Henry Payne and Keith Laing The Detroit News Published 3:32 p.m. UTC Jul 22, 2018 As the man who guided Jeep and Ram to meteoric success, Mike Manley's sense of humor and often-grizzled appearance were a good fit for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles during a casual era in which former CEO Sergio Marchionne was known for wearing a black crewneck sweater no matter the occasion. But beneath the informal exterior of the new Fiat Chrysler chief chosen Saturday, insiders say Manley is the smartest man in the room, a brilliant executive focused on achieving the company's goal of making Jeep a super-brand. Michael Manley, 54, assumed the helm of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles on Saturday after eight years heading the company's Jeep brand and nearly three leading Ram. He was named CEO in an emergency board of directors meeting in Italy, as the company disclosed that Marchionne's health had taken a serious turn due to complications after … [Read more...] about New FCA CEO Manley a ‘brilliant’ exec
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You’ll never guess what the new Ford Fusion looks like
Phoebe Wall Howard Detroit Free Press Published 9:32 p.m. UTC Jul 11, 2018 Ford plans to get rid of the traditional Fusion sedan in favor of a longer, taller and more brawny version. The new design, which has no scheduled release date, is intended to capture buyers who drive the Subaru Outback wagon and maybe even the BMW 5 Series hatchback. “While current Ford Fusion production ends in a few years, we’ll likely continue to use the name because of its awareness, positive imagery and value with consumers,” said Mike Levine, Ford North America product communications manager. “However, it’s too soon to speculate on what that new vehicle may look like.” He went on to emphasize that consumers are moving away from cars into crossovers, SUVs and hatchbacks. “All car sales are down,” Levine said. “We’re going where the consumer wants to go. They want vehicles with more ride height, more interior space, more versatility. … [Read more...] about You’ll never guess what the new Ford Fusion looks like
Live: Ford CEO says Corktown ensures Dearborn’s future
Ian Thibodeau The Detroit News Published 3:58 p.m. UTC Jun 19, 2018 New age of mobility Ford CEO Jim Hackett commends Bill Ford Jr. for his “vision” with the Rouge Plant, his now-famous TED talk in which he called for a new age of mobility, and now with his investment in Corktown. He’s allowed the automaker the chance to “prove mobility. To prove it works,” Hackett says. Hackett says the Corktown plans won’t replace Ford’s plans for Dearborn. “Make sure you hear that,” he said. In fact, Corktown ensures the future of Dearborn, he added. Hackett then introduces a teaser for a History Channel documentary titled “Detroit: Comeback City” Welcome call Bringing it home Wayne County Executive Warren Evans says, “The Michigan Avenue corridor is in my mind the one corridor that needs help more than any of the others.” He noted the Corktown development will connect Detroit and … [Read more...] about Live: Ford CEO says Corktown ensures Dearborn’s future
Will this Netflix star play Lee Iacocca in new Ford vs. Ferrari film?
Julie Hinds Detroit Free Press Published 4:34 p.m. UTC Jun 13, 2018 The Punisher as Lee Iacocca? Well, he is built Ford tough. Jon Bernthal, who plays vigilante hero Frank Castle in Netflix’s “The Punisher,” is in negotiations to portray auto industry legend Lee Iacocca in a major new movie, according to Variety. The yet-to-be-titled drama will center on a clash of car titans, specifically Ford Motor Company's effort in the 1960s to build a car capable of dethroning rival Ferrari at the famous Le Mans endurance competition in France. Matt Damon is set to play innovative auto designer Carroll Shelby in the project, while Christian Bale will play race car driver Ken Miles. More at Freep.com: The real-life story has also been made into a documentary that screened last year at the Freep Film Festival. "The 24 Hour War" won the Spirit of Michigan Award for its history of Henry Ford II's quest to beat the Italian automaker at … [Read more...] about Will this Netflix star play Lee Iacocca in new Ford vs. Ferrari film?
Ford CEO Says They’re Reinventing Cars Not Abandoning Them
Ford held its annual shareholders’ meeting earlier today and, as expected, the company’s executives were grilled about plans to drop its entire sedan lineup in North America. Automotive News reports Ford CEO Jim Hackett defended the move by saying the company isn’t killing them but rather “reinventing the American car.” He went on to say Ford will give consumers “what they’re telling us they really want.” Ford’s car lineup will soon be reduced to the Mustang and Focus Active. However, the company has previously hinted at the possibility of other crossover-like vehicles as they are exploring “white space” models that “combine the best attributes of cars and utilities, such as higher ride height, space and versatility.” Hackett seemed to expand on that earlier today as he said “We don’t want anyone to think we’re leaving anything. We’re just moving to a modern version.” He went on … [Read more...] about Ford CEO Says They’re Reinventing Cars Not Abandoning Them
Ford CEO Vague on Car Replacement Plans; Lincoln Continental’s Future Still in Limbo
Anyone hoping to glean specifics about upcoming products during Ford Motor Company’s annual shareholder’s meeting likely walked away unsatisfied. During the Thursday meeting, the company’s leaders touted Ford’s plan to freshen its lineup and align its products with changing American tastes. Killing off the Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, and Taurus was necessary, CEO Jim Hackett claimed, adding that the decision doesn’t mean the company plans to leave those buyers in the lurch. “We want to give them what they’re telling us they really want,” he said. “We’re simply reinventing the American car.” As Automotive News, which reported on the meeting, points out, that remark came in response to criticism over the loss of cars meant to appeal to entry-level buyers. It’s true that sales of Ford small cars were on the wane, but not everyone’s in the market for a subcompact EcoSport that nearly kisses the $20k mark before … [Read more...] about Ford CEO Vague on Car Replacement Plans; Lincoln Continental’s Future Still in Limbo
Ford Is Thinking About Giving Up On The Fusion, Focus And Fiesta In The U.S.
