Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[RWD Lincolns are coming, fate depends partly on MKZ success]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/rwd-lincolns-are-coming-fate-depends-partly-on-mkz-success/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/rwd-lincolns-are-coming-fate-depends-partly-on-mkz-success/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/rwd-lincolns-are-coming-fate-depends-partly-on-mkz-success/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The product portfolio at Lincoln may seem a bit sparse at the moment, but if a report is to be believed, new products are on the way. TheDetroitBureau.com spoke with sources at Lincoln and Ford, who claimed the American premium brand is working on, perhaps more than one, rear-wheel-drive vehicle.

Lincoln would likely platform-share with the next-generation Ford Mustang to develop those RWD offerings in the early going. Moving forward, the report indicates that Lincoln could take the lead on other rear-drive projects in the future. As the RWD architecture continues to take shape, "most or all" of the front-wheel-drive portfolio will also be offered with all-wheel drive as an option, ala Audi.

But wait, there's more! The report also suggests that a replacement for the full-size MKS is on the way, as well as a new Navigator and a luxury crossover based on the current Ford Escape.

These plans sound bold and optimistic, but they all hinge on the performance of the MKZ. Ford CEO Alan Mulally has not been shy about the possibility of abandoning Lincoln if things don't turn around soon. Currently the only all-new product in the brand's stable is the MKS, and it will need to be an immediate sales success for any talk of any future product to come to fruition.

RWD Lincolns are coming, fate depends partly on MKZ success originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 lincoln mkzalan mulallyfordford mustanglincolnmkzmulallymustangTue, 04 Dec 2012 11:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20392966/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/04/rwd-lincolns-are-coming-fate-depends-partly-on-mkz-success/20392966/article-detail.xml 20392966 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2013-lincoln-mkz-new-york-2012_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2013-lincoln-mkz-new-york-2012.jpeg <![CDATA[Ford shakes up executives, Mulally to stay through 2014]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/01/ford-shakes-up-executives-mulally-to-stay-through-2014/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/01/ford-shakes-up-executives-mulally-to-stay-through-2014/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/01/ford-shakes-up-executives-mulally-to-stay-through-2014/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Ford shored up its executive team this morning, announcing not only a series of promotions, but confirming that popular CEO Alan Mulally will remain at Ford through at least 2014. The announcements arrive amid speculation about Ford's succession plan and who would ultimately replace Mulally, 67, who has been credited with Ford's recent revival.

Bill Ford, the great-grandson of Henry Ford and executive chairman at Ford, made the announcement during a last-minute press conference Thursday. He also reviewed a series of other promotions to firm up Ford's top executive team.

"The strength of our people and stability of our team are competitive advantages for Ford," said Bill Ford. "We are fortunate to have Alan's continued leadership as well as talented senior leaders throughout our company who are developing and working together and delivering on our plan."

Mark Fields, the president of the Americas, will move into the chief operating officer's position making him the No. 2 executive at Ford and responsible for all business operations, while Mulally will remain at the top developing long-term strategic planning.

Other key appointments include: Joe Heinrichs, President of The Americas; Stephen Odell, President of Europe, Middle East and Africa; Jim Farley, Head of Global Marketing, Sales and Service, as well as head of global Lincoln; David Schoch, President Asia Pacific; and John Lawler, CEO of Ford Motor China. Scroll down to read the official press release.

Continue reading Ford shakes up executives, Mulally to stay through 2014

Ford shakes up executives, Mulally to stay through 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyceofordford motorjim farleylincolnmark fieldsThu, 01 Nov 2012 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20367731/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/01/ford-shakes-up-executives-mulally-to-stay-through-2014/20367731/article-detail.xml 20367731 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/136752718_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/136752718.jpg <![CDATA[How Detroit is being dragged down by the ills of Europe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/how-detroit-is-being-dragged-down-by-the-ills-of-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/how-detroit-is-being-dragged-down-by-the-ills-of-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/how-detroit-is-being-dragged-down-by-the-ills-of-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Big Three Bracing For Bad News From Overseas



Folks in Detroit could be in for some bad news in a few weeks, and that has nothing to do with who they're planning to vote for in the upcoming election.

In fact, General Motors and Ford will be rolling out their third-quarter earnings just in time for the presidential balloting, and while the U.S. economy has buoyed the industry at a level few might have expected at the start of 2012, the latest quarterly numbers will be hard hit by events on the other side of the Atlantic.

Between them, General Motors and Ford are likely to lose in excess of $500 million - some analysts put the red ink closer to $1 billion - for the July-September quarter. And for the full year, the domestics could run up a deficit closer to $4 billion if you include Fiat SpA, the Italian partner of Chrysler, according to analysts' consensus estimates.

Paul EisensteinPaul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.

