http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/12/...two-automaker/

Ford expects Toyota will soon be the second largest automaker operating in the United States, according to internal documents obtained by the New York Times. Ford's internal projections suggest Toyota's market share will permanently surpass its share of the U.S. market as early as January.

Toyota knocked Ford out of the number two spot in July, selling 241,826 vehicles versus 240,011 units. Ford maintained its position in the following months, but expects Toyota will return to number two for most or all of 2007, and for the foreseeable future.

 

Instead of saying that, why don't they work so that it never happens.

 

Not really a surprise.

 

So what does Ford plan to do about it? Same old, same old?

 

Much as I hate to say this, Ford is dying for all the reasons we've kicked around for a long time. If there's a visionary with a plan in the ranks at Ford he hasn't come forth with a plan to get them out of the mess they're in. And that's really a dang shame.

 

It's hard to sift through the rhetoric and REALLY determine whether things are changing. Mulally SEEMS to be saying and doing many of the right things, though I'm less certain about Field's sincerity. He seemed kind of disingenuous in that last "Bold Moves" installment (as if to say that their long time quality problems were never anything more than "public perception") - and I gather he's still jetting back and forth between Florida and Michigan while employees are being laid off.

When I read threads like this and this (only two of MANY), I'm inclined to think one of three things >>

1) Mulally IS serious...and changes are happening, but the sweeping reforms haven't yet come to all corporate divisions, nor down the chain of command to those responsible for customer service...yet;

2) Mulally IS serious...and changes are happening, but they're not going to do anything about the customer service equation at either the corporate or dealership level (in which case all their other efforts won't help them);

3) The whole thing is a big smokescreen and they're not really doing much of anything at all, other than repackaging a "business as usual" strategy in order to try and pull the wool over the public's eyes once again (and, of course, we all know how that will end up for them).

I hope it's number one cause I plan to buy an '08 Bullitt when it comes out, and I really hope the joke isn't on me.

 

well its not really a suprise.....i mean fords been reducing production every since mullaly took over a few months ago. why do you think they laid off so many workers. And thats definatly a misconception too. Ford hasnt really laid anyone off.....they've just tried to persuade the workers to leave with eary retirement plans and other buyout plans. I just did a research paper on Fords position right now.....and honestly if anyone can pull them out of this slump Mulally is the guy to do it. As for loosing the number 2 spot, they basically knew that when they decided to cut ALL production to reach the public demand for their cars and trucks. and frankly......its a GOOD thing thats what they're doing. Imagine if they just kept spending more money than they needed to produce a whole bunch of excess cars and trucks, then they would be even worse off than they are now

 

I'd like to think that Number One is what is going on too. In all seriousness I love Ford but I couldn't bring myself to buy the Fusion AWD over my Subaru because of the fact that it is the first year for that system. Then again I will never buy a first year model of ANY brand.

Though I do think there are good changes in Ford's future. I think the Edge is gonna be a hit like the Fusion. I think Cheech is also right about cutting the number of vehicles made and simply meeting demand. That's what Subaru does and it's worked for them famously.

Off topic, anyone see the new IIHS crash test ratings. Subaru really did great!!!

 

huh? you hope it's number one with a post like that lol! you still have no Mustang yet. The 2008 Bullitt will have an ADM that you already refuse to pay so don't fool yourself. (i do not want to debate with you) Happy Holidays!

 

It's a little hard to buy a Bullitt that isn't out yet.

Not in my neck of the woods it won't. So I won't HAVE to fool myself.

That's open to debate.

Likewise.

 

I guarantee you'll pay over sticker for a Bullit when it arrives. If you don't, others will.