[OAC_Sparky]

ZTWsquared,Sep 15 2006, 03:26 PM Wrote:I know my Ford history – since 1992 I’ve had a unique opportunity to understand the inner workings at Ford at a senior executive level – and not everything is what it seems; in fact, most things aren’t. [right][snapback]207270[/snapback][/right]

It's not my intention to get into a "my dick is bigger than yours" argument, but I'm not entirely ignorant of Ford history myself. My Ford ties go back further than '88 when I started here; my father was IN management since 1970. I'm well aware of how Ford got to where it is.

Quote:The difference now is that Ford Europe is properly managed and Ford U.S. isn’t.

I have no argument with you there, but it goes deeper than that.

Ford's mismanagement goes higher than where it splits between FNA and FoE. Look up "Kwik Fit" and "palladium speculation" and "PeoplePC" and on and on, and you'll see what I mean. Jac Nasser's "sea of white faces" speech. And so on.

Quote:You’re question was, I believe: “If as you said, Ford is a #1 product abroad, why is it not making money...?”

This was in response to:

Drivesthebeast,Sep 15 2006, 11:50 AM Wrote:and they build what CUSTOMERS ASK FOR...not what some fat cats in the states want, or wanted over a decade ago...
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Product lines and development is a balance between what people want now, and what they believe people will want tomorrow. It is nearly as bad being premature on product design (Aztec, Quest, etc) as it is not keeping up with market changes.

Ford made decisions in its Ford NA line based on what North America customers wanted in the NOW (ie at the time). And neglected keeping an eye foreward on the future. What I meant by my statement that you are quoting, is that despite how well FoE does, FNA is the breadwinner. So what "fat cats in the states" want is paramount to Ford's bottom line. Ford's massive profits WAS because it had what the "fat cats" wanted at the time; it however spent that money like a drunken sailor on non-core ventures that resulted in the neglect of today's product line.

Quote:Ford in Europe put itself on the path to profitability a long time ago

It wasn't THAT long ago. However, FoE is much smaller, and could right itself quicker.