Ford vs Maple Leaf Foods

I doubt if any of you have missed what has been front page news in the Toronto Star and other national and local papers.  Maple Leaf Foods has had to recall meat products due to product contamination.  This is something that is always present in our food chain and we trust our suppliers to utilize all methods to ensure that no food leaves the plant contaminated.  Unfortunately, in this case, it has happened and deaths have occurred.  But, I will still buy Maple Leaf Food products because of what they did – no, not the contamination part but the fact they stood up to the plate right away, did a recall and closed the plant to ensure no more contaminated products were shipped.  They will take a beating in the press and local bar rooms but, at least they can stand up and say they did the right thing.  Their CEO ( Michael H. McCain ) has gone on TV with ads to explain the issue and to take full responsibility.

 

Now, compare that to Ford.  I won’t go into the Pinto issue nor expand on what I have stated concerning the Crown Victoria affair except to say, Ford was initially reluctant to come forward and issue a recall and take responsibility.  A lot of police officers died while Ford played around with the Crown Victoria.

In our issue concerning the built-in front window leak,  Ford has not publically acknowledged the fact that they produced a vehicle with this built-in fault (although I understand a service bulletin was issued to dealers but not other garages but I have yet to see this) nor have they issued a recall or attempted to fix the problem (I had to go to Speedy Glass – who did an excellent job).  Even the CAW refuses to comment on this except to tell me that I shouldn’t blame their workers (who put the window in?). 

It is interesting to note that Ford Canada is on its fifth president in less than 4 years – they are changing the top man more often than underwear on a person with a lower bowel problem.  How can they expect to promote good customer relations when their top management keeps changing?  Who is going to take responsibility for the Ford F150 front window leak if they keep changing the guy that should.

At least Maple Leaf Foods has shown some ethics and their CEO is someone I’d like to do business with.  I think a handshake with him would the most I’d require in any business deal (although I’m sure the lawyers would tell me otherwise).  I’d buy a used car from the Maple Leaf CEO but not necessarily a new car from the Ford CEO.  I hope that Maple Leaf Foods survives this last incident and are able to move on, with a little help from consumers.

 

P.S. some will say I am comparing apples and oranges.  Well, Toyota recognized it had a rust perforation problem with their truck frames and they did the ethical thing – either repaired the vehicle or bought it and, if no rust, added on a 15 year warranty.  I’m sure that the Toyota and Maple Leaf Foods CEOs listen to the same school of thought – honest customer relations, not advertised relations.

Ford – will the new President continue the unethical practice?

In the on-line version of the Toronto Star I read the following article:

“OAKVILLE–Ford of Canada named David Mondragon as its new president and chief executive on Monday.”

Further they quote Mr. Mondragon: “

“I look forward to working closely with the Ford of Canada dealers to ensure we are not only meeting, but exceeding customer expectations as we introduce the new products.”

Well Mr. Mondragon, there are a few of us out there that would be quite happy if you just met our expectations in terms of backing up your product.  The fact that Ford has an unethical policy of not notifying the public regarding this problem and also lettiing the dealers fix the damages  but not fix the problem is not going to win any customers.  Your company offered $500 off my next Ford in compensation for thousands of dollars damage due to your faulty workmanship, while offering Chrysler and Toyota truck owners $1000 to buy a Ford.  So much for respecting loyalty.    It will be interesting to see if you continue this corporate policy of do nothing for customers.  Regardless, good luck in your new position.

Ford – and another one bites the dust!!!!!

I gleaned the following from the net

 

“Bill Osborne, up until yesterday the President of Ford Australia, is not the only non-U.S. Ford exec taking a walk from his responsibilities at the Blue Oval. Ford Motor Co. of Canada Ltd head-honcho Barry Engle (above) has also chosen to leave the company on the exact same day. The coincidences don’t end there, as both men took their respective positions just six months ago in February of this year.”

