Ford goings on (Auto parts)

Ford goings on
Things seem to be moving rapidly at Ford Motor Company these days. One minute Jag is tipped to be off, packaged with LR, and the next minute Aston Martin is offered up on a plate and suddenly Volvo looks more likely to be discarded. The media speculation is, frankly, all over the place. Is Ford rebalancing the business, looking for added focus, or looking for cash? Behind the scenes, a man from Goldmans is checking the balance sheet, advising on silverware that can go, and Mark Fields is trying to get a handle on Ford's North American problems while under constant pressure to speed restructuring up (not easy!). And now Bill Ford - the man who boldly proclaimed he would get a grip as Chairman and CEO when Jacques Nasser was booted out - has apparently recognised that someone else would be better to take the CEO reins. He dropped about as heavy a hint that someone might come in to do his job as I've ever heard in that interview earlier this week. Fair play Bill. It reminds me of the occasion a few years ago when England football coach Kevin Keegan resigned and told the assembled media circus that he simply wasn't up to the job. This isn't quite in that league, but it's similar and, in a way, it takes guts to back off the way Bill Ford has. More arrogant people often cause greater damage in the long run. It could yet be an inspired move if Mulally can transfer his relevant experience to the problems afflicting Ford. Perhaps Bill Ford will be able to play a properly supportive role as 'executive chairman'. Just to get out of the hot seat may be good for him. I wonder what a certain Carlos Ghosn makes of it all?

Toyota Introduces 2007 Tundra, the Pickup Truck Made in Texas, By Texans, for Texans - Photos Available
Toyota Introduces 2007 Tundra, the Pickup Truck Made in Texas, By Texans, for Texans - Photos Available

Paris
Shortly departing for Paris. Still feeling a bit numbed by the below news. Only heard the poor bloke was seriously ill very recently - he was carrying on working as normal, as far as he could - and he was only in his thirties. Anyway, Eurostar train to Paris beckons and then I will be dropping in to the Crain roundtable event, hopefully in time to catch keynote speaker Carlos Ghosn. Should be a few people there I know to have a drink with. Press day tomorrow.

First Look: Dodge Avenger Concept
Read this full Auto News article at Motor Trend: First Look - Dodge Avenger Concept

First Look: 2007 Chrysler Aspen
Read this Full Road Test article at MotorTrend.com: Riding on a wave of design successes, the 2007 Chrysler Aspen is expanding into the lucrative luxury-SUV segment to compete head to head with the Lincoln Navigator and the (newly revamped) Cadillac Escalade.