<center><script language='javascript' src='http://www.fordboldmoves.com/clientscripts/externalflash.aspx?episode=10'></script></center><br> If rising gas prices and a cooling economy haven't depressed you enough, watch the latest webisode by Ford's <a href="http://www.fordboldmoves.com">Bold Moves</a> site. Episode 10 (above) of the video documentary series takes you into the investment banking world - where analysts determine what signal should be sent to institutional and retail investors: Buy, Sell or Hold. The change in recommendation by houses on the street can send a stock skyrocketing or plummeting with hedge funds, 401k plans and everyday investors heading the advice of the analysts.
So what's it like on both sides of this fence? Episode 10 shows you that every word and gesture by Bill Ford is measured in dollars. The Way Forward plan is accelerated and Mark Fields addresses the troops.
What do you think? Will this be the turnaround of the decade?
mirth says:
11:03 AM, 08/25/06
Yeah, I think it will. You ever see anything like that foldboldmoves.com website from any auto maker ever? I think they're serious.
ateixeira says:
01:46 PM, 08/25/06
I disagree. I think this is mostly short-term fluctuations and speculation.
The bottom line is the product. They don't need people talking about the portfolio, interest rates, or stock prices. They need people talking about the product pipeline.
Get us the new Focus. This one is ancient.
Work on the boring Freestar.
Make the 500/Freestyle a little more interesting, too.
Make the trucks more fuel efficient, they lag well behind Chevy right now. A Tahoe matches a much smaller V8 Explorer.
heyjon says:
09:12 PM, 08/25/06
I completely agree with ateixeira.
Until I see the European Focus and a smaller economy car such as the Fiesta at US dealerships, they will be losing in that spectrum of the market. Mark Fields didn't expect gas at $3.00 a gallon and so cars of that type are in demand right now. They already have these engineered and being manufactured in Europe. They don't have the wait the typical 3-4 years of development time to bring it here. Why haven't they yet?
The announcement of the new 265hp 3.5 liter power plant is really good. If they start creating products that are as advanced as this ahead of the competition, there is no reason why they can't be a profitable company again.
I own a 2003 Ford Focus. Great car for its time. But Ford must change it so they are ahead of the competition.