Seems that all the high end executives are fleeing Ford like fleas from dog about to be hosed.  Head of Ford Australia and the head of Ford Canada both leave the same day from similar positions and after working the same time span.  Sounds very odd to me.  Maybe they both disagree with Ford’s policy to bury the leaky window problem and hose the consumer… The only two with ethics at the company???  I also notice that old Buzz Hargrove from the CAW is leaving as well….  I must be missing something here……

Ford – the F150 is losing its value

I read the following on the web: “Ford, for its part, intends to make some truck models “lease proof,” boosting monthly payments so high that customers are forced to buy instead — if they buy at all.

That’s what happens when Ford loses $8.7 billion in just three months — $2.1 billion of that loss due to plummeting lease values. When Ford wrote the leases, these were desirable trucks. Now they’re coming back as white elephants, worth billions less on used-car lots than Ford originally calculated.” -http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=592753

I think another reason it is losing its value is the fact that more and more people are realizing that the F150 is no longer the truck it used to be.  I bought my first F150 based on its reputation for durability.  It was a good truck so I leased another and then eventually bought it.  Little did I know that the truck’s durability declined after the 100,000 K check (60,000 miles).  And I’m not the only one – leaky rear window, leaky front window and blown spark plugs to name just a few problems.  Now, all vehicles have problems but at least the manufacturer stands behind them.  Ford – won’t do a thing for loyal owners on the Ford F150 and are now trying to make them un-leasable.  So much for confidence in their product.  I guess those of us that own F150’s can forget resale now on these trucks when even the manufacturer bails out.

Ford – do they deserve our taxpayers funding?

I read awhile ago that the Canadian Federal government was being asked for some more money to support the declining auto industry.  Now, on the one hand I can understand why in that we should try and protect our manufacturing sector and the jobs attached but, I also am concerned that we the taxpayer give our our money to companies that turn around and don’t support us as consumers.  Now, someone in a website thought I was ranting about this and because there hasn’t been a recall, can’t be all that big a problem.  I know there are more than 10 legitimate complaints to the U.S. Department of Transportation on file.  Why not more?  Possibly that the people have accepted the fried electronics as normal wear and tear – I know I did and, they aren’t aware that they are paying big dollars for repairs that aren’t normal wear and tear but in fact the result of water infiltration due to an improperly installed front window.  If that is ranting, then I am sorry but I look at it more like being ripped off.  I don’t mind normal wear and tear – that is life and part of owning a mechanical item but, when it is built wrong right from the start and the manufacturer knows about it and doesn’t even put out a notice, then that is why I say to the government – no more of my taxes to them.

Below is the letter I wrote to Stephen Harper and his response.  I don’t expect anything to really happen but, at least I got a written reply.  I only got a phone call and was told there would be no written reply and that, unlike the Toyota and Chrysler owners who switch to Ford and get $1000 off their next vehicle, Ford offered me $500 off my next vehicle, which doesn’t even cover the repairs to the items damaged by their faulty window installation. 

 —————————————-

On behalf of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, I would like to thank you for your e-mail regarding federal assistance for automobile manufacturers.

Please be assured that the statements you made have been carefully reviewed. I have taken the liberty of forwarding your e-mail to the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry, so that he too may be made aware of your comments.

M. Bourque
Executive Correspondence Officer
for the Prime Minister’s Office
Agent de correspondance de la haute direction
pour le Cabinet du Premier ministre

>>> From : oakville_homes@hotmail.com Received : 23 Jul 2008 08:53:40 AM >>>

Dear Mr. Prime Minister: Today I read about the shutting down of a 3rd line at the Ford Oakville plant. One of the officials was quoted that he felt the federal government should assist Ford with funding. I assume this is to assist in staving off cuts due to imports etc. Although I can agree with the federal government assisting, when appropriate, job creating sectors of our country, I am at odds with the government assisting Ford – a company which takes the taxpayers money but refuses to recognize consumers who have problems with their products. Ford produced some F150’s with the front window improperly installed and this has caused consumers thousands of dollars as Ford fails to recognize the problem. This is in direct contrast to Toyota who recognized a rust problem and dealt with it in an ethical manner. Ford is silent on the matter and has not even notified consumers of the problem – thus allowing their mistake to continue to cost consumers. For the complete history on this, please refer to the following blog: http://fordf150news.wordpress.com/ I feel that the government, before handing out tax money to those demanding support, should consider whether or not that company is in fact helping the Canadian taxpayer. Yes, they produce jobs but, can cost the the consumer money with faulty products they refuse to acknowledge. I’d prefer my taxes to go to someone who shows a more ethical business practice. Thank you

Ford – President and CEO of Ford Canada bails out???

