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Mr. Ford's Wrong Turn
The Washington Post ^ | December 4, 2005 | James P. Womack

Posted on 12/04/2005 7:45:44 PM PST by raj bhatia

The real problem for Ford, and the one that presents a dilemma for American society, is that an industrial-social system pioneered in Detroit in the 1930s has given way to another industrial-social system pioneered by Toyota in the post-World War II era.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: automakers; fordmotor; toyota
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To: raj bhatia
Can GM replicate this?

I doubt it.
A couple of months ago Chevy had to turn to a Japanese company to stamp
out the hood of the new HHR (the "Me-Too Cruiser").

Nearly 100 years of car-building and building vehicles that helped win
WWII...and GM can't stamp out the sheetmetal for a new model.
Perhaps more shameful...maybe they drew up the design plan first,
only later waking up to the fact that it was too complex for GM to fabricate.
No way to make a profit.
Or even pay healthcare for union workers.
21 posted on 12/04/2005 8:52:29 PM PST by VOA
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To: RegulatorCountry
They're getting close; they just need to realize that fit and finish extends especially to the driving environment. None of them really seem to completely have a handle on that yet.

After driving the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata, I ended up with a Ford Fusion. While each of the other cars had one or more features that were superior to the Fusion, they also lacked in other areas which gave the nod to the Fusion. I have the 221hp V6 with 6 speed automatic and I find it comfortable, quiet, and entertaining to drive.

22 posted on 12/04/2005 8:56:27 PM PST by Ben Hecks
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To: VOA

GM has some of the best hydroforming processes in the industry. one hood on one car doesn't mean that much.


23 posted on 12/04/2005 8:58:25 PM PST by oceanview
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To: raj bhatia

GM's biggest money making division is GMAC. They are now a finance org whose secondary focus is automobile manufacturing. They have totally forgotten what their primary industry should be, making good looking, functional and desirable autos the public likes.
I have always thought that the decline in GM started when they made common size cars between divisions look the same. The Chevelle, LeMans/GTO, Buick Gran Sport, etc. This is precisely when bean counters took over and put the CAR people in the back seat. I think this is why Lee was so successful at Chrysler, he was the last of the car guys to run a major auto company in the US.
Last but not least, I think when GM got rid of Fischer Body Division was the decline of the GM styling and fit and finish quality.


24 posted on 12/04/2005 9:02:37 PM PST by biff
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To: raj bhatia
I wonder how all of this growth is affecting American auto parts manufacturers. My understanding is that the Big Three are absolutely hell on their domestic suppliers while the Japanese assembly plants have good relationships with their American parts suppliers. While Ford and GM are going to China for cheaper parts, perhaps Toyota will actually help American manufacturing. Who knew?
25 posted on 12/04/2005 9:07:51 PM PST by GOP_Party_Animal
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To: Ben Hecks

" I have the 221hp V6 with 6 speed automatic and I find it comfortable, quiet, and entertaining to drive."

Let's revisit this when you hit 100K miles, and if you still feel that way, then Ford may have a winner on its hands.


26 posted on 12/04/2005 9:30:08 PM PST by RegulatorCountry
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To: biff
A recent car-shopping expedition to three local dealers yielded the following:

1. A new Kia Optima for $X
2. A year-old Ford Taurus with 24K miles, at the same price
3. A new Chevy Malibu, an ugly, uncomfortable pig I wouldn't have considered unless it was priced at least $3K UNDER the Kia. Guess what, it was priced $3K HIGHER.

Guess which one I bought.

27 posted on 12/04/2005 9:30:17 PM PST by okie01 (The Mainstream Media: IGNORANCE ON PARADE)
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To: Ben Hecks

But what's intersting about the Ford Fusion is that the car is a direct derivative of the Mazda6, sharing the platorm and even the engines.


28 posted on 12/04/2005 9:47:21 PM PST by RayChuang88
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To: raj bhatia

In the past 5 years our family has had 3 new Ford products, one Honda, one Toyota, one Nissan, one Saturn and one BMW.

