Your Source For Finding Free Articles On All Your Favorite Topics. / en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:35:24 GMT /Article/Ford_vehicle_sales_outlook_Worst_is_over_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5882 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:55:29 GMT Ford Motor Co.'s top sales analyst said this November U.S. sales appear to be at least as strong as October, meaning the industry has once again found its footing after one of the worst declines in history. "So far, so good. We won't fall backwards from October," said George Pipas, head of sales analysis and forecasting at Ford. "The worst is over -- both from an economic standpoint and from an automotive standpoint." However, he warned that the recovery remains fragile, largely because too many... 17d2078773ae3457c75c23812c3df664 /Article/Ford_Union_concerns_resolved_at_Kansas_City_plant_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5880 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:55:28 GMT -- Ford Motor Co. says union concerns over working conditions at its Kansas City Assembly plant have been resolved. But a union officer said members were moving ahead with a planned strike authorization vote. Ford spokeswoman Marcey Evans said Saturday that officials from the automaker and United Auto Workers Local 249 reached an agreement late Friday on issues related to the workload at the plant. Union leaders have said problems developed in October when Ford added a third shift, including staggered... 79a7abbdbc898d3b83376ca739e8b578 /Article/Inflatable_seatbelts_coming_to_Ford_Explorers_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5862 Sat, 7 Nov 2009 12:21:57 GMT --For Srini Sundararajan, the new inflatable seat belt system that Ford Motor Co. debuted Thursday represents the culmination of a decade of work and the realization of his dream to make automobile transportation safer. The 47-year-old biomedical engineer has spent nearly half of his 21-year career at Ford working on the first-ever system, which will debut on the new Ford Explorer next year and promises to provide unprecedented protection for back seat passengers -- particularly for children and the... 1ec8aa3e3a057cdc4a19cf8d2340d78b /Article/Sterling_Heights_Ford_UAW_local_may_ask_for_revote_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5822 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:56:19 GMT Ford Motor Co. could shift work promised to its Sterling Heights axle factory as part of a tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers to a German supplier after the local union voted overwhelmingly against the deal, according to a union source. Now, some workers there are organizing a petition urging UAW President Ron Gettelfinger to call for a revote. Spurred on by union dissidents who say the time for concessions is over, rank-and-file members at plants across the country have cast their ballots... 6eb7a14709fd6b978fe25f65adaad953 /Article/Local_UAW_approves_Ford_deal_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5810 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:46:47 GMT Members of United Auto Workers Local 900, which represents workers at Ford Motor Co.'s Wayne Assembly and Michigan Assembly plants, have narrowly approved a deal reached between the union and the Dearborn automaker last week. UAW sources told The Detroit News that 51 percent of workers voted to ratify the agreement Thursday. However, some workers questioned the results. "Most everyone I talked to voted no," said one worker, who asked not to be identified. "I voted no, too. My main concern was the... bbfd5d4e73943ac25df1a24f1c4ad298 /Article/Sneak_Peek_Ford_Fiesta_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5799 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:46:37 GMT Ford recently launched its new Fiesta Sedan in China, but we caught the U.S. spec version out testing, and new details are visible. Although the new Fiesta profile is unmistakable, the U.S. version -- as seen here -- has a new front fascia, including a small 3-bar grille and new front and rear bumpers. Very sleek headlights can be seen in front, as well as jeweled taillights in back. There almost certainly will be changes to the interior; the interior on this particular prototype is shrouded in a black... 