paintguy

Sure hope your new engineers are getting some OJT. But then who conducts the "Train the Trainer session"?

Whenever I question retiring, I come to BON to confirm my decision. Hang tough.

Know it would add manufacturing complexity and higher models would demand electric powered vent windows. In the old days you could clear the windows on a humid day by opening a vent wing. Smokers loved it, and today without ashtrays, would be a big hit. With retro look vehicles like Bronco and Bronco sport, it would fit right in. Maybe a special run on the next Bullitt Mustang?

Agree. Long ago had cars with a blue interior and the effect was immersive. Was interested in the Midnight blue Mustang Interior. When I saw one, was hard to distinguish from black, were it not for the blue stitching. As a retired Paint engineer hard to believe that one got through to production.

Nice idea. Camera technology has much improved and I use back up camera 95% of the time. Obstacle to implementation is regulatory as US Federal standards require the mirrors. Luxury brands would love to use camera side view mirrors. Wind noise a factor with side view mirror placement. Designers would rejoice.

Not just hourly. Recall talking with the Area Manager (who shall be nameless) discussing his weekend plans, including an out of town trip. He then got a call from the Plant manager, called to the office. I worked the weekend and had to pay the repair hole crew (not my normal job). Sunday morning, gathered names and Global ID for the crew. Saw one guy from behind, looking at a repair job. Called him, he turned around, and it was the Area Manager. Plans changed drastically. And no, could not write him in on the DROT.

Increasing grille sizes when more than half is blanked off doesn't make sense. As Ford and Lincoln electrify, need for a grille will be eliminated.

If word I am hearing is correct, improvements in drivetrain reliability would do more than a "nose job".

Hmm, preserves current generation European metrosexual look and adds in some Chinese "weirdness". Seems to work for Buick, so why not?

Which facility? Ford has a number of AWS (alternative work schedules). Steam Engineer work is usually some form of 24/7 scheduling. Many Ford facilities eliminated steam some time ago. Existing people in the classification were retrained to other roles and retained the pay rate. At CAP, some became HVAC/refrigeration techs. If you really enjoy steam work, might want to ask about the longer term prospect for steam at the facility. In any case to maintain operation, even near term, Ford would have to have someone with the appropriate cert or seal to operate legally.

Quite right. Having worked in vehicle assembly, each company has only so many experienced people to launch a new model platform and powertrain. Electrification can be done. How fast can this be done? Changing to renewable electricity also an interesting proposition with much recharging to be done at night. Also as supply chain is relevant these days, these BEVs require more electronics. It is taking time to sort out our existing ICE electrical supplies. Then on top of all that, many European manufacturers source their wiring harnesses from Ukraine. All of this is solvable. Just how fast can you do it in a fiscally, and environmentally responsible fashion.

But, we were going to make so many jobs by capping oil wells. Unfortunately every time we have experienced "oil shock", the repercussions for the auto industry have been disastrous for domestic automakers. This time, with BEV and PHEV on tap, will we avoid it? The transplants and Tesla have a reputation advantage. Products built at non US facilities (Mach E) helps the corporation, but little for UAW represented facilities.

How many would you sell with the slogan "Shit Happens"? Have a family member that had the engine fail, twice. They now proudly own a RAV4. Doubt they ever will use one of my AZ plans again. If things fail, need to be sure it ends up being fixed. And no BS run around from the dealer or zone office.

I agree that we abandoned low profit vehicles for higher profit ones. This leaves room for competitors who can build those vehicles at a profit. Also recall that MAP was MTP, Michigan Truck Plant. Wayne Assembly, once home to the Focus, seems lost to history.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I just don't see someone looking at a Focus competitor (say Civic or Corolla) looking at Bronco or Ranger. Same with Fusion competitor customers and putting them into Maverick or Bronco Sport. I know of a number of people who have avoided Trucks and SUVs for one reason or another for decades. When they ask me what Ford offers and I explain the options, they say, "Oh, Ford doesn't have anything for me". Granted, this part of the market is smaller, and is shrinking, but the imports offer an alternate. Dodge still has Charger and Chevy still selling Malibu and Impala, albeit they are barely hanging on.

Germany offering free train rides to Ukrainians if they can make it to Poland. Last time that happened, it did not end well.

Putin using logic that ethnic Russians inhabit the now "autonomous" zones where troops will be deployed. Could not China, Cuba and Mexico do the same for certain US locations? On a Ford note, kind of glad we never needed to go to see the Explorer operation in Russia. When I "retired" and came back as a contract person, I was able to retain my Ford email address. Some sort of flag was reset and my coworkers for years were unable to send me an email. My first email after my return was from the Russian operation.

From AXZ website: Terminated salaried employees who were hired on or after 1/1/2004 and were, at the time of separation; at least 65 years of age with 5 or more years of service, or at least 55 years of age with 10 or more years of service Terminated hourly employees who were hired on or after 10/24/2011 and were, at the time of separation; at least 65 years of age with 5 or more years of service, or at least 55 years of age with 10 or more years of service, or any age with 30 or more years of service Employees of approved subsidiaries, affiliates, and organizations All of the above may generate (i.e. sponsor) A/Z-Plan PINs for the following family members: So the new retirement is "terminated at advanced age with some service". Know someone who left Ford, who is pension eligible. They will REGAIN Z plan eligibility when they finally collect a pension. I hesitate to call it the new normal.

The BEV advocates seem to ignore that not all car issues are due to the powertrain. Most of my issues over the years have been suspension, brakes, electrical and trim, body hardware. The powertrain has been mostly PM, oil changes, air filters. The sophisticated electronics for the BEVs are going to get interesting after 10 years.

Interesting with the recent trend for GM and Ford to eliminate marque or brands. Some here may disagree on dealer elimination, having some dealer employees present. Not many Tesla owners on this page, but do wonder what experience they have when something goes wrong and service or repair is required. Low end lawn mowers and almost all electronics have entered the phase where a "dealer" is no longer needed. Have cars, BEV or otherwise entered this zone?

Retired salary here. How far up the local have you gone? Committeeperson, Bargaining unit, Chairperson? On company side, several 800 numbers for anti discrimination hotlines. Look up officials in the UAW region office. If you are as clean as you say, one of them should help. As for contractors, few really dig in to employees. Too easy for them to be displaced, with no recourse.

Sounds like something many pet owners would love. I travel some long distances with pets. Not many pet friendly "rest stops" out there. Do a tag team when traveling with the wife. Otherwise put window slightly down, park in the shade and do a quick pit stop.

I'm retired now, but recall when this came up before had plant personnel working with or supervising UAW, got full bonus as published and "staff" got a reduced amount. Of course, still had trouble getting people to work at the plant.

Usually published number is union. There is a formula in the contract. Salary GSR rates sometimes lower, or higher. Formula is different.

Even worse on the "wagon" front, if anything seems like a wagon, it is the kiss of death. At Chicago assembly, when building the Freestyle line workers routinely referred to it as a "wagon". Marketing types would be upset, but the workers saw it as the potential customers did. Production numbers did not recover until we started building Explorer. Granted much upgraded from Freestyle, but some similarities. Only Subaru has managed to sell Outback as SUV when clearly a wagon.