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Ford Vs. Government Motors
Forbes.com ^ | 01.05.10, 06:00 AM EST | Alexandra Zendrian

Posted on 01/05/2010 5:17:48 PM PST by Reaganez

GM has come out swinging from its government-induced bankruptcy, but Ford's strength in 2009 makes it a contender in 2010.

Things are looking up for the American automakers this year. General Motors is restructuring itself and is winding down its Saab brand. But though there seems to be more confidence in GM now than there was last year, Ford is giving GM a run for its money. These two companies could both be victorious, or one could leave the other badly bruised in the battle for top car company in 2010.

General Motors probably wants to forget 2009--the year that it was forced into bankruptcy. It ended the year on a higher note; GM's 2009 third quarter revenue was $28 billion, up $4.9 billion from its second quarter revenue.

Because of GM restructuring, Lloyd places his bets on GM having a major advantage over rival Ford Motor Company . "Sad to say, but with regard to Ford's noble fiscal and management controls, they may find themselves at a disadvantage in the next decade," Lloyd says.

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


TOPICS: Business/Economy; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: automakers; automotive; bailouts; bho44; ford; fordmotor; generalmotors
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To: Cobra64

That is a well reasoned argument.


21 posted on 01/05/2010 6:17:48 PM PST by Reaganez
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To: Reaganez
Had a conversation with my auto gnome, especially after Ford rolled off the their Union Liabilities into the VEBA on 12/31/09 and sort of converted them into Corp Debt and Stock.

If GM goes public, what do you get if you buy the stock?

Ya, you get some assets, and maybe some good product, but you are buying the Unions Liabilities not an auto Company, Ford has rolled them into a manigable debt, what never ending story is GM and Chryslers VEBA since they and we own the companies?

Just my 2 cents, disagree chime in, but this ain't gonna work IMHO....

22 posted on 01/05/2010 6:19:39 PM PST by taildragger (Palin/Mulally 2012)
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To: bmwcyle

hate to say I bought my first new 2007 FX 150 4x4 crew cab and had nothing but trouble but I had chevys and had some as well..I think it’s tit for tat but my GF has a toyota and its seems better but to small for me ~~~”found on road dead” happens


23 posted on 01/05/2010 6:19:43 PM PST by FreeperFlirt
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To: Reaganez

Right now they are both making great cars for the money. Five years from now after the government gets their tentacles embedded in GM, I’m betting on Ford.


24 posted on 01/05/2010 6:23:27 PM PST by Republic of Texas (Socialism Always Fails)
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To: Charles Martel

Cash for clunkers was a drop in the bucket and helped Ford and Toyota more than any other company.

GM was idle for much of the inventory buildup due to bankruptcy and suppliers afraid to ship for fear of not being paid.

GM is at a disadvantage for police fleets. Crown Victoria rocks there. It does as well as Ford every where else.

GM is not losing its last lifeline, that is just plain silly.

GM also has a better contract with UAW than Ford. Ford UAW locals have rejected new concessions right when Ford financials looked to uptick.

Sad sad day when so many freepers are rooting for such a mighty coporate American giant to fail.

I love America more than I hate Zero.

I want GM to succeed because it means so many American jobs and a rising tide to the US economy as a whole.

I guess Freepers that hate GM root for American troops to die in the battlefield because Zero is the Commander and Chief?


25 posted on 01/05/2010 6:26:12 PM PST by Reaganez
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To: Republic of Texas

The Government wants out of GM ASAP.

Probably an IPO next summer.

That is good for GM,Obama administration,and congressmen who voted for the bailout.

The government will have its tentacles in GM as much as Ford.

The control is regulatory. EPA,CAFE,CARB et all. That is much more effective the stock holdings.


26 posted on 01/05/2010 6:29:20 PM PST by Reaganez
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To: Reaganez
Eco-Boost with a flat Torque curve isn't bold ( revolutionary IMHO)?

Bringing a car from Europe that sold 500,000 last year isn't bold (the Fiesta)?

Redesigning (finally) into a global platform to cut cost on your steady selling Fiesta isn't Bold?

A gazillion other products from Europe and small design innovations that would take to long to type isn't bold?

27 posted on 01/05/2010 6:31:13 PM PST by taildragger (Palin/Mulally 2012)
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To: taildragger

Healthcare and VEBA are magnificently complex.

I am not hopefull that will work out dandy either.

GM got better terms than Ford though.

But in a nutshell healtcare liabilities were transferred to this new entititiy,VEBA.

Auto Companies pay set scheduled payments into them.

