Instead, Ford suggested that the media should go talk to the company's dealers to ask them about the company's future. Many are spending millions of dollars to renovate their showrooms. "They would not be spending that kind of money if they thought the company was in trouble."
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| The Mustang GT coupe concept is certainly not lacking in style. This is just one of 100 new products Ford Motor plans to revitalize its bottom line over the next five years. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
In fact, during his speech to the APA, Ford said that the company's revitalization plans are centered on providing better products. The company is introducing 35 new PAG (Premier Auto Group) vehicles--that's new Volvos, Jaguars, Land Rovers, and Aston Martins--plus 65 new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products in the United States in the next five years.
"That's one hundred new vehicles in five years, the most in any period of our 100 year history," Ford noted.
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| There are apparently no plans for revitalizing Ford's old Highland Park factory site where the assembly line and $5 a day wage were born. (Photo: Michigan State Historic Preservation Office) |
In previous announcements about its turn around plans, the world's No. 2 automaker has said it is betting heavily on its PAG vehicles to help its bottom line.
Some other issues raised at Ford's talk were:
Although the automaker is in the midst of its centennial celebration, there are apparently no plans for revitalizing Ford's old Highland Park factory site where the assembly line and $5 day were born. Edsel Ford said that there is a group working on restoring the automaker's second factory at Piquette and Beaubien in Detroit, commonly referred to as the Piquette plant, he did not know of any similar effort for Highland Park.