Continue reading How Detroit is being dragged down by the ills of Europe

How Detroit is being dragged down by the ills of Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallycarlos ghosnchevroletchryslerdan akersondetroiteuropefeaturedgeneral motorsmartin winterkornopelsergio marchionnesteve girskyvolkswagenThu, 04 Oct 2012 19:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20342023/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/04/how-detroit-is-being-dragged-down-by-the-ills-of-europe/20342023/article-detail.xml 20342023 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/ilfullxfull.307243403-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/ilfullxfull.307243403-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Mulally says he has no plans to retire from Ford "any time soon" [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/18/mulally-says-he-has-no-plans-to-retire-from-ford-any-time-soon/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/18/mulally-says-he-has-no-plans-to-retire-from-ford-any-time-soon/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/18/mulally-says-he-has-no-plans-to-retire-from-ford-any-time-soon/#commentsFiled under:

Ford CEO Alan Mulally on CBS This Morning

Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally was on CBS This Morning talking about a variety of topics ranging from trade tensions between the U.S. and China to the 2013 Ford Fusion, but our interest was piqued when he started talking about his retirement. Just last week, we reported that Mark Fields is being named the Chief Operating Officer at Ford, putting him in a prime position to take over the reins of the company following eventual Mulally's departure.

The show's co-host, Charlie Rose, brings up the possibility of Mulally leaving on a high note considering Ford's current status, and Mulally replies "Charlie, squelch that rumor." When pushed even further for a definitive answer, Mulally confirmed that he is "not going to retire any time soon" although he gives no indication as to how long "any time soon" actually is.

The interview also touches on the future of the F-150 possibly using more aluminum, stricter fuel economy standards and how Ford plans to deal with its declining sales in Europe.

Scroll down to watch the entire video, and note that the retirement discussion starts around the 3:08 mark.

Continue reading Mulally says he has no plans to retire from Ford "any time soon" [w/video]

Mulally says he has no plans to retire from Ford "any time soon" [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyalan mulally retirementcbscbs this morningcharlie rosefordford motor companymulallythis morningvideoTue, 18 Sep 2012 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20326456/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/18/mulally-says-he-has-no-plans-to-retire-from-ford-any-time-soon/20326456/article-detail.xml 20326456 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/alan-mulally-cbs_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/alan-mulally-cbs.jpg <![CDATA[Ford to name Fields COO, giving him inside track to succeed Mulally [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/11/ford-to-name-fields-coo-giving-him-inside-track-to-succeed-mula/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/11/ford-to-name-fields-coo-giving-him-inside-track-to-succeed-mula/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/11/ford-to-name-fields-coo-giving-him-inside-track-to-succeed-mula/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mark Fields

According to Bloomberg, Ford is preparing to announce Mark Fields as its new Chief Operating Officer, putting him second in command to CEO Alan Mulally. Fields, 51, currently serves as Ford's President of the Americas, and this promotion would clearly put him in line to eventually take over as Chief Executive Officer of Ford once Mulally retires.

Candidates to replace Fields in his role as President of the Americas include Jim Farley, Ford's Global Marketing Chief, and Joe Hinrichs, the automaker's chief of Asian operations. Both Farley and Hinrichs are reportedly also candidates to replace Mulally as CEO.

Before now, Mulally has never had a COO. Bloomberg reports that Fields has long been the front-runner in the CEO race, and that according to a source within Ford, Hinrichs - who is six years younger than Fields - may have an opportunity to be the company's president further down the line.

The official announcement is expected to come as part of Ford's monthly board meetings, scheduled to kick off Wednesday. When reached for comment, a Ford spokesperson told Bloomberg that "we do not comment on speculation about personnel actions" and that "we have succession plans in place for each of our key leadership positions."

Bloomberg had a chance to speak with Fields after Ford announced the addition of 1,200 jobs to its Flat Rock, Michigan facility, so click below to watch that video.

Continue reading Ford to name Fields COO, giving him inside track to succeed Mulally [w/video]

Ford to name Fields COO, giving him inside track to succeed Mulally [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallychief operating officercoofordmark fieldspresident of the americasTue, 11 Sep 2012 17:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20321207/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/11/ford-to-name-fields-coo-giving-him-inside-track-to-succeed-mula/20321207/article-detail.xml 20321207 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/gyi0059537624_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/gyi0059537624.jpg <![CDATA[Mulally says Ford pondering sub-Fiesta small car for emerging markets]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/11/mulally-says-ford-pondering-sub-fiesta-small-car-for-emerging-ma/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/11/mulally-says-ford-pondering-sub-fiesta-small-car-for-emerging-ma/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/11/mulally-says-ford-pondering-sub-fiesta-small-car-for-emerging-ma/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford Start Concept

We haven't talked about or seen the Ford Start Concept in some time, but it's starting to seem like something similar to this car might become a reality soon. Automotive News reports that Ford CEO Alan Mulally says his company is looking at adding a small, value-priced B-segment car slotting in below the Ford Fiesta, and we can't help but think of how well Ford's 2010 concept would fill this spot.

