jfelbab
New member
Setec Astronomy said:
Sometimes it does make sense. Often an insider has too much baggage to see things clearly. Often insiders are too invested in the outcome to make the tough calls.
Ford continues to struggle...
- Thread starter SilverLexus
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Sometimes it does make sense. Often an insider has too much baggage to see things clearly. Often insiders are too invested in the outcome to make the tough calls.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
Not being an insider is a different thing than being from a different industry. I'm not sure you would want a dentist removing your appendix even though he's a doctor, because he could make the tough calls that the surgeon couldn't.
Setec Astronomy said:
Don't make too much much of the "different industry" thing. These execs aren't the car and truck designers. They sit on design committees that give the thumbs up or thumbs down to the work of the stylists and engineers, but in almost every case, they have no initial influence on the design or the direction of the design, contrary to the myths that the automotive enthusiast press has spread. Mullay brings some excellent turn-around experience, and he's an engineer by training instead of a bean-counter. While he won't be designing the cars, he should have more of an affinity for conversing with the stylists, designers, and engineers, and use his turn-around managerial experience to get the costs under control.
You're welcome.Danase said:
Those of us who are affected by Ford's, and the rest of Detroit's automakers, fortunes are hopeful. I guess time will tell.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
Len_A said:
Give me a little credit for understanding the design process and the role of the CEO in that process in a big company (nil). I'm glad to hear he's not a bean counter like the fearless leader at GM (financial analyst), maybe his leadership and smarts will allow him to overcome the fact that he's basically worked all his life at Boeing. Pardon me if I don't hold my breath.
I'm just saying not being in the auto business isn't necessarily going to handicap him either. I also won't agree with your "nil" comment either. Don Peterson, as COO, and Philip Caldwell, and Chairman and CEO, of Ford, in the early 1980's, are the one's who, as the top two honchos, gave the designers and stylists the green light to "design what you (as car engineers) would want to drive", and turn them loose to come up with the original 1986 Taurus and Sable designs. Lee Iaccoca, then at Chrysler, called them "flying potatoes" and told the Detroit press that, had he still been at Ford, he would have vetoed their design early on. Henry Ford II, retired as an exec, but still on the board of directors, said about the original Taurus, and I quote, "I hope you know what you're doing". The original 1986 model year Taurus and Sable must have done somthing right, in terms of styling, because a large percentage of the initial trade-in from fall of 1985 thourgh mid 1987 model year purchases of Taurus and Sable were import brands. At one point, over a third of the trade-ins were GM or Chrysler products. Then the bean-counters regained influence and the restyling for the 1991 model year put Ford's customers to sleep.Setec Astronomy said:
The execs still have had influence with the Detroit automakers, and sometimes that's a blessing, and sometimes it's been a curse. For Ford, an outsider who considers the Lexus LS430 "the best" sedan available, might be the kick-in-the-butt needed to broom the traditionalists out of the way and let the designers and engineers do what they do best. The current crop of product at Ford, that doesn't suit your tastes, isn't a reflection of the designers and engineers abilities or tastes. It's the results of "scared-shitless-that-we-don't-screw-up-because-we-have-huge-bills-to-pay" bean-counter-driven management that been dominating the Detroit automakers lately.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
"Turning the designers loose" isn't exactly what I'd call involvement in the design process. As far as the current crop of Fords not suiting my tastes, I have stated elsewhere that the current Mustang is the best since the '79 pace car/'80 Cobra, but hey, I'm not a Ford guy, good luck with Mullaly, I hope HE turns out to be a Ford guy.
TortoiseAWD
New member
Coming soon from Ford?
Ducking and running,
Tort
Ducking and running,
Tort
Tomorrow will be interesting and will be the talk of the town...at least my area.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/automotive/9849527/detail.html
http://www.clickondetroit.com/automotive/9849527/detail.html