Ford of Canada has stated that Barry Engle, who led the company for 8 months, is moving on to the New Holland Agricultural Equipment company.  I wish him luck but, I found his closing statement somewhat misleading.

 

Quoted in the Toronto Star, Engle stated, “Leading Ford of Canada has been one of the best experiences of my career and it’s very difficult to leave a team that is so committed to its customers and to building future success”.  Committed to its customers???!!!!

 

Which ones?  I think there are quite a few of us out there that would beg to differ on that point, considering the number of leaky windows causing our electronics to fry and putting our lives at risk.  As well, they even censor you from their customer input website if you don’t like their product. 

 

I also get a kick out of the statement, “building future success”.  In the Toronto Star there is a headline, “Big 3 drop in customer satisfaction survey”.  The article stated that “US car buyers are growing less satisfied with their purchases from domestic auto makers while their Asian and European competitors continue to improve.”  Maybe the Big 3 and the CAW/UAW should take this into consideration before coming to our government asking for handouts.  If you can’t build a good product and support the consumer, why should the consumer support you with our taxes? 

 

Engle’s is supposedly going home to be with his extended family.  Maybe the guy just got frustrated working for a company that cares less about the consumer and more about raking in more tax funds for the stockholders.

Ford – Toronto Star article shows case hopeless

If you’re in the United States, you might have a chance in terms of this problem with Ford – leaky front window causing electronics to fry.  If you’re in Canada, you might as well kiss you ass goodbye and maybe look at Toyota – at least they repaired the rusting frame problem.  According to Nigel Mortimer, who is the head of recalls at Transport Canada, “a notice of defect is issued and the manufacturer has to notify owners.  They don’t have to do anything else”.  I can’t even get Transport Canada to issue a defect order, even after showing them that the United States Department of Transportation has many complaints.  So much for our government protecting our interests!

 

What is the best course of action?  According to George Iny, president of the Automobile Protection Association, “what you need is a class-action lawsuit.”

 

That is about all that will make the likes of Ford move on something like this.  I mean, Toyota did it themselves but I guess Ford needs a little push.  Maybe the CAW would help us out, considering that their future lies in whether or not we buy the vehicles they make and subsequently get raises as a result of a profitable year.  Maybe the CAW should not look at the consumer as a cash cow, ready to pay for all the mistakes in a car and, support us in getting our cars repaired. 

 

John Meeson, a retired OPP officer, had a problem with his 2002 Taurus.  His front tire exploded when the front spring broke and pierced the tire.  Now, Mortimer feels that this is not a safety issue.  Yes, when the spring breaks there is a lot of noise and the tire goes flat but, according to Mortimer, it doesn’t affect the stability of the vehicle.  He says every manufacturer has spring failures.  Well, I can see it now.  Mr. Mortimer’s wife ( I of course am assuming he is married and loves his wife) is driving along in her Ford F150 vehicle on a rainy day and approaching a curve when, her electronics start to act up due to a leaky window and her front spring collapses and rips the life out of her front tire.  Yes, I guess, based on Mr. Mortimer’s advice, she shouldn’t worry and easily bring the truck under control.   Good luck Mrs. Mortimer!!!!!

 

Mr. Meeson, as a retired OPP officer of some experience, is “astounded that Ford was able to convince the government that broken springs no longer constitute a driving hazard.”  “It boggles my mind.” he says.  “They don’t seem to care if people get hurt.”