This unnamed sub-Fiesta model would likely take the place of the Ford Ka minicar, and it would ride on the same platform as the Fiesta instead of being built by Fiat on the Fiat 500 platform like the current Ka. The goal of such a car would obviously be to offer a lower-priced car than the Fiesta to help Ford expand in emerging global markets. The article says the this new model would be a global car, but there is no indication as to whether it would ever be offered in North America. There does seem to be a growing market for small cars in this market as evident by the Fiat 500, Scion iQ and Chevrolet Spark, but the jury remains out on their long-term sales prospects. Mulally confirmed to Automotive News that if such a car came to fruition, it would definitely wear Ford's iconic Blue Oval rather than branding it with a lower-dollar nameplate like Renault currently does with Dacia and Nissan is planning to do with its revived Datsun brand.

Like the Start Concept, Ford's new value model would almost certainly feature the new 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost in its powertrain lineup. This engine is already available in the larger Ford Focus in other markets (we had a chance to take for a quick spin back in July), and Ford is understood to be evaluating the powerplant for possible North American consumption.

Mulally says Ford pondering sub-Fiesta small car for emerging markets originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford start2010 ford start conceptalan mulallyfordford b-segment carford conceptford global small carTue, 11 Sep 2012 16:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20320392/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/11/mulally-says-ford-pondering-sub-fiesta-small-car-for-emerging-ma/20320392/article-detail.xml 20320392 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/09-ford-start-concept-press_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/09-ford-start-concept-press.jpg <![CDATA[Ford Europe goes further with American vehicles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/06/ford-europe-goes-further-with-american-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/06/ford-europe-goes-further-with-american-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/06/ford-europe-goes-further-with-american-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,



Just weeks before the Paris Motor Show, Ford Motor Co. has taken the wraps off of much of its new lineup for Europe in an effort to shore up its efforts for European dealers. The webcast press conference from Amsterdam ended with the official announcement that the Dearborn, Michigan-based car maker will officially make the Mustang available for Autobahn runs and cobble stone street drifting.

"We'll have more details on the Mustang coming to Europe later this year," CEO Alan Mulally said, as he stood before a crowd of more than 2,500 dealers, enthusiasts and reporters. Thousands more watched him and other key Ford executives tout the company's accelerated plans to introduce more global vehicles to Europe.

The Old Country has been problematic in recent years as its stagnant economy has cost automakers billions. Ford lost $404 million in Europe in the second quarter of 2012 and expects Europe to continue to drag down the company's global profitability in the near future. But instead of going on the defensive, Ford has launched its own path to prosperity, Mulally said. The company can't afford to try the same old formulas.

"Six years ago, we developed our One Ford plan," Mulally said, "Now, we're bringing that plan to Europe."

Scroll down to continue reading.

Continue reading Ford Europe goes further with American vehicles

Ford Europe goes further with American vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyecoboostecosportedgeescapefiestafordford europefusionkugamondeomustangone fordsporttransittransit connectThu, 06 Sep 2012 14:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20317705/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/06/ford-europe-goes-further-with-american-vehicles/20317705/article-detail.xml 20317705 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/gofurther-attheevent048-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/gofurther-attheevent048-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Ford Escape under fire for problems caused by recall repairs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/11/ford-escape-under-fire-for-problems-caused-by-recall-repairs/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/11/ford-escape-under-fire-for-problems-caused-by-recall-repairs/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/11/ford-escape-under-fire-for-problems-caused-by-recall-repairs/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2002 Ford Explorer - blue - shallow front three-quarter view

Seven years ago, Ford recalled about 470,000 Escape crossovers from its 2002-2004 model years to fix a troublesome accelerator cable. But the Center for Auto Safety says those repairs may have caused another problem.

The original recall was to implement a fix that prevented the accelerator cable from getting caught on the pedal. The defect could keep the engine from idling. But CARS says the recommended repairs could easily damage the vehicle's cruise control cable which could lead to unintended acceleration.

CARS says the new problem can be linked to at least one fatal accident and documents several other complaints from owners. Ford says it's conducting an investigation into the complaints.

The Center, though, says Ford knew of the problem early on in the recall and points to a memo to Ford dealers as evidence. The bulletin contained updated illustrations and a "warning regarding the correct procedures to follow when replacing the accelerator cable." The update specifically notes cruise control cables could be damaged during the recall repairs.

