posted 01-24-2006 06:11 PM         

.....I agree....been on my mind for quite a while..

posted 01-24-2006 08:11 PM         

I'll predict that Ford will attempt to bust the unions first. As a thirty year union member,,,I hate to predict that, but I call it like I see it.

posted 01-25-2006 09:25 AM         

What they really need to do:

1. bust the union
2. bring wages down to market levels for similar jobs
3. allow for temporary layoffs to retool when necessary
4. renegotiate retirement/health benefit plans to effectively rid themselves of this burden going forward
5. put in incentives for employees to work "with" the manufacturer on quality / costs rather than always adversarial
6. revamp dealer network - there are far, far too many dealers
7. manufacturers should be allowed to sell direct to public without dealer interference or involvement(although dealer could get paid a prep fee or territory fee).
8. focus on their strengths and not try to be all to everyone.
9. close or revamp all non-flexible manufacturing platforms
10. limit number of platforms (i.e. 300, Charger, Magnum and more to come all share same platform)

posted 01-25-2006 10:11 AM         

quote:

---

General Ford?

---

posted 01-25-2006 06:46 PM         

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wayne Finch:
Could be a possibility.

What they really need to do:

1. bust the union

Why?

2. bring wages down to market levels for similar jobs

And that would be?

3. allow for temporary layoffs to retool when necessary

Don't they already do that, or do you mean with no pay?

4. renegotiate retirement/health benefit plans to effectively rid themselves of this burden going forward

I believe GM did renegotiate some health benefits.

5. put in incentives for employees to work "with" the manufacturer on quality / costs rather than always adversarial

When was the last time you worked in a auto plant?

6. revamp dealer network - there are far, far too many dealers

That's correct.

7. manufacturers should be allowed to sell direct to public without dealer interference or involvement(although dealer could get paid a prep fee or territory fee).

And who will service them?

8. focus on their strengths and not try to be all to everyone.

Give example please.

9. close or revamp all non-flexible manufacturing platforms

Give example please.

10. limit number of platforms (i.e. 300, Charger, Magnum and more to come all share same platform)

Why?

---

posted 01-25-2006 07:18 PM         

Toyota, Nissan, Kia,.....these companies are expanding, making a fortune.

Toyota entered Formula 1 recently....with an unlimited budget . While most teams are scaling down (except Ferrari) and even rule changes to try and lower costs, Toyota just spends $$$$$$$.

Serious Quality, Huge Warranties, employee restructuring,including management. It really is their only chance. Also a new positive attitude towards the customer wouldn't hurt either.

We can never compete with the low Asian wages and nor should we, need to blow them out with quality. JMO

most folks up here are buying the Toyota, Honda, and Mazda vehicles because of 2 major reasons...
fuel efficiency and Dealer service.
The Import dealers here are servicing the heck out of their customers.... no fights over warrantees, because there really hasn't been many quality issues with these cars and when there is they fix them, no questions asked..friends that have purchased a Honda have gone back for a second and a third for this reason alone......NO HASSLES...

Ford here has been the worst of the big three... they are well known for trying to screw their customers after a purchase....You would not believe the stories from Ford customers. DC is second , (with the exception of the dealer I've been dealing with), they are incompetent and totally forget where the money comes from to make their paychecks....GM has a pretty good record, especially with the trucks, if they had a more presentable product they would not be in the situation they are.

I'm sticking with my Prowler and our PT Cruiser...hopefully buying a quality product from the start I can avoid trouble at the dealers....The imports just don't produce a car that I am attracted to...

quote:

---

Originally posted by halicat:
I can only speak on what I know about my area....

most folks up here are buying the Toyota, Honda, and Mazda vehicles because of 2 major reasons...
fuel efficiency and Dealer service.
The Import dealers here are servicing the heck out of their customers.... no fights over warrantees, because there really hasn't been many quality issues with these cars and when there is they fix them, no questions asked..friends that have purchased a Honda have gone back for a second and a third for this reason alone......NO HASSLES...

Ford here has been the worst of the big three... they are well known for trying to screw their customers after a purchase....You would not believe the stories from Ford customers. DC is second , (with the exception of the dealer I've been dealing with), they are incompetent and totally forget where the money comes from to make their paychecks....GM has a pretty good record, especially with the trucks, if they had a more presentable product they would not be in the situation they are.

I'm sticking with my Prowler and our PT Cruiser...hopefully buying a quality product from the start I can avoid trouble at the dealers....The imports just don't produce a car that I am attracted to...

jmo

---

I don't think the big 3 have much of a hand in that. Accountability is not to them since dealerships are locally owned and operated.

Hence the reason why you see people post that this Ford or Chrysler dealership has crappy service while the next guy says their Ford or GM or Chrysler dealership is great.

Also the reason why any of the big 3 sell their cars to the dealers at their cost and then the local dealers can mark them up to whatever the market will bear. The big 3 still get the same profit amount even if the local guy jacks the price up $100,000.00.

I also don't think you will see the big 3 merge. Sure, there will be alot more pain and plant closings and consolidation of their own lineup but, they are so different and so many loyal brand customers that I think they would all lose.

While having no particular brand loyalty, I needed a truck and decided to go with the Ford "King Ranch" Supercrew, so I bought a 2006 model 3 weeks ago. Couldn't beat it. Bought on Dec 31st and they were discounting it about $10K and then took off another $1500 because of a truck sales war with Chevy. Chevy was discounting but, not like that.