Ford: Restoring Prestige and Honor
The Ford Motor Organization, along with rival General Motors, has been going by way of a time of serious testing due to issues about product high quality and relevancy, earnings, and extended term viability. The net result is that Ford is planning on closing quite a few plants and will lay off as several as 30,000 workers, a historic cutback that could only be the tip of the iceberg. Is Ford finished or will the organization be able to regain strength and compete successfully model model in the years ahead?
Ford has certainly taken its lumps and for very good reason. Profits in the North American market place are nonexistent with losses truly in the multibillion dollar range. Despite the red ink, all is not lost for the blue oval as the business remains quite lucrative overseas. In addition, its three U.S. divisions have a lot to offer if some severe alterations are incorporated. Here are my suggestions for modify:
Ford -- The strongest division for the automaker is the one that bears its name. Fords strength is in its line of pick up trucks and SUVs. Choose auto models like the Mustang and Fusion are also robust sellers. Fords weakness can be identified with its small vehicle line, the Concentrate, and with dated models which includes the Crown Victoria. Much better for Ford to scrap their tiny vehicle lines altogether and import automobiles from Mexico or overseas. In addition, the company ought to concentrate on overhauling the Crown Victoria elite model and introducing an all new Ranger compact choose up truck. Lastly, Ford is finding out of the minivan company as crossover vehicles, such as the all new Edge, will replace that category. This latter retreat is wise as the category is saturated and the expense of creating a profitable new minivan can be diverted to concentrate on shoring up other item lines.
Mercury -- Several have been predicting that Ford would scrap its Mercury division altogether. Nevertheless, among the several management choices announced lately indicate that Mercury will remain. Together with Lincoln, the two brands are weak and are in require of a lot assistance. Mercury automobiles for decades have been nothing more than reworked Ford models for that reason its brand identity has been diluted. It is time for Ford to support Mercury come up with a clearer personality and a line of vehicles that are inspiring, not boring. A good start off would be to create a vehicle all Mercurys own, such as a retro Cougar coupe.
Lincoln -- There was a day when Lincoln and Cadillac battled for preeminence for sales leadership in the American luxury automobile category. Lincoln lengthy ago ceded the fight to Cadillac, a GM division with new and exciting goods. Presently, Cadillac outsells Lincoln by more than two to 1 and does battle with the likes of Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes. For Lincoln, a new Town Automobile is required plus a choice must be produced regarding just how a lot the division really should rely on trucks and SUVs to identify the brand. Presently, Lincoln line up includes far more truck models than cars. Reviving a historic model, such as the Continental, could be study los angeles modeling agencies a intelligent choice and putting some funds into the LS is an additional. Curiously, the make is altering the name of its newest model, the Zephyr, to the MKZ following only one particular model year.
Ford is floundering and it is specifically noticeable in two divisions, Mercury and Lincoln. Its Mazda connection, which has yielded numerous models which includes the Escape and Fusion, has been a achievement. Tapping its Volvo association to aid with bigger vehicles and with engineering would be wise and Ford must function closer with its Jaguar division to create further vehicle lines. The existing LS, derived from the Jaguar S Kind is an example of an earlier collaboration that wasnt utilized to its fullest extent.
All hope isnt lost for Ford, but the companys image has been tarnished. The seed of greatness remains, but the organization need to act quickly in order to regain consumer confidence and quit the ever deepening erosion of its sales base to foreign tends to make.
