CAW & Ford – get with the program guys

Well, well, well, Lewenza and the CAW are going to re-open discussions with the Big 3 automakers regarding contracts.  Yes, the same guy and union who won’t even respond to my emails.  But, I don’t really want to get into a battle with a union.  We all know what happened to Jimmy Hoffa, don’t we?

 

But, I have to laugh at these guys.  I mean, here I’ve been discussing QUALITY (Quality really does depend on the guy working the line doesn’t it?) and they haven’t even bothered to respond to my emails regarding the Ford problem.  If they were really worried about consumers buying the product, wouldn’t they be interested in how we felt about the quality of a product.  Who buys crap unless we are forced to buy it?  We go to the manufacturer who produces the best product for the best price.

 

But the unions forgot that.  They think the consumer will waste their money buying consumer products that are built wrong only because they are union made and American/Canadian made.  Yeah, right.  We’re all brain dead consumers who don’t really care how we waste our money.  We might not be able to tell the CEO’s they make too much money but, we can certainly support companies that build a good product and, if they screw up, correct the problem without shafting the consumer.

 

Lewenza stated, “In exchange for concessions, the CAW said the automakers would have to accept financial assistance from the governments (sic) of Canada and the province of Ontario, and make a commitment to future production in Canada.”  Ohhhh, I like that one.  The automakers, who flew to Washington in their private jets and one of them made $34 million, have to ACCEPT financial assistance from the governments of Canada.  Hey, that is the taxpayer, the consumer, the sucker who bought the Ford F150 with the leaky window. (By the way – how many governments does Canada have??? ).  I do like the fact that OUR tax money must ensure a commitment of production in Canada though.

He further stated, “But the workers could work for free, and it wouldn’t make a difference without a broader national strategy to address this industry’s deeper problems.”  Hey, we’re not asking them to work for free.  Hell, give them a decent wage.  We, the consumer, just want them to put the damm vehicle together properly so that we the consumer don’t get stung with repairs down the road due to sloppy construction.  There is solid proof that the F150 had its window put in place improperly and it has caused thousands of dollars of repairs per vehicle.  Has the CAW stood up and said, we’ll take responsibility?  Has the CAW stood up and told Ford to take responsibility?  No, and they wonder why they can’t sell vehicles in the numbers they want and in the numbers to ensure jobs in this country.  Hey Lewenza, wake up and smell the coffee.  Maybe if you were more concerned about the consumer, you’d have more workers out there instead of being terminated due to declining sales.  Here we have a union that is worried about declining membership. Why?  Maybe because this will determine their next pay raise.  How much in tune is the CAW with our economic crisis?  They are already talking of striking at Air Canada in May.  Here is a company that has laid off more than 2000 people and the CAW is talking strike!!!!!!  Get with the program guys.  You’re no better than those executives that ripped off the rest of us with their high wages and options and won’t look after ripped off consumers.

 

Here’s a little hint.  Have your guys look after the consumer; don’t ask for any big raises; ask the government to go after the “robber barons” ripping off the companies at the top and screwing the consumer; ensure your members can build a decent product with minimal recalls; and, ensure that each member helps each other out and lose the “it’s not in my contract” mentality or,” it’s not my job man” work ethic and you know what – we might all just start to like you and buy your products.   Otherwise, get used to the declining membership.

 

 

Toyota steps up to the plate while Ford hides the problem

As you can see, I have not written for awhile.  It appears that Ford really doesn’t care about the consumer enough (See Toyota further on) to really bother about this problem (along with the blowing spark plugs and leaky rear window).  Even the CAW couldn’t care less.  Earlier I noted that I sent the CAW and President Ken Lewenza emails concerning this and, as yet, haven’t heard a whimper from them on this matter.  I guess they are more concerned about their future salaries as the CAW membership shrinks.  Maybe if they were more involved in quality, the vehicles would sell more and thus save jobs.  But Quality isn’t necessarily # 1 at the CAW.

