out here in the sticks in the winter. I also need a truck for our mini farm and I work construction. Soocer moms don't need trucks and suv's so much, but there are still a lot of people that do. We do need more small cars, but there not for everyone either. However, we do need to stay on the road to fuel conservation reguardless of the price of gas, so we can keep it affordable. I just read on blue oval news that the new ford fiesta gets 47 mpg with a 118 hp duratec and 6 speed manual with auto option. The new hybrid fusion gets 43 mpg city, thats awesome for a mid size sedan. YEP, things are a changing!!!

 

On the program, a caller was trying to bash American auto quality (big three), but Bill Ford did remind the caller Ford has the most 5 star crash ratings and initial quality that is equal to Honda and Toyota.

Bill Ford also said that Ford does not need any "bailout" money at this time, but if the global economy gets worse, FoMoCo may need help.

I always liked what FoMoCo produced, I know they have "green" plants and innovative manufacturing processes. My autos will always have blue ovals no matter what the economy does.

 

What Bill Ford did not say and it's obvious Larry King didn't know either, is that FoMoCo put up the entire company assets in 2006 to get a 23.8 billion dollar loan to stave off bankruptcy.

Bottom line: Ford is mortgaged to the hilt.

If anyone, Bill Ford is responsible for Ford Motor Company's problems. The Ford family lost billions of dollars of their stock value (the family owns 40% of the stock) when he was running Ford.

It was they who were responsible for kicking him upstairs to the meaningless position of executive CEO when he was replaced by Alan Mulally.

Why wasn't Alan Mulally on Larry King, and why didn't Bill Ford (who appeared nervous as all heck) fail to mention him?

 

Very good point Bill.

I remember when Bill Ford ran things. You could see the company going backwards by the Mo.

 

I think the problems go back a bit further than when Bill Ford ran the company. It was Jac Nasser that put Ford in the hole they are in now. He destroyed teamwork in the company and spent a FORTUNE buying losing companies that Ford has been selling off for pennies on the dollar. That's where to lay the blame.

 

I agree with marc

 

It does not matter who is at fault, at any point in time. The reason for my post is the Big three are finally seeing the picture. The fact that better cars are need from well run domestic auto makers.

I sure would not want to be an executive at any of the domestic automakers head offices.

With that said, I am sure other industries are also looking to restructure too.

I know our local tourism industry is getting hit pretty hard too. Room occupancy is at 65%- about the same as the post 9/11 era.

Do we need the big 3? Is Ford going to be around?

 

Tell me about it. Memphis is always slow in the winter in the RV biz, so even though I still talk to managers and such at area dealerswhips there's no way to tell if THAT industry is rebounding or not.

I did get a favorable indication from my last employer - but that's assuming business picks up. Right now the lot down on Brooks road has more motor coaches sitting parked on it than I've ever seen there before - most of them price reduced.

They're just not selling!

 

Is the face really changing, or is it going back to what it once was - with globalization factored in?

It was not that long ago that people owned but one car, and many families owned none. My grandparents owned zero cars until a late 60's plymouth satellite. I now own 5 and thats after selling off a crapload before the market vanished.

the rich - will always buy cars.

the people who NEED them, will always find a way - the plumber will get his, the door to door salesman will get his.

what we saw/are seeing is the automotive equivalent of a correction with the re-exclusion of the sub prime crowd. note - subprime did not mean bad credit. it also meant good credit over extended.

just as the poor lost homes, some wealthy lost mcmansions with liar loans.

here, the poor are not longer able to get factory 3.9% for a car they dont really need, and the well to do are not coming up with the separate SUVs for each of the kids.

globalization: a lot of makers now sell in the US. 30 years ago, honda toyota, mazda and datsun all sold in the US, but face it - it was crap. ever buy a 'glick' or a B210? or a CVCC or a celica?

no one is really making crap anymore by a longshot and impulse buys are off the table for now....

 

I dunno, I had a CVCC. Was a tough little car. I was 18, and beat the crap outta it.

 

There are far less fullsize trucks on the road around here, the drop in trucks on the road reflected the rise in gas prices. Even with the lower gas prices, I do not see much fullsize trucks on the road these days.

I agree, autos will be bought as a need rather that a want.

So will this idea of autos as a need change the big 3s approach to the way autos are designed and built?

I have not read about conditions attached to the loans that the Feds were going to give to GM and Chrysler. (if there were any)

 

What is really bad is that in the aftermath of "SCRAPPAGE" the old out is no longer there... (as much)

Go find a beater and work with it, even if you have to use every bit of what they taught you in auto-mech class in high school just to keep it running.

That's what I did - and later went on to sort of tailor what I wanted as old cars I couldn't afford when new got sold dirt cheap. You may have to build an engine and do more body work than you'd like, but thats good to know how to do anyway and you end up with what you wanted.

The china metals trade has made scrappage look silly!

You have to find parts before they get crunched and cubed now.

 

"Go find a beater and work with it, even if you have to use every bit of what they taught you in auto-mech class in high school just to keep it running."

That is always great advice. Your skills learned this way can save you BIG money for the rest of your life.

 

That's a fact, Jack!

I'd be walking today if I had to pay standard scale for repairs. There would also have been a lot more repairs needed if I didn't "LISTEN" to my wheels.