Ford service is at the bottom of the heap. The most problem-free Ford is our Ranger, which is actiually a rebadged Mazda. The Mustang is a dog. Three engine rear seals and counting @ only 25K miles.

Saturn service is next.

Then BMW.

Then Honda.

Nissan and Toyota are at the top of the list for dealer attitudes, service, and vehicle quality.

A vehicle is more than just the car itself, it is the sum of design, reliability, and dealer service.

While the critics may find the design of Japanese cars boring, what many consumers want is a boring car that just keeps on working. Lasts like a mother-in-law's curse.

We get $30 oil changes at the dealer. And they check out everything else during that oil change. When they find something wrong, it is always under warranty and they just go ahead and fix it, since the cost to us is zero.

Ford is always trying to weasel out of their warranty. They are not getting any more of my business.


29 posted on 12/04/2005 10:28:44 PM PST by CurlyDave
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To: minus_273

Kinda like Social Security? To quote someone, "If anything is too good to last, it probably won't."


30 posted on 12/04/2005 10:33:59 PM PST by DennisR (Look around - God is giving you countless observable clues of His existence!)
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Comment #31 Removed by Moderator

Comment #32 Removed by Moderator

Comment #33 Removed by Moderator

To: Chevy Sales

I always like to read a good, impartial opinion.


34 posted on 12/05/2005 1:12:32 AM PST by j. earl carter
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To: Chevy Sales

Two years ago I was part of a focus group (sponsored by Toyota, I later learned) to evaluate several new cars. There were three Toyotas, coupla Hondas, a Chrysler and the Chevy Impala in the study.

To me, the Impala was, hands down, the best car of the lot in every evaluation category.

btw, I'm not a big GM fan. Everytime they are about to get a car right, they discontinue the line. (Will the Corvette Z06 be the next to go????)

P.S.
If Chevy wants to sell the 07 Camaro they'd better put down more than 400 hp at the crank.

Modded 04 Cobra


35 posted on 12/05/2005 3:25:41 AM PST by longtree
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To: RegulatorCountry
Let's revisit this when you hit 100K miles, and if you still feel that way, then Ford may have a winner on its hands.

At my age and 6K miles/year, I may never see 100K ; )

36 posted on 12/05/2005 6:02:02 AM PST by Ben Hecks
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To: raj bhatia

No, the real problem is WCF owning a football that is being run by a idiot named Millen.


37 posted on 12/05/2005 6:02:45 AM PST by rintense
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To: RayChuang88
But what's intersting about the Ford Fusion is that the car is a direct derivative of the Mazda6, sharing the platorm and even the engines.

The basic platform is also used for the Volvo S40; as you note, the engines are very similar if not identical to those used in the Mazda6 and the 6 speed automatic is made by Aisin. Oddly enough, driving the Fusion reminds me of my old Volvo 244....except with 120 more hp and a 6 speed auto trans instead of a 3 speed.

38 posted on 12/05/2005 6:15:49 AM PST by Ben Hecks
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To: raj bhatia

Is the unionism not the very same kind of problems we face with the Socialist Security System??

AND, wouldn't it have been better had the unions allowed individuals to accumulate and compound their savings in individual accounts that could never be fritterd away by others they have no control over, like the unsecured loans to the mob or just the sticky finger syndrome so many union bosses have been prosecuted for?

SS, Unionism, the Fed Resv, the ICC, the FCC, ad infinitum are all just measures to enrich and empower elites from hard working citizen's wallets.


39 posted on 12/05/2005 6:26:06 AM PST by Marxbites
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To: Ben Hecks
Actually, the Volvo S40 is based on the Ford C1 platform, the same one used on the Mazda3 sold in the USA and the redesigned Focus model sold only in Europe. The Fusion is based on the same platform used as the Mazda6, which has nothing in common with the Volvo S40.
40 posted on 12/05/2005 6:57:31 AM PST by RayChuang88
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