Posted by
OldRelayer on Monday, April 27, 2009 7:17:22 PM
The more I read about how Ford is handling and had the for sight to start the process about 3 years ago what is going on. If GM and Chrysler knew what was coming they sure didn't act on it.
Unlike GM and Chrysler that have taken Federal Money and are still going bankrupt, Ford has set themselves up with good strategic planning and money management and wise handling of the Unions(More needs to be done) has positioned itself to be a player in the Future. Ford’s biggest problem is where the other two are doing so badly and their suppliers overlap that it could affect their ability to get enough parts. As of March 31 Ford had $21.3 Billion in cash as opposed to being broke even with Federal Money. Much of this money they have from the sale of assets such as Aston Martin, Land Rover and Jaguar and reduced its stake in Mazda and looking to sell Volvo. A good move allowing them to focus on their bread and butter products. This didn’t come without a high cost of Union Workers(41% reduction in work force), which seems appropriate being a large part of the problem and many more concessions by the union are needed to make Ford really solvent. Will the government allow this, it is doubtful, as we all know they have to pay back for the UAW’s help with no consideration to how this affects other workers and the country. I don’t blame the workers, I think they would make concessions far sooner than the UAW fighting for its existence in an every changing world would. The sad part is they are shooting themselves in the foot, no man or no union is an island, we are all in this together. I would like to see everyone buy a Ford although they are not the only ones making great cars in North America there is also Toyota of America and Honda of Ohio(Accord,RDX, CRV,TL and Gold Wind MotorCylce). Toyota of America has less information on their website but at least the Camry is made in GA. I believe but not 100% sure they are made with non Union works, which would explain why they have an edge in the cost of vehicle, not the quality of the cars, Fords are all as good. I thought that BMW’s were made here under BMW of America, but they are just an import shell. There may be othere companies making cars here I need to do more research. But also there are American brands made else where, such as the Lincoln Town Car made in Canada, I am not angry with Canada, so I guess that is ok and the Town Car although Stounchy is a good car and some cars made in Mexico, the worst cars come from Mexico, I know this to be true and it may be what has hurt GMs quality. However think about this, the money made by Ford is more likely to stay in this country improving the economy.
There is no denying, this is the worst car market in many years and without some kind of real stimulus by way of corporate tax cuts it is going to get worse. I am against all bail outs, I don’t think there is a company that is to large to fail. I have posted those ideas before so I will spare you. An interesting side note is, I don’t know of one bank in trouble in Maine, that is locally controlled banks. Maybe we really should think about going back to smaller locally controlled banks without Government intervention, may be the next President would consider that, breaking up the banks much like they broke up AT&T, this won’t happen with the present one’s philosophy. As far as the banks, isn’t that what the FDIC was suppose to be about, just another gut less trust fund, another deception and part of the Tyranny that has become our government.
There is no fixing this until we get some adult supervision in Washington and there are many people working very hard to make that happen starting 2010 and on to 2012. Be engaged, let people know the truth whether they believe it or not, whether they think your nuts or not, in the end they will know you were right and our government is so... sooo....sooo wrong.