8ee0d7c67e2f02064211c7a3b3fa2d3b /Article/Ford_Presents_Figo_in_India/5793 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:02:21 GMT On Wednesday Ford has revealed new hatchback for Indian customers, Figo. It is a brand-new nameplate which comes from Italian “cool”. In fact, Figo is a close sibling to the European Fiesta. The hatchback has all-aluminum 1.2-liter gasoline engine which is a derivative of 1.4 Sigma engine for Fiesta. It outputs between 70 and 75 horsepower. The car will be offered with diesel motor too: 1.4-liter Duratorq with 68 hp. The front of the hatchback is ordinary for this kind of Ford vehicles: it has slim... c8b27700a3df480d6b394b385d74c84b /Article/Ford_Flex_is_for_those_needing_a_bigger_people_hauler_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5772 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:02:04 GMT There's something about the 2010 Ford Flex. Entering its second model year, the Flex is Ford's answer to people who need a big people hauler. It stretches more than 200 inches and can carry up to seven people, depending upon how it's configured. Though I would suggest selecting the captain's chairs for the second row because they are so comfortable. For the vehicles it replaces -- the minivan and Taurus X the crossover formerly known as the Freestyle -- the Flex offers a much more stylish solution. But... b5934b36191fc0d4eacbb080e309e679 /Article/Tire_tariff_jolts_Ford_supplier_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5752 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:17:56 GMT Few things scream "American" louder than Ford Motor Co.'s F-series pickup, but some models of the best-selling vehicle in the United States sport tires made in China. And that means Chinese tire makers are not the only ones scrambling in the wake of President Barack Obama's new tariffs. Hankook Tire supplies the base tires for the Ford F-150. It is not a Chinese company, but a Korean manufacturer with factories in China. That still means that tires produced at those facilities, including those for the... 8cb1f70b8ff04c7f225b3c647d303e1c /Article/Ford_vies_for_Sync_patents_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5736 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:54:32 GMT --A man that Ford Motor Co. once called "a lead architect" of Sync has left the company, raising serious questions about who owns intellectual property vital to the popular voice-controlled infotainment system it developed in conjunction with Microsoft Corp. Now, rival automakers are lining up to talk to Joseph Berry. So is Ford, which tried to get the telematics expert to sign off on several patents -- after he was terminated in late July. Berry says he is "happy to license" the technology to Ford, but... 16f7a6902da2dcf1e987a7dd311f5a4e /Article/Ford_alters_stock_option_to_protect_tax_benefits_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5722 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:08:48 GMT Ford Motor Co. on Friday announced new steps aimed at protecting $19 billion in company tax benefits. U.S. tax laws allow companies to defer the tax benefits of operating losses, capital losses and tax credits to offset future profits. However, those benefits go away if there is a substantial change in a company's ownership. The move does not affect most shareholders. The rules were established to keep profitable companies from buying out unprofitable firms solely to take advantage of their tax... 8b9b11a14756a2ad6f368bfdd92b85e1 /Article/Ford_endorses_bill_to_ban_hand_held_text_messaging_while_driving_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5711 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:05:10 GMT -- Ford Motor Co. endorsed a bill in Congress Thursday to ban hand-held text messaging while driving. A Senate version, sponsored by Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., would withhold highway funding to states that didn't adopt a ban. Peter Lawson, Ford's vice president for government relations, said in an interview the Dearborn automaker was endorsing the Schumer bill that he called a "common-sense measure." The bill would not prohibit people from using Ford's Sync system or other systems to send hands-free... e39ecacf0519bbab4e21b2f6681466c9 /Article/UAW_a_hard_sell_for_Ford_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5704 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:04:52 GMT As talks between Ford Motor Co. and the United Auto Workers continue, the automaker's top labor negotiator expressed confidence that Ford will not be left at a competitive disadvantage versus its cross-town rivals. However, others familiar with the situation say those talks are being bogged down by one fact: Ford is doing a lot better than General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC, making it hard for union leaders to sell their members on additional concessions. Both GM and Chrysler won significant... 80f29faaa136bf1041c03165902112fb /Article/Ford_offers_max_appeal_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5688 Mon, 7 Sep 2009 18:08:13 GMT Ford Motor Co. will unveil the first of many models that will be built on its new, compact-car underpinnings this month at the Frankfurt Motor Show Based on the Ford iosis Max concept displayed earlier this year at the Geneva car show, the all-new C-Max is roomier and more stylish than the vehicle it replaces. It will debut in Frankfurt Sept. 15, and is scheduled to roll into Ford of Europe showrooms in the second half of 2010. Ford is likely to bring a variant of the model, called a multipurpose... 