Clarence Ditlow, Executive Director of the Center, reportedly intends to tell Ford CEO Alan Mulally to dispense with the investigation and "to get it over with now."

In an email to The New York Times, Ford expressed its sympathies to the family of the teenager who died and said, "We are in the midst of our investigation, and we have not reached any conclusions. We will work closely with NHTSA to determine the cause of the crash and will take appropriate action if warranted by the outcome of the investigation."

Ford Escape under fire for problems caused by recall repairs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2002 ford escape2003 ford escape2004 ford escapealan mulallycenter for auto safetyclarence ditlowescapefordford escape safetyford+escape+recallfordescaperecallnhtsarecallsafetyunintended accelerationWed, 11 Jul 2012 14:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20275946/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/11/ford-escape-under-fire-for-problems-caused-by-recall-repairs/20275946/article-detail.xml 20275946 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/02escapexlt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/02escapexlt.jpg <![CDATA[Ford prepared for slow sales with Focus Electric]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/ford-prepared-for-slow-sales-with-focus-electric/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/ford-prepared-for-slow-sales-with-focus-electric/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/ford-prepared-for-slow-sales-with-focus-electric/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Along with Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, Ford CEO Alan Mulally is confident in the growth of the electric car segment. It's a long-term play, though, so Mulally isn't committing the electric Ford Focus EV to making a strong sales statement. For now, Ford's chief says he'd be fine moving fewer than 5,000 Focus EVs in the model's first full year. And even that would mean a steep rise in uptake based on just 12 having been sold in December and January.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Mulally has also let slip the cost for the battery pack in the all-electric Focus: "around $12,000 to $15,000," which makes the Focus Electric's starting cost of $39,200 a bit more understandable. Given that price range and the EV's 23-kWh battery, that means Ford's cost is between $522 and $650 per kWh, which is lower than the estimated $689-per-kWh industry average so far this year.

Reportage on the current sales of EVs is a bit schizophrenic - for example, bullish here, bearish here, but the commentators and the numbers seem to support Mulally's confidence. If the Focus EV did manage 5,000 sales this year, that would be a little more than half of the 2011 tally for the Nissan Leaf, yet according to Bloomberg, EV market share grew more quickly than any other segment in Q1: Nissan is still working through its Leaf pre-order list, Chevrolet Volt sales were up 277 percent to 2,129 units vs. March 2011, the Opel Ampera has exceeded sales expectations, and other electric vehicles and their marketing pushes will come online later this year. Oh, and gas prices are still climbing.

There were no Focus EVs sold in February or March, but the retail push is gearing up now for the Spring season.

Ford prepared for slow sales with Focus Electric originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 ford focus2012 ford focus evalan mulallyelectric carfocusfocus electricfocus evfordford focus electricford focus evmulallyThu, 19 Apr 2012 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20217791/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/19/ford-prepared-for-slow-sales-with-focus-electric/20217791/article-detail.xml 20217791 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/focuselectricsales_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/focuselectricsales.jpg <![CDATA[Ford CEO Alan Mulally called out as a tax dodger [w/poll]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/ford-ceo-alan-mulally-called-out-as-a-tax-dodger-w-poll/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/ford-ceo-alan-mulally-called-out-as-a-tax-dodger-w-poll/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/ford-ceo-alan-mulally-called-out-as-a-tax-dodger-w-poll/#commentsFiled under: ,



Remember Jetgate? Back in the pre-bankruptcy days of late 2008, when the Big Three CEO's were traveling to Washington to plead their case for funds, Ford's Alan Mulally, General Motors' then-CEO Rick Wagoner, and Chrysler's former chief Bob Nardelli were publicly chastised for flying in corporate jets to the tune of $20,000 per round trip.

Two years earlier, Ford president Mark Fields became a target of outrage when a Detroit-area TV station discovered that his employment contract included $50,000-$70,000 worth of private jet service per week to ship Fields between Dearborn and his home in Florida.

Now this: The New York Times is reporting that Ford spent spent $178,571 on personal air travel for Mulally last year. While Ford no longer has a fleet of corporate jets, according to the report, it pays a charter service to transport Mulally and his kin. And that's not all. Since this benefit is classified as "security measures," Mulally gets off the hook for paying taxes on it, as he doesn't have to report the benefit as income, according to the Times. Mulally received nearly $30 million in compensation last year, according to other reports.

While Ford refused comment, the article calls out the company for using this "common corporate tax trick" that it says robs the federal government of tax revenue from CEO's like Mulally, meaning that taxpayers are essentially subsidizing his perks.

While the report concerns various corporate executives, it singles out Mulally, suggesting that any potential danger to Ford's CEO has to be less than that posed to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who flies commercial airlines. The Times also says that former Apple CEO Steve Jobs "received no security services from Apple last year before he died."

