Ford Sweeps Car and Truck of the Year

[Andrew]

Ford proved that the domestic auto industry is ripe for a comeback by winning the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards with its Fusion Hybrid sedan and Transit Connect van.

[Chris]

Who awarded that to them?

I'm beginning to think that the worst thing that could have happened to GM and Chrysler is bankruptcy. I don't know that they'll be able to catch up product-wise. I thing GM will be hamstrung by the inability to attract talent. And as far as Chrysler- if the US needed Fiats, they'd have already been here.

[MikeyFIN]

Who awarded that to them?

I'm beginning to think that the worst thing that could have happened to GM and Chrysler is bankruptcy. I don't know that they'll be able to catch up product-wise. I thing GM will be hamstrung by the inability to attract talent. And as far as Chrysler- if the US needed Fiats, they'd have already been here.

GM is too conservative to attract talent as the beancounters have run the company for 40 yrs.
Still I watched with keen interest how Chevrolet would fare in WTCC.

One of the Worst things for GM to happen is loosing Opel to Fiat which is becoming a major stakeholder of Chrysler.
If Opel is gone from the GM stable there´s no brand to speak of for GM in Europe as Vauxhall was just a badge-engineered Opel and I can´t think GM would succeed in the future without a major selling brand in Europe.

[MarylandMark]

Who awarded that to them?

http://www.northamericancaroftheyear...ut-nacoty.html

[RLJ676]

Who awarded that to them?

I'm beginning to think that the worst thing that could have happened to GM and Chrysler is bankruptcy. I don't know that they'll be able to catch up product-wise. I thing GM will be hamstrung by the inability to attract talent. And as far as Chrysler- if the US needed Fiats, they'd have already been here.

I'd strongly beg to disagree.

I left Ford for a (better) job at GM Aug of 08. I am still happy with this move, despite all the constant internet ragging from armchair CEO's and right wing anti GM wack jobs.

The bankruptcy is terrible from a PR standpoint, and the fact the only way through it was with gov't funding is the worst aspect. If there had been any other available bank, the offer would have been taken. Unfortunately that wasn't the case at that time, and we are were we are.

However, there is not a tremendous amount of brain drain so far, and we are allowed to pay people competitively.

Further, our lineup is one of the reasons I came to GM. They had the better cars to me, and I still think that. If you look at the other finalists for COTY, the LaCrosse and Equinox could easily both have won. For truck of the year, the Transit is a silly choice. It's a low volume commercial van that's been around in Europe for years and gets mediocre milage, while being smaller than a real van (the Fusion hybrid is a great car though).

Check out the recent GM launches (LaCrosse, Equinox/Terrain, Camaro, CTS-V) and the upcoming ones shown at this autoshow (Regal, Cruze, Aveo - seriously). GM's lineup is not suffering because of the bankruptcy, and now the focus is even better after shedding brands. Ford does not have a single vehicle that we can not easily compete with (other than Fusion Hybrid actually) or exceed.

So, while Ford is doing pretty damn well, and is clearly the media darling these days (along with any Limbaugh type) they still have a ton of debt to overcome. GM does not have balance sheet problems and is launching hit after hit. I'd say GM will be more profitable in '10 than Ford.

Chrysler.....after seeing their Detroit Auto Show lineup, they really should have been liquidated. That volume disappearing would have greatly benefited Ford/GM.

Overall, Ford and GM leave no excuse for buying some boring Jap crap over the next several years.

[Five Cent Worth]

I'd strongly beg to disagree.

I left Ford for a (better) job at GM Aug of 08. I am still happy with this move, despite all the constant internet ragging from armchair CEO's and right wing anti GM wack jobs.

Is it a better job for you or for all? Good to hear it worked out for you. Caddy has it going on and some GMC's. The Acadia (sp?) is awesome and will be our next family car. Nothing out there like it.

I have drove nothing but Ford's and GM my whole life. The Fusion that I have now is BY FAR the best car I have ever owned for many reasons.

I know one thing - stealing talent from the auto indusrty is like taking candy from a baby. I bet we hire an engineer, supply chain, packaging, etc out of the industry once every two weeks. Some of your peers don't feel the same...

[RLJ676]

Is it a better job for you or for all? Good to hear it worked out for you. Caddy has it going on and some GMC's. The Acadia (sp?) is awesome and will be our next family car. Nothing out there like it.

I have drove nothing but Ford's and GM my whole life. The Fusion that I have now is BY FAR the best car I have ever owned for many reasons.

I know one thing - stealing talent from the auto indusrty is like taking candy from a baby. I bet we hire an engineer, supply chain, packaging, etc out of the industry once every two weeks. Some of your peers don't feel the same...

Yep, for me it's better but plenty aren't thrilled (but they aren't all top flight either). It'll be like there everywhere though.

I moved to Detroit from KC in 06 specifically to work in the auto industry, so I'm a little different than most for whom it's just another job.

What industry are you in?

[Five Cent Worth]

What industry are you in?

Consumer Products. NWL. Sourcing, Quality and Packaging people have seemed to work out the best. The engineers can't take going from working on cars to: totes, brooms or pens you know....

