Please allow me to introduce myself. I work as an Employee Assistance Program Manager for the US Army. I have been working for the Army full time in excess of 23 years as both a civilian as well as a Soldier. I enjoy what I do and believe that what I do, and have done in support of the Soldier is extremely rewarding. Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines deserve so much more than what our government provides and we as a nation should be grateful for every person who signs that dotted line to join the worlds finest military.

That said, I wanted to say that I began thinking yet again about the billions of tax dollars being fed into Detroit and the nerve of those companies who have taken those tax dollars, yet still cannot seem to get their act together.

I then began to think about how the Ford Motor Company has reacted to all of this. I thought about how Ford has refused to accept bailout dollars as well as their obvious desire to run their own company rather than allow the government to make their business decisions for them. I thought about how Ford stood up, admitted to their mismanagement, accepted responsibility for that mismanagement, negotiated with their workers and suppliers, and are reorganizing on their own. (Amazing that corporations can actually think for themselves without "others" doing it for them, isn’t it?)
Anyway, I wanted to pass on my stimulus package. On Tax Day, I purchased a new 2009 Ford F150 Super Crew. I have never in my life owned a Ford, I refused to own one. I have previously purchased new GMC’s as well as Chrysler Products, yet, never a Ford. Never liked them, ever…until I saw their willingness to do what it takes to avoid a government takeover of their company. I am ecstatic about my purchase. The truck is very well put together, came with all the right options, and is very comfortable. It also helps that my full size Ford F150 got 26 miles per gallon on the way to work this morning. (That’s right, I said 26 miles per gallon on a full size F150 Super Crew.) Even more than just purchasing a Ford, I made my purchase from a small town dealership. This was important to me. These folks live where the tire meets the pavement. They strive to make ends meet often in even the worst of times. As I walked into my small town dealership (Eufaula Ford in Eufaula, OK if you wanted to know) I was treated like a long lost friend. I was never judged inadequate, or too small time, or too country. I was treated with dignity and respect.

I would like to pass on the importance of buying and banking with those companies who stand on their own two feet, even at the expense of not receiving free money from the government (because lets face it, we will never get any of this bailout money back). Buy local when you can. Drive a few extra miles to get beyond the big dealership and help out the local guy. Remember, the local guy is the same person you want to buy from you when he needs something. Be responsible. Own your mistakes. Count your blessings. Treat your veterans with the dignity and respect they deserve. Believe in your country, support it, and fight for it. Fight for those whose voices cannot be heard. Vote in every election.

 

As O'Reilly would say "That's a Patriot not a Pinhead".

 

Thank you for your post ADCO. Although not in the service, I have the same feelings about Ford as you. As proud as I am of Ford for not taking bailout money, I am more proud of the quality of the 09 F150. It is a pure pleasure to drive; although I don't get 26 mpg.

One last thing. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ADCO.

 

Ditto the above sentiments, congrats on your purchase, and Kudos on an excellent post. Rep points sent.

 

So I wish everyone's firsts posts were as well written as this one. Welcome to the forum and congrats on the truck. Post up some pics sometime, I never get sick of seeing a new f150 .

 

ADCO, please allow me formally welcome you to FTE. You've either found or stumbled upon a fantastic web site filled with hard working folks just like you. Come back and chat as often as possible. It's one of the best ways to get to know your new F-150 as well as great opportunities for you to share your likes and dislikes about the truck.

Congrats on your purchase, may she never let you down.

Lastly, thank you for your continued service and dedication to our troops and to our country.

Tim

 

Rep points going to ya. I always have thought bout this exactly how you posted it. I wish more companies would act like ford and admit their mistakes. and welcome to FTE and also thanks for serving in the armed forces. If i could i would shake your hand everytime i see someone in uniform i go up to them and thank em. let me do this over the internet. thanks.

 

Some people just hav a way to get their point accross many (like me) wish we could. ADCO be such an individual. Strongs to you sir. Could you please say what motor your super crew has in and id guess its the 4x2 hu? 26mpg is awesom fer a full sizer.
-Valdor

 

i appreciate your service in the Army!!!! thats coming from a fellow Oklahoman.. and now we share something else in common too... Welcome to the Ford family

 

Thank you for your service.

Glad you got a truck you like and allows you to sleep well at night as well.

My first vehicle was a 81 El Camino then 4 Ford F-150s after that.

Of course welcome and shoot some pics.

 

I appreciate the sentiments folks. Working for the Army has been my life for so long, its hard to think of any other career. I don't wear the uniform anymore, but now work as a civilian. These guys who serve today are so awesome it makes me proud to live in this country.

As to the Ford, I have the 4.6 3 valve with the 3.15:1 rear end. I am worried a bit about trailers in the future, but with the 6 speed, I think it will be fine.

I have the SFE edition, a little dressed up. My son (Jeep guy, I traded in a Jeep Unlimited 2008 model for the 09 Ford) says it has too much chrome, but he sure didn't mind the chrome while driving it.

I will post some pics once I get settled. Rain here in OK is kicking our butts.

For the guy in Owasso, one of my greatest friends is in Owasso, and of all things he is THE FORD GUY. Great Ford truck owner as well as a SHELBY owner...both new and old.

 

Hey ADCO,

Good to hear back from you. Good one about your son not minding the chrome when he was driving it! You may already have it but since you mentioned towing later on, here's the link for the 2009 towing guide. Looks like your truck, as equipped, is rated for 7500 lbs. conventional or fifth wheel. Best of luck with the truck and once again, thank you so much for your service!

http://www.sunrisefordfleet.com/pdf_...uides/2009.pdf

 

Now i may be wrong but what i was told by my uncle that Ford indeed did not take any bailout money. The reason for this may not be as delightful as many of us have made it out to be though. He told me that the Ford family lives off of the dividens that the stock pays off and the companies that take bailout money cannot pay the dividens until the bailout money is paid off. Therefor the major players wouldnt be gettin there big checks. Now Ford did recieve a 6 million or something line of credit from the government in place of useing the bailout money. As far as i know they have not used that either though. So knowing that little bit still makes me happy to own a Ford!

 

Not doubting what you've said here. But, the Ford family isn't the only controlling power at Ford. Their Board of Directors is. I would venture to guess that there were many things considered here in addition to any dividend checks like waiting to see how the Feds treated the competition that was receiving the bailout money. I would also guess that they didn't want to relinquish any control of the company to the Feds either. I would also imagine that they were proceeding with caution since they had sold off a lot of their assets and mortgaged almost everything they had to get credit lines they needed over the past year or two. Additionally, when the Big three orignally decided to go to the Feds, there was an election pending. Ford probably did the smartest thing of all of them as they waited to see the outcome of the election. It's hard to tell how things may have gone had McCain gotten elected. Taking any bailout cash just before an election could be a double-edged sword because you may get treated well or you may get treated badly for the next four years.

And Ford had asked the government for access to a $9 billion line of credit if they should need it. I think that at least part of that was to pacify the other two of the Big three so that they weren't going before the house and senate as 2/3 of the Big three U.S. Auto makers. Misery loves company and GM and Chrysler were/are hurting badly. Ford was not at the time. It makes a more convincing argument when you can get all three of them to band together. Strength in numbers. Did Ford do the right thing? Yes, I think they did and I think it had to do with more than dividend checks for the Ford family.

 

ADCO, Thanks! for your service from a fellow vet....And thanks for buying Ford!...You will find out in a couple years when you would have felt like trading off you GM or chrysler prod., that your F-150 is still running strong and drives like new!, "Built Ford tough" is more than just a sales slogan.