View Poll

Ford CEO Alan Mulally called out as a tax dodger [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyceo compensationford private jetjetgatemulallymulally private jetprivate jettaxtax dodgingFri, 13 Apr 2012 19:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20215502/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/13/ford-ceo-alan-mulally-called-out-as-a-tax-dodger-w-poll/20215502/article-detail.xml 20215502 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/alan-mulally-opt-1334346356_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/alan-mulally-opt-1334346356.jpg <![CDATA[Mulally receives nearly $30M in compensation for 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/30/mulally-receives-nearly-30m-in-compensation-for-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/30/mulally-receives-nearly-30m-in-compensation-for-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/30/mulally-receives-nearly-30m-in-compensation-for-2011/#commentsFiled under: ,

Alan Mulally

If you're Alan Mulally's gardener, it's probably a good time to ask the boss for a raise. The Ford Chief Executive Officer just pocketed $58.3 million in stock earlier in the month, and now his 2011 compensation has been made public - and it's increased some 11 percent.

Mulally received $29.5 million in 2011, according to The Detroit News, more than twice the next-highest-paid Ford officer cited in the report, Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr., whose total compensation was $14.46 million. While Mulally's salary amounts to a paltry $2 million, he was paid a $5.46 million bonus, with the rest coming in "stock and option awards as well as personal expenses, which can entail personal use of private aircraft, cell phone use, security, and fuel and car washes," according to the report.

The News says Ford surpassed its profit targets in 2011, but missed other internal benchmarks.

Doing some quick math, Ford sold 5.7 million vehicles globally in 2011, meaning that Mulally pocketed $5.17 for each one.

Mulally receives nearly $30M in compensation for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallybill ford jrbill ford jr.ceo compensationfordmulallyFri, 30 Mar 2012 19:25:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20204980/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/30/mulally-receives-nearly-30m-in-compensation-for-2011/20204980/article-detail.xml 20204980 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/alanmulally2035-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/alanmulally2035-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Mulally awarded $58.3M in stock for succesful turnaround]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/07/mulally-awarded-58-3m-in-stock-for-succesful-turnaround/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/07/mulally-awarded-58-3m-in-stock-for-succesful-turnaround/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/07/mulally-awarded-58-3m-in-stock-for-succesful-turnaround/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ford CEO Alan Mulally looking happy

Ford CEO Alan Mulally has been awarded $58.3 million in company stock for his hand in righting the automaker's fortunes. After taxes, the CEO will receive $34.5 million. According to Automotive News, Mulally will also receive salary and benefits for 2011 on top of the his stock incentives. The stock was handed out as part of an incentive plan associated with the company's performance in 2009. The report says Ford has earned $29.5 billion since then after suffering through $30.1 billion in losses between 2006 and 2008. All told, Mulally has been awarded $100 million in stock in the past two years.

Ford, meanwhile, says that the company believes in a compensation philosophy that ties executives to the interests of the company's shareholders. That's all fine and good, but Mulally's pay scale brought the ire of the United Auto Workers last year, when UAW President Bob King said the compensation was "morally wrong." Zing.

Morally wrong or not, it's hard to argue with Mulally's performance at Ford. The CEO nailed nearly all of his performance targets for 2009 and kept Ford afloat without delving into the federal government's infamous Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Mulally awarded $58.3M in stock for succesful turnaround originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyalan mulally stockceofordford ceoford ceo stockford stockWed, 07 Mar 2012 16:19:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20188232/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/07/mulally-awarded-58-3m-in-stock-for-succesful-turnaround/20188232/article-detail.xml 20188232 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/mulally-happy_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/mulally-happy.jpg <![CDATA[Book: Ford secretly partnered with Toyota, Honda during economic crisis]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/02/book-ford-secretly-partnered-with-toyota-honda-during-economic/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/02/book-ford-secretly-partnered-with-toyota-honda-during-economic/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/02/book-ford-secretly-partnered-with-toyota-honda-during-economic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

American Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company coverWhile the headline might seem shocking, given the circumstances of the 2009 global economic meltdown, it only makes sense. Ford's dealings with two of its biggest competitors were centered around mutual self-preservation in the form of trying to keep a beleaguered supplier base afloat, according to The Detroit News. According to the report, Ford, Toyota and Honda cooperated to buy from common suppliers in a bid to keep those parts-makers from going under, which would have threatened the automakers' viability. That revelation comes courtesy of a new book, American Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company by Bryce G. Hoffman.

The auto industry is far more complex than many people realize, especially in this modern era, with ever-more demanding regulations and brutal competition from all corners of the globe. Tier One suppliers, as the biggest parts companies are known, have assumed much of the engineering and product testing and development work for new vehicles, even including big chunks of assembly.

