FoMoCo says no need for partners; Mulally wants to sell Lincolns in China/Russia

[nadepalma]

Seems Goshn is still pushing, was in discussions with FoMoCo.

Originally Posted by Associated Press

SOURCE
CEO Says No Partners for Ford
By DEE-ANN DURBIN – 12 hours ago

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — Ford Motor Co. chief executive Alan Mulally says Ford doesn't need a partnership with another automaker as it works to expand globally and turn around its struggling operations.

"Any kind of linkup would be a distraction," Ford's president said Tuesday night at a dinner with reporters on the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show. The show opens to the public Friday after two days of media previews.

Mulally said he believes Ford will still be on its own in five years. Ford posted a third-quarter loss of $380 million. A bright spot was a strong performance in Europe and South America.

"Ford has tremendous assets around the world, and the most important thing Ford does is integrate Ford," he said.

Carlos Ghosn, who heads the Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. and France's Renault SA, said late last month that he remains interested in a partnership with a major U.S. automaker, although he is not in talks or aggressively looking just yet.

Ghosn did not mention by name any of the three biggest U.S. automakers — Ford, General Motors Corp. or Chrysler LLC. But talks between Ghosn and GM stalled a year ago without a deal, and the private equity company Cerberus Capital Management LP just acquired a majority stake in Chrysler.

Mulally said Ford also isn't interested in a private equity buyout.

Jim Farley, who became Ford's marketing chief this week after a nearly 20-year career at Toyota Motor Corp., said one way for Ford to expand globally is to bring the Lincoln brand to emerging markets such as China and Russia.

Originally Posted by MotorAuthority

SOURCE

Synergies from mergers and partnerships can work wonders for a carmaker. You only have to look at Nissan, which was billions in debt and on the verge of bankruptcy until Renault picked it up and turned its financial position around in just a few years. On the other hand, mergers can also be disastrous as in the case of DaimlerChrysler, which was recently split. In restructuring his own company, CEO Alan Mulally revealed Ford doesn’t need a partnership with any other carmaker.

Speaking on the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show, Mulally told reporters that “any kind of linkup would be a distraction.” He also said he believed Ford would still be on its own in five years, according to the Associated Press.

Ford was reported to be in talks with Renault-Nissan late last year but no progress was ever made. The CEO of the French-Japanese duo, Carlos Ghosn, has said that he wants to find a third partner, particularly one of the Detroit 3 carmakers.

Ford will instead focus on expanding its other brands globally. Top of the list is Lincoln, which Mulally wants to launch in new markets such as China and Russia.

[awalbert88]

I am so glad they found Mulally. If he were not running the show there, I suspect Bill Ford would've been inclined to let Ghosn get his hands into the business, and that would've been a disaster.

[Mikkoo]

I'm in total agreement with Mulally, Ford doesn't need a partner. Just produce
world class vehicles that are desirable for the current market. Not warmed
over products like the current North American Focus that is now one generation
behind it's European cousin.

[rueben44]

Originally Posted by Mikkoo

I'm in total agreement with Mulally, Ford doesn't need a partner. Just produce
world class vehicles that are desirable for the current market. Not warmed
over products like the current North American Focus that is now one generation
behind it's European cousin.

Very true! Actually Ford in my position is in a better place that GM if they would just make the right calls. Take the current Ford Focus even if they can not bring the Euro version here they could have just styled the current one better and upgraded the quality and fit and finish of the interior. It rides better than most other car cars in its segment and still gets competitive MPG's. Plus they dropped the hatch back when they are finally taking off in the US market.

[ChevroletRevived]

He's right; bringing a partner into this would be a bad idea. If Ford is going to turnaround, it's going to be on it's own.

[GMFAN85]

Originally Posted by rueben44

Very true! Actually Ford in my position is in a better place that GM if they would just make the right calls. Take the current Ford Focus even if they can not bring the Euro version here they could have just styled the current one better and upgraded the quality and fit and finish of the interior. It rides better than most other car cars in its segment and still gets competitive MPG's. Plus they dropped the hatch back when they are finally taking off in the US market.

That is not a good example to use. While the Euro Focus is a good car, refering to it when dealing with Ford as a global company shows how bad of a condition they are in when you compare it to GM.

