NoOption5L@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote in news:bf51a437-2cb5-4bfa-91d9-83b5d147038b@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Interesting. Read on...
>
> ---
> By John McElroy
> WardsAuto.com, Mar 24, 2008 11:09 AM
>
> Ever since Bob Lutz landed at General Motors I've been watching the
> auto maker make great progress with the products it sells.
>
> Today GM's design, engineering and manufacturing operations are
> humming in coordinated unison like they never have before. Even more
> impressively, they're doing it on a global basis.
>
> ADVERTISEMENT
> Penton Media - Ward's Auto, Click Here!
>
> Meanwhile, across town, Ford is trying to do the same. But it got
> started much later and still hasn't turned out products that are as
> impressive as GM's. This led me to think that GM was at least one
> design cycle, about three years, ahead of Ford as they both struggle
> to turn themselves around.
>
> But now I believe that in the last six months or so Ford has edged
> ahead of GM. Here's why:
>
> Last year, Ford grew its revenue by a staggering $14 billion. At GM,
> income actually dropped. In fact, in total revenue, Ford at $174
> billion is catching up to GM at $181 billion. And it's catching up
> fast. One more repeat of last year, and Ford actually will be bigger
> than GM on a revenue basis, though admittedly this is partly due to GM
> selling half of General Motors Acceptance Corp.
>
> Even more impressively, once you get out of North America, Ford is a
> solidly profitable company. Last year, it earned nearly $1 billion in
> Europe; made more than $1 billion in South America; turned a profit in
> Asia/Pacific; put its Premium Automotive Group in the black; and while
> down, its financial operations still made more than $1 billion in
> profit.
>
> The icing on the cake is Mazda now is making good money and Ford gets
> part of those earnings, as well.
>
> All those profits will greatly help Ford fix its North American
> operations. No small task, but it is making progress every quarter.
> This is especially true in quality, where both Consumer Re****ts
> magazine and J.D. Power are showing a significant surge for the
> company - far better than GM.
>
> Meanwhile, in addition to watching its revenue fall, GM lost money in
> Europe. Watch for more cuts to come at that troubled operation.
> Interestingly, GM made more profit in Brazil last year than it did in
> China, even though all the company's propaganda has been touting how
> well it's doing in the Middle Kingdom.
>
> On the finance side, GMAC pulled the company deep into the red. What
> this all shows is that even when GM fixes its North American
> automotive operations, it still has a lot of other work to do.
>
> Personally, I believe GM's design and products are more attractive
> than Ford's. And I believe GM is solidly in front when it comes to
> product technology.
>
> But when I stand back and look at how well each auto maker is doing
> from a business standpoint, there's no question Ford has edged ahead
> of GM. Six months ago, I couldn't say that.
> ---
>
> Patrick
I believe Ford just sold off Jag & Rover to an Indian outfit. Think
they sold for a fraction of what they bought them for..
|