2babd174bbb116abe5713bde357673e7 /Article/Ford_s_2010_Transit_Connect_means_business_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5674 Mon, 7 Sep 2009 18:08:02 GMT The recession is over, and I've got proof. While many "experts" will point to the GDP, unemployment figures and the trade deficit, I'm more of a believer of those tangible products that predict our nation's financial plight. Sales of cardboard boxes, diamonds and lipstick have been monitored in the past and could work today. Future economic soothsayers will gaze into their Magic 8 Balls and use the Ford Transit Connect sales numbers as a barometer of the nation's small business health. To paraphrase a... 5397184b31cbb1585217ccafb8882dda /Article/Ford_Increases_Truck_Production/5671 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 06:04:00 GMT It seems that Cash for Clunkers really pulled automakers out of economic troubles and low sales. The manufacturers do not worry any more about sales and are counting the great profits after the program. Ford is so excited about big auto sales that it decided to increase the production by adding shifts to the truck plants in Missouri and Michigan. The changes will start this fall. At first the company plans to restore the three-shift operation at the truck plant in Dearborn, Michigan to increase the... d5478622a5c963f3e74ada67b01c3bd4 /Article/Ford_to_cops_Crown_Vic_is_out_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5666 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 06:03:58 GMT -- In June, Ford Motor Co. invited the heads of some of the nation's largest police fleets to Dearborn to talk about the future of police cars. For nearly two decades, that market has belonged to Ford's Crown Victoria -- a vehicle that departments from coast to coast have come to respect for its toughness and reliability. Now the Crown Vic is running out of road. "They told us that 2011 would be the last year they build the Crown Vic," said Larry Tagawa, commander of the Los Angeles Police Department's... 9440aec44f732efade93563cd0a14b94 /Article/Ford_relies_on_European_clunker_cash_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5646 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:30:15 GMT -- Ford Motor Co. is lobbying European governments to extend consumer sales incentives to avoid a new market collapse when their versions of "cash for clunkers" programs end, according to the automakers top executive in the region. Ford and the European Automobile Manufacturers Association trade group are asking governments if they would be prepared to maintain scrappage or, at the minimum, phase them out slowly, said John Fleming, Ford of Europe's chief executive officer. European car sales rose in... b036357d87129470d01bebd814061636 /Article/2010_Ford_Fiesta_RS/5622 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:53:07 GMT  Calling all fast Ford fans – get ready for the ultimate Fiesta. Following our sensational pictures of the ST in Issue 994, Auto Express can now give you the best look yet at an even hotter version – the RS. Taking Fiesta performance to new heights, the exciting model will be a stripped-out, lightweight pocket rocket. It’s effectively a hardcore version of the ST, promising few creature comforts but amazing handling and even more driver appeal. The newcomer is set to rival... 67b36c41003fc4e5ddb644172f226efe /Article/Ford_Cuts_back_on_Nameplates/5618 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:20:00 GMT Ford has given an update to the future plans at the Mangement Briefing Seminars in Traverse city, Michigan. The manufacturer plans to reduce the amount of nameplates in the upcoming years, so, many of the existing lineups are going to be refreshed or replaced by new ones. According to Ford representatives from 70 to 90 percent of all models in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa will go through changes by 2012; the whole face of the company will be renewed. And this is just the beginning... 6afeb0a697f9c34a019f72bb7480dfde /Article/Ford_increasing_third_quarter_production_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5611 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:19:56 GMT -- Ford Motor Co. announced Thursday that it is boosting third-quarter production in North America by another 10,000 units to meet increased demand for its vehicles. Ford's third-quarter production goal is now 495,000 units -- 18 percent higher than a year ago. Ford also increased its production targets for the fourth quarter to 570,000 vehicles -- a 33 percent increase over the same period last year and 15 percent higher than planned third-quarter levels. The company has been one of the biggest... 