mulally interview

[Ford Jellymoulds]

If you think the Fiesta is going to magically turn around Ford's North American car sales, you've got another thing coming. At the most it will sell about 10,000 units a month. And that's being generous. B-cars don't sell here like they do in Europe. And well, the Mustang certainly isn't Ford's best-selling car here either.

 

Look at the best-selling cars here: Camry and Accord. Are either of those appealing to you in the least? I doubt it.

 

There you go again off into to the land of FICTION again Nick 10,000 sales, maybe Ford should start building the cars in Detroit not Mexico and Canada then folk might start buying the Fusion and Fiesta instead of the Camry and Accord.

 

F-Series is a CLASSIC its a shame Fords cars are not 31,914 FACT sales of all Ford cars was piss poor last month, when the market picks up so will fuel prices and pickup/SUV sales will get hit hard again if the price of fuel hits $147 a barrel again, all Ford will left will be poor selling cars to support them again.

 

Why can't Ford build Fiesta's, Fusions, Crown Vics etc cars in Detroit, l watched Mulally Wagnoner spout off all afternoon on Bloomberg about how Detriot matches the Japanese on cost quality etc. Ford cars have lost their mojo of the past.

 

Classic Mustang is still the best selling coupe.

[NickF1011]

There you go again off into to the land of FICTION again Nick 10,000 sales, maybe Ford should start building the cars in Detroit not Mexico and Canada then folk might start buying the Fusion and Fiesta instead of the Camry and Accord.

 

F-Series is a CLASSIC its a shame Fords cars are not 31,914 FACT sales of all Ford cars was piss poor last month, when the market picks up so will fuel prices and pickup/SUV sales will get hit hard again if the price of fuel hits $147 a barrel again, all Ford will left will be poor selling cars to support them again.

 

Why can't Ford build Fiesta's, Fusions, Crown Vics etc cars in Detroit, l watched Mulally Wagnoner spout off all afternoon on Bloomberg about how Detriot matches the Japanese on cost quality etc. Ford cars have lost their mojo of the past.

 

Classic Mustang is still the best selling coupe.

 

You go figure out how to profitably build a Fiesta in the US and then go tell Ford to do it. Until then, quit the yapping about it. People aren't not buying the Fusion because it's built in Mexico for crimminy sakes. They aren't buying it because it's a Ford. Simple as that. It is an IMAGE issue, not a product or production issue. Ford isn't saddled with that image problem in the UK and Ford's TRUCKS and the Mustang are not saddled with that image problem in the US. That's ALL there is to it. Nothing is going to change that image problem except continued improvement and TIME.

[mettech]

You go figure out how to profitably build a Fiesta in the US and then go tell Ford to do it. Until then, quit the yapping about it. People aren't not buying the Fusion because it's built in Mexico for crimminy sakes. They aren't buying it because it's a Ford. Simple as that. It is an IMAGE issue, not a product or production issue. Ford isn't saddled with that image problem in the UK and Ford's TRUCKS and the Mustang are not saddled with that image problem in the US. That's ALL there is to it. Nothing is going to change that image problem except continued improvement and TIME.

 

You do it the same way as Honda with the Civic in Indiana. Start out with <$15.00/hr and in a few years give a $3.00 raise.

 

If Honda can build the Civic for a profit in the USA... Why not Ford with the Fiesta.

[NickF1011]

You do it the same way as Honda with the Civic in Indiana. Start out with <$15.00/hr and in a few years give a $3.00 raise.

 

If Honda can build the Civic for a profit in the USA... Why not Ford with the Fiesta.

 

Civic has a higher transaction price than the Fiesta will. Need I remind everyone that the Civic's direct competitor, the Focus, is built in the U.S.?

 

And one more reason: There's no way the UAW would allow line workers to be paid under $15.00/hr.

 

And a third thing: How many of Ford's competitors produce B-cars in the United States? Oh yeah, right. None.

Edited November 19, 2008 by NickF1011

[MarkFive]

There you go again off into to the land of FICTION again Nick 10,000 sales, maybe Ford should start building the cars in Detroit not Mexico and Canada then folk might start buying the Fusion and Fiesta instead of the Camry and Accord.

 

F-Series is a CLASSIC its a shame Fords cars are not 31,914 FACT sales of all Ford cars was piss poor last month, when the market picks up so will fuel prices and pickup/SUV sales will get hit hard again if the price of fuel hits $147 a barrel again, all Ford will left will be poor selling cars to support them again.

