Ford – Government funding doesn’t necessarily mean good quality

Awhile back, after reading that the Harper government was considering the investment (?)/bailout, etc of the auto industry through a massive infusion of TAXPAYER’S money I sent in a letter to the appropriate agency.  I am not against trying to help industry in Canada to prosper but, I am against us giving money to corporations that seem to be in trouble while their executives walk out with multi-million dollar payouts and compensation.  I mean, if these guys really cared about who they worked for and not themselves, then we’d see more action and less rip-off.  But, that is another issue.

I was against the government giving out this money without getting something in return.  Like, why does Ford get away with building a truck with a built-in problem (leaky window) that is costing the consumer thousands of dollars and no one really cares.  There are many complaints to the U. S. Department of Transport but, it seems they fall on deaf ears.  I notified our own complaint system and even gave them copies of the U.S. complaints but, I guess it wasn’t enough.

Anyways, below is the response I got.  Seems Ford will get its billions in order to ensure their executives get their cut while the consumer gets the shaft.  I keep on seeing these stickers on local cars about not buying foreign because we lose jobs.  Maybe if they built the truck right, we’d not have to go foreign for the better built vehicle.  Seems low pay does not mean low quality. 

SENT ON BEHALF OF ALISON TAIT

Thank you for your e-mail of July 23rd, 2008, to the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister, concerning your views on possible federal government assistance to Ford Motor Company of Canada.  Your letter was forwarded to the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry.  I have been asked to reply on his behalf.

The importance of the automotive industry to the economic well-being of this country and the province of Ontario cannot be overstated.  Automotive manufacturing is the largest industrial sector in Canada directly employing more than 158,000 people in manufacturing and a further 336,000 in dealerships and repair facilities. 

These numbers do not include the thousands of indirect jobs that are created in the economy to support these workers and their families.  As I am sure you will agree, the economic health of this industry is critical to the Canadian economy and for the thousands of families who rely on these jobs.  For this reason, the federal government has taken considerable steps to ensure the automotive industry in Canada remains strong.

We are aware of the challenges the industry is experiencing in Canada and throughout North America, including those related to the need for fast introduction of “green” automotive technologies.  News of lay-offs and restructuring, such as the recently announced decision by Ford to not proceed with a third shift at their Oakville assembly plant, is always distressful for the workers, their families and the communities affected.

Through its strategic economic plan “Advantage Canada”, the government is lowering taxes, reducing unnecessary regulations and red tape, building the modern infrastructure we need, and creating the most-skilled workforce in the world.

In support of this plan the government’s approach to positioning Canada’s automotive sector for success is based on four pillars:

• strong economic fundamentals
• an integrated North American economy
• science and technology
• a new Automotive Innovation Fund

I am pleased to inform you that on September 3, 2008, Prime Minister Harper announced a new joint investment  with the Ford Motor Company of Canada under the Automotive Innovation Fund. The federal government’s partnership with Ford will create or sustain up to 757 auto sector jobs and make Canada a major research centre for greener, fuel-efficient engine technologies.  Ford’s Renaissance Project will include the establishment of a new flexible engine assembly plant in Windsor, as well as the creation of a new North America Centre for Diesel and Advanced Powertrain Research and Innovation, which will perform research into engine efficiency and new fuel technologies.  This investment illustrates the federal government’s commitment to creating better jobs for workers in the manufacturing sector, while ensuring that Canada remains an auto sector leader on the world stage.

With regard to the window of the Ford F150 you describe in your letter, we have been in contact with officials in the Defect Investigations and Recalls bureau of Transport Canada. Transport Canada has confirmed that your complaint has been registered and that a review of your complaint has taken place.  We have been advised that monitoring of similar complaints is continuing by Transport Canada and that should sufficient information come forth to suggest that a safety problem exists, the issue will be re-assessed.

Thank you for taking the time to write on these important issues.

                                                Yours sincerely,

                                                                                Alison Tait
                                                Director General Automotive and Transportation Industry                                         Branch

What can I say – Ford blows the big one.

Well, for those of us suffering the leaky window problem, the one that Ford has refused to acknowledge but, will repair all damage at YOUR COST without a problem, reading an article in today’s Toronto Star was not surprising.

Appears that the ‘AUTOMOBILE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION OF CANADA” announced their winners for the 2009 Canadian car of the year and utility vehicle of the year.  I’m not sure if Toronto Star journalists are a part of this organization – the same guys that refused to print about the leaky window problem but will print stuff about just anything else – like breaking the speed limit on a regular basis.

