Another "Demise of Ford" artical

[FATCAT]

Saw this artical. Don't like to see these things about an American company.



Doesn't look good for Ford

 

[Gonzo 1066]

furd

I have never been a Ford guy but it would be an American tradegy to have them gone. Then the big three Would be GM, and ?? Toyota?

 

[CROW]

Read an interesting in-depth article in Business Week a couple of months ago concerning the U. S. auto market. Basically it said that in a few years the U. S. market would resemble Europe where there are five or six manufacturers all getting about the same percent of market share. I agree with that since the domestic manufacturers continue to lose share. Just a few years ago, I can remember some predictions that Ford would overtake GM and become number one worldwide; guess the worm turns.

 

[Chipstien]

Losing Ford would be a bad thing... . hope it doesn't happen.

 

[Ncostello]

That article is intended to make people feel like its the end of the world as we know it. I bet there are just as many articles that paint a better picture for Fords future... in spite of its current problems. Lots of options for Ford and who knows what drastic measures they will do to stay alive. Only time will tell. I personally cant see them closing the doors... maybe becoming smaller with alot less products... but not "out of business".

 

[Pit Bull]

Neil, I totally agree!!!

 

[mikel]

Even if the article were true, does anyone thing the govt. would let ford die any more than they let chrysler die back in the 80's?



I doubt it. There would be some kind of bailout...



My . 002



Mike

 

[JerryB]

I think when the economy comes back (the DOW is already up) many of their troubles will shrink.



Would be a bummer to lose Ford. Wouldn't be able to argue with the neighbor which make is better then.

 

[jtisdale]

Maybe Cummins will buy them, to keep them in business.

 

[Badunit]

I find it hard to blame Ford's problems, as the article did in its opening remarks, on the bailout of Chrysler 24 years ago. That was the true "weak link" in the article.



Looking at their SEC filing, the vast majority of their debt is related to their financial arm, not their automotive arm. I don't feel like trying to figure out what that means but it probably paints a far different picture than the article.



http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/37996/000003799603000013/e10k.txt

 

[Ncostello]

Just my opinion... no matter what happens to Ford, I think they will be around in the end in some for. Whether its the company as we know it today or one that is 50% smaller. Heck, any company that knows how to make a good pickup truck can make a profit off that. F-150 is the best selling vehicle worldwide. So if anything, they could just quit making cars, sell off the other lines, and just produce pickups... which do well for them. They wouldn't be who they once were, but they would still be alive.



Lots of options for them... and I dont think a "going out of business sale" is one of them. They will be around for a long time in some automotive form or another. Thats my prediction even if they are in a world of financial hurt.

 

[Royk]

All I know is that not too long ago, Ford stock was as high as $54 a share. I just checked a minute ago and it was $7. 56!



Roy

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

According to what I've been reading in MM&FF magazine, they are going through a revitalization plan that will take about 5 years to complete, and so far they are on track with it. Also read that Jaguar is going to go after the "GLBT market". That's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender. Straight out of MM&FF magazine. That's supposedly a market of more than 14 million consumers.



Jim

 

[Steve M]

"Also read that Jaguar is going to go after the "GLBT market". That's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender. Straight out of MM&FF magazine. That's supposedly a market of more than 14 million consumers. "



I thought they already had that market!:-laf

 

[Deezul1]

That article also makes you wonder how unbiased it is when it states "the rise of the ugly, dangerous and catastrophically fuel-guzzling sports utility vehicle, after all, was the result of a fuel efficiency standard mandated by government, from which SUVs, as "trucks" were exempt. " Seems to me if SUVs were that bad then nobody would buy them and market forces would prevail. sounds like this guy has an axe to grind.