Ford dealers feel the pinch

For Ford dealers, who have played an integral role at the automaker since the days of founder Henry Ford, times have rarely been tougher.

Morale is low, too. In the National Automobile Dealers Association's latest study measuring dealer satisfaction with automakers, Ford ranked near the bottom. Similarly, Ford ranked last among the top 20 U.S.

http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061017/AUTO01/610170373/1148/AUTO01
Read Article

luvmybmr - 10/18/2006 12:05:56 PM

+1 Boost

i think its more than just a "pinch" more like a bat to the face

givemeausername - 10/18/2006 1:48:12 PM

+1 Boost

Why the hell dont US automakers use the formula Japan has used? Make a few models, continuously refining them over a 5 year period, and make them reliable. A typical US buyer is going to trade in 5 years regardless of whether or not the car will last for 200,000 miles. Whats important is that they havent spent hours and hours in a service dept because of ridiculous glitches and poorly made autos. I blame the UAW.

Terminal10 - 10/18/2006 4:54:46 PM

+1 Boost

Please give me a break. UAW is simply doing a job that those idiots in upper management cannot seem to do if their jobs depended on it. Oh yea there jobs do depend on it but they are still getting millions before and after they are fired. The boards are just as at fault as upper management those idiots approve everything that is management related. So your blame is misplaced, but your idea of a 5 year refinement cycle is good.

adoptgreyhounds - 10/18/2006 5:19:02 PM

+1 Boost

The UAW is the largest part of the problem. I come from a GM town. Most of the workers don't have a collage degree and drink, sleep and play golf on the clock then bitch and moan when their jobs are sent out of country. Tell me were else most of these people could get a job that pays $15-$30 per hr. with health care and discounts on cars with that kind of work ethic? Does the UAW and it's members forget that they all work for the Big 2.5.

Terminal10 - 10/18/2006 8:03:33 PM

+1 Boost

Once again the UAW is only doing a job its actually up to management to "manage" the workers those raises and benefits are from years of contracts. The company can simply file chapter 11 and throw out the contracts with the judges permission. The UAW maybe lazy and play golf on the companies time but its because management is worthless and cannot manage there employees. The reason GM and Ford cannot get it together ultimately rests with management.