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Friendly rivalry? Ford wishes GM “Happy 100″

09/16/2008, 12:49 PM

By Andrew Ganz

They might be bitter cross-town rivals, but Ford Motor Company was kind enough to take a moment to wish General Motors the best on its 100th anniversary. Ford’s Dearborn, Michigan, World Headquarters was lit up last night in high style to congratulate GM on the 100th anniversary milestone.

Ford, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2003, also had a big year in 2008 with the 100th anniversary of what is potentially its most iconic product, the Model T.

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09/16, 12:55 PM

posted by:

F451

GM = Lehman Brothers

09/16, 1:00 PM

posted by:

swamp donkey

Found On Road Dead = Ford sucks
Fcuker Only Rolls Downhill = Ford sucks

LLN this site is now slower than ever. It is brutal!
Please brint it back to what it was before.

Thanks

09/16, 1:04 PM

posted by:

400horseSS

What we really want to know GM is how many more plants are being shuttered, and I agree with swamp donkey, the new site blows on my smartphone.

09/16, 1:19 PM

posted by:

Need more oil for GM

Ford is looking for Mercy

09/16, 1:22 PM

posted by:

pav8581

I think it’s very respectable of Ford to do that for GM. And yes, Ford has been a little less than reliable in the past, they have made headway maybe not greatly in Ford itself, but in Mazda and Volvo indeed.

As for the site, I have no idea what you guys are talking about, the only issue I see with the site is the fact that I have to go back out to the homepage every time I want to read a new article.

09/16, 1:44 PM

posted by:

oldraven

Awesome.

The new layout is great. The bugs are insane, though.

PLEASE KILL WHOEVER HAD THE IDEA TO FORCE A RESIZE OF MY BROWSER EVERY TIME I TRY TO VIEW A GALLERY!

09/16, 1:47 PM

posted by:

ozyran

That’s a really noble and cool thing to see. It shows respect to a corporation that’s been around for a century, and almost seems as if there’s some kind of understanding that GM is one of three remaining American auto manufacturers.

09/16, 2:30 PM

posted by:

howsmydriving

It’s not unusual for rivals to do send well wishes on milestone events. E.g., Russia congratulates the U.S. on its Bicentennial. Even in today’s foreign affairs climate, if Bush’s mother died, Putin would send his condolences.

09/16, 2:34 PM

posted by:

beatusmongous

It’s called “friendly competition,” and it’s a right attitude. Both companies are competing. Both companies want to make more money than each other. Both companies should be wanting their product to be talked about more than their competitor. But neither company wishes for the competition to close its doors. Success of one company should only spark fervor in the other. Together, they can succeed. If one falls, though, it’s likely that both will.

09/16, 3:26 PM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

I have it on good authority Mulally sent Wagoner a cake with 100 candles. Disappointingly, there was no one on the executive floor with the means to light them. Apparently Bob Lutz had exhausted the last Bic trying to light a fire under the Volt engineering staff.

09/16, 3:41 PM

posted by:

F451

Ford = A.I.G.

09/16, 4:47 PM

posted by:

oldraven

Actually, it’s not really selfless. Ford just managed to score a big P.R. boost with the American public on GM’s birthday.

09/16, 5:29 PM

posted by:

2002tii

Such cynics! Here in Ze Fatherland, we think of it as a class move on the part of Ford.

09/16, 5:35 PM

posted by:

jumpoffit

if the Bloods and Crips can have some kind of truce i’m sure Ford and GM can

09/16, 5:51 PM

posted by:

yarddog82abn

Wow, the GM employes are pissy, it must be that time of the month, all Ford sead was Happy B-Day

09/16, 6:04 PM

posted by:

1c3d0g

F451: not by a long shot. Although I know you wish the U.S. automakers were dead, they’re not going anywhere.

09/16, 6:26 PM

posted by:

tyler_is_aero_tt

It’s really sad how people criticize Ford for doing such a class act that no other automaker would ever do. All I can say is what a great job on having the balls to actually congratulate the competition for being in business for 100 years. If that’s not class, than what is?

09/16, 8:08 PM

posted by:

Lau

Economics is a truly weird thing in this world….people say it’s a class act, others say it’s a shady move considering the shape Ford is in, and that it could be some way to promote themselves……I dunno, im neutral.

