Question of the Day: What Would You do as Ford CEO?
It may still be a few years until he bows out (we’re told 2011 or so), but Ford has let the public know that it’s already considering successors for CEO Alan Mulally. If you were handed the keys to the executive suite tomorrow, how would you change things over in
Comments
Craig Hoffman
1). Kill the US Focus and US Fusion (and all Mercury and Lincoln variants) and bring over the European Focus and Mondeo (all versions of them).
2). Make a stylish sporty 4 door version of the Mustang and sell it in the Mercury dealerships as a Cougar or Comet or something (merge Australian RWD platforms with US platforms)
3). Reduce the models of CUV's and SUV's being produced and focus on fewer better products.
4). Bring back the Lincoln LS and make it compete with the CTS in price and performance.
5). Keep trucks out of the Mercury and Lincoln brands- they should only be branded Ford. Lincoln should be an aspirational brand, not just a Ford with luxury stuff tacked on.
6). Stop creating cool cars for Auto Shows that never get made- take a chance and show the World you are a leader and not a follower!
Al
Corporations always have plans for possible future leaders, and they are changed as objectives are achieved or exceeded. Events in the next years will provide opportunity to evaluate the present team, and the products they make available. A bit early to get all excited.
BG
Cash out all my stock options and try to get real friendly with the Toyota brass and letting it be know I was available. Settle for a position at Kia if need be.
john
Add IRS to the mustang...Well, just copy GM. They have figured it out, finally.
Do not do like Chrysler. Produce on quality product(The 300) and force out horrible designs every where else like the Nitro, Liberty, Crossfire, Caliber, Sebring, you get the point.
hwyhobo
Bring a bunch of product lines from Europe (and make them here for the US market, of course).
The Stig
DEFINITELY give Lincoln an overhaul. Stop rebadging the regular Ford garbage and calling it luxurious. Like Craig mentioned, bring back a fighting car like the LS. Dump the current Focus in the trash can. Dump Mercury. Stop doing flavor-of-the-month Mustangs and pour those resources into world beater cars. Bring the cool stuff from Europe and down under over here. Cut out all but 1 or 2 SUV/CUV things.....
On second thought BG had the best idea.......
larry
1. direct engineering to focus on product reliability, not just make it a marketing phrase.
2. change colors
3. grab vendors by neck and demand better performance.
4. move away from $40k + trucks.
uragan
Get the best golden parachute I can!!! ;)
The King
Bring more of the European Ford designs to the US. Our new Focus is just plain ugly. Why does Japan and Europe always get the good stuff? (Thanks, archaic federal regulations!)
Charles Jackson
This would be a job that I would love to have! To run the Ford Motor Company!
First= Make quaility job 1 again! I am not talking about just one product or a great rating with comsumer reports, I am talking about cars and trucks that go the distance!, make the service bay at a Ford Dealership as lonely as the Maytag Repairman!
Second = Instead of letting Mercury die, I would spend more money and effort in it, I would stop making so many SUVS, and put more styling and models of exciting MID SIZE cars! Let Ford have the Interceptor type of auto and Mercury have a say Eliminator version! People will again buy exciting RWD Midsize autos if they had a choice! That would help with the new CAFE standards as well! Their is a Image problem when a company keeps disconiue products, plus with Ford getting rid of Jaquar, and Land Rover, and Aston, this Image could trickle down to their other products and make them seem as losers!
Mercury has free equity, and little baggage as far as image!A Mercury team in Nascar would be refreshing again, remember David Peason, Wood Bros, 1970s! Also look at how good Mercury did in the 70s! Retro is the new thing now!
Third = Styling is more important than ever! No more Corporate Grilles, such as the 3 bar, the old style v grille they put on most of their products in the 90s, when you go by a Ford Dealership they all look alike!BORING! Why pay designers all that money for a similar look in the front of a vechicle!
Fourth= Now would be a good time to have a new type of "Ranchero again"! People want a truck like a car!
Five= Have a dept in the company to address new Ideas and trends they like in vechicles, in different parts of US!Have customer forums before you build a new product to gage there reaction! Look for new trends!