90abe9d02d53d9a75fb644c0b14da016 /Article/Sneak_Peek_2011_Ford_C_Max_MPV_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5598 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:19:46 GMT Several industry sources report that Ford's C-Max will be sold in the United States. From these photos we can see the sliding doors will make it into production, though we reckon its center support will be somewhat less radical compared to that of the Iosis Max. Despite its disguise, the location of the rail of the sliding door is clearly visible above the fuel filler cap. All in all, the production model will be a lot bigger than the show car -- but also a lot less exciting. We're sure to see similar... 0214ca581094e3b5b8406e621a11a989 /Article/Clunkers_program_gives_Ford_a_boost_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5572 Mon, 3 Aug 2009 06:14:59 GMT As the federal government looks to add billions more to the "cash for clunkers" program, at least one Detroit automaker is attributing a boost in July sales to the popular effort. Ford Motor Co. will report its first monthly year-over-year sales gain in nearly two years today, thanks to a much-needed push from the program, company officials said Sunday. The Dearborn automaker would not provide specific figures until today. The $1 billion federal program to retire less efficient vehicles is all but out... ed93f4283ea7d979e510421e92f5f190 /Article/Henry_Ford_puts_rock_center_stage_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5566 Mon, 3 Aug 2009 06:14:53 GMT Long before Planet Hollywood, E!, Graceland, or myspace.com, there were few opportunities to explore the personal side of musicians other than song lyrics. And musicians had few outlets other than radio, the stage and album covers to burnish their brand. For many fans, it was rare to see an actor or musician personalized -- at home or behind the wheel. In 1968, Janis Joplin bought a late model Porsche 356c Cabriolet and ordered a dramatic psychedelic custom paint job with moons, Capricorns, butterflies... 9e43d2a3406b2f4ec510be9ae8a5a41a /Article/Ford_Does_not_Plan_to_Assemble_Fiesta_in_China/5558 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:35:59 GMT A few days ago a Chinese website Auto163 has written that Ford Fiesta would be made in China by the Ford’s partner Chang’an Auto. From there the cars would be exported to the North American auto market. It sounds weird that the American autos will be made in China for American customers. Ford said that there is no truth in this information. The company’s representative confirmed again the facts which have been announced before: the 2011 Fiesta for North America will be assembled at the plant in... 770035923fb58a10c60d4386c71e084b /Article/Ford_and_United_Auto_Workers_agree_on_stock_deal_for_union_trust_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5550 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:35:56 GMT Ford Motor Co. today announced that it has reached a new agreement with the United Auto Workers that will allow the company to cover half its obligations to a union-run trust fund with company stock at current market values. The Dearborn automaker had reached an agreement earlier this year that allowed it to make half of its payments to the voluntary employees' beneficiary association, or VEBA, in stock, but that deal set the price at around $2 a share. Since then, Ford shares have more than tripled in... f2f19c0457a30e19d11e63fc9fe0478b /Article/2_3B_profit_boosts_outlook_for_Ford_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5543 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:35:54 GMT Ford Motor Co.'s unexpected $2.3 billion second-quarter profit could signal the end of the worst downturn in recent automotive history for at least one of Detroit's automakers, but Ford's recovery still depends on the broader economy. Though Ford's profit was due largely to one-time gains, consistent improvements in its underlying financials are sparking optimism among investors, analysts and union leaders that has not been seen for some time. Ford shares gained 60 cents Thursday on the results, closing... 0321aa1e0d41623da8c63058240dc710 /Article/Ford_Taurus_grows_up_strong_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5538 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:35:50 GMT Nothing lasts forever. Whether by bad luck, bad design or the stars just stop aligning; every good and bad thing passes. But that doesn't mean it can't come back: Cinderella may have cleaned a lot of fireplaces, but even she got hitched. The Ford Taurus arrived three decades ago with a youthful vigor that would propel it to become the No. 1 sedan in America. It was a winner, a juggernaut, the San Francisco 49ers of the '80s with Joe Montana in the driver's seat. But Montana split for the Kansas City... 12bb4b00c962ac0bc4e3779984c1a787 /Article/Ford_Plans_to_Survive/5514 Mon, 25 May 2009 05:23:19 GMT Good news from Ford: the manufacturer has announced to the shareholders that everything is under control and the company is going to come out of hard economic position by 2011 without any government help. The company meeting was held yesterday, on May 14. Ford officials sounded confident about their actions. According to Bill Ford, company Executive Chairman, there have been many changes, but in the light of the latest crisis events they have been “overshadowed”. Chief Executive, Alan Mulally... 