09/16, 8:26 PM

posted by:

anti-believer

Actually Ford was trying to conserver energy and this was the result by accident.

09/16, 8:39 PM

posted by:

NipponRules

I agree with beatusmongous and add it is what you call maturity. Some of these comments are obviouslycoming from some silly juveniles.

Found On Road Dead = Ford sucks
Fcuker Only Rolls Downhill = Ford sucks

Ford is looking for Mercy

Ford = A.I.G.

Brilliant comments! Obviously signs of immaturity..

09/16, 11:40 PM

posted by:

olds307

what the hell is wrong w/ all you people??

getting tired of all the “hater” on this website… Let me state some facts:

EVERY auto maker makes “good” cars that will last 200,000 miles with reasonable maintenance.

YES, there are some real lemons out there, such as the Chrysler 2.7 V6 engine

THE reason, the ONLY reason people have cars that give them nothing but problems, is that THE OWNER (or previous owner), was either too DUMB, CHEAP, or LAZY to perform simple routine maintenance.

Guy drives for 50,000 miles with no maintenance then he needs a new engine, all of the sudden Ford is the worst automaker in the world.

I SEE IT ALL THE TIME…… well maintained supposedly “junk” cars like Cavaliers and Escorts lasting well beyond 200,000 miles…. and supposed “high quality” cars… Corollas and Accords, that never make it past 150,000 because of DUMB CHEAP LAZY owner!

09/16, 11:54 PM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

olds307: I’m curious. Why do you single out the 2.7? I have one in my ‘06 Sebring. Granted it’s barely broken in and I change the oil (as in myself- not Jism Lube or a dealer) with synthetic and I have no qualms whatsoever. I know the stories going back to the Intrepid, but please tell me what I have to be afraid of.

09/17, 2:04 AM

posted by:

beatusmongous

Jism Lube…

Nice.

09/17, 5:52 AM

posted by:

MoparMan

Beatusmongous – I completely agree that this was a good move on Ford’s part. The economy is a wreck. People are waiting for the US auto industry to fall [and some misguided US citizens that don't understand economics are even HOPING they will fall, what the ... ?] . So in the name of friendly competition (and kindness, IMO) Ford made the wish to GM. Sure, they got some publicity. They’re a huge corporation. Publicity happens.

JohnnyCanuck – LOL at the new name for Jiffy Lube, ha! I think you should be okay with your 2.7 liter. From what I’ve read over the years that engine was indeed pretty wretched up until a few years ago, but it’s cleaned up it’s act, pun intended. But then I know someone with a 2001 Sebring 2.7 who has had other problems with the vehicle, but never with the engine. Go figure. I have a 2002 with a 2.4, bought new, 80K to date. No issues apart from some early TSB’s and minor workmanship slips here and there – maybe the guys and gals at Sterling Heights didn’t have their coffee when my car was coming down the line, lol.

I think it goes back to the main gist of what Olds307 said – maintenance. Unless someone has a REAL lemon, most modern cars will be fine as long as they’re maintained regularly and properly.

09/17, 7:21 AM

posted by:

DeansterTJ

It’s getting tiring coming here. The layout is slow and buggy, the commentary is dropping off, and the policing has given it the air of after-school detention. I’m migrating away unless something happens soon. IT’s the end of an era.

09/17, 10:39 AM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

Deanster: don’t give up. We’ve all been a little disgruntled lately, but hey, winter’s coming and after you’ve finished slogging your way to work in 4 feet of snow listening to some loser on the radio babble on that Harper’s new majority governments is going to save the country, you’ll be back in the proper mood to post in your inimitable style.

MoparMan: what I’ve heard about the early 2.7s is that they had a very small sump, something like only 4.5 litres, and narrow oil passages. That’s obviously been remedied as I go through over 5.5 litres (including new filter) to bring it up to the mark. Other than it could use a little more low end torque and it’s not a stick (my wife mostly drives it), it’s a nice engine. Even with the slushbox it snaps off shifts at 6400 rpm when you keep your foot into it.

09/17, 3:08 PM

posted by:

400horseSS

I feel ya Deanster, the web cops suck.

09/17, 3:56 PM

posted by:

Need more oil for GM

The 2.7 is a POS Mitsubushi engine btw

 
 
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