Go to construction companies about truck ideas!or problems! AS Tip Oneal said all potitics is local, so is the car buying public! Dont build what is easyier! , build what we want! It cost more to build a loser as it does a winner!The car dealers should have greater imput as well!Let them be testing centers for new products or parts, they already have the staff, mechanics, sales, plus the logistics!
Six = Instead of first building a vechicle, then have it NOT MEET THE SAFETY STANDARDS, I would build basic platforms on products that we would like to build, and test first, not later!and work with Government before the product goes on the road! So to get it right the first time and have a safer auto and no bad press as to bad crash rating!Putting more emphasis on safer cars and trucks will be a great option for a company to have! Volvo shows that! Most people would have a more positive outlook is a auto is deemed to be safer!
Seven = Have great press relations,show them Ford is an exciting company,they have history on their side, come back after the EDSEL desaster, then the Mustang! Keep them abreast on the good things to come! Dont give up and be a "Me Too company", let bring the Ford has a better Idea back, and back it up!
Eight = Creat a "high profile" alternative energy research group for the 21 century to show the world that Ford is at the front of technology!This gives new buyers a positive outlook on the Company!
Nine = Keep new products coming! Refresh styling on 3 year cycles just like it was in the 60s!Remember 1963, 1964, 1965 Galaxies, how different they were! Make you want to trade for a new one each year!
10= Go back to number one, QUALITY! Ford needs a Manhattan Project on quality!Start building more of their parts again, this helps control quality, look at the Navistar mess, all these suppliers such as Plastic Tech going out of business, do you think you will get a better product, when a company that builds for you doenst like you!30 years ago customers would not know about this! But with the information age this hurts Ford Image in a negative way!Build parts again that are overengineered,a chain is no better than its weakest link!Example the old Ford 9 inch rear end, had the reputation for being one of the toughest rear ends in the business, even in Nascar GM TEAMS ran a Ford 9 inch rear end!A free unpaid for commerical and advertisment for doing a better part!
Listen to mechanics, they are often ignored, but they work on cars every day, they could give some better ideas in makeing better vechicles than some engineeers! The factory engineers need more imput from the shop mechanics, and work with each other, not against one another, they need to be a part of the team! Example, open the hood of a new 2008 f 250 Diesel and look at all the mess! The hood should tilt like a tractor trailer!there is hardly anyway for a mechanic to tell a customer on how good this product is to
work on by lifting the hood!Designing cars and trucks that when needing repairs, are easy to fix, and makes a happy mechanic as well as less downtime for the owner is a win_ win!
Showing leadership is all these areas is what I would do, its not as hard as it sounds, they just need to execute! They way they have been doing it in the past is a lot harder!
AAAA
Ford needs a first rate full size rwd chassis. It needs to be good enough to base a lincoln on, and cheap enough to make cop crown vics. An emphasis on good packaging (rear seat room), neutral handling, cheap to build. Also could be a basis for a unique full size, four seat convertible. and a hot GT supercharged two door full size coupe in the same vein as the early sixties galaxie. Maybe a good old-fashioned full size wagon. I've done extensive polling, and many folks in my generation (20s) think wagons are cooler than suvs, especially full size wagons with third seats.
94 Taurus owner
Wow about time someone asked this qustion,
1.I'd bring all the fiesta models to the US
2.The Next gen Mondeo and the Kuga will be brought over as the contour and the Us Kuga
3.I'd bring the crown vic back styled after the interceptor
4.and the Towncar styled after the MKR
5.bring back truck based minivans and suv's
6.make diesels and hybrids available throughout the whole line
7.put sliding doors on the flex and move it to rwd and rename aerostar/aeroflex/flexstar readers pick
8.Convert the fusion/Mkz to rwd to compete with future GM cars
9.The crown vic/Towncar needs to stay big,long,wide and a six passenger.
10.bring back the ecscursion and kill the expedition el.
11.make a ford version of the volvo c30
12.make the european focus available in the us
13.bring back the flowing wrap around dashes(like in my taurus)
14.ALL FORDS WILL BE BUILT IN THE USA!!!!!!
94 Taurus owner
15.And like charles said No more three bar grille every car will get their own specific grill design.
94 Taurus owner
16. Bring back the F150 based Bronco as A 2Dr Expedition.
94 Taurus owner
17.AND THE THUNDERBIRD WILL MAKE THUNDER AGAIN HA HA HA HAAAAAAAAA.
