Not content with his company’s accelerated “Way Forward” plan announced in mid-September, Ford CEO Alan Mulally said a better version of the restructuring strategy is on the way.
Ford updated its “Way Forward” in September in response to concerns that it was moving too slowly on plans first announced in January. Dubbed “Way Forward 2.0″ by analysts, the updated was criticized for a lack of specifics in many areas.
In an interview with trade publication Automotive News, Mr. Mulally said Way Forward 3.0 will address the two areas that need the most enhancement — product plan and manufacturing productivity. “It is what it is today. But with the shifts in customer demand, we know we’re going to end up with changes to that plan across the entire portfolio,” Mulally said.
10/30, 9:35 AM
posted by:
Wickedated
First build cars that dont suck.
10/30, 9:49 AM
posted by:
slider5634
This is getting to be a little ridiculous. They need to pick one plan a stick with it. If they keep changing plans, at this rate the only way forward will be to sell off the Ford assets piece by piece.
10/30, 11:11 AM
posted by:
bepsf
@wickedated–
Haha – If they and GM had done that all along, they wouldn’t be in this mess, would they?
10/30, 12:58 PM
posted by:
Wickedated
I think Ford and GM are in deep sh$t for two different reasons. GM has a bad corporate structure with union workers and over the top pension programs to top execs, so their funds are misallocated. Ford’s problem is that they havent built a hit since what?? The first Taurus?? Ford’s problem is with quality, design and customer service (remember the Firestone fiasco with the Explorers?)
10/30, 1:02 PM
posted by:
A4
i think GM is going in a MUCH more positive direction than Ford. The blue oval is screwed by comparison.
10/30, 1:07 PM
posted by:
GL1
True Gm has a good handle on the changes and are already making a profit and Ford by comparision is loosing billions every quarter… adapt or die…
10/30, 1:12 PM
posted by:
GL1
also Ford hasn’t made anything RELIABLE or WORTH buying from a styling stand point in 10 or tweleve years.. Hard to make a profit when thats the case. Although in their defense they could have something with the new mustang if they upgrade it and go with more power to match the Camrao when it comes out and the Challeneger at 425hp when it comes out. also they need to make the car LIGHTER and with an IRS like the Camaron will have. Otherwise they will loose the only market share they currently have…
10/30, 1:49 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
The Mustang alone will not save them no matter how good it is/will become.
Build vehicles people WANT and build them VERY WELL so you can keep customers long-term.
10/30, 3:44 PM
posted by:
Robert
I would argue that the Fusion is both reliable and well-styled. The Fusion’s quality numbers are better than the Camry right now. The only people who think it’s a low-quality product are they ones who have a biased perception of the Ford brand. The new Edge, if it meets the same quality standards as the Fusion, will also be reliable and well-styled.
The bigger problem is that those are only two cars (five variants) that represent maybe 400,000 units in the U.S. if they max out their capacity.
Not enough.
10/30, 4:12 PM
posted by:
lanapat7
They had the best selling small pickup, Ranger, and let it die. The Tacoma took its place.
The Aerostar (80/90’s) sold in very decent numbers. They did not improve on it and the Sienna/Odyssey took its place.
The Focus was a hit when introduced. They let it linger for too many years without significant improvements. The Civic/Corolla took its place.
Repeat this strategy across other segments and you will understand why they are in such trouble.
10/30, 4:43 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Honestly, Ford is like AMD. They bring a one-hit wonder to the streets but then shoot themselves in the foot, every single time. Sad, really. Mulally has a lot of cleaning up to do.
10/30, 5:26 PM
posted by:
Gogogodzilla
You know…
…if Ford spent as much time fixing it’s problems as it does writing about how it’ll fix it’s problems, they’d be sitting pretty right now.
10/30, 6:34 PM
posted by:
Robert
I think it’s more like… if they spent half the time working on their products as they do pontificating about them, they’d be sitting pretty right now.
10/30, 10:05 PM
posted by:
LamborghiniZ
I dont even have to say anything because Wickedated said exactly what I was thinking. thanks.
10/30, 11:09 PM
posted by:
angelo
Ford has great brands in Volvo and Mazda; even Land Rover is improving its reputation. However, they need to be more dynamic. Is anyone noticing how many new models Porsche, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have released in the last 3 years and how many new ones are coming out in the next 3-4? That’s the kind of dynamism that makes profits.