http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/ Autoblog Comments for Bill Ford, Jr. on FoMoCo's Way Forward: everything still on the table http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/Apr 18th 2007 6:59PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/Apr 18th 2007 7:09PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/
It ain't rocket science folks - just make some better stuff to sell. Show the world that you are passionate about being the very best at your craft.

Offer products that inspire people - build the "I just got to have one" cars.

If you build them - they will sell.

I am a stock holder but it is for America's sake - I hope these guys can figure out some very simple secrets - the product has to be compelling, it has to move people emotionally, it has to sell itself. That's the way it was with the Big Three in Post WWII era - great and innovative product coming out year after year.

Either you can offer some world class product - your you can go back to the football.]]>Apr 18th 2007 7:50PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/While Bill may not have done the best job, or even the job we THINK we could have done (isnt it always simple when you are not doing it, think parenthood before you had kids...), I have no doubt he has been and continues to be committed to doing the right things.
That he has mortgaged the company to the hilt to cut as much of the union as possible is a bold move that needs to be done to get rid of legacy costs. The products coming out are on the upswing,; the Edge, the fusion (yes I prefer the Mondeo), and F150 are competitve products at the least. I am ever hopeful that they will begin to upgrade the interiors as they shed legacy costs and create world platforms to cut costs.
Overall, GM and Ford are taking different paths to build but both are centered on good product. Ultimately I think Ford will emerge in a better position as they shed the legacy costs. They are shedding excess and legacy costs by buying them out rather than bankruptcy, an admirable achievement.

Disclaimer- not a ford employee or stockholder.]]>Apr 18th 2007 8:08PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/Apr 18th 2007 8:09PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/Chrysler is hosed. If the Chrysler name survives past 2012, it will be a miracle. Dodge and Jeep will remain, and barely. execution is not up to snuff and designs are suspect (see Caliber, nee- Aztek Jr, Jeep Compass, and Sebring, nee the Platypus car)]]>Apr 18th 2007 8:12PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/
Open the engine bay and up-chuck again. Where's the world class 3.5 V6?

Make some product that inspires people to by it. Why is that so hard to figure out?]]>Apr 18th 2007 8:22PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/
If they had a way of streamlining the world market for Fords and moving vehicles we want/need at certain times, like those Euro fords we need right now that SUV's have gone bust, they'd be ok right now. That, the Firestone fiasco, the greedy managers, unions, blah blah blah. It's a huge pile.

Glad I'm not there, but I'm pulling for them.]]>Apr 18th 2007 8:58PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/Apr 19th 2007 12:37AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/Apr 19th 2007 1:05AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/Apr 19th 2007 4:41AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/Apr 19th 2007 8:17AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/Apr 19th 2007 8:19AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/Apr 19th 2007 9:23AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/bill-ford-jr-on-fomocos-way-forward-everything-still-on-the/
Why is it so hard to take a Ford Five Hundred and put a body shape similar to a Jaguar CF-X on it? Give the products some STYLE!

When a product is dumbed down so as not to offend anyone - it also does not inspire anyone. You have to take risks in business to succeed. In the car business in 2007 you have to be up on your toes and running as fast as you can just to stay even. Hyundai is breathing down your neck.

Come on Ford – show us the passion.
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