Ford F150 – lighthearted British view of world’s best seller

Yes, the Ford F150 is the world’s largest seller, or should I say was – didn’t the Toyota take over but, I digress.

The attached YouTube video gives a lighthearted viewpoint of the Ford F150 from a British point of view.  It is worth watching just to see a slice of British countryside.  It starts off with someone talking and then progresses to an evaluation of the F150 while driving the countryside. 

I should mention though, that although we know that the British enjoy a nice wet climate, there is no mention of the leaky window problem but, with what they say, you can tell they are not enamoured with the quality – I guess it didn’t rain while they were driving it.

Grab the popcorn, sit back, relax and enjoy:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1ln-dEJ5l4

Ford dealers – do they really love you or just your money?

Awhile back I read an article in the Toronto Star written by Bob Attrell, president of the Toronto Automobile Dealers Association.  Titled, “Give your dealership a chance to resolve any complaints”, it laid out why you should deal with your car dealer regarding complaints.

 

Well, even though I was on my second F150 from Kennedy Ford, they were really silent about the leaky front window and the damages caused.  Yes, they did inform me about the window and brought in a guy to test it but, when it came to fix it, they told me I was on my own (they have a body shop).  That was all and not even any help in dealing with Ford.

 

I had bought this vehicle off my lease and therefore wasn’t a continuing customer I guess and, after the 100K check and problem with the tie-rod, I started going to a private garage for repairs – lower hourly rate.

 

The problem with going to a private garage is that they may not get the notices that are sent out.  Oh, they might get the official safety notices from the government, but do they get the ones about leaky windows and damaged electronics?  I doubt it.  Matter of fact, I got a safety notice from Ford about problems with the front end and was told to ensure I kept a copy to show mechanics – which I have done.  Only wish I had had a notice regarding the leaky window and that would have saved me repair costs for fried electronics.

 

Mr. Attrell, referring to dealers, stated: “They want their customers to leave happy and to feel good about their purchases.”  I guess since I bought out the vehicle I am no longer a good customer and Kennedy Ford doesn’t care if I feel good or not about the purchase.  But then, they didn’t profit from the fried electronic repairs – a private garage did.

 

Found the following link on dealers – interesting –

 

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/247/RipOff0247283.htm

 

and: http://forums.caranddriver.com/auto/board/message?board.id=11&thread.id=190379

Ford – a bit of the Blarney

Matt O’Leary, a Ford engineer is quoted as saying, “Earning the trust of so many truck customers during the past 31 years has taught us a lot about what they want and value from their F-150,” O’Leary said. “In the past, there was a tradeoff – more fuel economy meant less capability and vice versa. With the new F-150, we didn’t accept tradeoffs. We delivered capability and fuel economy.”

Well, I think old Matt is living up to his name and might be giving a bit of the old blarney and with a Shannon in my background, I think I know what I’m talking about.  You’ll notice he doesn’t mention anything about quality.  I think most F150 owners wanted quality in their truck – not a truck that has a leaky front window that allows the electronics to be fried, nor the engine that keeps popping out the spark plug.  Yes, we bought for quality and yes, now that fuel is the big topic, we’d like a bit more fuel efficiency.  But, although it will be nice to drive  a bit further on the tank load, we will still wonder if our electronics will fry in the next rainstorm.  Yes, you might still have a full tank of gas but it isn’t much use Mr. O’Leary if your truck leaks water into the electronics.

Tell us, have you fixed the window yet, or do we have to trust the luck of the Irish to keep us on the road in the next rainstorm?  Are my children and wife safe from the little gremlins that will invade the truck due to the leaky window?  Maybe the next option will be four leaf clover on the front instead of the blue oval.

No matter how you wrap it Ford, you might convince some you have a better truck because in a short time you have miraculously increased the mileage by 12% in less than a year but, you haven’t even admitted that your window leaks, even though there are complaints to the government.  Can you at least tell us if you have solved the leaky window so that I’m not hauling all that extra water around in the cab of my truck – now that would decrease fuel consumption.

GM shows up Ford again – at least in ethics (albiet forced)

In the Toronto Star (B4 – September 11, 2008) there is an article titled, “Drivers may get cash as GM settles claims over engine gaskets”.  Here is a company that is almost going bankrupt and they have decided to settle a class-action lawsuit concerning defective engine gaskets on models going back as far as 1995.  Meanwhile, back at Ford, they continue to ignore the leaky window problem and the resulting damage while they lay off another 500 employees at their Oakville plant.  I guess the new boss has been busy.  Interesting though, this same company can find the money to offer up to senior employees a $90,000 incentive to retire on pension and a $35,000 voucher for a new car.  I guess that is why they can’t be bothered looking after the consumer – you know, the guy that buys the vehicle so that the CAW guy can get a nice incentive to retire.  Wish I could have got that kind of incentive to retire – all I got was enough to buy out my leased F150 with the leaky window that cost me more money.