Ford has too many different platforms across the globe and costs are way too high as a result to shift cars in between regions. (i.e. The Euro Focus) GM is still dealing with this issue, but everything is already in motion to limit the amount of platforms and make the production process easier and cheaper. Ford has yet to really show it's plans for the future and has no clear plan for it's other brands such as Lincoln and Mercury.

[BORG]

Originally Posted by GMFAN85

That is not a good example to use. While the Euro Focus is a good car, refering to it when dealing with Ford as a global company shows how bad of a condition they are in when you compare it to GM.

Ford has too many different platforms across the globe and costs are way too high as a result to shift cars in between regions. (i.e. The Euro Focus) GM is still dealing with this issue, but everything is already in motion to limit the amount of platforms and make the production process easier and cheaper. Ford has yet to really show it's plans for the future and has no clear plan for it's other brands such as Lincoln and Mercury.

Lincoln doesn't have clear plans? Mercury perhaps, but Lincoln has never had a more ambitious product future. Navigator, Town Car, MKZ, MKX, MKS, MKFlex isn't clear enough of a product direction? Have you seen Lincolns sales, consistently solid and increasing with minimal incentives. Not to mention excellent quality rankings. I have nothing but admiration for the clear progress Lincoln is making and it all seems to be hitting the mark in the right way and in a sustainable fashion. Lincoln has never been more relevant. But of course, you're speaking to a newfound Lincoln evangelist here .

[FordMan]

Originally Posted by BORG

Lincoln doesn't have clear plans? Mercury perhaps, but Lincoln has never had a more ambitious product future. Navigator, Town Car, MKZ, MKX, MKS, MKFlex isn't clear enough of a product direction? Have you seen Lincolns sales, consistently solid and increasing with minimal incentives. Not to mention excellent quality rankings. I have nothing but admiration for the clear progress Lincoln is making and it all seems to be hitting the mark in the right way and in a sustainable fashion. Lincoln has never been more relevant. But of course, you're speaking to a newfound Lincoln evangelist here .

Just tell him Resistance is futile, and thats that....

Borg, you gotta realize we read and listen to every information about FML-product plans, brand plans, etc....so some who are GM fans or those who just don't pay attention to Ford news and rumors are unaware of the progress and plan laid out by Ford. Of course, most of these plans and rumors aren't written out in articles, but received through sources, so of course most don't realize the scope of whats happening at FoMoCo....

[gardnet1]

If Ford was going to partner with anyone else, it would probably be Peugeot or Fiat as they already have joint-ventures with them (diesels & KA/Street KA-Fiat 500).

[Stéphane Dumas]

Originally Posted by gardnet1

If Ford was going to partner with anyone else, it would probably be Peugeot or Fiat as they already have joint-ventures with them (diesels & KA/Street KA-Fiat 500).

+1 and also, Peugeot-Citroen and Fiat have a joint-venture in minivan (Fiat Ulysse, Citroen C8), I could imagine in a more mid-term a triumvirate Ford-Fiat-Peugeot

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Originally Posted by awalbert88

I am so glad they found Mulally. If he were not running the show there, I suspect Bill Ford would've been inclined to let Ghosn get his hands into the business, and that would've been a disaster.

No never, Ford family will always want to wear the pants. This discussion happened in the late 90's when Schrempp wanted to get it on with... Alex Trotman (?) who ran Ford at the time.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Originally Posted by Stéphane Dumas

+1 and also, Peugeot-Citroen and Fiat have a joint-venture in minivan (Fiat Ulysse, Citroen C8), I could imagine in a more mid-term a triumvirate Ford-Fiat-Peugeot

If I was Ford I'd be scared to partner with Fiat, we know what happened when GM did this

[DuSpinnst]

Take Lincoln global.

I bet the current Lincoln line-up would sell better in Europe than Cadillac because it is 100% different than the European Ford line-up (and still distinctly American).

Mercury I still think needs to be killed.

Ford on the bottom, Lincoln and Volvo on top (different cars same price space). I'd even say offload Volvo if you can. Ford needs to be Chrysler small when it comes to brands.

GM should do something similar, but there are just too many brands as is and killing one or two wouldn't do any good.

[blank disk]

sounds solid.

[stevecmh]

Originally Posted by awalbert88

I am so glad they found Mulally. If he were not running the show there, I suspect Bill Ford would've been inclined to let Ghosn get his hands into the business, and that would've been a disaster.

BINGO

i am glad they have their LUTZ.. lol or someone like that

But i think they should try to global.. i hope they have luck