Autoblog

While parts sales don't typically show up in quarterly earnings reports, they can comprise a big chunk of profits. Ford is protecting its parts investment by filing a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington against eight companies that are reproducing Mustang parts without the Blue Oval's consent. Ford parts affected are the hood, bumper, fender, side-view mirror and tail lamp assemblies, which are all covered under Ford's 14-year design patent on design elements. Chicago-based LKQ Corp and its Keystone Automotive Industries are named in the complaint along with several companies in Taiwan. Ford has already come out victorious in a similar case involving some of the same suppliers and the F-150, and Keystone is currently appealing. With Ford already winning a similar case, and what we'd assume is a much larger legal budget than the defendants', the Blue Oval will likely come out on top in this ruling, as well.

[Source: Detroit News]

Joe Laymon isn't on the short list of successors for Ford CEO Alan Mulally, and it's unlikely you've ever heard of him, but if you want to get to the top at the Blue Oval, this is the guy you stop by Starbucks for on the way to work. Laymon is in charge of keeping a list of internal candidates ready in the event Mulally retires (or quits, is fired or for some other reason exits his position), which could come as soon as 2011 when he turns 65.

Both President of the the Americas Mark Fields and new marketing chief Jim Farley are on the short list of six execs on which the company is keeping tabs, but some less familiar names are considered, as well. Europe boss Lewis Booth, CFO Don LeClair, Europe COO Stephen Odell, and manufacturing chief Joe Heinrich round out the list of internal CEO candidates that will be given to the Ford board in the event of a Mulally exit. The list isn't static, either, as names are reviewed and added or dropped each year. If the board doesn't like its choices, though, the list is completely worthless and the company will again look outside its hallowed halls for help, just like it did in Mulally's case.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

In-car technology has exploded over the past few years, with navigation screens, hard drives, iPod connectivity, and satellite radio becoming more and more important to consumers. While Ford was slow to get on the multimedia super highway, the Blue Oval has picked up steam with the introduction of SYNC. Ford also launched HD Radio in fall 2007, and the Dearborn automaker plans to offer the digital music maker in every Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury by 2009

HD radio is gaining in popularity as it offers superior sound quality vs. traditional radio and exclusive content, without the need to pay a monthly subscription. Radio stations are fast-adopting HD Radio as well, with 1500 stations now broadcasting digitally. Over 700 of those stations are now offering H2 and H3 multi-casts, which means that your favorite station can offer multiple genres, or more simultaneous choices of the kinds of music you love. With satellite radio riddled with commercials and still costing $12.95 per month, lets hope that HD Radio can give us what we like, but without the cost. Hit the jump to view the Ford press release.

[Source: Ford]

On the Mustang front, the past seven days have been the week of the Bullitt. The media rush is in stark contrast to the Bullitt's understated demeanor, but with its 315 HP engine and track-tuned suspension, Steve McQueen's chase machine reincarnated deserves it. Yesterday we showed you Popular Mechanics' video of the Bullitt in action, and today we've got Ford's shot of its newest Mustang in motion pictures. The Blue Oval's piece has a lot less substance, but it still features the Bullitt sliding on pavement as if it were wearing ice skates. Check out the Mustang slip and slide after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Ford's CEO Alan Mulally admitted in an interview with Automotive News that the Blue Oval's future is uncertain and that, after 14 months on the job, he is still unsure about when the company will turn the corner. With all of Ford's assets – right up to the automaker's shiny logo – mortgaged and potentially on the block, the former Boeing head is regularly asked if Ford will make it out the other side. His answer: "Don't know – race against the clock. Are we working on the right things? Absolutely... Do we have enough time? No idea."

The AN piece is peppered with a number of unanswered questions, ranging from what will happen if the automaker isn't turning a profit by 2009 and what could happen when the mortgaged money runs out. Although the tone of the interview has an air of desperation, Mulally gives the impression that both a plan and the troops are organized and making headway. When it begins to show, however, remains to be seen.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Ford's presence at the L.A. Auto Show can be summed up in one word: Giugiaro. Unfortunately, the new Escape, the product Ford will actually be selling, has been drowned out by the buzz surrounding the Giugiaro Mustang. Our man Frank Filipponio calls it a Spaghetti Western on wheels, which sounds right to us considering the genuine horse hides covering the seats. Apparently Giugiaro's Italian designers took the Mustang name very literally.

