Ask the Car People.SM


Ford News

486 messages,  Last post on May 02, 2013 at 5:50 AM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKZ, Mercury Milan, Automotive News

    

Messages Page 47 of 49

#459 of 486 Good NA numbers, EU and pensions a concern by steve_ HOST

Jan 29, 2013 (10:47 am)

"Strong North American profits will net record profit sharing checks of $8,300 on average for 45,800 hourly workers, to be paid March 14.
 
Ford reported its highest fourth-quarter pre-tax profit since the same period in 1999 at $1.7 billion or 31 cents per share, beating analyst expectations of 25 cents per share. Net income for the quarter was $1.6 billion despite losses in Europe of $732 million.
 
Bob Shanks, chief financial officer, had warned that Ford would lose more than $1.5 billion in Europe in 2012 and the year ended with a $1.8 billion loss in the region marked by economic upheaval and high unemployment."
 
Ford earns $1.6 billion net in 4Q (Detroit Free Press)
 
Ford worldwide pension deficit jumps to $18.7 billion (Detroit News)

#460 of 486 Re: Good NA numbers, EU and pensions a concern [steve_] by xwesx

Jan 29, 2013 (1:01 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Jan 29, 2013 10:47 am)
Overall good news. Pensions are always a risk, especially with companies like these that were practically giving away the farm with their pension packages back in the automotive heydays.
 
About all there is left to do in some cases is hope the retirees die relatively young.

#461 of 486 Re: Good NA numbers, EU and pensions a concern [xwesx] by steve_ HOST

Jan 29, 2013 (1:52 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 29, 2013 1:01 pm)
There's a joke here somewhere about most of the retirees being stuck in Detroit, but I'll let that one slide.
 
The stock market isn't liking the EU news I guess, but it seems like stock movements in general are often in the opposite direction of the news.

#462 of 486 Re: Good NA numbers, EU and pensions a concern [steve_] by xwesx

Jan 29, 2013 (2:46 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Jan 29, 2013 1:52 pm)
Well, the problems in the EU are pretty serious, but that's the way things go. This world moves from crisis to crisis. Otherwise, what news would be worth reporting?
 
It wasn't too long ago that Ford stock was junk and worth pennies on the dollar.

#463 of 486 Re: Good NA numbers, EU and pensions a concern [xwesx] by steve_ HOST

Jan 29, 2013 (2:51 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 29, 2013 2:46 pm)
True; good thing that Asia and North America are doing as well as they are.

#464 of 486 530,000 sold by steve_ HOST

Feb 16, 2013 (11:38 am)

"The Dearborn automaker, which in 2009 introduced the EcoBoost series — a marriage of turbocharging, direct-injection and twin independent variable-camshaft timing — is in need of additional engines for high-volume vehicles like the Fusion midsize sedan and F-150 pickup. Buyers increasingly have opted for the EcoBoost engines which offer boosts in fuel efficiency and performance but command a premium of about $1,000.
 
Ford won't publicly speculate on future investments, but the company's goals are clear: In lieu of more fuel-efficient but expensive diesel engines — and until hybrids and electrics catch on, if they ever do — the power and fuel efficiency of EcoBoost remains the chosen path."
 
Ford's EcoBoost engine to spur investment, job growth (Detroit News)

#465 of 486 My feelings on what Ford needs by cannon3

Feb 17, 2013 (5:47 pm)

Ford needs to expand on the Focus platform. Add a 2 door, 2 door hatch, convertible and a wagon. Give people choices on such a great platform. Next, BRING BACK THE RANGER! Offer a diesel engine in a 4cyl, offer a turbo diesel, heck even a hybrid! I just will never understand why Ford let the Japanese take the small truck market!!??? Sad.

#466 of 486 Re: My feelings on what Ford needs [cannon3] by akirby

Feb 17, 2013 (5:55 pm)

Replying to: cannon3 (Feb 17, 2013 5:47 pm)
The small truck market shrunk from 2M to 250K in just a few years. Ford chose not to invest in a vehicle in such a declining market, not the other way around.

#467 of 486 Re: My feelings on what Ford needs [akirby] by xwesx

Feb 18, 2013 (10:55 am)

Replying to: akirby (Feb 17, 2013 5:55 pm)
The market declined because small trucks weren't competitive when all the investment was in the full-size market. Tack onto that the fact that fuel economy within the segment was marginally, at best, better than in the full-size market, and what incentive do people have to buy them?
 
They sold like hotcakes when they were a good value.

#468 of 486 Re: My feelings on what Ford needs [xwesx] by akirby

Feb 18, 2013 (11:37 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Feb 18, 2013 10:55 am)
If there was a viable market then SOMEBODY would be going after it. Nobody is making any significant investment in small trucks now. If there was that much opportunity then somebody would be going after it with gusto.
 
People who love small trucks like to think that the decline was due to product. But in reality the majority of the folks who used to buy Rangers switched to crossovers and small cars.
 
It's not that there isn't a market - it's just that the market is very small and not worth a big investment like it used to be.

Messages Page 47 of 49

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement