Posted on 01/02/2007 8:04:06 AM PST by devane617
Ford Motor is set to announce a partnership with Microsoft to provide greater wireless connectivity to its lineup of vehicles, according to a published report.
The Wall Street Journal reported the wireless offering will be called Sync and will allow for hands-free cell phone communication and other wireless information transfers inside the car, including the ability to receive email and download music.
The automakers have been trying to attract buyers with greater entertainment and wireless communication options, including ports for MP3 music players in traditional car stereo systems, DVD video players for backseat passengers and satellite radio offerings.
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
a "guesstimate" based upon published statistics that half the sticker price of the vehicle is now labor costs. in order to compete at any level, gotta cut costs somewhere.
Ok.... sure.... stats like these (see Boroni-Bird) as a percent of MSRP:
Material Cost: 42.5%
Amortization and depreciation, r&d, pension, health care, advertising, and overhead: 21.5%
Dealer Markup: 17.5%
Manufacturing Labor: 6.5%
Sales incentives: 5%
Transportation and warranty: 4.5%
Profit: 2.5%
Well, that 6.5% is certainly not more than half. Even adding in the 21.5% which includes benefits intermingled with depreciation, r&d, etc, doesn't add up to half. And when you consider that depreciation and R&D at Ford account for over 10% of revenues (IE, more than 10% of MSRP), you'll find the idea that labor costs account for half the vehicle price is far from the truth.
Ford and Microsoft: Bringing an entirely new meaning to the term "Blue Screen Of Death".
Ford Zune coming soon
How about: Ford Zune coming Sune!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.