Though we had seen the press shots a few nights ago and checked the car out in person at a media event last night, Ford still went through the motions this morning and "debuted" the Giugiaro Mustang at the L.A. Auto Show by pulling back the shroud. Despite the overexposure, the G-Stang still manages to engage us every time we walk by it. Perhaps that's because we're split over whether or not we like it. The back end has been praised by most of the Autoblog team, especially the rear fenders, though the taillights are polarizing. The scissor doors have been laughed at and the full glass roof is just too out there to take seriously. The front end, however, is where the real debate's happening, since many believe this Mustang is wearing design cues we'll see in the next Blue Oval pony car. Is it too Camaro-like? Again, we're split. The fact remains this concept is garnering an inordinate amount of attention for Ford considering the only other vehicle it bothered to bring was a new SUV.

Check out a big gallery of live shots from today's press conference as well as the media event at which Ford debuted the Giugiaro Mustang last night.

This news isn't entirely new if you're one of the 930,000 consumers who have already visited the Edge website that's been up for months, but Ford made it official today by pricing the two-wheel drive Edge SE at $25,995 and the four-wheel drive model at $27,645. There's also the Edge SEL, which is available with some exclusive options like a panoramic VistaRoof and 18-inch aluminum sport wheels, that starts at $27,990 for the two-wheel drive model and $29,640 for the four-wheel drive model. Since the CUV segment includes a dizzying array of vehicle types, it's difficult to say how well Ford has priced the Edge against its comptition. Still, $26K for CUV with a 265-hp V6, six-speed auto, and an iPod jack ain't bad.

Full press release following the jump.

[Source: Ford]

If you're like us, no doubt you're most interested in how Ford's accelerated Way Forward plan is going to affect the company's product portfolio. Having just watched the webcast delivered by Mark Fields (a trasnscript of his speech can be found after the jump), here's what we can tell you.

• Completely redesigned F-150 in 2008
• One new Mustang every year
• Bullitt Mustang returns in 2008 (w00t!)
  
• Redesigned gas and hybrid Escape and Mercury Mariner early next year
• Five Hundred, Freestyle and Mercury Montego updated early next year (interior, exterior and likely addition of 3.5-liter V6)
• Updated Focus with new interior and exterior styling (not a C1-based model, yet)
• Lincoln MKS arrives in 2008 with exclusive 3.7-liter V6
• All-new full-size crossover based on Fairlane concept in 2008
• By end of 2009, side air curtains and stability control standard on every model
• Arrival of small cars based on B- and C-platforms used abroad after 2009 (Euro Focus?)

[Source: Ford]

The downside to hiring a 61-year-old CEO is that as soon as he finds the executive washroom, it's time to start planning the retirement party. Ford's new CEO Alan Mulally looks young for his age, but that still doesn't change the fact that most CEOs in the auto industry call it quits in their mid-60s, with few lasting much longer according to Automotive News. If that's the case, Ford could be ready for another new CEO by the end of the decade.

Perhaps that's the plan, though. The company's 45-year-old President of the Americas, Mark Fields, is a little young and inexperienced to be CEO at his age, though some felt he was still passed over for the CEO job in favor of Mulally. Bill Ford has, however, trusted him with nothing less than spearheading the effort to return the company's North American operations to profitability. Mark Schulz, Ford's 54-year-old President of International Operations, is also reportedly on Ford's short list of CEO successors.

We have our money on Mark Fields to be the next CEO of Ford Motor Company if he can make North America a profitable place for Ford to do business again. In fact, Fields will be working very closely with Mulally during Ford's turnaround and would be wise to play the role of young Padouin if he hopes to have Mulally's seat on the Jedi council some day. Whoa, ever notice how everything can be related to Star Wars?

[Source: Automotive News – sub required]

With nary a Howie Mandel lookalike in sight, almost one-third of Ford's workers at its Wixom Assembly Plant in Michigan have taken the company's buyout bait- comprising everything from early retirement plans to $100,000 one-time payouts. All told, 433 of 1,433 hourly employees played took up the Blue Oval on their offer, bringing Ford employee buyout totals to 2,574.

 

Ford's Wixom plant isn't slated for closure until the second quarter of next year, which means that a second round of buyouts could be offered.

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]