 

But it is at Toyota.  According to the Toronto Star, Toyota is recalling 2006 & 2007 “Yaris” cars in Canada for a PERCEIVED problem with the seatbelt assembly that might, in a front end collision, cause some rubber padding to catch fire.  Interesting dynamics here as the Toronto Star is fully aware of the leaky front window problem that Ford has with the F150 but won’t mention it.  Here is a problem that is not PERCEIVED but is actually happening when water infiltrates the front window and fries the electronics.  Your wipers go crazy; your electric door locks will fail; you GEM will corrode and die; and, a myriad of other electronic problems will happen, some of which can cause problems for the driver while driving in rainy weather.  Not PERCEIVED but DOCUMENTED with the government.

 

Well, Toyota and its employees recognize a POTENTIAL problem and deal with it in an ethical manner.  Meanwhile, back at Ford, the president flies company jets to Washington to beg for more taxpayer money, made $34 million one year while the company was going bankrupt and, can’t be bothered to deal with the F150 quality control issue.  What do they do – flood the papers (including the Toronto Star) with the new 2009 F150 with the “man steps” and get writers to put out glowing reviews, while dismissing those of us who invested in a F150 truck and got scammed with the front window problem.  A problem well known to Ford but not published to even the owners of the trucks so they could have taken preventative measures that would have saved them thousands of dollars.

 

Thank you Toyota for giving me hope that the auto industry isn’t all about union demands, executive salary rip-offs, poor quality and high prices and, a low opinion of consumers.  And thank you Toronto Star for printing this article about the recalls.  It shows a manufacturer who cares about the consumer.  Maybe you should print the story about the F150 problems and show that Ford only wants the taxpayer bailout without the consumer satisfaction strings attached.  Or, do you only print bad news about foreign owned auto manufacturers?

Consumer’s helping economy through unnecessary repairs!!

Ford Canada got back to me and confirmed that yes; the Special Service Message # 15773 does in fact exist.  I googled this and found most references were for the Expedition models but, it is obvious that F150 truck owners are also suffering. 

 

Yes, suffering.  While the good old boys from Detroit flock to Washington and Ottawa to beg for money, they ignore customers who are being shafted with an improperly built truck that costs hard earned money in unnecessary repairs.  The Big 3 scream that they need financial help in order to survive in today’s economic climate, while earning millions in salary.  Meanwhile, back in reality, people are losing their jobs, watching their pension funds go south and, all because of some greedy people who ripped off the public with some flim flams that the government did nothing about. 

 

Those who own F150’s, Expeditions and Navigators can at least be happy with the fact that they are helping the economy with all the repairs they are making on their leaking trucks.  At least they are trying to keep the economy from crashing.

 

Maybe all those salaried guys, instead of scavenging gross salaries from their almost bankrupt companies, could lend a few million to the cause and compensate us for the fact that the vehicles were built wrong.  Also, maybe the guys who put them together (UAW – CAW) could see fit to supporting the customers and telling their bosses that instead of ripping off people, maybe they should build some customer loyalty by fixing them and not shafting the owners for repairs. 

 

It is called accountability - a word that seems to have lost it’s meaning in the auto industry.  But then, it is hard to see those suffering when you’re making a few million a year and the hardest pinch you will feel is whether you can afford the imported champagne this recession instead of the domestic.  Wonder what they served on the executive jet while flying to Washington to beg for money?

 

I am putting the letter that Ford Canada sent me in this blog for you to see their answer.  The only problem with their solution is that Helm Inc. won’t sell their product to me in Canada – at least according to their webpage.  So, I still can’t see the original to confirm.  At least Ford answered fairly quickly while the CAW and Lewenza are still missing in action.  On this issue the union is either for or against the consumer and should step up to the plate if they want support (yes, taxpayer support).

—————

Thank you for contacting the Ford of Canada Customer Relationship Centre. We received your message sent on 1/8/2009.

It is always a pleasure to assist our customers. We thank you for your recent inquiry. In an effort to assist you, we have researched this matter on your behalf.

