The Ford Buy Out??????????????

[G]

This seems like the old time retirements are dropping like flys.

The entitlements and healthcare seem to be a challenge.

http://news.independent.co.uk/busine...cle1603726.ece

[Orange whip 04]

yup, 75,000 workers. Point is, it cost Ford too much money to keep them on the payroll at high wages and health care cost when its cheaper for Ford to buy them out for those close to retirement. My Grandfather use to say he hated Unions when they first began and said the Unions would destroy automotive companys in the long run. And in a sence, that is happening today. Its ashame that so many people have to lose there jobs, but its probably necessary if Ford Motor Company is to stay alive. Im sure Union people working on the line are good people, but we have no need for the greedy organization setting the standards anymore. I mean, i would do the same job as a Ford line worker for half the pay. Sometimes you got to suck in that pride for the whole of the company. Ive had to do this and we were able to overcome hardships by working less hours, just working 30 hours a week for a period of time when the company recovered. I acutally enjoy having the time off because i could spend time with my family, or do some activitys that you wouldnt normaly be able to do during working hours. There is lots of things that can be done rather than cutting jobs, but it all comes down to competition, money, and power. It also doesnt help when American people dont buy the product. Sad, but true.

[BlackMach]

What did Ford expect when gas went over $3.00 a gallon, that people would still buy gas guzzling trucks and SUV's? Ford really screwed themselves when the company gave up on the small car market.

You'd think Ford would have learned a lesson from the 1973 oil embargo and 1979 oil crisis.

[IMachU]

What....another Mustang II?

[G]

Originally Posted by IMachU

What....another Mustang II?

Perhaps a hybrid version of the current Mustang. :LAUGH:

I hope for the best outcome for the work force, it could mean early retirement for some.

[birdman941]

Originally Posted by BlackMach

What did Ford expect when gas went over $3.00 a gallon, that people would still buy gas guzzling trucks and SUV's? Ford really screwed themselves when the company gave up on the small car market.

You'd think Ford would have learned a lesson from the 1973 oil embargo and 1979 oil crisis.

Oh STOP!
My Mach gets nearly 20 city and 30 highway.
Hardly a gas guzzler.
Some people NEED a truck.
A real one. American.
We all know where the oil crisis in 79 originated, and why.
The main reason is people are under the fallacy that jap cars are better,
which they are most certainly not, and never have been.
I would never consider any vehicle but a Ford for anything.
Heck, years ago, I even bought a Philco TV, just because Ford owned it.
The unions had their place years ago, but they got greedy,
and now it's gonna cost them.
So all those people who bought a jap car instead of American,
thinking it doesn't make a difference have been proven wrong.
I do my Patriotic part.
I do not let in foreign car owners into traffic.

[BlackMach]

Originally Posted by birdman941

Oh STOP!
My Mach gets nearly 20 city and 30 highway.
Hardly a gas guzzler.
Some people NEED a truck.
A real one. American.
We all know where the oil crisis in 79 originated, and why.
The main reason is people are under the fallacy that jap cars are better,
which they are most certainly not, and never have been.
I would never consider any vehicle but a Ford for anything.
Heck, years ago, I even bought a Philco TV, just because Ford owned it.
The unions had their place years ago, but they got greedy,
and now it's gonna cost them.
So all those people who bought a jap car instead of American,
thinking it doesn't make a difference have been proven wrong.
I do my Patriotic part.
I do not let in foreign car owners into traffic.

Believe me, we all know what you think of foreign cars. Please, you and I both know a large percentage of trucks are for personal use only, and you also know a car like the mach is not very practical for everyday use, especially up here in the northeast (my mach is a Sunday driver). Point is that Ford did not make a vehicle that suited my needs, an AWD vehicle (car) that was good on gas, but Subaru did.

Ford should have never given up on the small car market, plain & simple.

[birdman941]

When you own a home, a pickup is almost a requirement.
Some areas people have to have one.
Texas, Florida, Arizona, etc.
Especially for those who can do stuff at their house.
The 1980 Pinto got 20 highway MPG with a 2.3 liter 4 cyl.
My Mach is perfectly suited for a daily driver.
The 4 of us took the Mach to dinner at Hooters the other night.
No, it is not a requirement to eat at Hooters, but my gf suggested it.
Took it on vacation to Orlando a month ago.
Took it to Maryland and got nearly 30 MPG highway.
But of course, my Mach is equipped with the driver mod.

[qball261]

I feel bad for all the workers but most of them seen this coming down the line for a few years now. This didnt just happen!!!

[DSGnewbie]

Originally Posted by birdman941

I do my Patriotic part.
I do not let in foreign car owners into traffic.

Now that's some funny sh!t!

[mtm87tx]

Birdman as much as i want to agree with you, i just dont know if i will ever see myself driving any of the cars in Fords lineup. nothing there besides the mustang is appealing nor "sporty"

i would NEVER buy a foreign truck because ford makes a great truck, one that my family has bought several of over the years.

but when i look for a luxury car, Ford just doesnt have it, nor does any other american company. what to do..... i dont bleed blue like some of you guys, but i do like to buy american cars, but its not worth it to drive and pay for something you arent happy with just because its made here.

look where ford and chevy are built, arent some in like mexico and canada now? doesnt toyota and them have a huge plant IN the US? so who is really workin the factories.

mustangs have a plant here though correct? i know my Lightning was made in Canada

[MCHNROL]

The writing has been on the wall for sometime for the unions. It is what has to happen for our companies to survive. I'm in the Delphi crap myself right now.

