7Mary3 Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Ford's former heavy truck operation that was sold to Freightliner will be discontinued next year. http://www.lmtruck.com/articles/lmtbase.aspx?storyid=290 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 (edited) Looks like Daimler got 10 years, basically, out of their purchase of Ford's heavy duty line, and I wonder how many years worth of profits will disappear in paying to shutter that plant in St. Thomas, and eliminating those jobs. Edited October 14, 2008 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68Cougar Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Daimler will shutter its commercial-vehicle plant in Portland, Oregon, in June 2010, when that factory's labor contract runs out. The North American truck division's headquarters will remain there. That's going to hurt. Freightliner has been a fixture in Portland for years. Seems like everyone know at least one person that works there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 Looks like Daimler got 10 years, basically, out of their purchase of Ford's heavy duty line, and I wonder how many years worth of profits will disappear in paying to shutter that plant in St. Thomas, and eliminating those jobs. Good question. It is interesting to note that 'Sterling' never enjoyed the same market share as Ford did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 The North American truck division's headquarters will remain there. There is something absurdly funny about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Good question. It is interesting to note that 'Sterling' never enjoyed the same market share as Ford did. Amen- Not even close. Plus to make matters worse, they gave the franchise to existing Freightliner dealers- thus a recipe for disaster- fewer sales spread over more dealers! This though represents a good opportunity for Ford. the bulk of the sterling dealers still carry the Ford flag. they will be deparate for product. With the no compete gone, Ford can jump back in -and hopefully in an intelligent manner- by beefing up class 6, 7 and baby 8 offerings- the true no frill vocational markets- forget about cklass 8 OTR sleepers- stick with what was their market niche. One minor detail- sort out the manufacturing issue ASAP to get dealer confidance levels up. Bluediamond is gone in a year- either pick a partner or bring 'em back to KTP! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 I am more upset about Sterling closing than the prospect of 'Blue Diamond' coming to an end. In addition to all those who will loose their jobs, the Sterling trucks were very much still Ford. Looked like Ford, drove like Ford, and full of Ford parts. Can't say that about those amorphodite F-650's and 750's. Only thing on them Ford was the cab. Oh, and the junk Motorcraft batteries. I am hearing the Esobedo plant will build International Prostar export models when 'Blue Diamond' ends. I think if Ford really wanted to stay in medium duty and return to heavy duty, they would have bought Sterling back. Wonder why they didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 "Wonder why they didn't." I would expect because it's an operation that would cost money in the near term, even if it could be managed back to profitability in the mid term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe771476 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 I can't believe it! Didn't they just celebrate their 250,000th unit sales milestone? Even though I can't understand how 12,000 units a year times 10 yrs. equals 250,000! Unfortunately I don't think Ford has the same amount ($300 million) kickin' around to buy it back. The funny thing here is that it seems every other heavy around New England is a Sterling! Bob R. will attest to that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardmayo Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 (edited) The North American truck division's headquarters will remain there. There is something absurdly funny about that. It won't be there for long. They moved 350 white collar jobs from Portland to South Carolina a year or so ago (tax breaks, and proximity to customers and suppliers). Just a matter of time before the remaining Portland employees are asked to transfer to SC or lose their jobs. Edited October 15, 2008 by richardmayo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark B. Morrow Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 I just saw a Dodge 1 Ton with a different grille and Sterling nameplate. Pittsburgh had a Ford Truck only dealer for years. When Ford sold out the big truck line they converted to Ford/Sterling. I wonder if Ford will seriously consider moving back into big trucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groundassault Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Son of a gun! Between that and Fords tractor line being gone its a wonder how I am still a blueoval fan!