[Shotimes] OT Ford's Future Plans for 500 and performance cars

[Ron Nottingham]

Just like I said :-)  Ford lost their focus (pun not intended, but I'll take
'em when I can get 'em), and now they are paying the price.  Trying to do
too many $35k+ boutique vehicles.  If they get something with some panache
in the $25-30k range, they should be back in no time.  Really, look how
quickly Nissan has turned around.  With Ford's muscle, it shouldn't take
long either.  But I do not see that happening, as Ford now seems to be quite
conservative when it comes to anything below $35k, and with this news, they
will only become even more conservative (rental fleets are a big business
:-).

Looks like my SHO will be my last Ford... :-(

Ron N. - Dalton, GA
90 SHO

----- Original Message -----
From: "Fred George" <fgeorge@pacbell.net>


> Read it and weep.  In Thursday's Wall Street Journal, "At Ford, Revamp
> Means Rebuilding Wrecked System" provides details of how the
> $162-billion Ford Motor Company went astray, suffered cost and quality
> control set-backs and ended up with a downgraded credit rating from
> Standard & Poors.
>
> Bottom Line?  Look for the firm to shave every last penny from
> production costs, mainly produce bread-and-butter products in the next
> decade and attempt to boost earnings per share. The implication is
> clear. Cost control is king; inpired engineering is out. Don't look for
> new high performance, specialty sedans, such as an SHO-inspired Ford 500
> or Taurus in 2004/05 from the cash strapped company.
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