With dire times forcing cuts across the industry, Ford Motor Company took a particularly big step to consolidate its once expansive California operations: It sold its former Premier Automotive Group facility in Irvine to Taco Bell.
While this might induce some snickers and chortles, know that Ford reported a $2.3 billion gain last quarter and that it leased a small section of the building back from Taco Bell to maintain its design studio operations. With Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover out of Ford’s portfolio – and Volvo on the selling block – Ford didn’t have much need for the facility, which was ironically Ford’s first ever building to qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification from the United States Green Building Council.
Why the history lesson? Ford opened its doors for the first time to the media and a select portion of the local public to tour the Ford Design Studio to see what exactly Ford was up to in Southern California. Ford has been in Orange County’s backyard for over a decade and had done very little to let that be known, so we’re glad the automaker reached out to the local community.
As a Ford Fiesta Agent, I was granted special permission to attend the event to see what exactly Ford had in the works. We were first given a special presentation in which Ford outlined some key goals and targets for the company, both near and long term. A few figures stuck out as rather impressive to me: By 2012, Ford plans to replace or refresh 70 to 90 percent, by volume, of the products offered in its key North American, European, Asian Pacific, and African markets, and by just 2014 Ford plans to replace up to 160 percent of its lineup in those regions. This started earlier this year with the heavily revised 2010 Mustang, Fusion and Milan.
Additionally, Ford has put itself on pace to reduce its costs by $14 to $15 billion compared to 2005, largely due to increased efficiency in operations and productions, including reducing new vehicle engineering costs by 60 percent and new facility and tooling costs by 40 percent.
For those of you following the Fiesta Movement, you know that I have a monthly “mission,” and this month was themed Style and Design – an easy task given I’ve been putting the miles on my Fiesta. I hope you enjoy the video that outlines my trip to Ford’s design studio and highlights the Ford Fiesta and the custom logos and gear I made to go along with it.
To find more updates beyond Mark’s first, second and third installments, check out his Web site: MarkKleis.com
Words and photos by Mark Kleis.
08/12, 5:54 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Neat to see the Lincoln concept up close. Good Article.
Completely off topic. Mark, did you wax the car when you have had it? I just was washing my car the other day and was wondering why anyone would wax a car when it’s new, since the clear coat is supposed to essencially take its place. My car is silver and I just don’t think there is any point in taking time in putting on a wax, it’s already as smooth as can be and there are no visible scuffs anywhere, even after 30000 miles. Is it not needed as much on light colors as it is darker colors? I’d just like some insight on what you thought since you do detailing.
08/12, 5:57 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Oh, I’m also taking a page out of your book and making my own business card-esque t-shirts
08/12, 5:57 PM
posted by:
KarLoveBoy88
Interesting……………
08/12, 5:57 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Ford Fiesta Taco salads for everyone!
so glad I invested in Ford stock when it was in the dumpster. I don’t car for their vehicles, but just loving their stock these days
08/12, 6:06 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Why does LLN have an Adidas shoe advert as a linked video?
08/12, 6:10 PM
posted by:
MarkKleis
Hi Jake,
Yes, actually wax is very important for ALL cars, single stage or clear coat. Most waxes do not even claim to offer UV-related protection, which is what clear coat essentially is intended to do, but are instead meant to act as micro-barriers to above surface contamination such as pollen, dust, dirt, water spots (mild), or anything else that may try to attach itself to the clear coat or paint.
Furthermore, and the most important reason for wax IMO, is that it leaves a slick surfaces which makes it much easier (less physical effort) to wash and dry the vehicle. When a car has no wax things bond more, and you have to scrub the car to remove them. Also, during drying without wax the water will cling to the paint and force you to use more pressure to dry the vehicle.
By keeping a constant coat of wax on the car it acts as a lubricating barrier that makes washing and drying the vehicles much faster, easier, and safer. The end result is fewer swirls in your finish.