Roll of drums and open the envelope please: “The winner of the most coveted new vehicle prize” for the category “BEST PICKUP”, is…………………………………………………………………… my god………………………

 

‘2009 DODGE RAM”

My how the mighty have fallen.  Old Ford, leaky window and all tried to come back and push it’s failing model into the future with a new make-over but, I guess a few still remember the old leaky window, blowing spark plugs and leaky rear window – all of which Ford just puts its hands on it’s collective ears and goes –  La La La La, while making appointments to fix all the failing electronics etc.

Well, Dodge (maybe soon to be GM – but that is another story), good luck in the future and hopefully you don’t piss on the consumer with unfixed problems like Ford.  Congratulations.

Ford – gosh darn and a wink – they’re offering $2000 incentive

Just saw this little tidbit of news at the left lane news blog where Ford is offering a $2000. incentive to those present owners of a truck who wish to trade up to the 2009 model. They are also offering a 6.9% financing package which, I must say, stinks and really isn’t much of an incentive. But then, they do have highly paid executives to look after.

But, I digress. $2000 to trade in your old truck. Not bad, considering that my old truck cost me around $4000 in repairs due to the leaky window they built into the truck. So, I am wondering, will Ford give me the $2000 for my old truck and maybe give me a brand spanking new 2009 model, and throw in the optional front leaky window as a free upgrade?

Gosh darn and a wink at yah (although I’m not as good looking as Sarah) I can’t wait to skidddle down to my local Ford dealership (Kennedy Ford) and work up a real nice deal with you and see how I can help this downturn in the economy by buying one of those american made trucks with the leaky window thrown in for good measure. I can’t wait to visit my mechanic in the future and help him send his kids to college with all the repairs you have built in for me in appreciation of my purchasing one of your real nice looking trucks.

My only question is? You recently offered $2000 to those people with a non-Ford truck to trade in. Does that mean they get $4000 if they trade in a non-Ford truck? And of course, the non-optional leaky window for good measure.

Ford – cheaper than a gallon of gas and no accountability

I read in the October 10^th National Post that the shares of Ford Motor Company sank 4%.  Not much of a fall but then I saw they were $2.55.  As the note mentioned, cheaper than a gallon of U.S. gasoline!!!!!   They mention that the industry has suffered due to high gasoline prices and the housing slump that has caused a weakened consumer confidence.

 

I say that and the fact that their product lines don’t meet the consumer’s expectations and the poor quality of vehicles they sell.  The fact that Ford won’t even discuss the leaking window problem shows a lot of arrogance towards the consumer.

 

And speaking of arrogance and the ME generation!!!!  I found this article (although I don’t usually read this blog but a Google search brought me to it) and it was substantiated at more mainstream sources that, for four months of work at Ford in 2006,  the CEO, Alan Mulally earned $39.1 MILLION.  The company lost $12.7 BILLIION but they could afford to pay this guy $39.1 million dollars.

 

But could they afford to fix my window and compensate me for the repairs to my vehicle, repairs that would have been unnecessary if the guy on the line had put the window in right?

 

No, they pay some guy $39.1 MILLION to do what – bring the stock down to less than a gallon of gas?

 

Good investment??? …… I think they should spend all that loose cash they have on customer relations, fixing their built in problems, building actual quality ( not advertised quality ) and maybe make the pay package of the line guys based on quality control. – the better the built vehicle, the more in the pay package.  If you screw up, well, the money goes to the consumer to fix the problem.  Sort of like ownership of your product and therefore pride in what you accomplish.  Not advertised bull shit ‘BUILT FORD TOUGH” but real world, takes responsibility built in quality.

Ford – I truly feel like the cat. How Ford treats its customers

Well, after writing about my problems with the “Built Ford Tough” F150 I have, I truly feel like the cat in this video. 

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=3248314

I read the following recently: “Ford Motor Co on Wednesday will run an ad featuring a short film that won an online competition, reflecting how companies are seeking to cut costs while boosting their brand awareness. “

They go on to say:  “It would not be unheard of for one of the largest automotive companies in the world and one of the biggest ad agencies to spend in excess of $1 million in creating a 60-second commercial,” said Grushow.

Just think, all those people out there that say Ford is the best thing since sliced bread and, with all those sales of the F150, why would you need to advertise?  I mean, with the $1million you use to create ONE commercial, just think of the value you could not only sink into quality but, fix the vehicles such as mine where you put in a window without sealing it properly.  Now, that would be public relations and I’d go on TV and do a commercial for you free and say, FORD IS THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD BECAUSE  THEY F***ED UP THE TRUCK BUT THEY FIXED IT. 

But, I guess it is cheaper to built crappy trucks with built in problems that generate revenue at the dealer than it is to say hey, I f***ed up and we will fix the truck.  Where I worked, we did that but then, I’m not part of the auto industry that is begging the government to give me money to keep alive while making other people broke with the poor quality trucks.

