Comments on: Bailout Watch 7: Will Ford Bailout Go Up In a Flash of Genius?

By: capeplates

capeplates — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:31:55 +0000

Hollywood – more like Bollywood – Ford are existing on borrowed time unless a major overhaul of there products design is undertaken

By: 50merc

50merc — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:15:00 +0000

Let’s be cautious about absorbing morality tales from Hollywood. Often the depiction of heroes and villains is badly skewed by the moviemakers’ own ideologies. (The recent film about the origins of the anti-slavery movement, “Amazing Grace,” is a splendid exception.) My theory is that movie people like to depict capitalism as thoroughly evil because their own industry is the most amoral on earth. The article to which Happy_Endings linked informs us that the battle with Ford involved some areas for reasonable disagreement.

Nevertheless, “Flash of Genius” sounds a familiar note because students of automotive history, such as our friend Menno, will recall that Ford has a history of unwillingness to give proper credit for contributions. C. Harold Wills had a lot more to do with development of the Model T than old Henry. Similarly, Harold Hicks was instrumental in engineering the Model A but was treated shabbily.

Ah, well, the world also thinks Bill Gates invented MS-DOS.

By: rochskier

rochskier — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 16:10:33 +0000

That “Flash of Genius” trailer is super depressing.

Even more so when one recalls all the TV and print ads over the years where the D2.8 slather their product in the flag and traditional values such as truth, justice, and the American Way.

By: hwyhobo

hwyhobo — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 04:59:57 +0000

Ford’s good will with the public has often gone up in smoke (Pinto) or rolled over and died (Explorer).

Just to keep score, despite the brouhaha in the media about the rollovers, Explorer remained a best-selling vehicle. You can start sensationalized stories only so many times. Remember Audi? Remember the faked Chevy truck gas tank explosion? Public finally catches on.

By: Frantz

Frantz — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 01:36:32 +0000

Henry Ford II wasn’t exactaly known for his morals on fair business treatment. I’ll watch the movie when it comes out… but i’m sure its one moive about just another borrowed idea.. this is america.. its all about stealing what you can if you get away with it =-P

By: Robert Farago

Robert Farago — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:13:24 +0000

packv12

BTW, this was a Ford development, not GM’s.

Doh! My bad. Text amended. Pino quaffed.

By: Happy_Endings

Happy_Endings — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:58:18 +0000

Robert Kearns, the inventor of the intermittent wipers and who is the subject of the movie, sued every manufacturer of cars, including foreign makers, for patent infringement. He was only successful against Ford, to the tune of $10.2M following an out of court settlement, and Chrysler, who had to pay $18.7M plus interest. Suits against GM and other car companies were dismissed.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/02/25/005398.html

By: packv12

packv12 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:45:00 +0000

I haven’t seen the movie, but I do remember the pay-off to the person who developed the interval wipers. At the time – it said a lot about the big three and their morals. But then again, the competition is killing everyone, let’s just screw another supplier or their engineering staff, who will notice?

BTW., this was a Ford development, not GM’s.