 

Why can't Ford build Fiesta's, Fusions, Crown Vics etc cars in Detroit, l watched Mulally Wagnoner spout off all afternoon on Bloomberg about how Detriot matches the Japanese on cost quality etc. Ford cars have lost their mojo of the past.

 

Classic Mustang is still the best selling coupe.

 

Are you Onslow from "Keeping up Appearances?"

Edited November 19, 2008 by MarkFive

[Ford Jellymoulds]

You go figure out how to profitably build a Fiesta in the US and then go tell Ford to do it. Until then, quit the yapping about it. People aren't not buying the Fusion because it's built in Mexico for crimminy sakes. They aren't buying it because it's a Ford. Simple as that. It is an IMAGE issue, not a product or production issue. Ford isn't saddled with that image problem in the UK and Ford's TRUCKS and the Mustang are not saddled with that image problem in the US. That's ALL there is to it. Nothing is going to change that image problem except continued improvement and TIME.

 

What is Ford's image problem Stateside Nick, just interested?

Edited November 19, 2008 by Ford Jellymoulds

[NickF1011]

What is Ford's image problem Stateside Nick, just interested?

 

It's quite simple really: Ford's image in the US: "They're the company that makes trucks and the Mustang. Everything else they build sucks."

[twintornados]

Good question, but when you shacked down by your past, how do you go about fixing that?

You cant "fix" was has already happened....but you can promise not to do it again...and stick to that promise.

[RichardJensen]

What is Ford's image problem Stateside Nick, just interested?

"There is a delicious irony in seeing private luxury jets flying into Washington, D.C., and people coming off of them with tin cups in their hand, saying that they're going to be trimming down and streamlining their businesses," Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-New York, told the chief executive officers of Ford, Chrysler and General Motors at a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/11/19/autos.ceo.jets/index.html

WASHINGTON - Members of Congress have another advantage over the average air traveler. Many airlines allow them to book multiple flights for the same trip and pay only for the one they use, without any fees or penalties.

http://www.wtopnews.com/?sid=1286126&nid=226&pid=1

enjoy the lovely tidbits on the left.

"They have promoted and often driven the demand of inefficient, gas guzzling vehicles, and dismissed the threat of global warming."

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/18/news/econo...sion=2008111815

Ford researchers have played a leading role in scientific research to understand and quantify the contribution of vehicles to climate change. We have also worked with a variety of partners to understand current and projected man-made GHG emissions and steps that can be taken to reduce them. Many scientists, businesses and governmental agencies have concluded that stabilizing the atmospheric concentration of CO2 may help to forestall or substantially delay the most serious consequences of climate change.

 

The Carbon Mitigation Initiative, a research partnership based at Princeton University and supported by BP and Ford, has examined what it would take to stabilize atmospheric CO2 at 500 parts per million (ppm) compared with the current 384 ppm and the pre-industrial level of approximately 270–280 ppm).

http://www.ford.com/aboutford/microsites/s...abilization.htm

Where are the hybrids? Where are the batteries? Where are cars that get 70 miles per gallon? For years automakers fought tooth and nail against improving fuel efficiency standards. You say they're in the pipeline? You say we'll get 40-mile-per-gallon cars in 2020? Americans need them now.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/18/cam...hree/index.html

 

Where indeed are the 70mpg cars from Honda, Toyota, Nissan & VW?

 

etc. I could go on, but it would just make me madder and madder and madder.

[Ford Jellymoulds]

It's quite simple really: Ford's image in the US: "They're the company that makes trucks and the Mustang. Everything else they build sucks."

 

My God thats the same way that l feel about Ford US Nick thats spooky, gotta say l like the Escape a lot as well though.

[Pablo2079]

If Ford could afford it, I think they should put out some real concise advertising about the brand. Maybe start it out with a bunch of the good news and then "surprise" everyone at the end by revealing that all the good news was about Ford.

 

Quality, Innovation.... make it exciting... make people feel proud that they drive a Ford.

 

Here on the West Coast, it seems like there is some sort of stigma around owning a domestic car. This needs to change or the road ahead will be even more difficult.

[mlhm5]

Or, more to the point,

 

 

 

 

WHAT SHOULD FORD BE DOING DIFFERENTLY NOW?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little harder to answer THAT question, ain't it?

 

One thing is not flying to beg for money in your private jet. It is the only thing on the news. PR disaster.

[Deanh]

One thing is not flying to beg for money in your private jet. It is the only thing on the news. PR disaster.

wow...you sound like an ignorant senator right back from his lunch, scoth and cuban at Ruth chris ....someone that canhandle having an enterage of ten hashing stuff out and getting de-breifed in business class.....imagine acheiving that wasting 2 1/2 hours in checking in, having to book all those first class seats so everyone and the advisors can sit together only to piss off all the other occupants.....my guess is the corporate jet is a little better set up, more gets acheived at 30,000 feet, he arrives less fatigued and up to speed....