 

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not rejoicing on the fact that those men and women are losing their jobs, nor the fact they work for the CAW (who does nothing for the consumer) but, upset that Ford can find the money for these big payouts and can’t look after the consumer regarding a faulty installation of a window while, almost bankrupt GM is settling their accounts and looking after the consumer.

 

Is Ford so much of a skinflint that they need us to get some lawyer to press a class-action lawsuit to get them to move?  Talk about a lack of ethics.

 

Oh, and if the incentive I mentioned doesn’t work, Ford will offer up to $100,000 to other workers to retire.  Next time you go to the Ford dealership to fix the problem caused by the leaky window in your F150, just think that some of that money is going to someone’s incentive to retire.  Let’s hope it’s the guy that puts in the F150 windows.

Ford runs while GM and Toyota face the music and do recalls – ethics

In today’s Toronto Star (B2 – Sept 9, 2008) there is an article titled; “GM recalls 314,048 Chevy HHR Wagons”.  Appears that a storage bin might pop open and although there have been no injuries or accidents, GM is doing a VOLUNTARY recall.   Read, “Might pop open and create a hazard”. 

 

Now, we have on record a faulty front window leak that fries the electronics.  Here we have a problem that will cause the electronics to fail in the rain, thereby causing a hazard to those driving – lights fail, wipers fail, blowers burn out, main fuse boxes fry and a number of other issues that not only put the driver and their passengers at risk but also other drivers on the road – including those driving the Chevy HHR wagons that GM thoughtfully fixed so they wouldn’t be a hazard on the road.

 

GM considers what might happen but Ford could care less if your family is stranded in the middle of nowhere in a heavy rainstorm and the electronics fail.  I mean, who cares if an 18 wheeler wipes out your stranded family.  Hopefully someone driving the fixed Chevy HHR will come along and rescue them before they are wiped out.

 

Maybe a little stretch of what could happen?  Just read the papers and you’ll understand.  Awhile ago a woman was killed as she had to pull over due to a wiper not working properly and she was killed by a sideswiping truck – in full view of her children!!!  Yes, it can happen.  But Ford hides while GM and Toyota face up to their responsibilities.  But then, they tend to keep their CEO’s longer so they can not only assume responsibility but put in place policies that will correct a problem.  Most people would understand that as Management 101 but I guess Ford skipped that class.  I wonder if they are taking odds in Vegas on how long the new Ford Canada CEO will last – I’m betting on less than a year.

Ken Lewenza – who does the CAW really support?

Buzz is out and Ken Lewenza is in – the CAW has a new president.  Awhile ago, I received a letter from an Alex Keeney, the National Representative from the CAW that deals with Ford.  In this letter, he basically stated that I was anti-union and that was why no one really considered my complaint.  Not sure where the non-union came from as I have only stated it was a CAW member who installed the windows incorrectly and asked the CAW for help with Ford.  I got no reply from Buzz (but understandable as I guess he was planning his retirement) and the only reply I got was from the CAW accusing me of being anti-union.  So much for help from the very people that are demanding help from the taxpayer.

 

Lewenza is quoted as saying that his “first priority as CAW leader is to help defeat Conservative candidates”.  Well, that certainly sounds productive.  He wants to defeat the same people who are stating they don’t want to constantly bail out private companies with the taxpayer’s money.  Unfortunately the Conservatives are waiving an estimated $50 million in monies owed to them by GM.  As a taxpayer I have some problem with this.  They may also be thinking of doing the same for Ford.  Now, recently GM came across and took the high road and did a recall, giving something back to the consumers with problems.  Ford doesn’t bother and all of us with the leaking window problem not only have to pay for the repairs but can expect our tax dollars to help bail Ford out of their problems as well possibly.

 

If the CAW is so concerned about the common worker, instead of attacking the government, maybe they should hold the auto manufacturers to a higher level and tell them to support the consumer – or would they rather have government handouts instead of consumer support. 

 

Who do you support Lewenza – the government that gives out or promises the most handouts (read the taxpayer) or the consumer who buys your product?

Ford – even their employees don’t think much of them

I read the following headline on MSN:

 

GM Canada’s August sales fall 17.1 per cent, Toyota Canada’s up 29.3 per cent

 

I n the article they mention that Ford and Chrysler dropped 10.3 and 24.6 respectively.

 

Here are a few comments of those that work in the industry that were attached to the article.  If you want the entire list of comments go to:

 

http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/news/article.aspx?cp-documentid=10034085&ucpg=b9bb2eabbb0704e4704bc782fb189958310#_uca_list

 

 

auto assembly Ford Worker

Thank you for your comment! September 4, 2008 7:11:38 PM

 

I work at Ford and I have to say that Ford Management are very successful in taking care of the bum kissers – the drunks – the drug addicts and the lazy ones who whine so they can get out of a days work but when it comes to helping the hard working dedicated – ontime – punctual – workers we are left out in the cold not only by management like B*** G**** of Ford Oakville Body Build * but by our own union reps who I see only take care of their buddies. They all would be better off creating fuel efficient vehicles and quality. Look at the Ford Flex – What a joke – Looks like a Fridge on its side – May be we should suggest to them to paint them all black with one seat and 3 coffins and call it a taliban wagon and send it over to help our troops and put the taliban in them and bury them in the sand instead of us receving out dedicated soldiers coming home in body bags