VEBA invest the money,grows the nestegg and shops for the best deal in healthcare.

My guess is if VEBA goes broke they ask the Feds for a bailout.

And that is Ford,GM and Chrysler UAW employees.


28 posted on 01/05/2010 6:36:22 PM PST by Reaganez
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To: Reaganez
I respectfully disagree , given Fords liability is essentially in 2 notes, A and B and Common Stock and their latest payment. As I understand it, it is done other than these Notes and the Warrants the UAW can exercise. It looks a lot different on Fords Balance Sheet and the stock showed it the last 2 days. Chrysler and GM at this point, their liability is still huge no matter how you slice their deals GM owns 17% so they pay themselves and the UAW owns 55% of Chrysler for their VEBA if my memory is correct. I do not know how you get them funded with no revenues and capital. It is a Fiat Organization (no pun intended) with uncle sugar paying the bills. Tangential is how the UAW runs it.
29 posted on 01/05/2010 6:46:10 PM PST by taildragger (Palin/Mulally 2012)
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To: taildragger

GM had DI before Ford.

Props to Ford for adding twin turbos.

That and Flex design is bold.

Other than that nada.

Everybody is bringing their Euro/Japnese subcompacts and micropacts.

Honda Fit and Chevrolet Spark and Aveo.

Everybody is cutting down on platforms and normalizing across the globe.

Chevy Volt,Cadillac Converj,6sp Auto trannys,Cadillac XLR, 300hp FWD Cars for snow belt,Cadillac Art and Science Design, Buick Spear design,Integrating Chinese design into Buick that is bold.

Look at the Design of Ford Taurus vs Buick LaCrosse that tells you everything you need to know about Ford’s boldness.

Everyone once in a while that get slapped for being bold like the previous oval everywhere Taurus then the get conservative.

Oh well of to see ending of Orange Bowl and the Lakers game.

Will post next years results.

We shall see who is gasping.


30 posted on 01/05/2010 6:48:21 PM PST by Reaganez
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To: Reaganez
I guess Freepers that hate GM root for American troops to die in the battlefield because Zero is the Commander and Chief?

You've been cheer leading for Government Motors for awhile, Reaganez, and that's fine.

But this statement is over the top. Many Freepers don't care to do business with a "company" owned and run by the government, as is their right. Equating that with rooting for American troops to die on the battlefield is shameful.

You need an attitude check, skippy. And the expression is "Commander in Chief.

31 posted on 01/05/2010 6:48:56 PM PST by SnuffaBolshevik
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To: Reaganez

“I love America more than I hate Zero.”

I do also, however, keeping the unions afloat will assure that dems continue to get elected.

“I guess Freepers that hate GM root for American troops to die in the battlefield because Zero is the Commander and Chief?”

Absolutely absurd presumption! Most freepers don’t hate General Motors; just Government Motors!


32 posted on 01/05/2010 6:55:48 PM PST by rj45mis
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To: bmwcyle
My bets are on Ford.

My bet's on Hyundai.

33 posted on 01/05/2010 8:16:34 PM PST by PAR35
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To: Reaganez

I am a Jeep and GM owner now. I will not replace them. I will not buy a Government Motor car. I do not believe in Socialism.


34 posted on 01/06/2010 2:03:41 AM PST by bmwcyle (Free the Navy Seals)
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To: Reaganez

Ford is in the Council On Foreign Relations and their products are built by the United Auto Workers.


35 posted on 01/06/2010 5:57:20 AM PST by RoadTest (Karl Marx renamed Free Enterprise (the source of a nation's wealth) "Capitalism".)
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To: Reaganez
I'm still putting my money on Ford.

Why? Because Ford's amazing luck in getting that US$23 billion line of credit in 2006 for product development and the fact thanks to the new EPA fuel economy and emission mandates, Ford has placed itself ready do be ready to meet these mandates years ahead of requirement date.

Already, there is big demand for the new Fiesta subcompact, which will arrive in early June. And Ford will roll out the next-generation Ford Focus model just after the new year in 2011. And Ford will likely phase out both the Edge and Flex by 2012 in favor of a new "sporty" minivan--the second-generation S-Max, a model that have become very popular in Europe.

And Ford is going to be at the leading edge of "green" cars, too. Ford plans to adapt the technology from the Fusion Hybrid for several other models, and an all-electric version of the upcoming Grand C-Max "tall wagon" will arrive in 2012.

36 posted on 01/10/2010 4:52:34 AM PST by RayChuang88 (FairTax: America's economic cure)
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