Have The Wheels Already Fallen Off Of The Ford Recovery Program?

Ford Motor Co. is failing to meet key goals in its turnaround plan and employees are losing confidence in the company's ability to save itself, according to an internal report released to employees and obtained by The Detroit News on Thursday.

Titled "Report Card: Ford North America," the report paints a grim picture of a company unable to stop its downward spiral.

Ford missed its retail sales goal in the United States for January by 10,600 vehicles -- or nearly 1 percentage point of market share -- and now expects to miss its retail market share goals for February and March, the report shows. The company hit its material cost reduction target for January, but will miss its targets for February and March by a wide margin, according to the current forecast.

"These metrics are key indicators of progress toward achieving profitability by 2009 for North American automotive operations," the report states.


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lewissalem - 2/16/2007 10:47:48 AM

-1 Boost

I'm so sad about what is happening to Ford and Metro Detroit. Employees are losing confidence because they know that product is king. They want to be proud of the company they work for and stand behind their products.

The fit and finish on the 500/Taurus is unacceptable. The Focus, which was once a proud car, has become stale. The Mustang, a great product, needs yearly updates to keep it relevant. One can barely tell the difference between a modern Ford and one built in the mid-nineties.

Lem1972 - 2/16/2007 12:33:53 PM

0 Boost

I've often fantasized that if I were Ford's CEO, the first thing I would tell the designers is "I want sex. I want you to bring me the sexiest designs you can muster". And if they couldn't do it, I would fire them, and bring in someone who could. Ford needs sexy. What they have now is dull and boring.

TruenoAE86 - 2/16/2007 1:20:50 PM

0 Boost

The European Focus looks very decent, but somehow Ford manages to screw up the American version. Should have just brought over the same car to this shore.

MercBasher - 2/16/2007 2:00:53 PM

+1 Boost

I wouldn't fire the designers, I'd fire the executive and mid level management teams who have given direction to, and held back, the designers.

flozel1 - 2/16/2007 2:29:41 PM

-1 Boost

There's so many things Ford has to do to improve it's image. The problem is all these solutions cost money. And as everyone knows, money is something Ford has very little of.

I think realistically, the only way it can survive is to downsize the company dramatically (by 50% maybe) and forge a partnership with Toyota (or whoever) which would allow Ford to borrow technology and share platforms. This not only would reduce R&D costs but would also improve on the reliability of their vehicles. End result would be an improved image for the company, and they can take it from there.

woood - 2/17/2007 10:15:39 AM

0 Boost

Ford already has ties with Mazda who by the way is making a lot of money and selling a lot of cars in USA. Ford really just has to downsize so the figures will be more acceptable.

1970toyotamarc - 2/16/2007 4:24:34 PM

0 Boost

Maybe once Chrysler bankrupts itself, all those buyers will flock to Ford and GM and at least 2 of the domestics will be saved. So thats the solution for Ford and GM. Buy Chrysler, kill it, and then reap the gains. (Besides, it's not like Chrysler is American anymore)

jt716 - 2/16/2007 6:14:41 PM

+1 Boost

Poor Ford...This is all Bill Ford whatever his name is fault after years of sales slipping they didnt do ne thing. Fords are pretty decent cars to drive its just fit n finish..Interiors feel like ur riding in a plastic bottle.Ford what are you doing??

Lexus - 2/16/2007 6:59:57 PM

0 Boost

Why did they wait until the last minute before the brink of destruction to try to turn around? It take them a very long time to get where they are at now? so it will take them sometime to get back up.

If they wasn't so arrogant at the begining, thinking they are unstoppable. And now they are paying for their foolish and careless. To make matter worse competition are ever increasing high.

jt716 - 2/16/2007 8:07:32 PM

+3 Boost

Well I own a ford n I feel for them...It was a great company