At least Toyota had the guts to say, hey we f***ed up and we will not only fix or replace your vehicle but, if it doesn’t show rust, we’ll give you an extended warranty and, better still, we won’t crawl to Harper’s government and ask for money to keep alive.  Yes, the Canadian way – Ford and the CAW begging at Harper’s doorstep while a Japanese firm honours their commitment,  at their expense, to the driving public .

We used to have honour, committment, value and ethics in this country at one time.  Where did it all go????

Ford – CAW vs UAW… Who builds the best “Built Ford Tough” truck?

Well, if you are surfing the net, you will see the announcements from Ford regarding the 2009 F150.  Haven’t seen one in the flesh so to speak but, it does look interesting. 

But, is it built the same way mine was with the leaky window or, is it blowing spark plugs or, is the side window permanently sliding down?  Who knows but, according to Ford Motor Company Group Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs Joe Hinrichs, “Ford’s quality is on par with the best in the industry and the team at Kansas City Assembly Plant is delivering a truck that is ‘Built Ford Tough’ with an unrelenting focus on quality and craftsmanship.”

God help us if the rest of the industry is building to Ford’s well known standard. (Pinto,Crown Victoria to name a few).

But, if you read between the lines one wonders.  According to past history, the Ford Oakville plant was the best in North America for quality.  Good CAW workers put their best effort into this truck and won awards for quality.  Real “Built Ford Tough’  quality.  Kind of real man quality that gave “Tim the Tool Man” a chub.  And then, Ford decides to drop the F150 production from this plant and move it elsewhere.  Why would Ford move truck production from an award winning plant that built quality products to some other plant that didn’t win the award for quality?  Hmmmm. 

I guess the UAW workers in Kansas can build a better truck, according to Hinrichs, if you read between the lines, than the old CAW workers up in Oakville. Or, was the Oakville quality just advertising hype meant to entice someone to buy a Ford instead of a Dodge, GM or god forbid, one of those Toyotas or Nissan toy trucks?  Well, time will tell and we’ll see if the UAW can build a better truck than the CAW.  We already know how Ford deals with the CAW built trucks – nothing.  Hopefully they will deal with the consumer better with a UAW worker backing the truck.

Ford – forget them backing up any quality issues!!!!

All the auto makers are feeling the pinch due to the economy, sub-prime fiasco, rising fuel costs and probably quality issues as well.  According to one report regarding Ford, “The Dearborn-based automaker has mortgaged its assets to stay in business and, as of July, had burned through nearly $11 billion of its cash stockpile in the past year.”

Well, with them burning that kind of money, I doubt if they really want to spend any money trying to fix things they screwed up on and looking after the consumer.  Right now, it’s every man for himself. I guess, if you have the money, it might be a good time to strike a deal on a vehicle but, which one.  Ford, at least in this case with the leaky window, really doesn’t stand by its product.  Yes, I know, most of the leaky window problems occur after the warranty but, still, it was proven that Ford constructed the vehicle with this built in – revenue producing fault.  Now, I’m not saying they did it on purpose to generate revenue for themselves and the dealers but, it was one of their CAW employees that didn’t do the job right.  Ford and the CAW can’t be bothered to stand up to the plate and take responsibility – like most ethical companies do.  Ford has a past history of not taking responsibility, unless forced by the government (pyro Pintos, Firestone tires – I understand that Ford and Firestone had family connections, and the cop killing Crown Victorias).

So, if Ford is burning up cash to stay in business, I doubt if they will spend anything helping out ripped off consumers.  I mean, their executives still need cash for their year end bonuses in December…

Ford Directors – do they follow policy?

If you go to http://www.ford.com/doc/directors_code_of_ethics.pdf you will find a copy of the ” Ford Motor Company Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for members of the Board of Directors”  that were promulgated in March of 2004.  Most of it deals with gifts, etc but one area was very interesting and I will produce it here.

“Directors shall satisfy themselves that appropriate policies and procedures are in place for fair dealing by employees and officers with the Company’s customers, suppliers, competitors and employees.”

I have underlined “customers”.  I guess that building a F150 with a built in front window leak that causes damage to electronics and therefore increases repair business and, they do nothing about it in terms of notifying the public doesn’t fall within the meaning of “fair dealing”. 

The Ford Motor Company directors are not following their own policy, unless of course they haven’t been notified of the problem.  But, how does one notify the director of this problem so they can fix it.  Try and go to their website and you won’t find any contact information to get in touch with them.  Yes, I have talked to Ford and sent messages but, maybe the directors aren’t aware of this problem.  Hmmm, maybe, in order to comply with their policy, they should set up a system whereby the ordinary consumer can bring to their attention any problems so that they could rectify the issue. 

Much like they did with the Firestone mess, Crown Victoria  and Pinto problem.  That I will discuss in a later blog…