79da93a298440405f280dcaf68686c0a /Article/2009_Ford_Focus_SES_Coupe/5436 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 06:17:47 GMT Remember the SVT Focus, Ford's affordable, 170-horse pocket rocket of 2002-04? We do. There's a large cadre of performance enthusiasts out there who still haven't forgiven Ford for making that car go away. We wish we could tell you it's coming back, but not so -- at least on the current, revised-for-2008 Focus platform. In the meantime, the Blue Oval types are serving up a semi-sportier version that makes a fine base for your own SVT-inspired concoction.Save for a few badges, the 2009 Focus SES Coupe is... 45283a216f3e2e6f15b96fda06747e1b /Article/The_Ford_Reflex_Diesel_Hybrid/5410 Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:31:21 GMT This hybrid car could challenge the Toyota Prius. The Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang, I say so what? Why do you need all that power? Where can you use it? Yet, Ford tries to build buzz with these kinds of vehicles. Forget the muscle cars. I say that if Ford could start selling the Reflex hybrid vehicle, right now, at a competitive price, they would have their biggest seller in years. "J Mays, Ford’s group vice president of design and chief creative officer, described the Ford Reflex concept as the... 44e4757234a68a1e5819313f54b5f337 /Article/Ford_cuts_sales_forecast_but_won_t_seek_aid_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5384 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:55:36 GMT Ford Motor Co. cut its U.S. auto sales forecast for 2009 by another million vehicles Thursday, but continued to insist it does not need federal assistance to survive. The Dearborn automaker now expects U.S. car and truck sales to fall as low as 10.5 million units, citing a deepening economic crisis and the government's failure to free up the nation's credit markets, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ford also said it would cut first-quarter production estimates for the... 4419fecfac2dc1b05ee54f1e7a63355a /Article/Ford_execs_workers_to_take_pay_hit_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5364 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:22:50 GMT Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. and CEO Alan Mulally said they would take a voluntary 30 percent pay cut Tuesday as the struggling automaker asked union workers to accept major concessions that could cost them thousands of dollars a year. The company also is eliminating bonuses for all salaried employees for a second consecutive year and is suspending cash compensation for board members to help meet its goal of returning to profitability in 2011, according to a memo e-mailed to... cbfb61d0a190e40f8a773f6029eb30b6 /Article/UAW_Ford_reach_health_care_deal_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5356 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:58:41 GMT WASHINGTON -- The United Auto Workers said today it had reached a tentative deal with Ford Motor Co. on how it will fund a health care trust that takes over payment of hourly retiree health care beginning next year. The deal allows Ford the option to use common stock for up to 50 percent of each scheduled payment into the health care trust -- the Voluntary Employee Benefit Association -- in lieu of cash. "We will consider each payment when it is due and use our discretion in determining whether cash or... 2ca326cb7fe6c5fa7a41b61b63b8f6cf /Article/New_Ford_center_crashes_cars_to_lower_repair_costs_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5352 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:58:39 GMT INKSTER -- Ford Motor Co. smashes up its cars to save you money. Then it crashes its cars and trucks again to try and save you even more money. The newly opened Paint and Body Technology Center uses information from the crashes to find new ways to lower vehicle repair costs, executives said Monday. The 10,000-square-foot facility, which was built at a cost of $650,000 through a partnership with suppliers, brings Ford's repair and crash safety experts together. "Our bottom line for this new initiative is... 969d5f6c6de945b1419c0f88d171550c /Article/Commentary_UAW_deal_with_Ford_pressures_rivals_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5351 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:58:38 GMT The boys running the Blue Oval would never admit to using their strong ties with top union leaders to pressure the cross-town competition -- and score political points in