 

 

CAW Local 707 Autoworker

 

Cant wait for my retirement date

Thank you for your comment! September 4, 2008 6:45:20 PM

 

I work at Ford Oakville and all of us workers do our best to make a quality vehicle – It is not our fault that what i call brain dead management in the upper circle that seems to be years behind everybody else. The only succesful thing I see them doing is reducing the workforce and adding more and more work to the worker. Our plant manager sends out news letters telling us to build in station the first time with quality and when we do have quality issues and actually do care for our future we are looked upon as lazy overpaid workers, but when it comes to putting the screws to the worker or adding more work – they are truly 110% sucessful at that

 

 

Jonny

Thank you for your comment!

 September 4, 2008 5:11:53 PM

 

yes i am a GM worker with a great attitude, these workers u speak of are of an older generation who are retired now , i work in a plant that has a younger generation of works who go in everyday and work hard at their job and enjoy it and want to do the best job they possable can, i know i like my job and want to keep it , now i cant quite make managements decisions but again your speaking of a older time (the real truth) and not todays work force who relize they need to make the best quality product to keep their job and do so everyday and are rewarded with awards time and time again

 

 

Work at Honda- drive a Ford

ScottThank you for your comment!

 September 4, 2008 3:17:22 PM

 

I work for a division of Honda and drive a Ford Fusion. Honda and Toyota do make excellent quaility products for people that want to keep there cars for a long time. I change my vehicles every four years – the price for basic Fusion -that is well appionted and everything that you need is about $22,000. much less than a Camery or Accord.So far it has been the best vehicle I have owned out of many. I am surprised that Ford has not done better with this model

 

 

 

 

If the people who work at Ford and other companies feel this way, no wonder Ford can’t bother looking after the consumer.  I notice the Honda worker thinks that Honda and Toyota will be better for those who want to own a car for a period of time.

 

For those that might be offended by the above, these are not my comments and are only copies of those published on a public website.  A website not censored by Ford, like my comments were on their public website.

Ford – Maybe Buzz Hargrove for president???

I read in today’s Toronto Star that Ford has appointed another president and CEO for its Volvo Cars operation in Europe – Stephen Odell.  After 3 years, the former CEO, Fredrik Arp has decided to leave.  Not much there really except in contrast to its Canadian operation, they have a more stabilized management.  I wonder if that has any bearing on how Volvo approaches their customer relations.

 

Ford Canada has had five presidents in four years.  Now, this sort of makes one feel that Ford Canada is treated like some bush league outfit where good top management really isn’t necessary as the main office controls all that goes on.  In other words, you could have a monkey do the job.  I wonder if that is why we have so many problems with quality and the fact that Ford refuses to deal with the leaky window problem in a responsible way – kind of like how GM and Toyota faced their quality problem and dealt with the consumer in an adult manner.  The top guy isn’t there long enough to read the mail, let alone set policy to ensure customers are treated in the way Ford advertises.

 

Maybe our top executives at Ford should watch less television and advertising and, spend more time in the job observing what is going on and set some policies that reflect a company that truly cares about its customer.  Maybe even the CAW could help out – old Buzz has been president of the CAW for quite some time and had time to establish policy that has helped the auto worker.  Like the help he gave Magna as President of the CAW, maybe retired Buzz could work for Ford Canada – you never know, they might need a new president shortly.

GM takes the high road – Ford hides

In the August 30^th Toronto Star there was a headline: “Threat of fire forces huge GM recall”.  I was happy to see this reported but still unhappy that the Toronto Star doesn’t see fit to publish the Ford matter, but that is another issue.

 

I am glad that GM has taken the high road and doing a recall.  Well, there is no mention of the government forcing this recall and considering the financial shape GM is in, you could almost expect a cover-up – but they didn’t.

 

On the other hand, Ford is very aware of the leaky window problem that is causing F150 electronics to fry. Yes, fry, short out, become inoperative.  The potential for personal harm is very real but Ford continues to cover-up this problem, without so much as a warning to the public.  It appears that an electrical system shorting out and going haywire as you drive down a road in pouring rain is not really that dangerous to Ford.  Seems you have to have a fire before they make a move.  Like those that were crisped in their Pinto or the police officers that were burned to death in Crown Victoria’s.  Yes, Ford eventually moved on those two but it took a lot of deaths before they reacted.  On the leaky window and fried electronics – they don’t report it and just keep either fixing the fried parts or selling the parts to others so they can fix it.

 

Yes, GM took the high road on this one.  Ford continues to hide.  At least we know who is showing more ethics when it comes to consumer protection and care.  Toyota and GM seem to want to keep their customers happy.  Ford doesn’t and only offers those trading in other trucks a large incentive.  But why would GM and Toyota owners switch when they are being treated well.  I guess Ford has lacked ethics for so long, they don’t get it or they think advertising will change everyone’s mind.