Mulally: Ford boosting production to meet demand
2010 Ford Taurus – Click above for high-res image gallery
More good news comes from the Blue Oval camp today as Ford CEO Alan Mulally has said that the automaker plans to "[increase] production to support the desirability of Ford products." Despite a downturn in new car sales, Ford – the only member of the Detroit 3 automakers that has not filed for bankruptcy protection in the last two months – has actually managed to gain a few ever-important percentage points of market share from its global rivals, including fellow American automakers General Motors and Chrysler.
In related news, Mulally says that Ford is well on its way to returning to profitability in 2011 as planned. Last year, Ford recorded its worst-ever loss of $14.8 billion and expects to continue posting smaller losses through 2009 and 2010, but Mulally is confident the company has sufficient funds on hand to finance the turnaround plan made possible by the $23 billion the automaker raised in 2006 shortly before the global economy hit the panic button.
A major portion of Ford's turnaround plan is based on "more and more electrification, both hybrids and battery electric vehicles," said Mulally, which is consistent with stated goals set out by the Obama Administration. Earlier this week, Ford accepted $5.9 billion in U.S. Department of Energy loans to retool factories to build more environmentally friendly cars and trucks.
Gallery: 2010 Ford Taurus
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
merlot066 12:06PM (7/13/2009)
Someone call 911 for Matt!!!!
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Yaroukh 2:18PM (6/27/2009)
LMAO these are pretty harsh times for that poor guy :))
arturo 2:35PM (6/27/2009)
I am starting to see a lot of new fusions and mustangs on the road which is great. One I would like to see more often is the Ford Flex. I think the flex is a beautiful car and every time I see it, it gets my attention unlike many other CUV's.
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merlot066 2:42PM (6/27/2009)
The Flex is a pretty love or hate kinda car, but compared to any other boxy car (xB, cube [especially the POS cube], and the soul) it is by far the best looking. I'm not sure why they put the eco-boost 3.5L in it, I think it would be awesome in the Edge. I think as people start looking at Ford, they will start looking at the Flex, and if they don't hate how it looks, they will see that it is a really roomy, spacious, functional, 24mpg people/stuff hauler.
KeatMP 2:50PM (6/27/2009)
I have seen several 2010 fusions and 2010 Mustangs. One of the Fusions was a hybrid too. Definitely a great looking car.
Joe 2:59PM (6/27/2009)
I live in a pretty wealthy area of South Jersey, and all I see nowadays are new Fusions, about half of which are hybrids, new Mustangs, Flexes, MKS, MKZ. Many people that I work with at Lockheed Martin, who previously drove BMWs or Benzes are driving Lincolns, and many people that used to drive Civics and CamCords are now driving Fusions.
Go FORD!
Jim 3:04PM (6/27/2009)
"One I would like to see more often is the Ford Flex."
the Flex is an *expensive* car (starts at $30k,) and I think Ford may have made the same mistake that DCX did with the Pacifica- built too many SELs and Limiteds with $38-$42k stickers.
as for the subject of this article, I'm sure there's at least some spin going on here. The Fusion/Milan/MKZ is just coming off of launch mode, and the '10 Mustang is still ramping production. The Taurus is just about to go on sale, so Chicago is running full bore to fill initial orders. I'm not convinced that this "production ramp-up" is anything other than the normal build rate for new product launches. Oakville was running three shifts mid-late last year for the Flex, and we see where that went...
Clay Garland 3:15PM (6/27/2009)
Shame that the designers worked so hard on the front that they were too tired to not let it leave the shot with that hideous backside.
Judy Zik 3:59PM (6/27/2009)
Actually for all the Flex bashing I have read around here it seems to be doing pretty well. In May 2008 Ford sold just 2,794 Taurus X's. In May 2009 they sold 4,305 Flex's and 789 Taurus X's despite a terrible economy. That would point to a model that is actually starting to take off. Add in the much higher markups on the Flex and I think Ford is doing quite well with it.
ItGuy 7:34PM (6/27/2009)
"the Flex is an *expensive* car (starts at $30k,) and I think Ford may have made the same mistake that DCX did with the Pacifica- built too many SELs and Limiteds with $38-$42k stickers."
Considering Ford was surprised at the # of Limited Flexes they have sold - something like 40% of Flexes are Limiteds, I'd say they are doing fine. Finding one is getting harder by the day.
I know I'm probably going to buy a 2010 EcoBoost Flex Limited.....
Madlock 6:54PM (6/28/2009)
Why EcoBoost the Flex before the Edge? Because the Flex has 4700 lbs of AWD heft to move; and though it certainly makes for a peppier Flex, a large-passenger Ecoboosted Edge would likely provide a degree of performance inappropriate for a people carrier.
Polly Prissy Pants 10:20PM (6/28/2009)
" That would point to a model that is actually starting to take off. Add in the much higher markups on the Flex and I think Ford is doing quite well with it."
The Flex already has $3000 in Ford cash on the hood and if you're paying more than $4500 under sticker you're paying too much. The Taurus X (nee Freestyle) was a notoriously poor seller and while the Flex won't be a repeat, it'll be close.
