Anybody else watch the news? Ford losing billions

i gotta agree with Mr 5 0 and drudis. either they learn to compete in this world or they will be bought out quickly.

[Mr 5 0]

AUTOMAKER ACKNOWLEDGES MISTAKE IN DROPPING TAURUS

February 7, 2007

By MARK PHELAN

Acknowledging Ford should have kept the Taurus name, Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co.’s president of the Americas, said this morning that the 2008 model of the Five Hundred will be called the Taurus.
Likewise, the Freestyle wagon will be called the Taurus X and the Mercury Montego will get the name Sable, as the Mercury version of the previous Taurus was known.
“We never should have walked away from the equity we built up with the Taurus name,” Fields said.

Ford surveys show the Taurus name is still recognized by 80% of consumers, making it the company’s “third-strongest Ford name behind the F-Series and Mustang,” he said, while only 40% of buyers even know the Five Hundred exists.

Using the right name is important, he said, but having the right vehicle must be the top priority.

“Winning companies are the ones embracing more products their customers want.”

The 2008 models go into production in Chicago after the summer shutdown.


I rest my case.

[bmxmon]

I just heard that on the news. I've always liked the 500, thought it was a sharp looking car. Hopefully sales will improve with the name switch.

[Mr 5 0]

“Winning companies are the ones embracing more products their customers want.” - Mark Fields, Ford V.P.

Stating the obvious is hardly brilliant insight.

Ford is in an absolute death-spiral. Too bad. A 104-year-old U.S. auto manufacturer with a great history - including the Mustang - but mismanaged into extinction. R.I.P.

[bmxmon]

Im wondering if the US govt would let Ford/Gm be bought out by foreign auto manufacturers. I dont know what the exact situation was with the airlines, (I dont think anybody wanted to buy them) but I wonder if the govt would step in, though they did nothing for Chrysler. Just a thought.

[Unit 5302]

Originally Posted by bmxmon

Im wondering if the US govt would let Ford/Gm be bought out by foreign auto manufacturers. I dont know what the exact situation was with the airlines, (I dont think anybody wanted to buy them) but I wonder if the govt would step in, though they did nothing for Chrysler. Just a thought.

The answer to this question is no. They might be willing to find a way to help bail Ford out of a bankruptcy situation if there were no suitors like was Chryslers situation a couple times in the 80s, but they would not step in to block a large Japanese or European auto manufacturer making an outright purchase of or aquiring controlling interest in Ford Motor Company. They might step in and make it difficult if they felt the purchaser was not financially able to absorb Ford's operations which would result tens of thousands of US jobs being on the line. It's also likely that some legislators would make lip service arguments against it to console their constituents filing complaints, but ultimately, there isn't a whole lot the government could or would want to do.

[bmxmon]

Yeah, thats what I thought. Almost too bad, until you realize they put themselves in this position.

[Unit 5302]

Originally Posted by Mr 5 0

“Winning companies are the ones embracing more products their customers want.” - Mark Fields, Ford V.P.

Stating the obvious is hardly brilliant insight.

Ford is in an absolute death-spiral. Too bad. A 104-year-old U.S. auto manufacturer with a great history - including the Mustang - but mismanaged into extinction. R.I.P.

If I'm correct, Mr. Fields has been in his current position for a relatively short period of time, and openly attacked the decision to kill the Taurus shortly after his hire. Unfortunately, "the obvious" is something that has completely escaped Ford's senior management for many years so suddenly hearing it from anybody at Ford is probably a good thing.

In summary, I think his comment was more directed as a "duh, about friggen time" at Ford's executive management and board of directors than a new groundbreaking philosophy at Ford.