fuzzymoomoo

So 1/2 trades? Or is macining something entirely different?

Right, I'm not trying to insinuate that it's an overnight fix. However, now that the business side of Ford has shown it can be consistently profitable, now might be the time to at least consider setting aside some resources for a plan like that.

I like it, its a vast improvement over the outgoing model IMO. Its a shame I'm not the target clientele. I'm not the type of person to ever buy a luxury vehicle and I wouldn't want anything bigger than an MKC or Focus sized car anyway. Fusion/MKZ would be the biggest I might consider if the need ever arose.

Say there's a series of different options presented to dealers with combined Ford/Lincoln lots. Option 1: Spin the Lincoln branch off to a separate lot, You can keep it nearby as long as it is a separate parcel of land. Offer a percentage towards construction and moving costs Option 2: Keep them both on the same lot with the same parcel of land, but treat them like completely different stores. Not like GM does with Caddilac/GMC where Caddilacs are sold out the back door, but there is a distinct difference between the Ford side and Lincoln side, and its all visible to passing traffic. This may only work with dealers who have larger lots and could expand their showroom or build a second showroom to accommodate. Again, offer a percentage towards construction costs. Option 3: Should the first 2 options not be feasible for whatever reason, Buy out whichever end (be it Ford or Lincoln) the owner of the dealership feels is best for His/Her business.

What is the classification of those jobs at Rawsonville and Sterling? Are they full fledged assembly workers or sub assembly? My thinking is that with the strike/new contract at Lear last year, they were able to eliminate the second tier for full fledged assembly workers, but not those deemed sub-assemblers. I have a feeling that might be used as the precedent for Ford when they come to the table to negotiate. In a nutshell, Ford might want to keep the parts plants with a 2 tier system while the Stamping, Transmission, Engine and Final Assembly plants have the 2 tier system eliminated. It would certainly be an interesting debate.

That's the beauty of it, they don't have to force anything. Mind you, not every dealer has the resources to spin Lincoln off to a second, separate lot, however if there was some incentive on the table, it might be easier to pull off should the dealer choose to take the offer. What that might take, I don't know, maybe someone with experience running a dealer could shed some light on what that might take.

And that's part of the problem. I wonder if there is a way to incentivize dealers to separate the Lincoln dealer from the Ford dealer.

IUAW reps on the plant floor!? Now THAT'S funny. It's hard enough to get the local leadership out of their offices.

Taurus and MKS are moving to Flat Rock later this year

That makes more sense. The one you are looking at is the remaining rangeI think the one with the circle next to it is average MPG

This

mLook again, it's the same

Thats weird. Never seen just month an year before. I'll look at some fresh off the line at break

2008 was a similar arrangement

That is weird, I wonder when that changed.

A friend of mine I work with has a '13 Focus sedan, and as a 5'11" 175lb 25 year old, the back seat feels a little cramped to me, so i can't imagine what its like if you're over 6'. Glad to hear you're enjoying it. Just out of curiosity, what's the build date on the door? (not window sticker, those aren't always 100% accurate)

That goes out the window if the current contract expires first

Didn't they try that in 2011?

To the uneducated, yes. It's not hard to find a safe bet long term fund. There's plenty of options out there

Pensions were never going to be sustainable for anyone. It was a benefit bound to go away eventually. Even most municipalities have figured that out and are moving to stock based accounts. From what I've read, the TESPE is one of the better versions out there. Not to mention I have more control over it in the future. It's one change I do like.

I can think of 5 right off the top of my head who would cross the line. I wouldn't myself should it come to that. There's too much at stake with this contract to just roll over and die should a subpar contract be offered.

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/news/why-ford-gt-really-ecoboost-v6-170041812.html

And then there's this http://www.autonews.com/article/20140919/BLOG06/140919807?template=mobile

It will happen pretty quickly on the plant floor anyway

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