[RichardJensen]

One thing is not flying to beg for money in your private jet. It is the only thing on the news. PR disaster.

Gee. Mulally was begging for money?

 

 

 

 

 

BTW, what's the budget deficit this year?

[Ford Jellymoulds]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/11/19/autos.ceo.jets/index.html

 

http://www.wtopnews.com/?sid=1286126&nid=226&pid=1

enjoy the lovely tidbits on the left.

 

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/18/news/econo...sion=2008111815

 

http://www.ford.com/aboutford/microsites/s...abilization.htm

 

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/18/cam...hree/index.html

 

Where indeed are the 70mpg cars from Honda, Toyota, Nissan & VW?

 

etc. I could go on, but it would just make me madder and madder and madder.

 

Thanks for all that Richard, a lot of that come out on the bailout talks today, Alan Mulally mentioned that Ford is and will be building class leading fuel efficient cars in every class it sells into, l guess that must have fell on deaf ears at the bailout meeting. Who owns Airforce One?

 

How did most of the politicians get to the bailout talks? Most of them said they owned 10 year old Jeeps & Hummers, but they want everybody else to drive around in small golf carts to save the planet from global warming.

 

Talk about practice what you preach.

[RichardJensen]

Dang near every Ford product has best (or tied for best) in class highway mileage.

 

Almost all of them have best (or tied for best) in class city mileage.

 

Only exceptions I know of are:

 

Edge city mileage

Taurus highway mileage

and (IIRC)

Flex city mileage.

 

and the Mustang (in a class by itself)

 

That's it. Apart from that Ford's stuff is top of the tops.

[RichardJensen]

Ford also has more government 5 star ratings than any other manufacturer and more IIHS top picks than any other mfr.

 

Leader in Fuel Economy? YES

Leader in Safety? YES

Leader in Quality? YES

[Deanh]

Ford also has more government 5 star ratings than any other manufacturer and more IIHS top picks than any other mfr.

 

Leader in Fuel Economy? YES

Leader in Safety? YES

Leader in Quality? YES

but Mitt Romney says domestics don't stack up.................

[2005Explorer]

Ford also has more government 5 star ratings than any other manufacturer and more IIHS top picks than any other mfr.

 

Leader in Fuel Economy? YES

Leader in Safety? YES

Leader in Quality? YES

 

I would also add that they have a Leader for CEO too.

 

I don't know if anyone else noticed this, but Ford is lucky to have Alan Mulally and not those other two! He seems to understand his company better and has a sense of direction. I am not sure what is up with those other two.

[RichardJensen]

Rick Wagoner can't see the forest for the trees.

 

Bob Nardelli can't see the forest or the trees.

[Deanh]

I would also add that they have a Leader for CEO too.

 

I don't know if anyone else noticed this, but Ford is lucky to have Alan Mulally and not those other two! He seems to understand his company better and has a sense of direction. I am not sure what is up with those other two.

+1...biggest idiot may be Get-a Finger.....what is sad though is the big three getting PENALIZED due to attempting to LOOK after their employees better than the competition....sure has bit them in the a$$....

[Pioneer]

Why is Toyota and Honda making money and the American 3 isn't?

 

 

Because the Japanese government subsidized R&D, and gave them 0% loans.

 

edit: Not to mention the protectionist system that dominates across the Pacific. If we did that here, the Big 3 would thrive!

Edited November 19, 2008 by Pioneer

[Deanh]

Because the Japanese government subsidized R&D, and gave them 0% loans.

and don't forget their LACK of UAW induced overhead...not saying it is bad, far from it...shame the big 3 get penalized $ wise trying to look after their workers....overheads per GM $1600, Toyota $200......ave PER UNIT SOLD!.

Edited November 19, 2008 by Deanh

[Pioneer]

and don't forget their LACK of UAW induced overhead...not saying it is bad, far from it...shame the big 3 get penalized $ wise trying to look after their workers....overheads per GM $1600, Toyota $200......ave PER UNIT SOLD!.

 

It's the companies own fault for not fully funding their pension accounts when they were pulling in Billion during the truck boom.

[Pioneer]

and don't forget their LACK of UAW induced overhead...not saying it is bad, far from it...shame the big 3 get penalized $ wise trying to look after their workers....overheads per GM $1600, Toyota $200......ave PER UNIT SOLD!.

 

 

Oh, and prove your numbers.