94 Taurus owner
18.KEEP THE MUSTANG AS AN TRADITIONAL RWS CAR NONE OF THAT IRS MESS.well I take that back let's make it an option.
94 Taurus owner
BRING BACK THE RANGER. And make the platform range around the same models it once did.
1.Ranger
2.explorer/explorer sport truck
3.Aerostar/aeroflex/flexstar. readers pick.
4.The Escape
5.Volvo XC90
6.Mazda B900
7.Tribute
94 Taurus owner
20.BRING BACK THE STATION WAGONS!!!!!!!!
94 Taurus owner
21.VOLVO NEEDS A TRUCK!!!!!! MAKE A SWEDISH DESIGNED F150 NOT A REGRILLED F150 ,ONE THAT YOU CAN TELL THAT IT'S BASED OFF OF THE F150, BUT LOOKS LIKE A REAL VOLVO.
94 Taurus owner
BUY PRODRIVE!!!!! THE RETURN OF ASTON MARTIN SO YOU CAN ADD SOME FLAVOR TO THE THUNDERBIRD.
Basically a rebodied DB9 volante.
94 Taurus owner
I also have an Idea!
1. when a plants are opened in another country those plant should build and sell cars for that country only.
94 Taurus owner
Electric/fuelcell/gashybrids/dieselhybrids are a go
William R. Walling
Simply,
1) Do whatever you must to again endear FORD and it's wares to your retail (dealerships) outlets.
Dealers are your customer as FORD does NOT sell directly to 'retail' car or truck buyers.
(Note: Excepting fleet or government sales.)
2) Design, engineer, assemble and vend wares your dealers can sell and service successfully to an 'eager' client.
3) Attempt to accomplish this with diminished coffers, devastated dealers and tarnished image among a domestic consumer base.
Analysis:
So far FORD 'Bold Moves' have succeeded in the following,
1) Destroying BOTH retail and resale of your vehicles.
2) Aliening employees, dealers, partners and customers against FORD existing or future (?) product.
3) Expending dwindling finances and divisions, including employees with facilities, in an often fatal (short) time period.
'Perception IS today's Reality' ....
X3 SoB
Ford’s “Way Forward
Dan
Close the deal on Jaguar/Land Rover, and then sell Volvo for all of the cash you can get.
Update the Mercury brand identity in preparation for an entirely new and dramatic model line with a distinctly international flair...
To capitalize on the weak US dollar, install duplicate of european tooling in idled US assembly plants for the purpose of building all those stylish current and future euro Ford models: Mondeo, Focus (including Coupe-Cabriolet), Fiesta, Ka and Kuga - all for the North American market.
Introduce these models under the 'new' Mercury brand (see above). Renew the more favorable historic Mercury model names (Cougar, Comet, Capri, Cyclone, Caliente, etc) to be given to this new family of internationally-styled Mercurys.
Refine and develop the Ford brand to stand for true American quality, value, and utility with a strong nod to Ford's heritage and tradition.
Continuously invest in Mustang, always keeping an eye on it's heritage. Consider a builing a true '65-66 heritage car.
Build the Interceptor concept on new rear drive platform to be shared with Lincoln. Name the Ford model the Fairlane. On the same platform, build the Ford 49 concept, as a premium coupe, in lower volume.
On the same platform, build a new Thunderbird coupe, remenicscent of '62-63 bullet birds.
Continue to invest in making sure that Ford light-duty trucks are the standard of the industry.
Bring back the Bronco (ala the Bronco concept)
Proceed with high utility models like the Flex.
Reconsider whether the 3-bar chrome grille really should be the Face of Ford. It doesn't have any link to Ford's heritage. From a pure design stantpoint, it's not that strong. Avoid replacing it with some other flavor of the month, however. This one needs some serious thought.
Peter Horbury has lost his way with Lincoln design. The MKT is just plain homely. The Navricross was better. Better yet, go back and look at your MK9 or Continental concepts for inspiration on truly great Lincoln disigns (that have never been produced). In fact, build those models on the new rear drive platform to be shared with Ford (see above).
