Renault/Nissan is poised to take over as the third largest auto manufacturer.

I’m not a fan of Ford, but I don’t want to see them disappear off the face of the earth either. A lot of it is its own fault for relying on trucks/suv and not keeping up with the Japanese and European markets.

 

I'm a bit leary of all this bad news around Ford. I really think they are plotting a controlled slide in value until someone either buys them out or management takes the company private for a total restructure.

 

I'd better be seventh with growing profits than third (or even first, like GM) with huge losses.

 

My pov is that their goal is to be profitable and not large so it is irrelevant where they are in the standings.

 

This isn't really more problems, just a consequence of the same old problem. You can bank on Ford losses for at least another year. 2009/10 will be the year they make a comeback (if they can at all). You throw that much money at restructuring, and even the most inept management can make it work. Keep an eye on GM. They are about a year ahead in the turnaround plan. If they can do it, don't worry about Ford.

I'd rather see Ford and GM at #3/4. That means they can't get comfortable (again), must continually strive to improve the $/quality ratio, and create interesting products to gain customers. Could be the best thing that ever happened to them.

 

Hang on...

If this story can include numbers of Renault and Nissan production combined and then call it the no.3 world car maker to take over Ford, then why not included Mazda's (1.3mil units) in Fords total which would clearly make Ford still no 3?...