paintguy

At the risk of being political, "Death to America" sounds close to inciting insurrection. Can only hope Teamsters were unaware of this in their house.

For the transplant manufacturers, they would be foolish to accept an overall UAW contract like the Big 3. Those companies have seen the troubles of domestic manufacturers. Some of their managers used to work the Big 3.

My brother has 3 kids, all exceptionally tall. Expedition and Navigator has filled his need for family transport.

Agree 100%. One of the best plant managers I had used to say of launch: "You find a problem early in the build, it might cost $100 to fix. After Job1, $1 million might not fix it". Agree Farley is moving in a correct direction. Hope the next levels of management get the quality focus hard wired into their DNA.

Too often, quality is relegated to a program or campaign of limited duration. Japanese companies just have it as a way of doing business. Ford culture also has a habit of rewarding reporting of "Green Status" for new model programs and systems. Mulally tried to rid this tendency. Backsliding after his departure was rapid. Launches reported at green status, when it was anything but. Suppliers and contractors were all but forced to indulge the fantasy. Cost reduction goals have led suppliers to cut corners and have Ford engineers accept to meet a target. Then leave it for the assembly line to make it work.

Or 1/4 of a BEV...

I'm surprised they do not want to emphasize PHEV. Seems getting the plug into the mix helps clear another hurdle to transition to BEV. A bit like training wheels. With size difference of 4 or 5 to 1 between BEV and PHEV, must wonder what level of battery supply can Ford handle. But I have heard availability caused the suspension of Explorer HEV and Aviator PHEV.

Ford had a 3.3 L V6 hybrid on Explorer, now discontinued, at least for retail purchase. Not feeling the commitment by Ford to hybrid. Buy a threatened with cancellation Escape? Or a Maverick pickup which went from a standard hybrid to optional?

As much as I liked Ford sedan products (own a Taurus SHO), have to admit business case for sedans is clouded. All product planning must come under much scrutiny. On one hand, there is some government insistence on BEVs. Yet the public has great reluctance to go full on BEV. And there is still uncertainty in which battery technology to pursue, all at relatively high cost. So the course includes several models with significant overlap with ICE, hybrid, PHEV and BEV competing for attention. Also distressing is design limitations make BEV and ICE almost exclusively on separate architecture. Very expensive proposition.

Taurus SHO another example of a performance sedan that never quite made the sales that were expected. I've owned 2 and both were great cars. Taurus needed a redesign, but business case not there.

Most Eastern States have that worked out with a transfer of the vehicle. Tax paid to your jurisdiction. Did it several times when I lived in Delaware. Delaware has no "sales tax" and charges a title transfer which acts like a tax. Some dealers in small states do act like they are the only game available. (This was before my time with Ford A-plan makes it easier). Quite a few in NJ work in Pennsylvania, Delaware or NY and already deal with tax issues. I worked in NJ for 10 years while living in Delaware.

New Jersey not exactly a big state. Many areas near either Pennsylvania, New York, or Delaware. So if NJ rules hold, lets say a NJ resident decides to buy a car in Pennsylvania. Is the restriction on manufacturers? So Ford would need to restrict ICE supply to NJ dealers? Or are dealers responsible on that level?

Be careful as well that future SRI may not be overall, but to certain locations or classifications as needed.

Agree that Ford Hybrids have had a good record. Going back to original Ford Escape Hybrid, very reliable. Owned a 2009 Escape Hybrid that did everything I expected of it. Mileage right on estimates except when I really put my foot into it on interstates. Maintenance cost better than I expected. Still see some Escape Hybrid taxis on the streets. So longevity is not an issue. Ford needs to leverage their position. It has worked for Toyota. Prius sales have slowed, but almost every model has a hybrid. Using a HEV helps pave the way for BEV to develop acceptance.

I have often thought Ford Plant closures often coincide with plants with real estate value. Some examples: Edison, NJ Real Estate prices were growing. Land became a shopping center. Atlanta, Land highly desired by Atlanta and Georgia for the Atlanta Airport. Norfolk, another high value area sold for $14 million for a mixed use facility. Twin Cities sold to a developer with intent to build 3,800 housing units. Wixom became an RV center headquarters and a Menards built as well. Contrast to Chicago, still open, in an area surrounded by long closed factories with no redevelopment plan.