Ditch the forgettable MK-(fill in the blank) alpha numeric model naming scheme for Lincoln. Look to your roots. How about Zephyr? Cosmopolitan? Continental? Premiere? Capri? Mark series? Even Town Car? You don't have enough time or money to get people to identify your models as they do Mercedes or BMW models.
Finally, reinvent your Ford and Lincoln-Mercury retail envirnoments (dealerships). We're in the 21st century now. Most people have had enough good 'ol boy dickering to last a lifetime. Turn these places into brand centers that are truly focused on enhancing the vehicle buying and ownership experience, rather than manipulating consumers to extract the last buck out of every 'deal'.
Brett
Wow, Jackson, 94 Taurus, & Walling, you need to cut back on the caffeine. Ford is just not that good.
X3 SoB
Now see Brett, Dan has some real ideas.
J. Hartmann
Why are you trying to give my job away?
bepsf
Within 12 Months:
1. Import the Thailand-built Ranger to the US - including the Diesel-engined models.
2. Bring the European Focus and Mondeo to the US for the Mercury line
(named Mercury Messenger and Mondeo, respectively) while discontinuing the Milan and Sable.
3. Get the engineers working on putting the hybrid powertrain from the Escape into the Transit, and also design a 3" stretched Escape - both for Taxi Fleets.
4. Rename the Lincoln fleet using names.
5. Rename the Ford Flex "Fairlane"
6. Introduce a reskinned Panther platform once more for a new Mercury Marquis and Lincoln TownCar.
7. Begin work on a new Volvo assembly plant for the C1 platform cars in the US.
8. Introduce the new Ford Fiesta - named "Verve" - to the US in addition to the Mazda 2.
9. All SuperDutys get standard Diesel power, and F150 get optional Diesel powerplants.
10. Introduce Auto-EngineStop technology on all Automatic Transmission cars & trucks worldwide - no more idling at stoplights.
Within 24 Months:
1. Introduce a Mercury Cougar hardtop coupe on the Mustang D2C platform.
2. Introduce a revised/stretched DEW98 platform underpinning a brand-new Lincoln Continental 4-door sedan and convertible with the Twin-Force engines. 6 Months later, a new Mercury Montclair 4-door Coupe and Convertible on this platform followed 6 months later by the new Ford Galaxie sedan on the original wheelbase. Never again are Lincolns and Mercurys introduced at the same time or after the corresponding Fords.
3. Discontinue the existing US Ford Focus in favor of a de-contented version of the Euro-Focus/Mercury Messenger - now assembled in Mexico.
3. All Ford Full-Size trucks get optional Hybrid powertrains.
4. Introduce a stretch S80 V8 AWD to compete with Audi A6.
5. Discontinue Ford Expedition and SportTrac.
6. New Ford Fusion based on Mazda6.
7. Introduce Auto-EngineStop on all manual transmission cars & trucks worldwide.
Within 5 years:
1. After 27 years, discontinue the Panther platform RWD cars.
2. New Explorer "America" and Ranger "America" with Hybrid Diesel power.
3. New RWD platform cars - Lincoln Continental introduced first, then 6 months later Australian Fords and US Mercury's, and a year later, US Fords - including Ranchero.
4. Discontinue Explorer.
5. Downsize F150 and SuperDuty (Call them "Real-Sized") - including Diesel-Hybrids
6. Next-Generation Volvos and Mazdas.
imoore
Replace the Rear-drive full sizers as soon as possible. Drop Crown Victoria name and bring back the Galaxy and LTD names. Save Mercury and introduce real models like Capri and Cougar. Drop Sable and Milan. Bring the Mondeo and European Focus into the lineup. find a way to bring the Falcon, Ute and Territiry from Australia. Replace the current Ranger with the thailand Ranger. Put a moritorium on all these Mustang variants. No more Lincoln pickups, and build a real successor to the LS. Finally, work more closely with Mazda, and bring Volvo back to life. Oh, I forgot-follow the trend started with Land Rover, Jaguar and Aston Martin and sell off Troller (Brazil). This brand just does not fit into Ford's image.
Greg
I'd buy a yacht and then get trashed in international waters.
Wes
Don't you mean executive suite?
