Ford Loses # 2 U.S. Automaker Slot

Green Lantern · #1 01-03-2008, 03:29 PM

http://kdka.com/national/ford.toyota.automakers.2.622542.html

Ford Loses # 2 U.S. Automaker Slot To Toyota

General Motors Retains # 1 Spot

DETROIT (AP) ― Toyota Motor Corp. overtook Ford Motor Co. to become the No. 2 automaker by U.S. sales in 2007, using new products and relentless strategy to break Ford's 75-year lock on the position.

Toyota sold 48,226 more cars and trucks than Ford, according to sales figures released Thursday. Toyota's sales were up 3 percent for the year, buoyed by new products like the Toyota Tundra pickup, which saw sales jump 57 percent.

Ford's sales fell 12 percent, ending with a whimper a year that is expected to be the worst for the auto industry since 1998 as consumers fretted over high gas prices and the economy.

Ford corporate historian Bob Kreipke said it was the first time since 1931 that Ford wasn't second behind General Motors Corp. in U.S. sales.

Ford's car sales plummeted 24 percent for all of 2007 as some models like the Ford Mustang aged and a new Ford Taurus sedan was unable to match the volumes of the older version. Truck sales were down 5 percent for the year.

Jim Farley, who recently became Ford's global marketing chief after a career at Toyota, said the new numbers won't change Ford's recovery plan.

"In fact, it actually accelerates the way we're running the business," Farley told The Associated Press. "It accentuates the difference between how we're running the business and how our competitors are running the business. It requires us to stick to the plan, no doubt, but it also requires us to really accelerate the development of new products."

Farley pointed out that Ford had some hits in 2007, particularly its Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossover vehicles. Ford crossovers grew 62 percent over the year, far outpacing the industrywide average of 17 percent.
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I am not suprised. Ford quality, IMO, has not been very good over the last few years. (Sorry Na)

Bada Bing · #2 01-03-2008, 04:15 PM

Not to veer off topic, but I'm always amazed when people take the attitude of "hey, we have to buy American!!"... Uh, no we don't. This is a free market democracy. Build me a quality car at a fair price and I will buy it. Not to mention the need for more fuel efficient vehicles. I have owned both American and foreign cars in my time, and I'm sorry, I've had way less problems with the foreign cars (depending on the maker of course). Toyota (and Lexus) make quality cars. Never had a problem. The answer shouldn't be "buy American", the answer should be "hey Ford, make a better car!".

Just my personal experience, and my opinion. ain't worth the keyboard I'm typing it on.

Naomi · #3 01-03-2008, 04:32 PM

No offense taken GL I knew this was coming. Unfortunately, they made some huge mistakes they could not recover from. The higher ups at Ford need to listen to the dealers more and stop playing with themselves. When they stopped making the Taurus it killed them, why would you stop making a vehicle that was the best selling car in the world 10 years running? Then think the consumer is really stupid and rename a crappy ass car (the 500) that never sold the New Improved Taurus and think it will sell. The problems really started when Bill Ford took over the company. He ran it like a hobby and not a business. To bad he waited so long to step down. The damage had been done. I am sure Henry is rolling over in his grave.

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Rusty · #4 11-16-2008, 10:40 AM

Have you Seen Ford's Innovative Assembly Plant in Brazil?

Raptor · #5 11-16-2008, 11:34 AM

Best vehicle I ever owned was a 2000 F150 Short-Bed. I would have never traded it, but once ya git married not all decisions are yours... Now I look at the "new" F150 and I talk to friends at the dealerships and I hear they can't give 'em away. If I were to buy a new truck in the next 3 years or so, it would be a Tacoma.

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paulusa302 · #6 11-16-2008, 11:34 AM

I remember when I was looking to buy a new car, I went to Toyota first and made a deal on a 4Runner. The next day I canceled the deal after researching how bad a deal I made from what I could gather online.

I went to a Winner Ford and was ready to buy an Explorer. They would not move from off of the sticker price so no deal was made and they kinda pissed me off.

I wandered over to Winner Mitsubishi and they bent over backwards to make a sale with me and even offered to pick me up a free meal since it was dinner time and I was there so long. Well I bought a car from Winner Nissan and was kinda pissed that I could not get the "AMERICAN AUTO DEALERS" to deal with me.

Just so you know, I had stopped at GM & Chrysler earlier in the week and they were treating me as if they were doing me a favor just by talking to me......

I still wish I had an American made car but they dropped the ball.

Rusty · #7 11-16-2008, 11:40 AM

Like Naomi said, American automakers have to start listening to what the American public is telling them. If you build a car to fit my needs and treat me with respect, I will buy your car. It's simple as that for me.

max1 · #8 11-16-2008, 11:47 AM

unions........theres a lot of the problem.

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paulusa302 · #9 11-16-2008, 12:01 PM

When I rented a car, they gave me Dodge 500 I think. It looked great on the outside but was all plastic on the inside and was not good on gas.

I don't mind owning a gas guzzler if it is the guzzler I want, but I would hate to own a gas guzzler that I did not like or enjoy driving.

Raptor · #10 11-16-2008, 12:02 PM

I heard a snipit on the radio this morning that the head of the UAW said that they would not renegotiate their contracts (as their employers sink into bankruptcy)...hmmm, a contract with a bankrupt employer - I guess that means unemployment! Great, another bill that we the taxpayer will have too foot!

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Ford Loses # 2 U.S. Automaker Slot

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