According to our resources, the information that was included in your original email is a Special Service Message (SSM) sent to all Canadian Ford dealers. SSM’s are not a recall or extension of warranty, but rather an amendment to the Shop Manual. SSM’s are created because the repair procedure has changed from the time that the Shop Manual was printed.

Special Service Messages are available to be purchased by the public. If you wish to have a copy of this SSM, you may wish to contact Helm Incorporated, an independent organization that supplies vehicle-related literature directly to customers. Please contact Helm Inc. for more information on the pricing and availability of the SSM you are seeking at:

www.HelmInc.com

1-800-782-4356

Please note that while we feel that Helm Inc. may be of assistance to you with this matter, this resource is not maintained or monitored by Ford of Canada. Ford of Canada makes no guarantees and assumes no responsibility for information, services, or materials provided to you through this channel.

If you have any other inquiries or concerns, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to address them.

Thank you for contacting Ford of Canada.

Sincerely,

Ford of Canada
Customer Relationship Centre

Leaky window – did Ford know in 2002???

I recently received the following on my blog:

FORD SPECIAL MESSAGE #15773

VARIOUS ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS RESULTING FROM WATER INTRUSION INTO THE GEM/CJB

SOME 1997-2002 EXPEDITION AND 1998-2002 NAVIGATOR VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VARIOUS UNUSUAL ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

FRONT OR REAR BLOWER OR EATC STAYING ON WITH KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, RADIO STAYING ON AFTER DOORS OPENED AND KEY OUT OF IGNITION, WIPER CIRCUIT FAILURE CODES, AND MULTIPLE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS WITH ‘SHORT TO POWER’ OR ‘LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE’ DTCS.

THESE SYMPTOMS MOST OFTEN OCCUR AFTER A RAIN OR SNOW.

 THIS MAY BE DUE TO GEM/CJB WATER INTRUSION RESULTING FROM A WINDSHIELD WATER LEAK. TO SERVICE, REMOVE THE GEM AND CJB FROM THE VEHICLE, SEPARATE THEM AND INSPECT FOR WATER CONTAMINATION OR CORROSION. IF FOUND IN EITHER COMPONENT, REPLACE BOTH COMPONENTS AND COMPLETELY RESEAL THE WINDSHIELD.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 04/05/2002

Now, it specifically notes the Expedition and Navigator vehicles but the symptoms are exactly as that suffered by some who own the F150. I have not been able to confirm this as a true “Ford Special Message” to dealers but, I have sent an email to Ford Canada and the CAW asking that they confirm or deny that is message exists.  Ford’s contact links aren’t that great so I hope the one I sent it to will get back.

Interesting to note that in this message, they note that the problems may be the result of water intrusion from a windshield leak but at no time do they say that the dealer should fix it under warranty – just replace the components and reseal the window. Well, if the window had been properly sealed at the factory, we wouldn’t have this problem. But Ford, to maintain the profits and pay off the executives and pension plans I guess, can’t be bothered repairing their mistake, except at YOUR cost.

Ah yes, ‘QUALITY IS #1” and “SHAFTING IS #2” in their world.

P.S. I just got back a reply from the CAW. Appears their office is closed until Monday, January 5th, 2009 and their email won’t be checked until January 19th, 2009. Hmmmm, little slow on checking email I would think. But they did leave Ken Lewenza’s email. I’ll try him and see how often he checks his email.  The Ford link just sent back an acknowledgement.

Gettelfinger boasts union faster than non-union. What about quality???

According to the Tundra Headquarters website, Ron Gettelfinger, who is the UAW boss, made a claim in an op-ed piece for the Detroit News that union workers are faster than non-union workers.

Maybe that explains why the Ford F150 has had so many problems – problems that Ford ignores and hopes the customers forgive and continue to buy a product that no longer advertises “Quality is #1″. Maybe if they took more care in building the product instead of pushing it through at a rip roaring pace, the parts would be put together right. I mean, what does the consumer want – a truck built right or just built fast?