Kirk Dunkley
Focus on quality and design, longer lasting trucks, and most importantly more environmentally friendly forward thinking. Perhaps hybrid variants of full size SUV's and trucks. The first to offer a diesel/electric version of the full size truck? It is a proven design in massive 360 ton dump trucks in fort macmurray alberta- Why not? Environmentally conscious design is the way of the future.
Kirk Dunkley
bepsf
Props to your suggestions. I agree- very forward thinking.
Ducati Minor
I'd do a lot of big talking, get my huge salary for the year, then blow it on a high-class New York preferably female hooker.
Paul- L.A.
First of all, if I were animating a cartoon, and I needed to portray a senior citizens, I would draw a ford. Look at Mazda, attractively style Design, with a well balance structure that comes with a million dollar sloggin that
catches attention. (ZOOM-ZOOM)
Get a NEW Creative Design Manager on the team along with (ALL)
employee's that are dedicated to bring Ford back from the dead.
Trade off with Mazda, they will help with a new design, & Ford will help Mazda with a V8 Coupe.......Ford own's half of mazda don't they?
All my MAZDA's hit the 250K mile club.
Cicero
Hire Jim Press away from Chrysler
RickS2R
Get on my hands and knees, and beg Boeing to take me back!
Peter
Sell the Europian car models here and keep the trucks or sell everything and donate to UNICEF and save millions of lives because I'll never buy a Ford anyway.
Aussie Bob
Get serious about using the Australian technology that already has been developed and fine tuned. The investment dollars has already been spent. BMW performance at a Ford price.
Utilise technology from around the globe and stop being ignorant about what is already developed outside your borders.
94 Taurus owner
Yeah it is brett,and bpfs what are you talking about ford is already suffering because he kills off the major vehicles remember the taurus incident and how much money he lost that year.
MJK
Torch the place and take the insurance money
Trinks
Regardless of all else, figure out what to do with Mercury. Change or die.
Phil G.
If you'll pardon the pun, in a word Ford has to focus. They can no longer try to be all things to all people.
Complete the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover.
Don't bring over the Euro Focus, Mondeo or Fiesta, not even as Mercurys. I've driven the Mondeo and Euro Focus and they are truly world class but I think it is too late for Ford to try to sell these classes of cars in North America. People would rather buy an Accord, Corolla, Golf, Civic etc. than an American branded car. Besides we already have the Euro Focus here in the 3 and the C30/S40/V50/C70. Build them over here if necessary. Let Mazda compete with the Asian manufacturers and Volvo compete with Volkswagen, Saab and Mini (give the Swedes the Fiesta/2 platform).
Simplify Ford's line-up to RWD cars, crossover/SUVs and work vehicles.
Ford needs to build a brand identity for its cars and it isn't Dave. Build bold, cool RWD cars with an American character to distinguish them from the competition. Mustang, Thunderbird, Taurus and a big car to replace the Panther (the 427 and Interceptor concepts are the right idea). Until a new RWD platform is develeoped there is the DEW98 and the Australian platforms.
There are foreign Fords that should be brought over here namely the Ranger, Transit Connect and the Transit.
Work on engine technology, direct injection, variable valve timing, fuel efficient turbo fours and sixes, and bring the Duratorq and Lion diesels from Europe. V8's will be needed for the top of each line for marketing but really focus on the more fuel efficient models. And hybrids and alternative fuels.
Get rid of Mercury. Sorry.
Lincoln, build cars that look like this:
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/pic.php?imagenum=1&carnum=1174
not this:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/wp-content/plugins/iimage-gallery.php?idpost...
Forget about chasing after Mercedes, Lexus, BMW etc. Lincoln needs to catch up to Cadillac first before it can go after the big boys.
mbslrm
Trash the Focus and Fusion and bring over the Euro Focus and Mondeo.
Make quality job #1
Merge all the Euro/Ossie/NA platforms into one
Get rid of all the SUVs. Just stick with the Edge and Expedition. If you want, make the Escape a sub-$25k CUV fully loaded and the Excursion a limited-run model. Also put oil burners under the hoods.
Bring more hybrids and diesels in consumer cars.
A. Wofford
Recall Excursion Diesels, so I could get my hands on one... for "research" of course.