the process. But they're doing both. Monday, the United Auto Workers and Ford Motor Co. announced a tentative deal that would allow the automaker to use company shares to satisfy as much as 50 percent of its roughly $10 billion obligation to a union-run trust fund for retiree health care, established in 2007. Beleaguered General Motors... cc4f5d800921564e2c25909562304a26 /Article/Ford_s_health_deal_may_set_trend_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5349 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:58:35 GMT WASHINGTON -- Ford Motor Co.'s tentative agreement Monday with the United Auto Workers to use company stock to fund up to half of its contributions to a union-run retiree health care fund could set the stage for similar deals with Detroit's other automakers. General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC must win substantial concessions from the UAW as well as their debt holders to show viability by March 31 under the terms of $17.4 billion in emergency loans they have received from the government. The deal... f7c99e4b09fbcc9dcbab43c4d6725a6c /Article/Roush_Equips_Ford_Trucks_with_Propane/5347 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:09:06 GMT Roush Performance has already modified Ford F-150 for alternative fuel and now offers two more Ford vehicles that run on propane. Customers that chose this option, will be happy to know that autos with propane consumption produce 18% less greenhouse gases, emit 20% less nitrous oxide and make 60% less carbon monoxide compared to gasoline autos. The first propane kit from Roush was presented on Ford F-150 in 2007. This year the company made kits for F-250 and E-250. All three trucks are equipped with... 666545c829a84a6498f5911ae618684d /Article/Ford_Motor_Credit_will_cut_1_200_jobs_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5310 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:31:17 GMT Layoffs begin this week at Ford Motor Credit, the lending arm of Ford Motor Co. The Detroit News has learned that layoffs, which first were announced last month, will come this week. The Dearborn automaker plans to eliminate some 1,200 jobs, or 20 percent of the total work force, at Ford Credit to reduce costs as it struggles to return to profitability in 2011. The company said the layoffs will be spread over several months. "We have told employees that departures will occur from mid-February to late... c581a872aea05e41538d3ee404735b3d /Article/Ford_GM_execs_see_market_stabilizing_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5285 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 06:29:14 GMT CHICAGO -- Auto industry executives are seeing signs that the U.S. auto industry is beginning to stabilize, after months of free-falling sales that have threatened some of the sector's biggest players. Jim Farley, Ford Motor Co.'s global marketing chief, said Wednesday that seasonally adjusted retail sales demand has held steady for four months. Meanwhile, the country's used car market has come "roaring back" since January. "That shows me that credit's available," Farley said after a Ford presentation... 468fc2a0f588d5665c869aabc91abde4 /Article/Sneak_peek_Ford_s_Coyote_V_8_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5279 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 06:29:09 GMT Code-named "Coyote," the 5.0-liter, four-valve, naturally aspired V-8 will be offered in the 2011 Mustang, as well as the F-150. We're estimating 400 horsepower, and 400 pounds-feet of torque, with the fuel economy close to that of today's 5.4-liter engine. [source] 5a15367a4f88013b240f26fb28cbb5d4 /Article/Ford_urges_more_buyer_incentives_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5259 Thu, 5 Feb 2009 07:31:57 GMT A day after the U.S. automobile industry reported its worst sales since 1982, Ford Motor Co. executives said they were encouraged by moves in Washington to bolster car and truck sales, but added that the government needs to do more to give consumers the confidence to return to their showrooms. "I see some real exciting developments in the stimulus package," said Jim Farley, head of sales, marketing and service at the Dearborn automaker. Congress is considering a number of incentives to boost the sale of... 0c59fbd8d270727cbdfe43287021b7d4 /Article/Ford_plans_to_sell_French_transmission_factory_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5246 Tue, 3 Feb 2009 07:09:25 GMT Ford Motor Co. today said it plans to sell its automatic transmission factory near Bordeaux to HZ Holding France SAS. Ford would not say how much it is getting for the plant, which is located in the French city of Blanquefort. But the company said there would be no change in employment at the plant. Moreover, HZ Holding will invest over 200 million euros in the facility between now and 2013 "When we revealed our intention to sell the Bordeaux automatic transmission plant, we firmly stated our intention... 