What about Ford now?

[samclem]

I smell a soapbox post LOL. Yes, I am sure that UAW take over of Ford will be fabulous news for shareholders

"With the merger complete, we now introduce The 2010 UAW/Ford Lada! Lada -- a new car for a new American Proletariat! Lada--because it is what we feel like making today."







Kidding aside, I hope Ford makes it. I have not been a Ford fan in the past, but I do admire the fact that they are cutting away a lot of waste (and maybe even some muscle) to get their company turned around before asking for government help. Indications are also that their quality is getting better (at the same time that Toyota is slipping). They "get it," and if only they can keep their focus and if gas prices stay low so they can sell some trucks in the interim, I think they might pull through. Of the big three, they deserve most to survive at this point.

 

[laurence]

I'm rooting for Ford, too. In their core line they seem to have done the best job focusing on vehicles that have a market. Of course, I've always wanted an F-150. But the latest Ranger line is an awesome little (not so little) truck that for quality seems right there with a Tacoma and is significantly cheaper.

 

[clifp]

As an American I am hoping for Ford and Chrysler to survive (GM should die IMO). Although as former Ford shareholder I detest the convoluted ownership structure of Ford which always seem to be design to benefit the Ford family, and screw the common shareholders. So I would not be at all upset to see the Ford family get taken to the cleaners.

The difference between being a shareholder at Berkshire Hathaway where Buffett treats you like a junior partner and a Ford shareholder where Ford management treats shareholders like crap is amazing. I'd say this even if the returns of Berkshire Hathaway and Ford were reversed.

 

[FinanceDude]

As an American I am hoping for Ford and Chrysler to survive (GM should die IMO). Although as former Ford shareholder I detest the convoluted ownership structure of Ford which always seem to be design to benefit the Ford family, and screw the common shareholders. So I would not be at all upset to see the Ford family get taken to the cleaners.

The difference between being a shareholder at Berkshire Hathaway where Buffett treats you like a junior partner and a Ford shareholder where Ford management treats shareholders like crap is amazing. I'd say this even if the returns of Berkshire Hathaway and Ford were reversed.

I guess I am a little different. I hope Chrysler dies. One of the Big Three will not make 2010. I think the worst products on the road are Chrysler. There's not a fuel efficient small or mid-sized car they make that ANYONE
wants to buy.

Ford has winners in the Focus, Fusion, F-150, and Edge. GM has winners in the Malibu, upcoming Cruze, maybe the Volt. As long as gas stays somewhat reasonable, there is still demand for the Tahoe.......

What Chrysler product stirs the blood? None that I know of. ALL of Chrysler's products are going back to the boxy look, like early 90's............

 

[73ss454]

Viper?

 

[73ss454]

Oh yeah FD, did you see the 50 drag cars that Chrysler is marketing in the Challenger?

Google it and take a look, they'll make your blood stir.

 

[FinanceDude]

Viper?

Nice car that almost NO ONE can afford.........

 

[FinanceDude]

Oh yeah FD, did you see the 50 drag cars that Chrysler is marketing in the Challenger?

Google it and take a look, they'll make your blood stir.

They need a car they can MASS PRODUCE and sell that works. Come on, what's exciting about a Sebring??

ANY Honda is about 5 times as exciting as a Dodge........

 

[73ss454]

OK, no drag car for you. So soon you forget about the K car.

 

[FinanceDude]

OK, no drag car for you. So soon you forget about the K car.

K car? Man, you're slayin me.........

I had a Gremlin, and my grandma had a Pacer. Those cars made a Pinto look sweet........

OK, educate me on the SLEEK hot Chrysler cars coming out, cuz all I see are boxes. Last GOOD design they had was the Crossfire, which didn't sell...........

 

[73ss454]

K car? Man, you're slayin me.........

I had a Gremlin, and my grandma had a Pacer. Those cars made a Pinto look sweet........

OK, educate me on the SLEEK hot Chrysler cars coming out, cuz all I see are boxes. Last GOOD design they had was the Crossfire, which didn't sell...........

So, are you telling me that the Honda Accord is sleek and hot?

See, variety makes the world go-round, I hated the look of the Crossfire.

The only cars I like from Chrysler are the muscle cars. If GE goes to 100 I'm getting meself on of those drag cars, too cool.

 

[FinanceDude]

So, are you telling me that the Honda Accord is sleek and hot?

Compared to the latest Chrysler offerings, unfortunately yes.......

The only cars I like from Chrysler are the muscle cars. If GE goes to 100 I'm getting meself on of those drag cars, too cool.

I had one of those 318 Dodge Darts, that car was wicked fast. As you know, I had a 67 Chevelle SS convertible, still my favorite car.

 

[73ss454]

FD, in 1966 I bought a new Chevelle SS 396, regal red with a black vinyl top at the ripe old age of 17. I sold it in 1972 and got married. In 1974 my buddy who bought a 1967 Chevelle SS 396 in 1967 offered it to me and I bought it. In the years after I sold my original car my buddy and I worked on his car and put a 427 L88 into it. I kept the car for 10 years, she would run 11.30's at 128mph in the 1/4.

So I'm very familiar with the 1966 and 67 body style. Ah, to be young again.