When times get tough, as they most certainly did in late 2008, suppliers are often the canary in the coal mine. At least 27 automotive suppliers filed for Chapter 11 in 2009, meaning that Ford had good reason for taking such precautions, referred to as "Project Quark" internally, according to the report.

Interestingly enough, General Motors and Chrysler, the pair that eventually sought bankruptcy, chose not to participate in the alliance, with GM allegedly expressing concerns over the legality of such a maneuver. The book says Ford's antitrust attorneys were careful to avoid setting foot on the wrong side of such laws, which prohibit collusion on pricing, among other restrictions on cooperative behavior by competitors.

There are quite a few other interesting anecdotes in Hoffman's book, including a heated argument between Mark Fields, Ford's President of the Americas (now said to be in line to succeed CEO Alan Mulally), and Don Leclair, the company's then chief financial officer. According to Automotive News, a passage in the book declares that Leclair suggested that Fields cut the advertising budget for Ford's Bold Moves campaign in 2006. This led to heated argument, that ended up with Fields making a move toward Leclair while spouting some choice four-letter words. The altercation was broken up by none other than Bill Ford Jr.

Book: Ford secretly partnered with Toyota, Honda during economic crisis originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyamerican iconAmerican Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Comauto bailoutauto supplier bankruptcybryce g. hoffmanbryce hoffmanfordford motor companyhoffmanhondatoyotaFri, 02 Mar 2012 15:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20184726/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/02/book-ford-secretly-partnered-with-toyota-honda-during-economic/20184726/article-detail.xml 20184726 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/american-icon-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/american-icon-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Ford announces retirements of Kuzak and Booth, adds Huntsman to board]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/ford-announces-retirements-of-kuzak-and-booth-adds-huntsman-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/ford-announces-retirements-of-kuzak-and-booth-adds-huntsman-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/ford-announces-retirements-of-kuzak-and-booth-adds-huntsman-to/#commentsFiled under: ,



Ford Motor Co. today made several big-name executive and boardroom announcements, including the appointment of a former Republican presidential candidate, but none changed the almost certain succession of CEO and President Alan Mulally.

Mulally said Thursday with a snicker, "I looked over the press release very clearly and saw that my name was not among those retiring."

Mulally announced Thursday that Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth (above, middle), 63, and Group Vice President and Global Product Development Chief Derrick Kuzak (above, left), 60, are retiring effective April 1. Booth will be replaced by Vice President and Controller Bob Shanks, and Kuzak will be replaced by VP of Engineering and Global Product Development Raj Nair. Both successions involve executives who have long been groomed for the top jobs, and represent orderly transition at Ford.

Ford's board of directors, which cleared the new executive appointments in their Wednesday meeting this week, also announced the addition of former Utah Governor, U.S. Ambassador to China and recent Republican presidential candidate John Huntsman Jr. (above, right) to the board. Huntsman represents an addition, and their were no board retirements.

Continue reading Ford announces retirements of Kuzak and Booth, adds Huntsman to board

Ford announces retirements of Kuzak and Booth, adds Huntsman to board originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyderrick kuzakfordjohn huntsmanlewis boothmark fieldsThu, 09 Feb 2012 09:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20168006/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/09/ford-announces-retirements-of-kuzak-and-booth-adds-huntsman-to/20168006/article-detail.xml 20168006 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/kuzack-booth-huntsman-ford_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/kuzack-booth-huntsman-ford.jpg <![CDATA[Translogic hangs out with Daimler's Zetsche and Ford's Mulally at CES]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/28/translogic-hangs-out-with-daimlers-zetsche-and-fords-mulally-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/28/translogic-hangs-out-with-daimlers-zetsche-and-fords-mulally-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/28/translogic-hangs-out-with-daimlers-zetsche-and-fords-mulally-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Translogic at CES

Usually our sister publication Translogic is out putting futuristic transportation hardware through the paces or talking to geeks who are trying to reimagine the very infrastructure of our world. But this week, the show has a decidedly more conventional subject: Interviews with Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche and Ford CEO Alan Mulally.

Both of these automotive bigwigs were wandering the halls of the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month (Zetsche was the keynote speaker, a job Mulally performed two years ago), which is where Translogic caught up with them for a chat and demonstration of their CES wares. Zetsche showed off a new gesture-based in-car interface, as well as some new active safety technology for Mercedes-Benz. Mulally plugged Ford's new hybrid and plug-in hybrid Fusion, as well as showing off the Ford Evos concept's fancy infotainment system. Give it a watch after the jump.