6dddf56e8d84acf064d7b81765cd81f5 /Article/No_bailout_for_Visteon_Ford_execs_say_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5222 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:07:53 GMT Auto parts supplier Visteon Corp. must make it on its own. Former owner Ford Motor Co. will not bail out the supplier should that become necessary, Ford executives said during the automaker's earnings call on Thursday. "Visteon is a standalone company," said Ford Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth, referring to the supplier's roots as Ford's components operations until it was spun off in 2000. "We're not contemplating dramatic action," Booth said. "Like all of our suppliers, we talk to them and when... bb54a4a1c4dea9eed3adf0bccfa22657 /Article/Howes_Future_uncertain_for_Ford_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5219 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:07:51 GMT In what alternative reality could Ford Motor Co. deliver the largest annual loss in its 105-year history -- $14.6 billion -- burn $19.5 billion in cash in all of 2008, draw down its revolving credit line and get qualified applause from Wall Street? In a world where perspective is in the eye of the beholder because business conditions are so awful. Ford's cross-town rivals exist on a federal lifeline: Chrysler LLC is looking for a deal, even multiple deals, to survive into the next quarter, and General... aaf6c48bfbb4249c324f12912d363c66 /Article/Ford_Feds_can_do_more_to_lift_sales_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5216 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:07:50 GMT Ford Motor Co. is calling on Washington to do more to stimulate the economy and get consumers back into its showrooms, after posting a record loss of nearly $14.6 billion for 2008 on Thursday. Despite capping an already dismal year with a fourth-quarter loss of $5.9 billion, the Dearborn automaker insisted that it has enough cash to weather the economic crisis and does not need direct aid from the federal government. However, Ford has lobbied lawmakers for financial aid for its cross-town rivals... cd6ea98ae0eaad235e3127f6223c7399 /Article/Ford_Focus_RS_in_detail/5210 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:33:22 GMT The new Ford Focus RS has easily been one of the most highly anticipated new models for 2009, and with production already well underway, Ford has released every minute detail on its scorching hatch.Over 100 engineers from Ford Europe and Team RS have been involved in the development of the Focus RS, adamant in producing a sports hatch to honour the namesake’s 40-year long heritage. Thanks to this incredible level of intensive engineering development, Ford eagerly boasts that the new Focus RS will... cdc20cd05006b33e837a62bae4d9182f /Article/Ford_s_industrywide_U_S_auto_sales_forecast_more_optimistic_than_foes_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5183 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 06:38:16 GMT Ford Motor Co. expects industrywide U.S. auto sales this year will be between 12 and 12.5 million, a more optimistic projection than ones made by rivals General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC. Demand during the first half of the year will remain weak before recovering, Ford CEO Alan Mulally told reporters Saturday at the National Automobile Dealers Association in New Orleans. Last year, U.S. car and light truck sales fell 18 percent to 13.24 million vehicles, a reflection of soaring gas prices, a lack of... 0f97994c8bc6c94def7c93a98dd9e32b /Article/Ford_talks_to_Treasury_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5147 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:47:00 GMT Ford Motor Co., the only U.S. automaker to forgo federal loans, said its finance unit is in talks with the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve on how to unfreeze the credit markets. Margaret Mellott, a spokeswoman for Ford Motor Credit, wouldn't say whether the discussions included a request for funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program, which is being tapped by the lending arms of Chrysler LLC and General Motors Corp. [source] 2ae22e0f06c1301ae303f611b93876be /Article/Mazda_Ford_alliance_complex_detnews_com_The_Detroit_News/5139 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:46:59 GMT Ever since Ford Motor Co. said it would sell its controlling stake in Japan's Mazda Motor Corp. in November, the two automakers have insisted that their close, collaborative relationship will not change. The reality is more complex. Behind the scenes, walls are going up in Hiroshima and Dearborn. Ford employees have been instructed to stop sharing confidential information with their Mazda colleagues, while Mazda has barred Ford staff from attending some meetings. Many of these moves are driven by... 92fbe9d5cebfe6ec9ea07d179198c75c