Ford posted its worst loss in its history today: $12.7 billion. This company is a huge employer, particularly in the Midwest, which has suffered tremendously due to automotive cutbacks. What can this company do to get out of its rut, or is it doomed to go the way of the dinosaur?
2007-01-25 10:41:37 · 16 answers · asked by Tr0nik 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Ford
they could start by designing cars that people want to buy.
outside of the full size trucks, they suck. People blame the unions, as if high costs are the problem, but Fords sell for less than Toyotas and Hondas. People pay a premium for other cars.
The unions are a problem, but the bigger problem is in the engineering dept.
2007-01-25 10:51:44 · answer #1 · answered by BB 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do a better job of promoting the new products, build the concept cars displayed at this years NA Int'l. Auto Show, and lastly don't neglect the truck market like they neglected the car market.
How many of you have heard of, driven, seen, or considered a Fusion? Edge?
The concepts, the Interceptor and the Lincoln MKR sedan got awesome reviews and the common response was that Ford should build it.
While trucks are getting less popular, they are getting less popular with the urban cowboys. The guys who only bought a truck because they wanted something bigger than their neighbor. The people who really need trucks will still buy them. The new 2008 Ford Super Duty is a pretty awesome truck.
2007-01-26 01:13:29 · answer #2 · answered by eaglefox200 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would say Ford and GM need to start lobbing Congress and the White House to cutoff all the Subsides to Foreign Auto Makers. The revenue from the importation of most products coming into this country does not cover the cost of inspection of those products. That is a direct subsidy to the people in the countries that make those products!! That would only be a start!!
2007-01-26 20:05:40 · answer #3 · answered by biggredd_37 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are working on the problems... of course cutbacks, and a few plant closings and layoffs... merging more car platforms (ie.Fusion/Edge) and in the end, I think it will come down to the UAW rank and file having to allow major changes in new hire pay scales and of course discontinuing the pensions of new hires as well... mechanizing more lines and maybe even a possible merger with a European or Japanese car maker !
2007-01-25 18:58:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
They need to read the market better!I sold cars for Ford in the 90s and once they started neglecting the car market and focusing on trucks almost totally I knew they were in trouble.You can't make money when you have 4000 and 5000+ dollars in rebates.make a vehicle that people want and sell it based on its merits not the money that is thrown on the hood
2007-01-25 23:25:10 · answer #5 · answered by freightliner357 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the 12 billion is overstated. they did about 10 billion worth of retooling and restructuring.
the way they get out of it is by renegotiating the the UAW, by setting up plants away from them (like in texas or mexico), and by making freakin cars people want to buy, and by becoming reliable again.
its going to be a long, hard process no matter what though.
2007-01-25 19:23:05 · answer #6 · answered by Kyle M 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They have to move somewhere where they can jettison the UAW, and that might mean another country.
Then they need to cut thi size in half and start building cars that are funto dive and trucks that aren't gas guzzlers
2007-01-25 18:58:35 · answer #7 · answered by artsy5347 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main reason they are going under so bad is the pension plans they are paying out.The same for gm.They need a golden goose,or a revolutionary breakthrough in alternate fuel vehichles such as hydrocel.They are working on it feverishly I am sure.
2007-01-25 18:48:37 · answer #8 · answered by JACK OF TRADES 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fire all the people in the design dept. Start with fresh people, new ideas, and some better looking vehicles.
2007-01-25 19:34:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it good and to all it not the company its the brand i was at the washington auto show and that what the guy on stage to me when i ask him so don't worry it the brand not the company and if all else fells get a Chevy
2007-01-25 19:38:24 · answer #10 · answered by donteology 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