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View Full Version : Ford to Move Production of Focus to China



26 Inf
06-20-17, 23:12
The article, from the BBC, cuts right to the chase:

A few months ago Ford's decision to abandon plans for a new plant in Mexico was seen as a triumph for President Trump and his approach to US companies and global trade.

His personal and public intervention seemed to have brought production of Ford's new Focus model to the United States - a clear win for Mr Trump's belief that goods bought by Americans should be made in the US.

Having the Focus made in China instead was not part of the plan. So Ford clearly runs a risk of annoying Mr Trump further. But with his legislative agenda stalled, his administration engulfed in controversies and his approval ratings sinking, it's not clear what he can do to stop it.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-40345592

Not clear to me whether this is a move because President Trump's administration is perceived as losing strength fighting other fires, or whether it is simply a move brought on by the stockholders desire to boost profits.

They were adamant in their announcement it would not cost any jobs in Michigan and stressed that they were retooling an SUV plant in Kentucky.

Spicer made a statement saying it pointed out the need for tax reform.

PrarieDog
06-21-17, 00:07
I would strongly venture that it is driven by the stockholders. They recent canned Mark Fields and are shedding 1400 white collar jobs. Many of the gains Mallay (?) made were squandered by Fields. Hence the termination. Ford is on a good track and is looking to be in great shape and prepared to be as lean as possible.

C-grunt
06-21-17, 02:41
Could this also just be a reaction to the huge number of vehicles that China is buying now? Ive heard the Jeep line is super popular there now and FCA is building a plant there.

With the return of the Ranger and the Bronco in the next couple years I think Ford will still be spending a bunch of money on development here. Hell they recently just spent a crap load of money in Canada to retool for the new 7.0 liter V8 that is replacing the V10 in the fleet trucks and rumored to be coming to the consumer Super Duty as well.

Big A
06-21-17, 07:50
Ford needs to do something about Lincoln. You can't keep selling fancied up Fusions at BMW prices and expect to remain competitive in that segment. Cadillac, Infiniti and Lexus all figured this out.

They really missed the mark with the new Continental.