lapsergio

The Sport Trac was supposed to be a mid-sized Ranger in the beginning. I can remember when we were running this mid-size pickup in the body shop at LAP, we were told that it was going to be a larger Ranger. Eventually Ford decided to put the Explorer nameplate on the unit in able to get a higher price tag on the window. And the Sport Trac was born. I don't believe it was ever meant to be an Explorer Sport Trac. That name resulted in a higher price.

CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE Ford's Ranger may return to Louisville Falling Explorer sales could open door, analysts say By Robert Schoenberger rschoenberger@courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal In 1981, Ford Motor Co.'s Louisville Assembly Plant was in trouble. Sales of the LTD sedan were plummeting as drivers chose more fuel-efficient vehicles. A year later, Ford launched the Ranger compact pickup truck in Louisville. The vehicle quickly became a best seller, and employees at a plant that had been a target for closure were working overtime. With sales of Explorer sport utility vehicles falling in the face of high gasoline prices, some industry watchers believe history may repeat itself. They predict that Ford will return the Ranger to Louisville in 2008 when it closes its plant in St. Paul, Minn., which now produces the pickup. "The way sales are going now, the Explorer could be a vehicle that sells 150,000 units a year (by 2008), leaving ample room at Louisville Assembly for a light pickup," said Catherine Madden, an analyst with Global Insight in suburban Boston. Ford sold 239,788 Explorers last year, down from 445,147 in 2000. Company officials declined to comment for this story. But during a visit to the Louisville Assembly Plant this month, Dave Szczupak, Ford's vice president of manufacturing, said the automaker has a lot of options at the factory on Fern Valley Road. "The line speeds and flexibility of this plant are incredible," Szczupak said. "It's the way we really need to go with all our plants." Moving the Ranger to Louisville makes a lot of sense from a cost perspective, said George Hoffer, an economics professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Ford doesn't make much money on small pickups, so it wants to invest as little as possible on new models. Hoffer said Ford has already invested millions of dollars in recent years in the Explorer, a model that can be adapted for pickups. "You've got a relatively new Ford Explorer platform and a four-door pickup platform already in place with the Explorer Sport Trac," Hoffer said. In automotive terms, a platform is a set of parts, including frames and chassis elements that can be shared among different vehicles. Hoffer and Madden said moving the Ranger to an Explorer platform also makes sense from a competitive standpoint. The Ranger is one of the smallest compact pickups on the market. Toyota's Tacoma, Nissan's Frontier and Dodge's Dakota all offer more space, more power and more options, such as four full-sized doors. The Dakota even has a V-8 engine option. "Right now, the only thing Ranger has going for it is price," Madden said. Because Ford has not significantly redesigned the vehicle in about a decade, it's cheaper to produce and sell than the competition. Still, sales have declined steeply. Ford sold 120,958 of the pickups last year, down from 330,125 in 2000. The Louisville Assembly Plant has the capacity to build 250,000 vehicles a year on straight time. Madden said that could be split between 150,000 Explorers and 100,000 Rangers in 2009. Reporter Robert Schoenberger can be reached at (502) 582-4669.

I can tell you that the only changes being made to the door panel...a cup-like insert into the arm rest to use as a door assist handle while closing. Everything else is the same. I don't know about any changes to IP.

Yeah, but gas in Canada is higher than in the U.S...cost of living in Canada is much higher than most U.S. cities also.

I've already compared the two...a ST is $5000 cheaper than a similarly optioned F-150, that's substantial. In saying that, I would have to believe more profit is coming from the F-150. Only drawback for Ford though...F-150s are heavily discounted at model year end clearance. You'll never see these types of discounts on STs. I don't expect to see these until August.

Yes, we were told that Mr Fields will grace us with his presents (LOL) on the 13th on April. I hope he can bring some good news for us!!!!

People at LAP are impatiently awaiting some form of buyout packages...it's only a rumor until they show some paperwork with offers.