Feel free to stop by my website listed above (www.MarkKleis.com) and post comments or questions about detailing. I am a professional automotive detailer and restoration expert by trade.
-Mark Kleis, Agent 67
08/12, 6:25 PM
posted by:
AutoCritical
I’ve seen a few different clay model setups in my time, and knowing how heavy they can get, that one in the pictures looks a bit unstable! lol – i’m sure they have it all setup correctly….
What a privilege Mark! Nice write up!
08/12, 6:35 PM
posted by:
MarkKleis
Mayer_ray_nagin- Did you happen to watch the video? It shows the entire process of designing a custom “Fiesta/Agent 67″ themed outfit for the Fiesta Movement. It’s not a commercial.
Autocritical- Thanks for the kind words! As for the clay, it was astoundingly light weight! If you look closely there is a cylinder of clay on the stool in the picture you mentioned and we got to hold it. It felt hollow it was so light. They went into great detail explaining how special that clay is because it has to be incredibly versatile- pretty neat stuff!
08/12, 6:36 PM
posted by:
Jon Luc
Denver, like you, I sunk a big chunk of my cash into Ford stocks. I’m happy. BTW, I just put a deposit on a new Raptor! Can’t wait!
08/12, 7:36 PM
posted by:
2morrowdesign
Sooo frickin boring !!!
I wish they would just hurry up and make the necessary conversions to N.Am spec.
I cant wait to see the capri (or what the N.Am spec capri will be like).
08/12, 8:31 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Mark, it seemed to spend a minute on a shoe around the 3 minute mark. It went so long I clicked pause and typed my note. Though the vid seemed well done, like Hip Hop, some things just get dry after a bit.
08/12, 8:40 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I can’t believe they’re still proceeding with that particular Lincoln concept. Is this really what they think we want to drive in the future- something that looks like the cab out of Total Recall only with that hideous Oldsmoedsel grill? I guess it’s appropriate Taco Bell is in the same building because it looks much like the aftermath of a late night ‘run for the border’.
08/12, 10:12 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
You do know Johhny that in Demolition Man all restaurants in the future will be Taco Bells.
08/12, 10:18 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Talk about coincidence mayer_ray. I don’t know why they bothered using clay when they had an unlimited supply of nacho cheese sauce right next door.
08/12, 11:54 PM
posted by:
asb81689
@ Johnnycanuck
After reading your comment about the nacho cheese, I immediately went to Taco Bell and asked to buy a gallon of nacho cheese, I told then I was gonna use it for wax. They just were looking at me with a blank mindless look on there face, so after 3 minutes of silence I left. I went to Del Taco and was able to buya gallon of nacho cheese from them and my wax job turned out horrible when I finished!
So just a heads up every one avoid Del Taco
Damn nacho cheese
08/13, 12:02 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
asb81689, you’re just being silly. No one uses nacho cheese as wax. That’s what guacamole is for.
08/13, 12:09 AM
posted by:
asb81689
Oh, trust me, I thought about using guacamole instead of my clay wax first, but I realized that it cost way too, don’t even both with cake frosting, doesn’t do a thing
08/13, 5:11 AM
posted by:
Rover3500
Mark is that you in the videos and the pics? Very cute……Which way do you swing?
Two points though, the backwards cap is not a good look and secondly, you should always be keeping your eyes on the road..which you did not in that vid!!! Otherwise more pics please..preferably with your shirt off or something…
08/13, 8:45 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
JohnnyC – It’s funny you mentioned Oldsmobile too, because in Demolition man, all new cars are either Oldsmobiles or Cadillacs and with the governent taking control over everything down here, really how far off are we? This does mean we have a shot of Oldsmobile brand coming back though!
08/13, 10:03 AM
posted by:
elviososa
Wow…I see a Nissa LEAF in Ford’s garage!!!
08/13, 11:01 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
So Johnny, you sayin’ you wax the big burrito with guac, senor?
08/13, 1:58 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
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