Archive for the ‘factory’ Category

Despite the general unpleasantness that's plagued the auto industry for over a year, Ford is doing comparatively well these days. In fact, given the gradually rebounding global economy and Ford's new strategic alliances in Asia, CEO Alan Mulally feels fairly optimistic about the next two years.

Mulally expects Ford to finish 2009 with a 16% share of the American auto market, based on estimated industry-wide U.S. sales of 10.5 to 11 million units. Although Ford hasn't posted an annual profit since 2005, Mulally says the company is on target to at least break even by calendar year 2011. The company recently instituted a $10 billion...

In an interview with the New York Times, Volkswagen's head designer, Klaus Bischoff, has indicated that Volkswagen plans to create vehicles targeted squarely at American preferences and tastes in the near future. More importantly, he believes that doing so will benefit VW's bottom line: "Designing cars specifically for the American market will pay off for Volkswagen."

Bischoff admits that none of the VW models currently on sale in the U.S. really speak to American consumers on their own terms, but he has high hopes for a new car that's working its way down the pipeline: a midsize vehicle that will be produced at Volkswagen's...

Ford is in by far the best shape of the Detroit Three right now. Their sales are up compared to GM and Toyota, and their 2009 Ford Focus and 2009 Ford Escape were two of the top-selling cars bought using Cash-for-Clunkers credits.

TheCarConnection.com was lucky enough to attend a Ford social event in New York City last night, part of a 100-city "Taurus Tour" to dealerships, small-town ball games, and other events to let the public see, touch, and ride in the redesigned 2010 Ford Taurus.

We got a chance to chat with Mark Fields, Ford's executive vice president and president of the Americas, in an open-air bar high above the Hudson River,...