There will be a new Ford Focus next year, and for now we can also enjoy the Fiesta and Fusion at our leisure. But will any of these cars be sold in the U.S. after 2018? The way things are going, that feels more in doubt than ever. That’s according to The New York Times, which took a deep look on Tuesday into new Ford CEO Jim Hackett’s ongoing reorganization of the company. Ford, which made an 8 percent profit margin in North America last year, just isn’t making enough money, you see, especially compared to GM, which made a 10.7 percent profit margin in the same year. Hackett’s plan is simplification of the company as a whole, which could mean shedding loose some overseas businesses but also, maybe, stopping selling the Fusion, Focus, and Fiesta in the U.S. Amid the current SUV sales explosion, small and midsize cars just aren’t selling well, or even making money. Here’s the NYT: Shrinking or selling unprofitable foreign operations could also be part … [Read more...] about Ford Is Thinking About Giving Up On The Fusion, Focus And Fiesta In The U.S.
Ford CEO Jim Hackett gets $16M as he tries to turn things around
DETROIT — Ford Chief Executive Officer Jim Hackett earned salary, bonus and stock awards of $16.3 million in 2017, while adjusted pretax profit for the automaker dropped $1.9 billion from 2016, the company said on Thursday. Including pensions and perks, Hackett, who took the helm of the No. 2 U.S. automaker in May, made $16.7 million. His predecessor Mark Fields earned around $15 million in salary, bonus and stock awards in 2017, with a total compensation package of around $21 million. That brought total CEO compensation to about $37 million during a year in which the company earned a pretax profit $8.4 billion, down from $10.3 billion in 2016. Hackett was abruptly named as CEO in response to investors' growing unease about the U.S. automaker's slumping stock price and its ability to counter threats from longtime automotive rivals and upstarts in Silicon Valley. Hackett overhauled furniture maker Steelcase, and then as University of Michigan athletic director turned around the … [Read more...] about Ford CEO Jim Hackett gets $16M as he tries to turn things around
This Is The Stunning New Ford GT Livery The Public Can’t Buy
Check out the stunning new Ford GT livery just for Ford employees. Called Victory, the three-colour special paint job echoes that of the 2018 racing Ford GT. It’s a bit nice, but just in case you were looking to switch your order from whatever shade you’d previously picked, you can’t spec Victory colours unless you work for Ford. Ah. John Cena definitely can’t have one. The three shades used are Liquid Red, Lightning Blue and Frozen White. The extra GT logos on the door are new (obviously), along with a suitable extra slice of ‘Murica with the Stars and Stripes proudly stuck to the front ends of the doors. We wonder what it costs on top of the $450,000 list price. This one now belongs to Raj Nair, executive vice president of Ford North America, and presumably a man with a few dollars to spare. Bill Ford, the company’s executive chairman, and Mark Fields, the former CEO, have also had their own GTs specced in Victory livery, although in a different … [Read more...] about This Is The Stunning New Ford GT Livery The Public Can’t Buy
Ford boss: no plans to follow GM and leave Europe
Ford CEO Jim Hackett doesn’t believe his company should follow General Motors and depart Europe, because of its depth of history there and the fact that “Europe has the second biggest GDP".Speaking to Autocar at the Detroit motor show, Hackett said: "We've made a big commitment in Europe, and it looks as if Brexit is reaching some kind of resumption. Jim Farley, who headed our operations in Europe, helped us learn many things about that region. Ford wants to be a leader”.Hackett also believes Europe’s position as an early adopter in the electrified, autonomous businesses creates another reason for Ford to stay."The electric movement in Europe has helped us see the power challenges," he said. Ford CEO Jim Hackett: "We need smart vehicles for a smart world" Hackett explained that “new cars with no pedals and no steering wheel” have, in his opinion, proved to be less productive. He said: “There's a likelihood of scaring people - they'll feel … [Read more...] about Ford boss: no plans to follow GM and leave Europe