[ausrutherford]

I believe that by the year 2030: Ford should be out of debt, Lincoln/Mercury will be outstanding luxury cars, Volvo will have a zero death rate, and Mazda will have the sports car auto maker in the pocket.

Now comes to what Ford should do after. Saving for a rain day fund is most logical, but Ford needs to diversify its portfolio. AM with Lagodia(spelling) should be rebought. Ford also needs to go outside the auto business as well. it works for Honda and it has worked for Ford in the past. Such thinks as motorcycles, lawn equipment, air conditioners, 18 wheelers, and constuction equipment.

By diversifing Ford will not let themselves fall into a car downfall, one side of the company can help the other in case that side of industry falls flat for awhile.

 

[2b2]

no way I can predict that far in the future
but
didn't Honda start getting into civilian aircraft not long ago?

hmmm ....aircraft....

 

[Higher Rhymes]

^I was about to say the same thing..

Personally, I can't predict anything past 2015 if these European models we get don't sell. Diversifying your portfolio is nice and all, but it's not just Ford who is suffering. Every auto manufacturer has lost sales because of this world market slump. Not a whole lot of folks are buying new right now.

A lot of folks forget to look at the big picture. The American economy (as in the whole system) is in a down turn, not just the auto-makers. American money is slooooowly becoming worthless (which I pray never happens) but how would you market gas powered lawn mowers and tractors and motocycles to people if gas reached 300+ a barrel?

 

[Higher Rhymes]

+ the last thing Ford should do is PURCHASE more brands...
Financially it doesn't make sense.
They have to fix what they have before they can add to it.

 

[escapen]

GASP. I dont think Ford is that stupid... If they ever got financially on top of things again, I would love to see them buy Jag, LR, and Aston Martin again because its a damn shame an American company let the PAG go by the wayside. Im def NOT saying its ford's fault because those brands were digging themselves into their own graves and Ford didnt need to flip the bill for their screw ups. It would just be nice to get them back ya know?

 

[Bravada]

By 2030 Mercury will be dead in a lead casket covered by six tonnes of concrete.

 

[vcs2600]

In the long run there will be even more consolidation in the auto industry, so i wouldn't rule out a tie-up with Nissan or VW or someone.

 

[MERCURYSABLE08]

By 2030 Mercury will be dead in a lead casket covered by six tonnes of concrete.

God, I hope not, but I really don't know what to expect.

 

[ausrutherford]

By 2030 Mercury will be dead in a lead casket covered by six tonnes of concrete.

Sorry Ford has already said its keeping it unlike Olds (Bravada) for GM.:

 

[2b2]

...

God, I hope not, but I really don't know what to expect.

imho nobody knows - yet, Mr.SABLE
but I'd be less surprised to find Mercury's sales in 2030 to be darn close to equal to Ford's (minus the trucks, of course )

what IS known is that Fomoco has plans in the near term for Merc
& more importantly imho,
is keeping Merc's potential on intact