Yes, we have become a fast food country but, I still think we enjoy the taste of a slow cooked steak over a nice charcoal BBQ instead of one of those flash frozen pieces of meat (union or not) quickly warmed over a greasy grill or microwave.

It is an interesting read at this website, with facts showing that Gettelfinger is a bit off the mark and, the closing statement states it all.

“To UAW chief Ron Gettelfinger: Sharing this type of inflated and misleading “fact” is a big part of the reason no one trusts you, the major auto manufacturers, or congress. If you really want to help your members, how about being honest and open with the U.S. public?”

Yes, Ford, why not be open and honest about the leaky window instead of flying your corporate jet to Washington and begging for more money to pay your executives?

CEO Pay Packets – does that determine recalls?

In a recent report prepared by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, it was concluded that this country’s executives will have already earned by this time, what it takes the average worker all year to make. Oh, and that was by 9:04AM January 2nd, 2009.

Yes, these hard working guys and gals can slide the rest of the year knowing they’ve already made the average. They mention that the CEO’s have changed from asking for what they felt they needed to live to “how much could they possibly extract from their companies”.

While the CEO of Ford in the past made $34million for his work, his company was putting out F150’s with leaky front windows that caused damage to the truck’s electronics and, I understand it was an EXECUTIVE decision to not look after the consumer stuck with the repair bills.

Yes, don’t want to cut into those large executive pay packets.

Now I know why the unions started – the Robber Barons. Too bad the CAW didn’t come forward and ask Ford to pay up for the poor quality but then, this too would impact on someone’s pay packet. I guess the consumer gets shafted no matter who they turn to.

Ford F150 – most stolen vehicle in El Paso

According to the El Paso County Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Task Force the Ford F150 is the most popular vehicle to be stolen in El Paso with 168 of them taken in 2008.

Seems that the folks in El Paso have solved the problem of the leaky window and fried electronics – not to mention the leaky back window and blown spark plugs. Once your good old Ford burns out the electronics due to the incorrectly installed front window, just go out and borrow another – either for parts or use.

But remember, don’t get into a police chase as the spark plug might blow or your GEM burn out and hurt your chances to escape. For that, I’d pick the Toyota.

Ethics – Ford vs Toyota

The headlines scream, “FEWER RECALLS AT FORD” and “TOYOTA HALTS 2008 HIGHLANDER SALES AS PART OF RECALL – AUTOBLOG”.

Well, unless the government has come out and stated there has to be a recall, most are of a voluntary nature. Toyota recalled their trucks awhile ago due to rust problems and either fixed the problem, arranged another vehicle or, if no rust found, extended the warranty. How does Ford reduce its recalls? Well, as I stated, they are voluntary. You just refuse to acknowledge that something is wrong and don’t put out a recall. Those honest and ethical car manufacturers who look after their customers – they do a recall and thus look bad.

As a consumer, what would you rather have done? Buy a vehicle from a manufacturer that no longer advertizes, “Quality is number 1” and refuses to address the problem of a leaky window or, a manufacturer that admits a mistake and makes an effort to correct it?

We have the evidence of the leaky window, the fried electronics and people’s lives put at risk but Ford refuses to acknowledge the problem. But, they have few recalls. ( and yes, Ford has recalled some vehicles to be fair)

In regards to the Highlander; “The stock belts could prevent secure mounting of a rear-facing child seat in the third row, and dealers will install a redesigned part on affected Highlanders. The problem with the third row belts hasn’t spawned any complaints or injuries, and owners will be notified starting in June. Still, Toyota has put the brakes on Highlander sales until current stock is retrofitted and assembly lines are resupplied with the new part.”

You notice that this problem has not spawned any consumer complaints but Toyota is going to fix it. Ford, on the other hand, has numerous complaints about the leaky window and has been shown it is a problem with potentially life-threatening results but, still refuses to recall the vehicle. They haven’t even warned the consumer of the problem.

Ethics – it’s what it is all about. Sorry Ford but it appears that your $34million CEO doesn’t have the same level of ethics the $1million Toyota CEO has. I guess money can’t buy everything.