Joe 2:59PM (6/27/2009)
Oh yeah, and for the record, Matt sucks.
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Mike 3:08PM (6/27/2009)
It's pretty funny that there are two pre-troll posts for Matt before he's even had a chance to put his foot in his mouth with another dumb remark.
You've really created a name for yourself Matt, your Mom would be proud, I'm sure you can run upstairs and ask her. Maybe she'll have your hot pocket ready for you when you do.
Mike 3:15PM (6/27/2009)
Jim,
The thing is that Flex is kinda targetting minivans which are just as expensive and full boat SUVs which are more expensive.
You may be right about the mix of them being scewed too high for the current economy but I'm starting to see more and more of them every day, Ford seems to be upping the number sold each month too. I guess we'll see how that plays out.
Concerning your comments regarding their upping of production, I really think showing the Taurus was a misnomer for the author, I believe they are upping production of more than just their new models.
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Jim 3:35PM (6/27/2009)
"The thing is that Flex is kinda targetting minivans which are just as expensive and full boat SUVs which are more expensive. "
I don't agree with your pricing comment. The Kia Sedona (a competent minivan) starts at $21k. The Sienna starts at $24k, Odyssey at $26, and Chrysler T&C at $27k.
I do agree on where Ford is trying to use the Flex to compete. I think maybe part of the problem is that the Flex is the first Ford NA product to try to bring the brand "upscale" as a premium vehicle, and that might be why the pricing seems out of whack.
Plus, I just looked at fordvehicles and it looks like they dropped the base price to $28k and change...
"Concerning your comments regarding their upping of production, I really think showing the Taurus was a misnomer for the author, I believe they are upping production of more than just their new models."
If F-150 shows a sustainable uptick in sales/production, I'll be convinced.
car industry expert 11:27AM (6/28/2009)
This shows Ford is one of the best car makers, and the current carnage surrounding Gm and Chrysler makes Ford look even better. Maybe not so much in the US but in Europe their product is the buisness and almost copmparabl to Volkswagen's prodgeny.Cars like the new Fiesta and S-Max not to mention concepts the Iosis, Iosis X and Iosis Max and the Verve.
Move their HQ to Britain and that would secure their future.
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tuxchown 4:11PM (6/27/2009)
Ford is doing a damn good job. They're going to be in a very good position when this crap economy turns around.
Mr.Oak 5:27PM (6/27/2009)
Industry Expert: EX = Has been / Spurt = Drip under Pressure.
Perception rules in this industry. Most americans perceives Toyota to be the maker of the most reliable cars in this country. We who follow the industry know differently.
Back to FORD. I am the current owner of a '06 Lincoln LS 39,636 miles on the odometer. The car has had one nagging problem after the other. Being under warranty I didn't let it bother me. Well after my latest trip to the dealership (whom I have a lot to say about later) to fix one of those "Problems" I learned that my new car warranty has expired, and my extended warranty has a $100.00 deductible.
The dealership. Located at the top of Springfield Ave. in Maplewood, NJ. Folks even if Ford gave you a free car, DO NOT let these folks service your car.
Dealership Issues: Also note how CRAPPY this Ford product is.
1). @18K+ The headliner falls down. Took it to dealer to be fixed, they failed 3 times, on the fourth trip, I demanded that they replace the entire thing. They did, but I'm sure it'll be down again soon.
2). @22K Glove box lid develops an unbearable rattle and 6 disc changer ate my wife's gospel CDs. Jackasses in Maplewood used VELCRO to stop the rattle, and blew out my right front speaker while testing new CD Player.
3). @26K Took car in for oil change, decided to have Transmission flushed also. The good folks in Maplewood did not put the hose clamps after flushing the tranny. I found out about this on the NJ turnpike @ 70 mph in the center lane. They still haven't reimbursed me for the towing.
4). @30K Rear differential develops a loud hum. Too the dealership two tried to get it right.
5). Two weeks after the rear diff. fix, car cannot climb a modest hill. I fussed at my wife for buying bad gas. Did the dry gas, injector cleaner, gas conditioner thing to no avail.
5a). Took my car to the stooges in Maplewood to be fixed. They changed fuel filter, did a complete induction system flush, clean throttle plates, add tank cleaner, clean induction manifold and flushed fuel line. Cost: $159.00 Also had then check noise in the front end. They found & replaced bad front end links (warranty).
5b). They were nice enough to deliver the car to my house, the very next day, car still cannot climb the goddamned hill without bucking like a pissed off mule. Took the car back to these clowns, NOW they decide to run diagnostics on the motor. They found that one of the coils was bad and replaced it.
I sit and wait for the next problem to crop up.
Ford, I will NOT buy another car that bears your emblem.
That One Person 6:21PM (6/27/2009)
1) You bought a Lincoln LS. It's known that these cars were far from reliable but you will find a lot of owners who have not had ONE SINGLE PROBLEM.
2) It's obvious Ford's reliability has improved. You are just being ignorant.