 

Well, I’m not astounded.  Seems nobody thinks that a leaking front window that fries your electronics in a rain storm and causes your wipers to act up, lights to go on and off and your heater motor to fry –  so why should the government or Ford?

 

Well, the Federal Government and Ford are well aware of this leaky window problem so, if you hear of an accident involving these factors, let a lawyer know.  It seems that just a leaky window and fried electronics isn’t enough to get things moving.  Maybe a death or injuries will cause someone to take notice.  Sort of like the recent propane explosion in Toronto.  Oh, and please send a letter to Prime Minister Harper and explain we want protection and that the Federal government shouldn’t be giving money to the auto industry.  Why should the taxpayer give these companies money when they don’t even protect the consumer/taxpayer?  It is like paying twice for every problem with your vehicle.  I did and got a reply which will be in my next blog. 

 

The quotes and information are from the Toronto Star, August 2^nd edition.  They won’t report on this problem with Ford but, at least gave some useful information.  Not sure why they didn’t report the F150 problem, considering there is a fountain of information concerning this?

Ford – are they really concerned about your safety????

The following is a consumer complaint registered with the United States Department of Transport.  It is one of many but, I think it illustrates the frustration that F150 owners are feeling in terms of Ford’s lack of concern in regards to our safety.

 

CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI Case Number: 10237321

Component: VISIBILITY

Details: I HAVE HAD THE 02′ F150 SINCE DECEMBER 07′ AND HAVE HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD LEAKING. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH IN THE 97′ TO 03′ F150 MODELS VIA FORD FORUMS AND OTHER INTERNET SITES AS WELL AS THE LOCAL FORD DEALER REPAIR SHOP WHO WORKED ON MY TRUCK. THIS LEAK SHORTS OUT THE FUSE PANEL IN THE CAB THAT CAUSES THE LOSS OF POWER TO EQUIPMENT INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE LEAK ALSO TENDS TO SHORT OUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUSING THE COMPUTER TO BE UNABLE TO READ WHAT GEAR THE TRUCK IS IN. THIS CAUSES THE TRUCK TO NOT START AND EVEN SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING WHICH AGAIN IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING IN ANY CONDITION. THIS LEAK COST ME $1500 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE STARTER, RELAY, ALTERNATOR, COMPUTER, FUSE PANEL, AND HAVING TO REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THIS LEAK WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAVE ONLY ISSUED A SPECIAL SERVICE BULLETIN! I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE WINDSHIELD LEAK IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE YET A RECALL CAN BE ISSUED FOR FADING PAINT? *TR

Occurrences: 1 Injuries: 0
Fail Date: 03/20/2008 Deaths: 0
Date added to datbase: 8/7/2008

Ford – Cut comments and threaten libel if you speak the truth.

I recently wrote a piece on a Ford website that was featured in a Toronto Star newspaper article.  It is: FORDPOWEREDBYYOU.CA.

 

I was watching a British drama tonight called “Judge Deed” and in this particular show, the judge was trying to fight government and the press over some scandals.  The bad guys even tried to kill him to shut him up.  While watching, I was thinking about how I had tried to make this Ford problem public and thus save some consumers some money.  But, it appeared that the aforementioned website only wanted positive things stated.  Seems they found what I had said, “libelous”.  Well, here is the letter they sent me and my original posting.  I will leave it up to my readers to decide if what I said was wrong or, was I just stating facts and the truth.  (I apologize for some of the typos as I typed it directly into the website originally, although I do notice some in theirs.)

 

“Thank you for registering to join the Fordpoweredbyyou.ca community
and taking the time to post. Unfortunately, this e-mail is to inform
you that your post “Why does Ford and CAW not admit to leaky windows?”
has been removed from the site as per the user agreement
(http://fordpby.ca/user-agreement). The section ‘Rules of Ford Powered
By You’ explicitly prohibits the posting of potentially “libellous or
slanderous accusations.”
 
– The Ford powered by you team
 
 
 
 
Why does Ford and CAW not admit to leaky windows?
 