If there was distortion in the heated windshield, the windshield is defective. There shouldn't be any distortion at all. Distortion is an issue you have with heated windshields...only drawback. The issue has come about throughout the launch. We have sorted for distortion in heated windshields a few times. Wanted to add...the main reason Ford does not and will not advertise the Sport Trac...possibility of losing F-150 sales to the Sport Trac. They don't want to task any chance of the F-150 lose its sales title. They happy with this vehicle being a limited selling specialty unit; it also keeps the residual one of the highest of any automobile.

Transfering to LAP from SLAP?? Here is the name of a Union Brother that is a Realtor. E_mail patwatkins@insightbb.com, he is very professional and does a good job. He will make your transition to LAP very smooth!!

No V-8s have been shipped, I am sure of that.

The V-8s will be coming soon. They had some bugs to work out of the frame, driveshaft, and rear diff, being that it's completely different from the Explorer. They had to go with a carrier bearing on the driveshaft due to the angle from tranny to rear diff. They also had to re-design the frame a bit on the front passenger corner to accomodate the torque of the V-8. They're doing their best to get all of the bugs out before shipping them. A few years back, they would ship first, worry about bugs later. The 'Batch and Hold' procedure we've been falling for a few years keeps recalls to a minimum. I love the new ST...I plan on leasing one in August when I give my F-150 back.

I work at LAP. Tanksley(sp?) was OK...he seemed to be community oriented. Always looking to get involved with a Breast Cancer Walk, Juvenile Diabetes, and so on. He was more visible than our current PM, Joe Bobnar, who came from SLAP. Our PMs swapped positions because Tanksley was close to retirement. He knew he would retire when SLAP closed. At least that's why I heard he left. I wouldn't give either one of them high marks. It's been a while since we had a GREAT PM.

The only thing I've heard is that the packages may be ready March 16th. They're waiting to see how many from SLAP want to come to LAP. Can't offer 220 packages if only 120 SLAPers are coming.

bttt BLUELU...thanks for registering. Spread the word at KTP, it's been a much appreciated forum for everyone at LAP.

We went through a period of 5-7.5 hours during the Sport Trac launch. With the production of Sport Tracs picking up, 8 hours will become the norm to get them in the dealers.

As of right now, we're working 40 hours at LAP. I don't expect any OT anytime soon, unless SUVs hit a surge in sales. Gas prices have put a hurting on us big time. The people here are great. You'll find clowns no matter where you go, in both hourly and salary. LAP has always been known to have one of the best workforces in Ford's system. Good luck with your tough decision. KCAP may have a more secure future as of right now IMHO...and I work at LAP.

LAP Seniority... 1999 is comfortably holding days in trim. 1999-2000 for chassis. 1992-93 for body shop. 1990 for paint. these are for assembler positions. utility positions: trim 1999 chassis 1994 body 1990 paint 1990 any other questions, fire away

LAP has 333 people with 1976 or better seniority. We also have many transfers from KTP that could retire, but have 1982 bidding rights at LAP. I'd be willing to guess that around 500 people can retire at LAP right now.

Be patient sunoco...it's coming.

It came from the International this morning. They're going to announce this to KCAP and LAP before making it official at SLAP. SLAP received a survey today to see how much interest there may be from them in transferring to KCAP or LAP. The details will become concrete and the announcements will be made VERY soon.

30+ yrs...$35,000 28 yrs...34 hours/week short work week pay for the next two years. 1+...$100,000 to quit now, keep vested pension, if you have any. Anyone...4 years paid tuition, up to $15,000/year, 1/2 your pay plus benefits while you're in school, once school is over, all ties are cut, except vested pension. The other offer involves older workers with little seniority...something like 55 yrs old with ten years can retire. KTP also receiving the same offer to get the 225 people that are out on the street back to work.

Considering some of Ford's idiotic moves...I keep waiting for the Pinto's return. LMAO

I was told that the Building Chairman at KTP shot this rumor down. If you have anything to add, I would appreciate it.

Can anyone at KTP (Kentucky Truck Plant) confirm or dispute a rumor going around at LAP? Are you running Explorer test units anywhere in your system? I've heard this rumor within our plant, I don't really believe it. Any truth? Thanks

bttt