[Flavius]

just like beating a dead horse

[1rudeboy]

"An unprecedented spike in gasoline prices during the second quarter impacted our product lineup more than that of our competitors because of the long-standing success of our trucks and SUVs," Bill Ford said in his note Friday.

I'm all in favor of a company pushing a lineup with a higher proft-margin, but now it is time for those that pushed it to fall on their swords. I won't hold my breath.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

$254 million burned up in one quarter. Gad !

[martin_fierro]

Ford used to make cars, not social policy.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

Too bad, my husband loves Ford trucks. He drives a F250 King Cab. As for me, my last Ford was purchased in 1975 and it was my last. I've owned several Honda Accords since 1985 and am ready for another.

[End Times Sentinel]

This is very saddening to hear. I was hoping for a big turnaround from Ford, especially since they've effectively branded themselves as "The Gay Car Company" with all their support of gay marriage, the advertising in Sodomite magazines and the sponsorship of Gay Days all across the country. I was seriously considering buying a new "Probe" with the optional "AIDS Injector" package.

Owl_Eagle

”You know, I'm going to start thanking
the woman who cleans the restroom in
the building I work in.  I'm going to start
thinking of her as a human being”

-Hillary Clinton

(Yes, she really said that

Peggy Noonan

The Case Against Hillary Clinton, pg 55)

[mewzilla]

Meanwhile....

Japanese firms see sales rise for pickup trucks

[Malsua]

What universe do these people live in?

In the run up to the 2004 election, gas spiked upwards...Soros and other manipulation certainly. Then, after Katrina in 2005, these dimwits are suprised that people are buying more economical models? Hello, Mcfly! Of those 28000 layed off, start with the people responsible for model selection.

[Eagles Talon IV]

Ford has reaped the reward of their years of caving in to the incessant demands of the Unions. They are being strangled by their (unfunded) pension liabilities. Their earlier beliefs that they could simply raise the price of their vehicles to pay these bloated benefits did not take into account the maturing of the Japanese automobile industry.

Very simply, the American car makers have had their clocks thoroughly cleaned by the same people GM,Chrysler,Ford and indeed many Americans used to laugh at only 25 years ago.

[bolobaby]

Kick out UAW and maybe they have a chance...

[RayChuang88]

I think it's increasingly more and more likely that many of Ford of Europe's products will be assembled in the USA within the next 3-4 years.

The next-generation Fiesta will likely be first on that list, though this low-cost model will be built in Ford's Hermosillo, Mexico plant. In 2008, the next-generation Focus will arrive, this time again as a single worldwide model, with the US market likely getting it first before Europe.

Another model likely to reach the US market is the S-Max minivan, powered by a new 230 bhp Volvo-developed inline-6 engine with a CVT automatic transmission.

As a low-cost first-time owner vehicle, the Ford Ka--when the next-generation arrives probably in 2007--will also likely be sold in the USA for the first time. Like the Fiesta, Ford will build the Ka initially at its Hermosillo plant.

[SamAdams76]

Let's see. Do I want to buy a Toyota Tundra made by non-union U.S. autoworkers at a huge U.S. plant in a red state (Texas)? Or do I want to buy a Ford pickup that is mostly manufactured in Mexico and assembled by overpaid union workers in the blue state of Michigan who are pressured by their union bosses to vote straight Democratic ticket and whose CEO spends much of his time preaching about homosexuality and how supportive he is of homosexual behavior and how we all should be too.

Tough decision.

[zarf]

bye bye suv's until the tanks can get some mpgs

soccer mom's driving tanks on flat Phoenix roads always crack me up

[HarmlessLovableFuzzball]

I once rented a Ford Focus SE and drove all the way from Portland to N. California and back. For a small car it was top notch, the best small car I have ever driven. Crisp handling, strong engine and well equipped. Even though I drive Japanese myself, I was really impressed with this Ford.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

That's a lot of new white-collar jobs that are going to be created suddenly for or by these laid-off workers. Think of all the new business they'll open and the new jobs those businesses will create. This is great news economically.

At least, that's what we're constantly told will be the result of letting other countries take our jobs.

[apackof2]

Auto ping

[xarmydog]

I once restored a 1955 Ford F-350 for an old farmer who bought it brand new.At the time,I had recently purchased a brand new 1995 F-350.It came with four wheel drive,long bed,460 fuel injection,five speed.When I asked the old farmer how he got the large dents in the roof,he said that when he would pick up sawdust,his hands would climb on the roof to mash it down to carry more.The sawdust was sold by weight,and when it was loaded,it would hold five tons of sawdust.I was stunned.I had no reason to doubt the farmer,as he chuckled about avoiding the weigh stations,as a very large ticket would ensue.Then I looked at my new truck and thought,it would never hold that much weight.I came to the conclusion that his old pickup would carry two of mine!Mine would maybe carry one of his!Being in a country environment,many pickups would be used to haul hay.Usually as many bales as possible,at a time.Many times I would have farmers come to my shop complaining about their beds being out of square,and what could be done to fix them.The first question I would ask was,you hauled hay in it?The answer was yes, which explained why their beds would be crooked.A truck bed loaded,driving on a slant,would put them out of shape on the first load.I never repaired them,as I knew they would be back.Again and again.It did take a little luster off my new truck purchase though.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

My husband bought a Ford 18 months ago and it has been a lemon! It was his first Ford to purchase in over 20 years and will be the last. I'm working on him to trade it in now....

[glorgau]

Ford and GM are the reason that the recent pension reform bill passed so quickly. Both are getting ready to "restructure" because their business models no longer work.

[uncitizen]

Company officials would not say what specific impact the production cuts would have on workers. In general, hourly workers placed on temporary layoff receive 95 percent of their wages through state unemployment benefits and a supplement by Ford.

We know unemployment doesn't give much, so in order to meet 95% of their earnings Ford must be kicking in around 80-90%%. Is this a stipulation in the union contract or is Ford just being outrageously generous?????

[Petruchio]