I am not in the car industry but have bought 16 + new personal cars in my 48 years of driving. 2 New Mustangs, 2 New Excursions, 2 New F150's, 1 New F350, 3 Suburbans, 1 S-10 Blazer, 2 Compact Toyota Pick Ups, 1 IH Scout, and a new F250 Super Duty Lariat on order that was supposed to be built this coming Monday. Obviously, I have converted to 100% Ford since the 2000 model year because GM left me hanging with no 3/4 ton Diesel SUV availability and in the recent past due to political $$$ bail out reasons. I will never go back to GM regardless and don't fly their flag at NASCAR races like I do for Ford Racing. I survived the 6.0 L debacle that cost me over $1.5K due to a dishonest dealer, stupid quality issues like the Edge heater core, door wiring harness breaks on the F150 and I am sure a few others. I am not counting the new cars my wife has driven (08 Edge now with 193,000 + miles on it)
I spent 29 years in very large corporate retail and know hard business decisions are necessary in a changing environment as the Ward's article pointed out. I have wondered for YEARS as tens of thousands of GM Tahoes, Suburbans, Escalades, Yukons etc have hit the highway, "Where is Big Blue?"
I guess my point in this rant is it is a business decision and nothing else. I hope it pays off because I think I am going to buy my first direct share of Ford stock. I vaguely remember a slogan called "BOLD MOVES"
http://wardsauto.com/news-analysis/ford-reveals-bold-moves-campaign
P.S. I might have to rethink this if my $3000 PCO expires before my F250 hits the ground..... LOL