 

[DallasGuy]

I guess I am a little different. I hope Chrysler dies. One of the Big Three will not make 2010. I think the worst products on the road are Chrysler. There's not a fuel efficient small or mid-sized car they make that ANYONE
wants to buy.

Ford has winners in the Focus, Fusion, F-150, and Edge. GM has winners in the Malibu, upcoming Cruze, maybe the Volt. As long as gas stays somewhat reasonable, there is still demand for the Tahoe.......

What Chrysler product stirs the blood? None that I know of. ALL of Chrysler's products are going back to the boxy look, like early 90's............

It was announced recently that Fiat would most likely be taking a big stake in Chrysler. That would give Fiat an instant new market in the US for it's small cars sold in Europe. Also, it would give Chrysler the small cars it doesn't have. It just might work out for Chrysler...

Fiat Nears Stake in Chrysler That Could Lead to Takeover - WSJ.com

 

[samclem]

It was announced recently that Fiat would most likely be taking a big stake in Chrysler. That would give Fiat an instant new market in the US for it's small cars sold in Europe. Also, it would give Chrysler the small cars it doesn't have. It just might work out for Chrysler...

Fiat Nears Stake in Chrysler That Could Lead to Takeover - WSJ.com

The re-emergence of Fiat in America. Those are one of the few cars that could accomplish the impossible: Make the small Chryslers look reliable (at least in comparison).
Add in Renault and you'd have a trifecta . . .

 

[DallasGuy]

The re-emergence of Fiat in America. Those are one of the few cars that could accomplish the impossible: Make the small Chryslers look reliable (at least in comparison).
Add in Renault and you'd have a trifecta . . .

Fiat has improved alot...last year the Fiat 500 was European car of the year. It will probably be sold in the US in 2010. I know there's many people in the US that would never consider a car that small, but there's enough of a market here to make it a big success, assuming the price is reasonable. I still don't get the huge appeal for overpriced underpowered hybrid cars here in the US when car companies sell gasoline powered vehicles in Europe and Asia that get better gas mileage at a much lower purchase price. At least some of those cars are finally starting to show up here in the US.

Fiat 500 voted car of the year 2008 - AutoblogGreen

 

[samclem]

Fiat has improved alot...last year the Fiat 500 was European car of the year. It will probably be sold in the US in 2010.

The blue car is the Fiat 500. This is the result of a 35 MPH frontal collision between the Fiat and an Audi Q7. The Fiat's airbag burst shortly after deploying, driver would have suffered severe injuries. The Fiat has a 5 star crash rating in Europe, but (like the government ratings in the US) the rating applies only when the car hits a vehicle of approximately the same size. So, if the Fiat happens to hit another Matchbox car, it should do pretty well.

I'm sure some people might buy one, but I think I'll pass.

 

[haha]

I still don't get the huge appeal for overpriced underpowered hybrid cars here in the US when car companies sell gasoline powered vehicles in Europe and Asia that get better gas mileage at a much lower purchase price. At least some of those cars are finally starting to show up here in the US.

Fiat 500 voted car of the year 2008 - AutoblogGreen

A Prius shows that you have your ecological spurs. You are hip and coold and you love the earth. You probably even have HOPE.

All a little gasoline car shows is that you don't have much money.

Ha

 

[Zathras]

It also shows that you want a decent amount of cargo space and appreciate tech toys (I love the no key start button)

 

[jazz4cash]

It also shows that you want a decent amount of cargo space and appreciate tech toys (I love the no key start button)

Push-button starting is one of the things I despise about some of the new cars. My computer has a start/stop button too and when I "ask" it to "please shut down" sometimes it does, but sometimes it wont until I remove the battery. How long before Microsoft releases a full-boat automobile operating system (i.e. beyond the Sync program Ford uses for infotainment)?

 

[wrigley]

Any takers yet? I'm seriously considering getting into the "Ford" pot. I have a feeling they are going to come out of this smelling good!

Mike

 

[ziggy29]

One thing that remains to be seen is whether Ford can capitalize on GM's problem. Ford has problems, too, but they aren't teetering quite like GM -- yet. If GM's problems can translate to increased share for Ford as people worry about thinks like warranties and future service and parts, then Ford would look like a decent play down here. But ultimately it has many of the same legacy cost issues as GM.

One of the big differences is that Ford managed to secure a lot of credit shortly before things started unraveling and the automakers' debt became junk. Ford has a better chance of making it than GM, but like GM I'd still prefer to play the bonds than the common stock.

 

[wrigley]

One thing that remains to be seen is whether Ford can capitalize on GM's problem. Ford has problems, too, but they aren't teetering quite like GM -- yet. If GM's problems can translate to increased share for Ford as people worry about thinks like warranties and future service and parts, then Ford would look like a decent play down here. But ultimately it has many of the same legacy cost issues as GM.

One of the big differences is that Ford managed to secure a lot of credit shortly before things started unraveling and the automakers' debt became junk. Ford has a better chance of making it than GM, but like GM I'd still prefer to play the bonds than the common stock.

I just have that feeling (I know....I know....."that feeling" really means nothing when it's your money on the line ) BUT.....with GM in even more trouble now I have to believe that Ford will weather this storm. And at $1.86 a share, throwing some play money at it can't hurt......THAT MUCH!

Mike