Ford's on Top!

[Jackpine]

Am I the only one who is happy that Ford seems to be weathering this financial storm better than Brand X and Brand Y? I was also interested to see an article on the internet that said sales of the F150 were down due to the downturn in the home building market (contractors like these vehicles, it seems) and that they expect sales to pick up if the housing market ever recovers.

But, all this goes for naught if the Senators that are trying to block assistance to the Big 3 have their way. In part, it seems these Southern gentlemen of the Republican persuasion have a big interest in seeing some foreign owned car makers, who have plants in their states, succeed. Is this truly what it means to be "patriotic", or "American"?

These guys clearly don't have the "big picture" in mind. Bailout Wall Street, pump more billions into Iraq to support Halliburton, but forget the "working American" (as long as he's not "Southern").

We Ford owners DO have a voice! You might consider letting your Congressman hear from you.

OK, now I can get off my

- Jack

[ChuckD]

Ford got smart and sold off some of the brands that is had prior to the big down turn. Honda is out of F1 for a savings of 600 mil a year. It was the unions that braught them down. I mean why pay a person $32 an hour to sit and do nothing.

[johnnyd]

We (home builder) had 5 Fords and just recently sold the work horse of the bunch, 02' F250 v10 Lariat loaded with a 10' Western plow set up for 13k. It only had 68k on it. 3 Heritage models, a 02 and two 04's which now must go. We'll keep the E250.

Hopefully things will turn around and we can go back to supporting our local Ford store.

But yes, I too am happy to hear Ford is weathering the storm.

[Power Hungry]

It still annoys the heck out of me that major corporations can go to the government with their hands out and get aid, meanwhile people are losing their homes because they've been laid off by the same bailed out institutions and can't pay the mortgage.

There is something seriously wrong with the financial management of this country, and it doesn't matter who is President, who is in the Senate or who is in Congress. Personal agendas are everywhere and those with power and access use it and abuse it to further their own interests.

I, too, will get of the soapbox now.


Glad Ford looks to be surviving. With the new powertrain lineups for 2010, they'll hopefully maintain their foothold.

[Northern Supercrew]

i was watching the news up here today and if the big 3 go down...that equates into 582,000 canadian jobs too. i couldn't imagine how many more U.S. jobs. Ford seems to have a good business plan for the future...hopefully the new Ecoboost engine coming around '10 will be a hit.

[Jackpine]

Bill, maybe the answer is that we DON'T get off the soapbox.

Deep down inside, I DO think our elected officials listen to us IF we make enough noise. (As Janet is fond of quoting, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease").

The trouble is, this whole financial mess is so interrelated. You can't have manufacturing without banks. Workers ARE entitled to decent wages, based on their skills and knowledge and unions have helped them achieve that. Government HAS to subsidize promising technology, or it never advances past the "promise" stage.

Possibly, just possibly, we in America have become too used to an inflated standard of living. Should we all accept the "China model"? What is it, about $300/month and NO benefits?

Really, we simply (and it's not so simple) need to learn how to compete/coexist in a global economy. And, it's getting more and more global every day.

I, for one, appreciate your business model, which seems to be: "Give value to our customers, who are our friends".

I don't think I'm alone in my appreciation.

- Jack

[Power Hungry]

Originally Posted by JackandJanet

I, for one, appreciate your business model, which seems to be: "Give value to our customers, who are our friends".

I don't think I'm alone in my appreciation.

- Jack

I'll drink to that!

[johnnyd]

Originally Posted by JackandJanet

Bill, maybe the answer is that we DON'T get off the soapbox.

Deep down inside, I DO think our elected officials listen to us IF we make enough noise. (As Janet is fond of quoting, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease").

The trouble is, this whole financial mess is so interrelated. You can't have manufacturing without banks. Workers ARE entitled to decent wages, based on their skills and knowledge and unions have helped them achieve that. Government HAS to subsidize promising technology, or it never advances past the "promise" stage.

Possibly, just possibly, we in America have become too used to an inflated standard of living. Should we all accept the "China model"? What is it, about $300/month and NO benefits?

Really, we simply (and it's not so simple) need to learn how to compete/coexist in a global economy. And, it's getting more and more global every day.

I, for one, appreciate your business model, which seems to be: "Give value to our customers, who are our friends".

I don't think I'm alone in my appreciation.

- Jack

Unions have helped them get a descent wage for their skills? Are you serious? Help me understand the skills that they brought to the table when they where hired in and the value of those skills. In what ways did these skills help the company?

[Jackpine]

Originally Posted by johnnyd

Unions have helped them get a descent wage for their skills? Are you serious? Help me understand the skills that they brought to the table when they where hired in and the value of those skills. In what ways did these skills help the company?

Ah - I don't think the auto companies hire workers that are proficient only in camel driving or cotton picking and who can't learn more. Somehow, I expect they want workers that know something about machining, assembly, finishing, electrical work, etc. These are the skills I was talking about. Perhaps the company even taught them those skills - far enough. Airlines train their pilots to fly the company's equipment. Doctors get continuation training. Mechanics get OJT. Same concept.

Once trained, as a mechanic, assembly line technician, pilot, doctor, lawyer, soldier, etc., you should be paid for what you bring to the job. IF not, well then, let ANYBODY do those jobs. Want to let Bubba, in East Overall Patches, MS, come in off the farm and jump into the pilot's seat for your next airline trip?

So, is everyone overpaid? Perhaps. Are you willing to take a pay cut?

Henry Ford shocked the auto industry when he started paying his workers $5+ an hour. Suddenly, they could afford to buy the cars they made. Everyone warned that would be the death of the auto industry. Did it happen? Shouldn't auto workers be able to afford to buy cars?

- Jack

[johnnyd]

I agree, once trained (any profession really) they should be paid for thier skills. All of the jobs you mentioned (w/one exception) require additional training/schooling other than a high school diploma and most of the time it's on their dime. Your not comparing apples to apples here.

My brother is a pilot for Delta Connection. Delta did give him some training once he was hired. Of course it ran him about 75k in student loans, several hundreds of hours in flight time, book training, instructing, and many extra expensive hours in the flight S.I.M.S. to get to that point. He is currently flying a CRJ 700. He has been flying for Delta for over a year now as 1st Officer. How much do you think he makes? Try in the low 40's. I don't think any of us have to worry about "Bubba comin' in off the farm and jumpin' in the pilot seat ".

What certifications are the UAW's requiring applicants to have? Good high school GPA's and SAT scores? Having a family member already working there? Big deal!! The average wage for them is what, 27 bucks an hour? That's over 50k annually. Doing what, working an assembly line.

I'm in the home building business and saw change back in late 05 (bought my truck in July 05, things were great ). Then, all of a sudden, business dropped off and I mean dropped off. We rode it out for 06' tightening things up and selling off inventory. In 07' we realized we needed to make cuts asap. Was I willing to take a pay cut? You betcha'! It's not always about now but the future, I want the company to survive. I took a 10% cut in early 07' and have not received a bonus or a raise since. Business is bad. Concessions need to be made. If your not willing to roll with the times then I suggest you find another job. When the times improve and the company regains it's profitability margins people will be rewarded with pay increases and maybe even a bonus. Until then......survival mode.

Anyways, I think the era of the UAW needs to be in the history books.

John