The profits on the vehicle go to the respective country where it is from. It is not just about paying someones salary, which is peanuts compared to the profit. I'd rather a domestic manufacturer make the profit than a foreign even if it is built in Canada or Mexico. If the car is built in Mexico that is even more profit for an automaker. Follow the majority of the money, where is it going?

When I buy new, I buy domestic.

[birdman941]

Originally Posted by DSGnewbie

Now that's some funny sh!t!

Originally Posted by birdman941

I do my Patriotic part.
I do not let in foreign car owners into traffic.

And 100% true!

[2k4mach]

Originally Posted by mtm87tx

doesnt toyota and them have a huge plant IN the US? so who is really workin the factories.

the Tundras will be built here in San Antonio, that plant they built is freaken huge.

[birdman941]

Originally Posted by MCHNROL

The writing has been on the wall for sometime for the unions. It is what has to happen for our companies to survive. I'm in the Delphi crap myself right now.

The profits on the vehicle go to the respective country where it is from. It is not just about paying someones salary, which is peanuts compared to the profit. I'd rather a domestic manufacturer make the profit than a foreign even if it is built in Canada or Mexico. If the car is built in Mexico that is even more profit for an automaker. Follow the majority of the money, where is it going?

When I buy new, I buy domestic.

You are probably right about unions.
I will give you a couple of examples.
I spent an entire summer in the Dearborn tire lab.
We were doing tire/wheel testing for the Windstar.
We had literally a couple thousand tires in the lab.
We got done with one batch,
and the tires were picked up by the manufacturers.(Firestone, Goodyear,etc.)
This left some welcome floor space in the lab.
Being late summer, early fall, there were a lot of leaves on the floor.
I decided to grab a broom and tidy up.
I had no idea I couldn't sweep the freaking floor!
Got in trouble, as SWEEPING is a Union job!
Example 2:
Spent several weeks in building 5 in Dearborn.
I think it was Marauder stuff.
In order to do a particular job (engine removal), we had to remove the hood.
So my coworker and I remove the hood, and place it on the roof of the car.
(Protected by a blanket of course.)
We got nailed by the union because the SHEETMETAL guys are supposed to remove hoods.
I told the union guy that the hood was fiberglass/plastic.
He said it didn't matter, because hoods USED TO BE metal.
I could not believe it.

[huntr424]

Originally Posted by birdman941

You are probably right about unions.
I will give you a couple of examples.
I spent an entire summer in the Dearborn tire lab.
We were doing tire/wheel testing for the Windstar.
We had literally a couple thousand tires in the lab.
We got done with one batch,
and the tires were picked up by the manufacturers.(Firestone, Goodyear,etc.)
This left some welcome floor space in the lab.
Being late summer, early fall, there were a lot of leaves on the floor.
I decided to grab a broom and tidy up.
I had no idea I couldn't sweep the freaking floor!
Got in trouble, as SWEEPING is a Union job!
Example 2:
Spent several weeks in building 5 in Dearborn.
I think it was Marauder stuff.
In order to do a particular job (engine removal), we had to remove the hood.
So my coworker and I remove the hood, and place it on the roof of the car.
(Protected by a blanket of course.)
We got nailed by the union because the SHEETMETAL guys are supposed to remove hoods.
I told the union guy that the hood was fiberglass/plastic.
He said it didn't matter, because hoods USED TO BE metal.
I could not believe it.

I completely agree that sometimes unions take it way to far, but if there weren't unions then employers would completely take advantage of workers. Thats why unions were established in the first place. Unions are a necessary evil to keep in check money hungry business. Simple as that. Trust me I am a prime example of what happens to a worker when their union rights are taken away. Its not fun

[Ford4me]

I am in the enrgy business with a major global corporation and some of our retirement plans went away years ago with $9.00 per bbl. oil. Its everyone in the middle class paying for the upper class. Look at CEO's benefits and salaries. You can balance the federal deficit with them.

As for foreign cars, I bought a new Nissan Titan and got bashed on this site for buying it and praised on SVT performance. The truck is manufactured in Mississippi, not like some Fords in Canada and Mexico. The truck is awesome and I have owned nothing but fords or lincolns for years. I feel for the Ford employees but the fords and chevys are out of touch not to mention design and style. Please don't misunderstand me Long live Ford and when they listen to the buying public I will be back.

[Fastbandit99]

Originally Posted by Ford4me

As for foreign cars, I bought a new Nissan Titan and got bashed on this site for buying it and praised on SVT performance. The truck is manufactured in Mississippi, not like some Fords in Canada and Mexico. The truck is awesome and I have owned nothing but fords or lincolns for years. I feel for the Ford employees but the fords and chevys are out of touch not to mention design and style. Please don't misunderstand me Long live Ford and when they listen to the buying public I will be back.

I am with you, I have owned two Ford trucks. They got me around but had issues. The Wife's Armada pulls our boat much better than my Supercrew did. The only issue with the Armada was the rear brake rotors were too thin. The dealer replaced them and all the pads hassle free the next day after I called them, because I felt a small pulse in the peddle. Otherwise this truck rocks.

I mentioned in another thread that Brand loyalty caused many of the U.S. manfacturers problems. People finally got fed up with poorly built U.S. vehicles after years of buying them soly based on the name of the manufacture. The Japanese were waiting and took advantage.. See where they both are now..


Banditman

[BlackMach]

Originally Posted by Fastbandit99

I mentioned in another thread that Brand loyalty caused many of the U.S. manfacturers problems. People finally got fed up with poorly built U.S. vehicles after years of buying them soly based on the name of the manufacture. The Japanese were waiting and took advantage.. See where they both are now..

So true.

If anything, this is major payback for the American auto manufacturers for all the poorly made vehicles and poor service they offered their American customers through the years. Talk about biting the hand that feeds...