Ford's Mark Fields happy with "Way Forward" progress
At the New York Auto Show Wednesday, Ford Motor's President of the Americas, Mark Fields, said "we're very
pleased with our early progress" with the Way Forward plan - the company's roadmap for restoring its North
American auto business to profitability by 2008.Saying that restructuring Ford's end-to-end operations is like "rewiring the house with the electricity on," Fields pointed out that a careful and methodical approach, rather than short cuts or excessive cost-cutting, was the only way to achieve a lasting turnaround.
In his announcement, Fields paid particular attention to Ford's market share, the future of its truck line, and performance vehicles. On the market share front, Fields tried to cast the first quarter's loss of market share as something of a positive development, saying that at least the rate of decline is slowing. With respect to trucks, Fields said Ford is committed to maintaining its truck leadership, promising that the company will sell more than 900,000 F-Series this year. Fields closed by reaffirming his belief that performance vehicles will strengthen the Ford brand, saying that Ford is planning a "three-tiered approach to performance," starting with "personalized performance" and moving through SVT models like the Shelby GT500 to the final tier of Ford Racing and Ford Racing Performance Parts.
[Source: Ford]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
carguy0625 4:31PM (4/12/2006)
"SVT models like the Shelby GT500" and what other SVT models would he reference? I really wish their actions backed up what they are saying about performance strengthening the brand.
Reply
FordEmployee 6:13PM (4/12/2006)
I heard the "Way Forward" web cast. Fields actually said that Ford was committed to SVT something that was missing from your article: there is going to be a performance truck.
Next Lightning, maybe?
Reply
naggs 6:36PM (4/12/2006)
i thought svt was getting the axe.
all i know is that ford needs to get that 3.5 v6 into the fusion asap, and if it doesent have a manual or at least a paddle shift auto it doesnt count.
Reply
WillDaThrill 8:53PM (4/12/2006)
Why, cause he didn't make it to the chopping block? Of course he's going to be happy, he'll be one of the few to get a $100,000 bonus at the end of the year.
Reply
Cindy 8:59PM (4/12/2006)
Fire men, Hire women. I'm sick of reading stories about men in power.
Reply
WillDaThrill 1:44AM (4/13/2006)
OMG, women like you want to be in charge of everything! I'm sure there are women up there with them. If it irritates you that much, make it your goal to be one of those women in power. Otherwise, I think Lifetime, We or O has a dot com you can rant your male hating blogs at.
Someone get this girl a fresh set of 'D' batteries (kidding, I'm kidding).
Reply
Christian J 9:01AM (4/13/2006)
Naggs "and if it doesent have a manual or at least a paddle shift auto it doesnt count."
How lame are you? Paddleshift is F1 wankerism. Now everybody is doing it. Its a big stupid fad like autostick. How exactly does it help Ford to ahev something as gimicky as that? Ford has CVT and 6-speed automatics you moron.
Reply
Bobby J. 9:33AM (4/13/2006)
Great progress so far - the stock made an all-time low this week. Ford = all talk - no action.
Reply
Chris 10:49AM (4/13/2006)
Yeah, there was a woman near the top of Ford named Ligocki. She quit and went to Tower Automotive, a major parts supplier and the company is now bankrupt. I am not sexist in any way and in fact there are three or four women on the board.
Reply
nelson 8:10AM (4/22/2006)
Wouldnt you be happy if someone gave you a million dollar bonus and all you had to do is be the front man and tell people that they are being fired?At least he will have a lot of money to keep that hair straight.
Reply