Continue reading Translogic hangs out with Daimler's Zetsche and Ford's Mulally at CES

Translogic hangs out with Daimler's Zetsche and Ford's Mulally at CES originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallycesces 2012consumer electronics showdaimlerdieter zetschefordinfotainmentmercedes-benzmulallytelematicstranslogicvideoSat, 28 Jan 2012 14:04:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20156559/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/28/translogic-hangs-out-with-daimlers-zetsche-and-fords-mulally-a/20156559/article-detail.xml 20156559 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/translogic-ceo-interviews-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/translogic-ceo-interviews-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Ford tops in non-retail sales, 45% of Focus sold to fleets]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/ford-tops-in-non-retail-sales-45-of-focus-sold-to-fleets/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/ford-tops-in-non-retail-sales-45-of-focus-sold-to-fleets/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/ford-tops-in-non-retail-sales-45-of-focus-sold-to-fleets/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2012 Ford Focus Titanium sedan front three-quarter

Most everyone at Ford is grinning from ear-to-ear these days, as the company is enjoying profits as well as a vastly improved product portfolio and public image. Sales are up, the product pipeline is full, and market share grew last year. You can almost imagine Ford CEO Alan Mulally saying, "What, me worry?"

But that's exactly what he should be doing, according to Forbes, which suggests Ford is growing arrogant and its numbers aren't nearly as solid as they appear. For instance, Forbes says Ford was also right up there with Toyota and Honda when it came to recalls last year, far outpacing crosstown rivals General Motors and Chrysler. Ford recalled some 3.3 million vehicles in 2011, compared with 773,000 for Chrysler and just 500,000 for GM.

But the real shocker is that Forbes says Ford tops all automakers when it comes to fleet sales. Not only are fleet sales usually less profitable, but they also tend to hurt resale values, meaning that selling 32 percent of its vehicles into fleets last year does not bode well for the Blue Oval or the residual values of its owners. According to the report, the model with the most fleet sales was the new-for-2012 Focus. A staggering 45 percent of Focus models sold last year were to fleets, which isn't good for anyone, save the guy standing in line at the Hertz counter.

Editor's note: Ford contacted us to clarify a few things about its 2011 fleet sales. The first is that rental fleet sales as a percent of total volume was 12 percent, which it claims is a smaller percentage than GM and Chrysler's rental fleet sales. Fleet sales of commercial vehicles, meanwhile, were 14 percent of total sales volume, while government sales were six percent.

Ford tops in non-retail sales, 45% of Focus sold to fleets originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 ford focusalan mulallyfleet salesfocusfordford motor companyford salesmarket sharerecallsretail salesFri, 27 Jan 2012 16:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20158695/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/27/ford-tops-in-non-retail-sales-45-of-focus-sold-to-fleets/20158695/article-detail.xml 20158695 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/2012-ford-focus-platinum-1301466358_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/2012-ford-focus-platinum-1301466358.jpg <![CDATA[Ford reports biggest profits since '98, still fails to meet estimates]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/ford-reports-biggest-profits-since-98-still-fails-to-meet-estim/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/ford-reports-biggest-profits-since-98-still-fails-to-meet-estim/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/ford-reports-biggest-profits-since-98-still-fails-to-meet-estim/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Alan Mulally of Ford with reporters

Ford has announced the company's single largest profit since 1998, thanks in part to a one-time tax gain. The company drew in a net income of $13.6 billion last quarter and the news marked the automaker's 11th consecutive profitable quarter. For perspective, Ford made $190 million in 2010. The company's net income was bolstered by the fact that Ford eliminated a valuation allowance against deferred tax benefits. The company created the valuation allowance in 2006 when it began reporting operating losses. Analysts reportedly see the elimination as a sign that the manufacturer expects to be profitable in coming years.

The company made $8.8 billion in profit in 2011, or $1.51 a share. That's an increase of $463 million over 2010. Even so, the company's net income missed analysts' estimates thanks in part to higher commodity costs, currency fluctuations and flooding in Thailand. The automaker spent $100 million more in commodities like steel than it projected. Those facts, combined with a deteriorating European market, helped Ford miss analyst estimates by 5 cents per share.

Ford reports biggest profits since '98, still fails to meet estimates originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyfordford 2011 earningsford 2011 profitford earningsford financialsford motor companyford profitprofitFri, 27 Jan 2012 11:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20158349/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/27/ford-reports-biggest-profits-since-98-still-fails-to-meet-estim/20158349/article-detail.xml 20158349 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/alan-mulally-of-ford-with-reporters_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/alan-mulally-of-ford-with-reporters.jpg <![CDATA[Ford denies starting search for Mulally successor]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/08/ford-denies-starting-search-for-mulally-successor/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/08/ford-denies-starting-search-for-mulally-successor/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/08/ford-denies-starting-search-for-mulally-successor/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ford executives

There's little question that bringing Alan Mulally on board at Ford was the smartest move the company made in decades, nor is there much debate that credit for the company's salvation is largely due to his office. But could his number be up?

