Analysts: Selling Brands Could Aid Ford’s Restructuring
From Detroit Free Press Ford Motor Co. could raise more money for its restructuring plans if it’s able to find a buyer for its Jaguar, Volvo and Land Rover brands, analysts said earlier this week. Ford, working its way through a massive restructuring plan in an attempt to return to profitability, hired Goldman Sachs Group
Ford Revamps Leadership for Global Focus
Ford Motor Co. said Thursday it is realigning its management structure in a bid to focus more on the automaker’s worldwide business, while better leveraging its global assets and capabilities. Ford’s three automotive business unit leaders will report directly to Chief Executive Alan Mulally under the new structure: Mark Fields, of Ford of the Americas; Lewis Booth, of Ford of Europe and the Premier Automotive Group; and John Parker, of Ford of Asia Pacific and Africa, and Mazda.
Ford Global Operations Chief to Retire in 2007
Ford Motor Co. said Thursday that Mark Schulz, executive vice president and president of international operations, has announced his plans to retire from the company early next year. He began his career with Ford as an assembly line worker in 1970. Schulz, 54, is responsible for the company’s business in Europe, Africa and the Asia Pacific region. In that job, he oversees the global activities of the Premier Automotive Group, which includes Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo, as well as the company’s partnership with Mazda Motor Corp.
No Shotgun Wedding for Ford and GM
It would make about as much sense as Microsoft and Apple Computer merging. Or the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Executives at Ford Motor and General Motors whispered on Monday that a report in trade publication Automotive News was on the money — that the chief financial officers of the two ailing auto giants did meet recently to discuss an alliance of some kind. It did happen. Those same executives, though, quickly added that the two sobered up, retreated to their offices, and agreed that nothing would come of it.
Johnson Controls, European Firm Continue Study of Lithium-ion Energy for Autos
A Johnson Controls hybrid battery technology joint venture has won a contract to pursue two more years of research into next-generation automotive batteries. Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions, a joint venture of Johnson Controls and the European battery company Saft, will aim to continue research on lithium-ion batteries, under a contract from the United States Advanced Battery Consortium.
China’s Fuyao Set to Bid for Ford’s Glass Assets in U.S.
Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co Ltd, China’s largest auto glass manufacturer, is expected to submit a final bid to acquire Ford Motor Co’s North American auto glass-making operations, according to sources close to the company.
Ford Sets Up Development Center for Hybrid Research
Ford Motor Company is setting up a center to spearhead the development of hybrid vehicles. The center, which will be in Gothenburg in Sweden, will develop hybrid concepts for both Ford of Europe and its Premier Automotive Group, which comprises Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin and Volvo. It will be staffed by a mix of 20 leading engineers from Volvo and other Ford-owned brands.
BASF Named Preferred Supplier for Ford
BASF has been named a preferred global supplier to Ford Motor Co., joining a select list of 36 suppliers in Ford’s “Aligned Business Framework.” The Aligned Business Framework is a crucial element in Ford’s global program to reduce the number of suppliers the company uses, and to build more collaborative relationships with those suppliers. Globally, Ford has more than 2,000 production suppliers and spends around $70 billion dollars annually on production parts.
Ford Designers Allowed to be Bolder in Rally Plan
Ford Motor Co. says it’s making “Bold Moves” more than just an advertising campaign. It’s also a directive — to scrap the bureaucracy, rip up the stale product plans and unleash creativity. And Ford’s automotive designers say that’s allowing them to dream over a future that seems more daring than doubtful.
TRW Automotive Launches Production of Steering and Occupant Safety Systems for New Ford Focus in China
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. announced that the company’s operations in China have launched production of steering and occupant safety systems and components for the new Ford Focus model built at Chang’an Ford in Chongqing, China.