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goinbroke2 Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 You mean the tractor line (new holland) that's the largest in the world now?? Ol Henry must of rolled in his grave when they sold that off, bastards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MERKURXR4Ti Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 (edited) You mean the tractor line (new holland) that's the largest in the world now??Ol Henry must of rolled in his grave when they sold that off, bastards. Deere is the largest. NH is massive though, and makes much better products. But they are only so huge by association with Case and Styr -Bias though- I worked for Case-New Holland for 2 years Edited October 16, 2008 by MERKURXR4Ti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I can't believe it! Didn't they just celebrate their 250,000th unit sales milestone? Even though I can't understand how 12,000 units a year times 10 yrs. equals 250,000! Unfortunately I don't think Ford has the same amount ($300 million) kickin' around to buy it back. The funny thing here is that it seems every other heavy around New England is a Sterling! Bob R. will attest to that! Joe, Does seem that way right but just look at the sales stats and they suck. I have some back issues of Heavy Duty Trucking and I have gone back to the late 80's early 90's. the ford numbers back then were easily twice the Sterling numbers of today. And the bottom line, in this age of "synergism" how do you justify a product line that had significant overlap. I think when they re-did the Business Class (M2) that was the real nail in the Sterling coffin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted October 16, 2008 Author Share Posted October 16, 2008 Joe, Does seem that way right but just look at the sales stats and they suck. I have some back issues of Heavy Duty Trucking and I have gone back to the late 80's early 90's. the ford numbers back then were easily twice the Sterling numbers of today. And the bottom line, in this age of "synergism" how do you justify a product line that had significant overlap. I think when they re-did the Business Class (M2) that was the real nail in the Sterling coffin. It's true, Sterling never caught on. What was funny was that the reason Freightliner bought Ford's heavy truck line was supposed to be to expand in the vocational markets, but what seemed to happen (at least in my area) was that Sterling was only successful in regional hauling, delivery, and LTL markets. International saw the opportunity and push hard in vocational. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-150 Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I just saw a Dodge 1 Ton with a different grille and Sterling nameplate. Pittsburgh had a Ford Truck only dealer for years. When Ford sold out the big truck line they converted to Ford/Sterling. I wonder if Ford will seriously consider moving back into big trucks. those are class 4 & 5 Ram chassis cabs in exchange for Dodge continuing to sell the Sprinter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe771476 Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I think it was a ploy to eliminate Ford as a contender in heavy trucks and to eliminate some competition. But to spread it out over 10 years was a little elaborate. Those Germans aren't stupid. But how can they justify keeping Western Star? I don't care what price they're getting for WS, the small volume can't generate anywhere near the Sterling profit! I don't get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted October 17, 2008 Author Share Posted October 17, 2008 I think it was a ploy to eliminate Ford as a contender in heavy trucks and to eliminate some competition. But to spread it out over 10 years was a little elaborate. Those Germans aren't stupid. But how can they justify keeping Western Star? I don't care what price they're getting for WS, the small volume can't generate anywhere near the Sterling profit! I don't get it. That might go back to what I have said all along: There is no money in low-bid fleet sales. Almost all of Sterling's sales went to fleets, almost none of Western Star's sales go to fleets. Western Star is an expensive premium truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe771476 Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Right 7Mary3, but how many WS's do they sell.........200 a year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 IMHO the market for Class 8 trucks will be getting smaller. While it wouid be great to see some giant 9000's, IMHO, Ford should concentrate on being first with heavy 500-700 local delivery hybrids and electric/fuel cell trucks. Leave the class 8 to M-B and Volvo Truck and Renault and whoever to fight over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Right 7Mary3, but how many WS's do they sell.........200 a year? Joe- Through August, 806. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 IMHO the market for Class 8 trucks will be getting smaller. While it wouid be great to see some giant 9000's, IMHO, Ford should concentrate on being first with heavy 500-700 local delivery hybrids and electric/fuel cell trucks. Leave the class 8 to M-B and Volvo Truck and Renault and whoever to fight over. Agreed- forget OTR tractors. That market will shrink. One reason Cat is bailing out of heavy truck engines is they in fact see a declining market. Double stack rail will grow big time. As for hybids, don't forget the hydraulic assist issue. I thought Ford was leading in that but have not read anything about it lately-from Ford that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 (edited) I just saw a Dodge 1 Ton with a different grille and Sterling nameplate. Pittsburgh had a Ford Truck only dealer for years. When Ford sold out the big truck line they converted to Ford/Sterling. I wonder if Ford will seriously consider moving back into big trucks. Yeah, I've seen one of those, didn't that thing just come out a few weeks (or months?) ago too? Edited October 20, 2008 by rmc523 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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