Having joined Ford in 2006 as an outsider from aerospace giant Boeing, Mulally (pictured above, left) has been on the job for over five years now. And while he's showing no signs of slowing down, sources indicate he is unlikely to stay on the job beyond another year or two.

The question, then, is who might replace him. Citing internal sources, The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Ford has begun putting together a short-list with four candidates: two internal and two external. However, TheDetroitBureau.com has offered a rebuttal saying that the Blue Oval denies beginning such a search.

Either way, at some point, a search will need to begin. Mulally's case notwithstanding, cases of successful hires from outside the business to the top of a major automaker like Ford have been few and far between, but the company could be forced by shareholders to consider outside candidates as well as internal promotions.

The list, according to the WSJ, currently includes Mark Fields (pictured above at right), currently Ford's President of the Americas; Joe Hinrichs (second from right), head of Ford's Asian operations; John Krafcik, a former Ford engineer who now runs Hyundai in America; and Phil Martens, Ford's former product development chief who now runs aluminum manufacturer Novelis.

Again, for its part, Ford denies that it has begun searching for Mulally's successor, but prudent management could very well dictate that it must begin looking - whether the much-lauded executive is ready to retire or not.

Ford denies starting search for Mulally successor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyfordford ceoford motor companyjoe hinrichsjohn krafcikmark fieldsmulallynovelisphil martensThu, 08 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20123485/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/08/ford-denies-starting-search-for-mulally-successor/20123485/article-detail.xml 20123485 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2008taurus0529e_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2008taurus0529e.jpg <![CDATA[List of Mulally successors narrowed down to four]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/28/list-of-mulally-successors-narrowed-down-to-four/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/28/list-of-mulally-successors-narrowed-down-to-four/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/28/list-of-mulally-successors-narrowed-down-to-four/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ford executives

How do you replace the man credited by Time Magazine with managing "the biggest business turnaround of the Great Recession?" That's a very good question, and one that the Ford board of directors is grappling with as company CEO Alan Mulally edges closer to retirement age.

At 66, Mulally isn't exactly far past his prime, and Executive Chairman Bill Ford is said to be in no hurry to welcome in a successor. That said, the timing of Mulally's exit from Ford is likely to be a determining factor in the decision to hire his replacement.

Current CFO Lewis Booth, at 63 years of age, could potentially hold the seat at the head of Ford for a few years if Mulally were to retire earlier than expected. If that doesn't happen, Mark Fields, Ford's President of the Americas, is cited as the most likely choice as its next CEO.

There are two other potential candidates, reports Automotive News. Jim Farley, vice president of global marketing, is on the short list, as is Joe Hinrichs, who heads Ford's Asia Pacific and African operations.

Insiders suggest that Ford may choose to keep Alan Mulally on its payroll in some unknown capacity to help mentor his replacement. Such a move could potentially keep both the rank-and-file Ford workers and Wall Street investors satiated.

List of Mulally successors narrowed down to four originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyceofordford ceojim farleyjoe hinrickslewis boothmark fieldsMon, 28 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20115537/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/28/list-of-mulally-successors-narrowed-down-to-four/20115537/article-detail.xml 20115537 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/ford-executives_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/ford-executives.jpg <![CDATA[Infographic: Wage gap between CEO and employees]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/19/infographic-wage-gap-between-ceo-and-employees/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/19/infographic-wage-gap-between-ceo-and-employees/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/19/infographic-wage-gap-between-ceo-and-employees/#commentsFiled under:



As you're probably already aware, Ford CEO Alan Mulally earned well over $26 million last year. Fiat and Chrysler head Sergio Marchionne was next in the ranks of highest-paid CEOs among automakers with $17 million in compensation, and Nissan/Renault chief Carlos Ghosn was third at $13 million.

None of this is news, really. We already knew that. But what you may not know is how those figures compare to the income of the average autoworker. According to the infographic you see above (click here to enlarge), the average annual salary earned by autoworkers in America as of February 2010 was $48,000... but that figure varies a good deal, depending on factors such as the company paying the bill and the number of years employed.

For a more complete breakdown of CEO compensation versus the rest of an automakers' employees, check out the full graphic after the jump.

Continue reading Infographic: Wage gap between CEO and employees

Infographic: Wage gap between CEO and employees originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyautoworker wagesautoworkerscarlos ghosnceoceo wagesdan akersonsergio marchionneFri, 19 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20022048/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/19/infographic-wage-gap-between-ceo-and-employees/20022048/article-detail.xml 20022048 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/ceo-wages-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/ceo-wages-opt.jpg -1 2