I always wonder why manufacturers always fall back on their warranty
information, even when shown the problem was right from the factory.
There are quite a few F150’s out there that are having problems with
their electrical systems. Burnt out blower motors, power windows
failing, fuse boxes fusing and burning out, windshield wipers
operating when they shouldn’t and a plethora of other electrical
problems – all traced back to water infliltration to these systems -
at the fuse box. Why??? Because some CAW guy on the line installed the
front window improperly and it did not seal. Warranty??? No… Why???
Because Ford replaces all these burnt out items (if under warranty -
for free) and if you are off warranty, they keep on replacing the
burnt out parts at YOUR cost. They don’t bother to fix the window and
if off warranty, your problem. A CAW worker installed this window
without primer and thus the problem.. a item improperly installed that
might not show up till after the warranty is over – and if under
warranty, most just think it is a burnt out part.
 
Ford knows about this and does nothing. Oh yes, they offered $500 off
my next Ford vehicle ( inconsideration of my last bill – no written
response though. Yes, I know, they offer anyone trading in a Chev or
Toyota $1000 of the vehicle… So much for Ford loyalty. What will it
take before the CAW or Ford take action – an electrical fire in the
system or an electrical failure that results in a death???”

Ford pays for “embarrassing” fix on Ford Lightning engine and 2000-2001 radiators

I didn’t see this until recently but it certainly tells a lot about Ford and their customer relations (?).

 

I have put the whole news release at the end of this so you can read it.  Back in November, Ford decided to help out those who own the “high end” and “sporty” model of the F150.  Seems that they MAY experience a loss of engine performance at full throttle.  God forbid if they can’t really crank out the old truck when cruising the highway.  I mean, they will not do a recall on this problem but for “a no-charge customer satisfaction program”, they will make the free adjustment.

 

Next, I notice that they dumped their president and CEO (Jacques Nasser) and then offer cash, discounts and free product upgrades to those complaining about their radiators.  They don’t say what the problem was but, it wasn’t a recall.

 

Now, I am glad that those people owning these vehicles got some compensation but, here we are, a bunch of people who not only have a leaky window but the leak is causing not only thousands of dollars in damage to our electronics but, has the potential of causing an accident.  I notice in this news release there is no mention of any safety issue.  Seems that when it comes to the high end F150 and radiator problems, Ford is willing to own up and fix the problem but not for the leaky window someone put in wrong.  I know of at least 10 official complaints to the U.S. Department of Transport.  So, how many complaints does it take to make Ford own up to an unethical mistake they made and continue to hide?  I am sure that a lot of people have repaired their electronics and aren’t even aware that the fix is just taking out the faulty window and repairing the seal. 

 

News Release:

 

Ford recalls F-150 Lighting pickups

DETROIT, Nov 7 (Reuters) – In another embarrassing quality glitch, Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F – news) said on Wednesday that it was recalling 8,966 limited edition F-150 Lightning pickup trucks because of a problem with its souped-up engine.

Ford spokesman Mike Vaughn said the problem, in F-150 Lightnings built between December 1998 and August 2000 at the company’s Ontario Truck Assembly plant, stemmed from a potential internal coolant leak in a component of the engine’s supercharger.

“If this occurs, the vehicles may experience loss of engine performance at full throttle,” Vaughn said.

He said 8,602 owners of the trucks in the United States and another 363 in Canada, would receive letters from Ford this month with the automaker’s offer to fix the problem free of charge.

“This isn’t a safety recall. This is a no-charge customer satisfaction program,” Vaughn said.

The F-150 Lightning, build by Ford’s SVT limited production division, has a sticker price of $32,500 and a souped-up 380 horsepower engine that makes it one of the world’s most coveted pickups.

Repeated quality problems, including two recalls of its all-new 2002 Explorer sport utility, have weighed heavily on the world’s No. 2 automaker since last year.

Just last week, on the same day Ford unceremoniously ousted its president and chief executive Jacques Nasser, the company said it was offering cash, discounts, and free product upgrades to the owners of about 457,117 model 2000 and 2001 F-150s because of customer complaints about their radiators.