Tag Archives: Ford

Obama Administration Submits Controversial FTAs to Congress. Largest Loss of Jobs since NAFTA Coming?

Posted on 4 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The AFL-CIO said the “The Korea agreement is the largest offshoring deal of its kind since NAFTA. If enacted, it likely will displace 159,000 U.S. jobs, mostly in manufacturing. And its glaring loopholes would allow unscrupulous businesses to import illegally labeled goods from China and possibly even from sweatshops in North Korea—potentially without any tariffs at all.” Continue reading →

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$10,000 Solar Panel Option Coming for Focus Electric Vehicle. Ford is using the new “Green Math” to Calculate Benefits

Posted on 10 August 2011 by Ken Zino

So if you have enough sunshine to generate the 3,000 kWh, that means you save $330 annually for a pay back period of, um, 30 years and four months (using basic arithmetic, not green math). The panels are guaranteed for 25 years by the way. Continue reading →

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Passenger Car Sales Down in EU Again as Economy Struggles

Posted on 15 July 2011 by Ken Zino

However some winners are emerging. Volkswagen Group remains the powerhouse in Europe with 23% share year-to-date of the EU and European Free Trade Areas. BMW group also posted strong double digit gains, as did Nissan, although both are on relatively small basis. The same could be said for Hyundai and Kia, which now have combines sales of more than 345,000 units year-to-date, compared to Volvo’s 138,000. Continue reading →

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Ford of Europe CEO Stephen O’Dell Calls for a Comprehensive Industrial Policy and Rejection of Korean FTA

Posted on 1 July 2011 by Ken Zino

Odell also criticized a proposed Korean trade agreement, which in a different form is also controversial in the U.S. However, Ford in the U.S. supports a pending Korean FTA, which is opposed by all major U.S. unions except for the United Autoworkers. A Ford spokesperson was unable to explain the disparity in the conflicting positions. Continue reading →

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Ford Europe to Build Three-Cylinder. U.S. Sales Promised

Posted on 3 June 2011 by Ken Zino

The new Ford three-cylinder engine arises in part from the success of the award-winning Fiat Twinair two-cylinder engine already on sale Europe. A large factor is also impending European emission standards that are forcing automakers to produce radical engine designs with low CO2 emissions. The newest Ford Ecoboost three-cylinder is projected to have CO2 emissions under 100 g/km. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Nets $2.6 Billion in Q1 on $33 Billion Revenue

Posted on 26 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today reported first quarter 2011 net income of $2.6 billion, or 61 cents per share, an increase of $466 million, or 11 cents per share, from first quarter 2010 as the global auto industry continued … Continue reading →

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Steelworkers follow UAW and Ratify Contract with Dana

Posted on 30 March 2011 by Ken Zino

The contract has implications for the United Autoworkers Union as it enters negotiations this summer with automakers since the Dana contract reduces but does not eliminate the gap in the existing two-tier wage structure with Goodyear.
The UAW is fiercely divided over the two-tier issue, which allows new hires at $12 an hour, while veterans get $28. UAW president Bob King insists that reduced wages for new workers are necessary, while opposition groups within the union are calling for its end.
Continue reading →

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New Ford Ranger Debuts in Bangkok – U.S. Bound?

Posted on 23 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford is billing the compact pickup truck as a global entry – it will be sold throughout Europe, Asia and South America – but remains mute if the Ranger will reappear in the United States, the world’s largest pickup truck market. Continue reading →

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Labor Group Blasts Ford for Chinese Sweatshop Abuses

Posted on 3 March 2011 by Ken Zino

The Institute for Global Labor & Human Rights released a new report today that said Ford Motor Company is guilty of worker rights violations at what it terms is a Chinese sweatshop that supplies Ford. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Ranger Pickup Trucks for Fuel Leaks

Posted on 3 March 2011 by Ken Zino

This latest Ford recall is the fifth of 2011 according to a Ford spokesperson, and thus far more than half of the nine safety recalls Ford had in 2010. Continue reading →

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General Motors, Toyota Post Huge February Sales Gains as SAAR Soars to 13.4 Million. Ford and Chrysler Losing Ground?

Posted on 2 March 2011 by Ken Zino

U.S. vehicle sales in February jumped to a surprising 13.4 million units on a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) as easier credit, liberal incentives and rising truck sales boosted the market. The clear winners were a resurgent General Motors and … Continue reading →

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Ford Sollers to Build and Sell Vehicles in Russian Federation

Posted on 18 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Manufacturers of cars and auto components that apply “industrial assembly” processes in Russia are eligible for reduced taxes and duties from the Russian Federation. Under the new policy, customs duties are to decrease to 0 to 5% of the cost of auto components compared to 12%. Continue reading →

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Ford to Issue Common Stock to Reduce Debt by $3 Billion

Posted on 10 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said today that it will convert some of its $16 billion in outstanding debt to shares of common stock. In so doing, the second largest Detroit automaker will take a charge of $60 million against its first quarter earnings.

Ford is still listed as below investment grade by the rating agencies – Moody’s Investors Service (Ba2) and Standard & Poor’s B+. Both are junk ratings that raise borrowing costs and limit large mutual funds from buying Ford bonds. Ford lost its investment grade rating in 2005. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls 425,000 Windstar Minivans for Bad Steering

Posted on 26 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling 1999 to 2003 model Windstar minivans because the steering can fail after the front suspension rusts away. More than 25,000 of the Canadian-built Windstar minivans are prone to rusting problems. Continue reading →

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Ford will invest $400 million in its Kansas City Assembly Plant

Posted on 18 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company announced today that it will build a new vehicle at its Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri after Ford Escape production moves to Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant. Continue reading →

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