Love the vet in your photo to the left.

[Chris]

I'd strongly beg to disagree.

.

I'm thinking purely from a senior executive standpoint when speaking of them being hamstrung- the inability to brovide the substantial incentives necessary to bring in a senior-l;evel superstar.

You're obviously closer to it than I am so maybe you could share your perspective on a couple of topics.


You jumped- aren't you concerned about GM's long-term ability to survive?

Does the fact that our government owns a big chunk of the company and exerts substantial influence concern you? Do you see that "interference" affecting product and marketing decisions?

Does the fact that the unions now own a substantial portion of the company and have board-level influence create cause for concern?

[RLJ676]

I'm thinking purely from a senior executive standpoint when speaking of them being hamstrung- the inability to brovide the substantial incentives necessary to bring in a senior-l;evel superstar.

You're obviously closer to it than I am so maybe you could share your perspective on a couple of topics.


You jumped- aren't you concerned about GM's long-term ability to survive?

Does the fact that our government owns a big chunk of the company and exerts substantial influence concern you? Do you see that "interference" affecting product and marketing decisions?

Does the fact that the unions now own a substantial portion of the company and have board-level influence create cause for concern?

From an executive standpoint it is more difficult, but not impossible. If you're up on GM news, which I doubt most are, we have picked up some new big time execs. We got the CFO from Microsoft just a few weeks ago, along with 2 top regulatory relations guys from ATT. We've gotten some leeway on salaries I believe for hiring new people. The task force/pay czar understands getting top talent takes realistic pay, and the "punishment" of cutting pay was for the top people that were already there.

The gov't and UAW ownership have the same influence on the day to day business, none. They seriously are like any other ownership in a public company. The trusts in charge of the investment put board members in place. Those board members only job is to ensure a return on investment. They do not put UAW interests or gov't (green is what I'm sure everyone's concerned with) ideals ahead of profit. I can honestly see this firsthand, and have not heard a single bit of this happening.

I was previously concerned about long term survival, but after the bailout the things I'm seeing in terms of new mgmt direction and lack of previously mentioned outside interference are very encouraging. Combined with the products I've been mentioning, which are truly impressive coming down the pipeline I think we are set. The balance sheet is good, the mgmt I think has most of this right, and we will sell vehicles on merit, not incentives. I think we have a bright future.

The new interim CEO Whitacre has said he thinks we'll be profitable in '10....I don't see why not.

[phragle]

From an executive standpoint it is more difficult, but not impossible. If you're up on GM news, which I doubt most are, we have picked up some new big time execs. We got the CFO from Microsoft just a few weeks ago, .

Microsloth?? does this mean that all new GM's will be insanely bloated, overpriced and crash on their own for no appearant reason??

[MikeyFIN]

the Transit is a British Ford Van and a household name since the 60´s...
But other than that great for Ford and congrats.

[MikeyFIN]

http://www.northamericancaroftheyear.org/jurors.html

[DollaBill]

Ford is enjoying a comeback. The American auto industry is not. GM and Chrysler should and will be gone eventually. They get what they deserve

[RLJ676]

Ford is enjoying a comeback. The American auto industry is not. GM and Chrysler should and will be gone eventually. They get what they deserve

This would be the right wing anti-GM wack job talk I mentioned earlier.

[mj2562]

This would be the right wing anti-GM wack job talk I mentioned earlier.

Agreed! Cts-v, G8 Gxp , Duramax diesel, the list can go on and on! One question I have is when was the last time you could buy a boat w/ a Ford motor in it? Let find someone that put a 5.4 liter w/ all that fd up cam adjustment B.S. on it, and Feed it a Steady Diet of 5000 rpms and see how long it last. Bicycle chains and Marine environments I dont think so.

[Andrew]

This would be the right wing anti-GM wack job talk I mentioned earlier.

I understand you having to tote the current administration party line, they saved your skin.

[RLJ676]

I understand you having to tote the current administration party line, they saved your skin.

I wouldn't go that far....but I just can't see how some people fail to see the business case supported the move. It wasn't a give away with no return like we do all over the world which somehow ****es people off less than supporting a major industry and GDP contributor in this country?

I'm fiscally conservative (but definitely biased on this deal), but I'm pretty sure the task force did the business case to do what was best for the country. The "uaw vote" conspiracy's, etc crack me up. The task force's demands were tougher more cutthroat business moves than the companies would do on their own, to create viable companies. They weren't just bleeding heart handing it over.

[Andrew]

I wouldn't go that far....but I just can't see how some people fail to see the business case supported the move. It wasn't a give away with no return like we do all over the world which somehow ****es people off less than supporting a major industry and GDP contributor in this country?

I'm fiscally conservative (but definitely biased on this deal), but I'm pretty sure the task force did the business case to do what was best for the country. The "uaw vote" conspiracy's, etc crack me up. The task force's demands were tougher more cutthroat business moves than the companies would do on their own, to create viable companies. They weren't just bleeding heart handing it over.

The way the Bondholders got screwed is what really what soured me.

[DollaBill]

I understand you having to tote the current administration party line, they saved your skin.

Oh it's fact they saved your job.