Daily Podcast: It Must Be Said

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

"Joel, you wanna know something? Every now and then say, 'What the fuck.' 'What the fuck' gives you freedom. Freedom brings opportunity. Opportunity makes your future.' Of course, we here at TTAC say WTF on a regular basis, albeit in a more quizzical context. But it behooves Ford CEO Alan Mulally to put on those clear glasses of his (sunglasses would be metaphorically appropriate, but there you go) and deal with the fact that automaking is a risky business. Ford's amazingly talented engineers lack freedom. The engineers' freedom is Ford's opportunity. And opportunity can make FoMoCo's future. As a proud American, I am disgusted at the decline and fall of The Big 2.8. GM; I don't need to say anything about GM today. Chrysler is run by a man who already pocketed $200m for running a company into the ground. But Ford clearly know what they should be doing. Bold Moves? Yes please. But they aren't doing it. I blame Mulally. Mulally is the beancounter GM CEO Rick Wagoner thinks he is. Great. Good for him. Toyota-away I say. BUT DON'T BUILD TOYOTAS. Build something uniquely American and completely spectacular. And then, if you have to, go bankrupt. But do not do so building Camcord clones in Mexico.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Umterp85 Umterp85 on Jan 27, 2008

    starlightmica: "I’m glad to hear that the Flex looks & feels good, because that’s all it’s got over its well-regarded but slow-selling predecessor" Differentiating style and high quality / well appointed interior have sold alot of cars in the past...agreed ? Also---I can assure you---the marketing plan surrounding this launch will be exponentially bigger than anything you have seen from Ford especially when compared to the 500/Taurus marketing debacle. The Flex + F150 launches will also be Farley's to own. Given his history with Lexus and Scion---I am confident that these launches will not only have mega $'s---but also effective communication.

  • Starlightmica Starlightmica on Jan 27, 2008
    umterp85 : Bummer for Farley & Co. - Ford's launching the F-150 into an economy that's not looking good, and that product matters far more than the Flex. Best of luck to to them.
  • 50merc 50merc on Jan 27, 2008

    Flex will make the Taurus X pointless. And based on the pictures on Ford's website, Flex should be a hit. For one thing, Ford has remembered that for the people riding inside, a box shape beats the egg shape. The second-row seating accommodations look great. I could get very, very interested if there was a Flex-like vehicle a foot shorter and 500 pounds lighter. A Lincoln-ized Flex would be a terrific VIP-hauler and livery car. There's easy in/out, a cooler for beverages and a screen for stock market reports, and room for La-Z-Boy inspired thrones. Make the car a three-box design and the Town Car is reborn!

  • Umterp85 Umterp85 on Jan 28, 2008

    Startlightmica: Are you suggesting that they don't improve and market the F150 becuase of a down economy? You can't control the economy---you can control improving your product. The pick-up segment may be declining---but it is still huge and profitable. The F150 will be best in class on a number of dimensions....this will give Farley plenty to market

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