Ford Sweeps Car and Truck of the Year

[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?

[RLJ676]

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

Agreed, but that happens in bankruptcy. GM's bondholders were mostly unsecured so no matter what (liquidation, normal bankruptcy) they would have end up screwed. People seem to forget that it's investing, and you are paid a return (interest). That interest is because there is risk of loss, it is not a sure thing. Many of those bondholders had also bought recently when rates/risk were already high.

I'd argue bankruptcy would never have happened without banking bozo's destroying the economy and then refusing to bank (ie lend).....but we've gone off topic far enough.

Ford Fusion Hybrid, great car. Transit Connect, blah small commercial van.

[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.

[DollaBill]

Please show me your in depth analysis showing how the lost tax revenue + increased other social support costs would be less than a yet unknown return on an investment. That would be some "business 101" I think we would all be curious to see.......

I think you're stretching the "all". most members know me well and also know I'm pretty sharp, sport

I'm done with this dead horse. It wall shake out in the end. Talk is cheap for everyone at this point.

[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 think you're stretching the "all". most members know me well and also know I'm pretty sharp, sport

I'm done with this dead horse. It wall shake out in the end. Talk is cheap for everyone at this point.

Sharpest guy in the world can't tell us how this business case will work out.....which is my point. Thanks.

[DollaBill]

You're def getting the auto bail-out cheerleader of the year award. lol

[RLJ676]

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.

I'm in purchasing and work with logistics and quality pretty closely. It is all pretty applicable to many industries.

The engr part is different, although most only are really project mgrs. I can see them not translating to "less complex" products well.

[RLJ676]

You're def getting the auto bail-out cheerleader of the year award. lol

As you said....I have a job because of it (and do tons of my friends, neighbors, etc).

[DollaBill]

As you said....I have a job because of it (and do tons of my friends, neighbors, etc).

but at what ultimate price? the cost of everyone else's?

[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.

[RLJ676]

but at what ultimate price? the cost of everyone else's?

How's that exactly?

Like I've said, there's nothing saying this won't be paid back. That equals saving a ton of jobs, and preventing a lengthening/deepening of a pretty bad recession for free? We know the worst case cost, but we don't know the best case (which would be a net positive return- unlikely).

[BUIZILLA]

As you said....I have a job because of it (and do tons of my friends, neighbors, etc).

I remember an interview after the election that the person said > Obama says he is going to pay my mortgage and health insurance, and give me a job, so that's why I voted for him....

[BillR]

I hope GM and Chrysler do well!

That said, I just came back from a local car show last weekend. Of the domestic brands, Fords interiors looked VERY nice. The GM;s and Chrysler's still look like Hertz rentals. I was really interested in the new Camaro, but the cheap azz interior turned me off. The Mustang looks waaaay better. The Challenger was fair, but the seats were comfy - not sure that is what I would want in a muscle car though. . . .
Also paint quality of most of the GM's and some of the Chrysler looked lousy.
GM and Chrysler have a good bit of ground to make up.

I also believe we ALL should be buying American cars and keeping the profits and jobs in this counrty!!

[JupiterSunsation]

Glad Ford won, now the buyers of their diesels will have something to chat about when the tow truck driver is giving them a ride back to the dealership.......


GM/Chrysler got a pass at the expense of American taxpayers, bond holders got shafted (must be a warm and fuzzy feeling telling old people/fund managers that were bondholders that they aren't getting their money back despite being high up on the "debt" food chain......Keep in mind Chrysler was privately owned when it got govt. money....next time you can't keep payroll going/accts payable current would it be nice to have Uncle Sam send you a billion to "help" you get back on your feet?

[MarylandMark]

I remember an interview after the election that the person said > Obama says he is going to pay my mortgage and health insurance, and give me a job, so that's why I voted for him....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P36x8rTb3jI

FIL bought a Chevy some thing car 2 years ago and a GM truck a few months ago. Chevy car is nicer than say an Accord, feels more solid, seats are built for plumper Americans vs skinny Asians (without offending but trying to get my point across) and few other things that seem nicer.

His truck- nice and traded an 06 F350 KR with less than 20K miles in on it. 1500 series or whatever the loaded but bottom of the line duty wise one is. He wanted gas vs diesel and some thing that wasn't such a "truck" to drive. He only towed a 2480 Trition or a Kabota tractor with his last truck, this one he'll do that as well as run to the store or whatever since it is easy.

Fords in my driveway; going to be a bitter taste for not letting them fail in my mouth for a long, long time.

[JupiterSunsation]

Mark....borrow that 1500 if it has the 5.3 motor, it will burn rubber around the block! They shift nicely too when the bumper is taking up the next lane and white smoke is pouring out of the wheel wells!

[Blue Oval]

Way to go Ford! I'll take anything I can to help sales!

[Wobble]

[Fords in my driveway; going to be a bitter taste for not letting them fail in my mouth for a long, long time.

I thought I'd better preserve this statement just for giggles

[Tommy Gun]

Please show me your in depth analysis showing how the lost tax revenue + increased other social support costs would be less than a yet unknown return on an investment. That would be some "business 101" I think we would all be curious to see.......

And what will you say if the return is ZERO????

Fact is the UAW was paid off for its support in the election and the bondholders got screwed when, according to backruptcy law, they would have recieved more than the unions in a bankruptcy. NO Gov't Motors ever for me...until or if they ever pay the gov't back. NO MORE SOCIALISM.