[meford4u]

ZTWsquared,Nov 15 2006, 08:05 PM Wrote:

DD1,Nov 15 2006, 09:04 PM Wrote:they said the paint job was crap
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LOL ... oh wait, is that true?
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Actually, yes.
We had alot of problems in paint with the switch from the old paint shop to the old truck plant paint shop. When they shut the plant down and idled it for almost 2 years, they did a s*** job.
When we started painting there were a number of factors that kept us painting s*** vehicle after s*** vehicle.
1. Dirt. Lots of it everywhere. They finally started changing filters and cleaned the ovens. Problem solved.
2. Mismanagement. Our paint shop manager was fired for misappropriation of funds. He spent the $$ on BS overtime and thru out everthing. And by everything, there were spare sparts for the machines and equipment everywhere from the truck paint shop. He chucked it all.
Now, we wait for parts to come in. They are slowly getting this issue resolved. And 3 top managers, including the head honcho, were fired.
3. Lack of training. We had a tonne of new painters come into the dept. who were improperly trained and lacked skill, knowledge, and truthfully....talent. It is an art. So they took me aside and had me retriain everyone on our shift. Those who didn't cut the mustard were removed from the classification and placed in other areas. We have a better crew now. 1000% better.
4. This is the first Lincoln product ever to come to Oakville. We have never had to "live" up to the higher standards of a Lincoln. It's a big change.


Ok enough about paint, as we have resolved many of the issues in my dept.. The big issue right now is an oil leak. I don't know specifically what the issue is, but I have heard that it's a tranny issue. we are on a no ship order.

But this is a huge difference from the Windstar. We know there were problems, management knew there were problems, but nobody did anything. And we all know the long list of recalls for that vehicle. I would never suggest anyone to buy the first gen. Windstar.

Any other info will be forthcoming as the rumours are flying at work.

Ford US is pissed.

They may lay us off before Xmas.

They may move the product to the US.

All speculative. All BS if you ask me.