Things are not getting back on the right track for the blue-oval automaker, which today posted a loss of $8.7 billion in the second quarter of 2008. The hill suddenly got steeper to climb, but Ford is committed to accelerating its transformation plan and enjoying success once again.
A number of new measures will be put into action over the next few years. At the core of this strategy is a move away from fuel-thirsty vehicles and toward smaller cars. Six compact vehicles from across the Atlantic will be introduced in North America by the end of 2012. The European Ford Focus, in both four- and five-door versions, is scheduled to arrive in 2010. Hopefully, the amazingly-efficient Fiesta ECOnetic (3.7 L/100 km) will also be in the mix. Meanwhile, the company's
EcoBoost engines (four and six cylinders), which promise outstanding
fuel economy , will find their way into most Ford models. Hybrid powertrains have also received the green light from high executives. The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid will begin production later this year. In Kansas City, where the
Ford Escape ,
Escape Hybrid and their Mercury equivalents are manufactured, a third shift will be added to increase production capacity. These measures will also affect production in other Ford assembly facilities. Three existing truck and SUV plants will be converted for small car production. Retooling is set to begin this December. According to Ford, the new changes are permanent and there is no turning back. That can only mean good news for consumers interested in small, fuel-efficient vehicles.
photo: Ford