Bill Ford, great-grandson of the storied American auto company's founder, is stepping down from his position as CEO of Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) according to AP reports. He'll be replaced by Alan Mulally of Boeing.
It was only this January that Time magazine asked in a cover story, "Can This Man Save the American Auto Industry?" The question mark loomed large over the whole article, and it seems Ford -- Bill, as well as the company he led -- have answered, "no."
It's interesting that even last week, when Coke's Donald Knauss announced he was leaving to head another company, we speculated: could it be Ford? We were wrong in the name of the replacement, but not the sentiment: even though it seemed a little far-fetched, at the time.
Time for a new question. "Can this man save the American auto industry?" What do you think?
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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
9-06-2006 @ 10:37AM
d gardner said...
The big question is can a non car guy run a car company? Of course he can. On CNBC this morning, Joe Kernen thinks Mulally can do as good as the "car guys" have done in the last 30 years. What's the mystery, business is business. To the controlling attitude of the Ford family: do you want to make money or control the company?
9-07-2006 @ 7:49AM
Roy Bartlette said...
I think Bill was diong a job, but he had to many CEO's grabbing all the profits. They did not want him to be in charge and did every thing to run him into the ground. The Lincoln, the Crown Victoria & the Grand Marque were all fuel efficent, but this bunch of theives never changed the design for 16 years. There is a think in the auto industry call six sigma and that has always been 7 years for design changes, this was their failure. These big cars are still selling for other companies as they have changed their designs. Toyota is a big mistake as they have reduced their miliage with larger engines
9-06-2006 @ 2:19PM
Harry said...
Just wanted to add my 2 cents to the comments. I dont understand everything about bussiness but what i see and scares the hell out of me is this country is going to hell in a handbag fast. Im just a regular guy working to raise a family and everyday i go to work wondering if the guards at my gate are going to tell me to turn around a go home. Sorry people but i can care less what happens to Bill, im worried about me. I wasn't born to a family with money and i dont have a college degree but i work hard when i go to work and at the end of the week im glad i made it and hope next week i still have a job. So just to give alittle insite the big 3 auto co. are assemblers from products from smaller Co. if the big 3 want to service and want to see auto sales grow stopp choking the little Co. to gain your profits, everytime you choke them the workers get pay freezes, hours cut, or just lose their jobs. I often wonder what our founding Fathers motives were, and if they can see what this country has come to today i wonder if they would have fought for it. Like i said im just a regular guy on this globe for a short time but we need to look into the future for our children and etc. I guess growth is a must but we are heading for a brick wall if we dont slow down.
9-06-2006 @ 4:28PM
Julie said...
I have personally bought Ford cars since I was 16. My dad worked at the Ford Motor Company plant for over 15 years when I was a little girl. He taught me to buy American. For the good and the bad I continued my support. My loyalty stopped when they used my hard earn money to financial support homosexuals. I would not care even if Bill himself was gay and running the business I would still buy Ford; that's his choice in life. But he will not use "my money". If Alan Mulally discontinues this financial support we will again probably become a 3 owned Ford family.
9-07-2006 @ 9:58AM
lisa said...
you got it right jason #13. work harder and buy american...the support of the buyers make a difference...
9-06-2006 @ 11:08PM
Hank Queen said...
I'm a Boeing retiree -- 30 years in the commercial airplane business. Prior to my retirement, I worked directly for Alan Mulally...and speaking from personal experience he has a terrific shot at getting Ford back into a premier position in the auto industry.
He may not know the auto industry in great detail (yet), but I've never seen his match in getting people aligned around a strategy, and working together for mutual success. Boeing is facing many of the same challenges as American auto makers, and we found effective ways to deal with each one.
It will take about six months to get things sorted out, and then you can expect to see the changes taking effect. So, I'm buying stock now, and planning on enjoying the returns.
9-07-2006 @ 9:32PM
Perry said...
Let's face facts: Labor costs! Out of line with the rest of the work force!
9-10-2006 @ 7:23PM
Bill said...
In regards to this comment “10. Bill Ford should have known that Ford Motor Co. would never survive when they started their support of homosexuals. The Bible firmly states that this life style is an abomination. Ford Motor Co. I now believe is suffering the results of their contribution to this evil life style.” Which was written by some backwards-ignorant incestuous offspring I am sure. GET A LIFE that has nothing to do with the issues that face the Ford Motor Company today. It is such a waste to mankind that you and your ignorance walk the earth.