Ford CEO cancels order for new Lexus

At least he left the doors open to go work for Toyota in case the "Ford" thing doesn't pan out ;) - http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8ME9S4G0.htm

Ford CEO Alan Mulally said he respects Toyota and its luxury brand, but that he canceled his order for a Lexus after taking the top job at the U.S. automaker. He said traveled to Japan last month to meet with Toyota executives just to show his appreciation, and not in an effort to bring the companies any closer.

Mulally, who took over at the nation's No. 2 automaker last year, said Wednesday he deeply admires the Japanese automaker for its manufacturing processes and product development strategy.

Mulally called Toyota "the finest machine in the world, the finest production system in the world. So we went to study with the master. I really wanted to connect with each of the manufacturers in the industry and to do it quickly," said Mulally, who was hired away from aircraft maker Boeing Co. by Ford Motor Co.

If you are the CEO for Ford, you better be driving a Lincoln.

I think a lot of the execs at Ford drive Jags, Volvos, Astens, etc. as well as Lincolns.

Showing up as the new boss of Ford driving a new Lexus might not go over so well...

:blah:

If you are the CEO for Ford, you better be driving a Lincoln.

Hell, if I were CEO I would be driving a Ford GT(40). :)

If I was the CEO I'd have a Ford GT or Aston Martin for my daily driver :metal: Mark LT would make a nice winter vehicle.

I don't know if it's sad that Ford's should-be #1 fan is openly admitting that Lexus is a superior quality/built car to what Ford is producing through any of their lineups.... or if it's a good thing that he's openly admitting it and thus, obviously, publically stating that he's set his mark on them.

I mean, granted, decades ago that's how the Japanese got so great at manufacturing cars - they openly admitted the american auto industry had superior designs and methods of manufacturing, they befriended us, studied us, emulated/imitated us, and next thing you know they bested us.

I say doing the same thing in return is smart.

I don't know if it's sad that Ford's should-be #1 fan is openly admitting that Lexus is a superior quality/built car to what Ford is producing through any of their lineups.... or if it's a good thing that he's openly admitting it and thus, obviously, publically stating that he's set his mark on them.

I mean, granted, decades ago that's how the Japanese got so great at manufacturing cars - they openly admitted the american auto industry had superior designs and methods of manufacturing, they befriended us, studied us, emulated/imitated us, and next thing you know they bested us.

I say doing the same thing in return is smart.

There. :)

There. :)
If I'm not mistaken, the UAW doesn't allow anyone to park in the main parking lots of their plants unless they are driving a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicle; even the "import" brands Ford owns are not welcome...although I'm sure the CEO could get away with one of the more exotic Ford owned brands if he reallly wanted one. :)

Some of you might remember that issue got some news coverage about a year or so ago.

If I'm not mistaken, the UAW doesn't allow anyone to park in the main parking lots of their plants unless they are driving a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicle; even the "import" brands Ford owns are not welcome...although I'm sure the CEO could get away with one of the more exotic Ford owned brands if he reallly wanted one. :)

Some of you might remember that issue got some news coverage about a year or so ago.
don't think alan works in a plant.;)

don't think alan works in a plant.;)
No, but I doubt that any non-Ford vehicle would be very welcome on any Ford property and would probably be discouraged even if only for symbolic purposes. :)

Alan was just named Aviation Week's Man of the Year 2006 . . . for his work at Boeing, of course. Regarding his Lexus cancellation, I'd much rather drive a Lexus than a Lincoln. But he knows what he needs to do.

If I worked for Ford even as a clerical worker, I'd at least want to support my company and buy from them. Although, I get crap from my co-workers for being a DCX dealer's GSM, yet I have 3 GMs in the driveway :D Granted, I have purchased 2 of the 3 GM cars from the dealership, so at least I still supported them (granted, I don't make much money on myself ;) )

Yeah, it would look pretty bad if even the CEO of the Ford company didn't have enough faith or interest in the product lineup to buy one.

I really hope he means this:
Mulally called Toyota "the finest machine in the world, the finest production system in the world. So we went to study with the master. I really wanted to connect with each of the manufacturers in the industry and to do it quickly,"

And as much as I hate it I agree. Japan learned from us and took it past us. Now we have to pearn how to do what they are doing. If we are to survive.

Hell, if I were CEO I would be driving a Ford GT(40). :)


:thumb: Or one helluva tricked out Shelby GT500. :metal:

How much is Mulally getting paid?

If I'm not mistaken, the UAW doesn't allow anyone to park in the main parking lots of their plants unless they are driving a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicle; even the "import" brands Ford owns are not welcome...although I'm sure the CEO could get away with one of the more exotic Ford owned brands if he reallly wanted one. :)

Some of you might remember that issue got some news coverage about a year or so ago.

This does happen at the factory as an unwritten rule. But at the engineering, design or R&D offices all brands are open. Its not usually a problem because of the heavy discounts given to employees but not everyone working is a direct employee of the corp. so not all cars are of the brand.

In fact Chuck Jordan the former head of GM Design used to have his Ferrari's washed and cleaned by other employees (interns) while he worked.

I'm glad Fords new CEO pays tribute to the great Lexus. I will say that Bill Ford Jr. does drive his red Mustang GT convert quite often.