mrballsonya

Unless Ford is planning on making some variants of the mustang i.e (cougar, Mus-lincoln), I can't imagine them needing much more than the current 192,000 unit capacity. It's more advantageous for Ford to run balls out at one plant Vs. some production at two plants. I just don't see the demand for the mustang going much higher than 220,000 units. This rumor seems to be pure bunk. :lol:

I can hear all the Local Unions Now....... "If we don't Vote yes on these concessions, our plant will be at the top of the plant closing List". I have to agree with Football on his point of the National getting some secret deals and assurances, If they didn't.... they're morons. The timing of this whole thing just reeks of under the table dealings. Ford definately needs some help right now, and I think most of us who've been lucky enough to work for FoMoCo will agree to the concessions. It would be nice if we all could get assurances that the money saved will be used for increased product development. Ford has to come out with some better vehicles in order to maintain and/or increase market share. If we aren't making cars that people want, then no amount of plant closings or concessions will make a difference.

I lifted this quote from a obscure website, the complete article was written DEC. 3rd. Ford’s plan, called the “Way Forward,†is not due to be released officially until January and may still be revised. The leak to the press was likely aimed at gauging the response of Wall Street investors, who have been punishing the company’s stock—which is down to around $8 a share—and demanding a major restructuring of Ford. This explaination seems to make the most sense of any as to why the wall street journal published the story. It seems the investors didn't think 5 plants where enough as Ford stock didn't do anything on Friday. Now three days later we're hearing 8 plants to be closed. Although at the closing of the Bell today it appears F is down again. :lol: :lol: Get ready for 10 plants, in a couple of days :lol: :lol: I won't believe anything until news comes from Jr. himself. I still picture that brand new Wixom Rd. overpass leading straight to the new Ford Memorial 27 Hole Golf Course. Oh yes, Ford has "PLANS" for Wixom. Sorry to be such a pessimist, but its hard not to after living through all this plant closing talk for the last couple of years.

I just fired off this E-mail to Governor Granholms office... Dear Governor Granholm, I'm sure you are aware of Ford Motor Companys upcoming Restructuring announcement. If not, the announcement is purported to arrive sometime in January, and much like GMs recent announcement will include multiple plant closings and layoffs. One of the Assembly plants on the rumoured list to close is the Wixom assembly plant. There seems to be wide speculation that Wixom is competing with the Atlanta assembly plant to stay open. Recently I ran across the following link Detailing the state of Georgias incentive package to try and woo Ford to keep atlanta open. http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/13286115.htm If Atlanta is spared, Wixom is almost certain to close. With the massive exodus of good paying Manufacturing jobs leaving Michigan, I would hope that our local and State Governments would do everything they could to retain the 1700 High paying jobs that the Wixom assembly plant employs. If you are already abreast of this situation, please disregard this E-mail. If not I hope you can do everything in your power to keep Wixom open and keep michigan Working. Sincerely, I'm sure she'll never get it, but I figured it was worth a shot. Maybe Michigan will get into a bidding war with Georgia. :P

If this truly is a battle between Wixom and Atlanta to stay open, this can't be good for Wixom. http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/13286115.htm I hope Granholm and friends Ante Up and offer Ford some similar incentives. All these recent rumors leaking out about Wixom staying open are really starting to make sense to me now. Make Atlanta think your going with Wixom, and wait for all the incentives and tax breaks to roll in for the plant that you wanted to keep open all along.

The fact that things don't sound real good for Atlanta, does absolutely nothing to convince me that Ford will keep Wixom open. I don't think it's a case of Wixom Vs. Atlanta, I think its likely they'll be both axed. Yeah it's great that Granholm finally approved the money to re-do the I-96 - Wixom Rd. interchange, But even if there wasn't a Ford plant in Wixom, with all the new growth eventually they'd have to address it. With Ford no longer being the only game in Town, It seems that the city of Wixom would rather have the plant torn down and redeveloped than stay open. Apparently the city of Wixom feels that they don't get enough revenue from Ford, And that it would be much more lucrative to have multiple developments. If Ford is to get any kind of Incentives to stay, it'll have to be from the State not the City. Oh, and one last thing..... I heard a rumor that That the T-bird Buck and the rights to the T-bird design and Name have been sold to.......... Wal-Mart. The Buck, along with all the other tooling will be shipped to Shanghai, China. Unfortunatley as per Wal-Marts Corporate Dictum the Ford Wixom Maintenance crew initially in charge of the removal of the Buck and tooling, will have to be replaced by illegal mexican immigrants. Wal-mart plans to produce 20,000 WAL-MART Branded T-birds the first year, and in stark contrast to the premium that greedy Ford dealers put on the price of the NEW T-bird, Wal-mart will immediatly start discounting the vehicle...... Just watch for the sign. Suggested retail for the Vehicle will be $9,995 USD's and with the current Chinese currency manipulation and ultra low manufacturing wages paid, Wal-mart expects to make $8,000 USD's on every vehicle sold. It's good to see someone finally making money on a DEW98 platform car.