Andre'
Many great ideas here, time to throw my 2 cents in first off Mercury can't die because mercury customer won't necessarily become either ford or Lincoln customers. Mercury is in that interesting middle ground where its not scorned by many as just another ford nor is it a luxury wanna be like Lincoln. Starting from the bottom up:
Ford should start the market with the Verve 5 Door hatch and no sedan. This will leave room for Mazda to bring the Mazda2 3 door hatch in as well while they have restyled and engineered focus built on the next gen platform in a 4 door variant. The Fusion should soldier on with the new Mazda6 platform while on the top end we have a RWD Taurus variant that could also supply law enforcement as well. The mustang would continue on as their halo car and please stop the hundreds of incarnations while your at it. on the SUV front redo the ford escape and improve the edge. The Flex like Taurus X before is an odd man out when the new Explorer is going after a similar market now in both structure and size. If I had my way the Flex would be aborted and replaced with a 3 Row Explorer.
Rule of thumb here is the price range for a Ford should bet between $11,000 to $29,000 base.
Next we have Mercury, I don't think Mercury needs its own small car variant to be honest, so we would start with the Mercury Mondeo like some have suggested and kill off the Milan since they are similar in size. kill the mariner and replace it with the kuga. Kill the sable replace it with their version of the new Taurus and call it the Monterrey. Their halo car would be based on the mustang platform also and make it a 2 seat coupe and call it the capri. recycle the parts fro the dead taurus x and give us the mercury meta one concept that they teased us with and kill the mountaineer completely. A mercury should run between $25,000 to $40,000.
Lincoln needs a return to form in a big way. They have come too far with the M-K bit for them to ditch it at this point...it would just seem foolish. So how about we keep it and modify it a bit. Lets start by killing the MKZ. This car while decent parties too close to the line of the sub brands in the company. A Lincoln should base at $35,000. While I'm sure the MKS will be a decent car, that's not enough to sell sheet metal. Might I suggest the Lincoln Continental MKR in 4 and 2 door variant with RWD to compete in CTS and E Class territory and the Lincoln Premiere MKL for the 7 series crowd. The MKX as it stands now would be improved and re dubbed the Lincoln Aviator MKX. An Immediate redesign for the navigator and call it the Navigator MKX to boot. Forget about the MKT and Kill the Mark LT. Lincolns should run between $35,000 to $55,000.
Volvo doesn't have to worry too much, they have a handle on things, just sort out the mess between the S40 and the S60 in the next gen and improve the XC90 and S80.
Mazda short of the mazda tribute they should be left on auto pilot. Neither of these brands have a direct adverse affect on the other core ford brands and they bring in valuable R&D.
blueovalpowered
First of all, Mullaly is doing an awesome job! I have owned and sold Fords for most of my life and there has never been a more exciting time for Ford Motor Company. There are lots of naysayers and soon they will be hushed by the tremendous progress Ford will showcase. There are a few things that must be done in order for Ford to remain a major player in the world auto industry:
1. Continue to reduce the complexity of the model trims, options and various platforms. Use successful vehicle platforms from other markets like europe in North America.
2. Develop or use the RWD australian platform to use on Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sedans and CUVs. It is essential that Ford has a RWD platform to compete with other manufacturers.
3. Revive Mercury by introducing a new CUV based off the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX. Also, re-introduce the famed Cougar based on the new Mustang platform. GET RID OF THE GRAND MARQUIS! Let the new Sable take its place.
4. Continue to revamp the lincoln lineup. Offer engines that are significantly more powerful than Ford and Mercury models for all Lincoln models and make RWD standard. Introduce the MKT as the full size CUV offering. Also, introduce a 2-door luxury sports coupe based off the new Mustang platform.
5. Have every Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle come standard with the new direct injection turbo engines. Offer the Fusion, Milan and MKZ in a hybrid.
6. Introduce the new "hurricane" engine for the F-Series to better compete with GM and Toyota horsepower numbers. Use the Ranger platform from overseas in North America to introduce an all new Ranger compact pickup. Offer it with the new direct injection turbo engine so that it boasts better fuel economy. This will be a perfect entry-level truck for loyal Ford truck customers.
These few things will change the face of Ford Motor Company as we know it. I can't wait to see what FMC has to offer in the coming years. I will always remain BLUE OVAL POWERED!!
Post new comment