Ford's Alan Mulally kicks off 2010 International CES with Opening day keynote address

* Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally will deliver the opening keynote address at the
2010 CES in Las Vegas at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, in the Hilton Theater

* Mulally expected to unveil Ford's latest innovations and announce new initiatives related to Ford's industry-leading, voice-activated SYNC® communications technology

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 21, 2009 – Ford Motor Company announced today that Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, will deliver the opening keynote address at the 2010 International CES® in Las Vegas on Jan. 7 at 8:30 a.m. PST. As part of his remarks, Mulally will reveal Ford's latest innovations and announce new technology developments related to Ford's popular, voice-activated SYNC technology.

"Ford continues to lead by bringing together the automobile and consumer electronics industries," said Mulally, who also headlined at 2009 International CES. "With the introduction of SYNC, we enabled our technology partners to allow consumers to use their mobile devices through the automobile in a safer way. At CES, we will show how Ford vehicles will become docking stations for mobile devices, thanks to our alliances with key technology players, and we will demonstrate how voice activation will be the key technology for future in-car experiences."

Ford has made one of the remaining "un-wired" places – the automobile – a connected destination for mobile devices.
Ford SYNC has enabled an interaction that consumers have come to expect from every other aspect of their lives – their televisions, personal computers and mobile devices – all while helping reduce driver distraction. Ford has applied best practices from the technology and telecommunications industries, moving from hardware- to software-based platforms and bringing to market new innovations and applications for vehicle buyers at unprecedented speeds and rates.

"Alan Mulally has positioned Ford as a leading innovator in the automotive industry, and we are pleased to welcome him back to CES," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Electronics Association, the producer of the International CES. "For the auto industry and all other businesses that use technology, CES is the single must-attend event where business gets done."

CES is the world's largest consumer technology trade show and takes place Jan. 7-10, 2010.

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The only real answer Alan "Boeing! Boeing!" Mulally gave was when Matt Lauer asked the question of whether Ford's the underdog with federal help. He claims they support the decision. But then when Matt asked Mulally whether he believed GM could turn into a Vietnam-type situation for President Obama. Alan answered only by saying "We are focused on Ford and we're making the best cars and trucks consumers...will value..." Then something like "Have you seen the new Ford Taurus outside?" Decline to answer and then...pivot back to message. This guy's pretty good with the whole "message" thing, ain't he?Here's the video of Alan "Message" Mulally parrying, pivoting and answering absolutely nothing on the Today Show today.

We'll leave the name of the employee secret, just in case he offended anyone, but the story is great:

Bwahahaha, was running around MSFT's main campus to go grab some stock 99 cobra springs for the IRS swap I have planned for my beater foxbody this winter.

I saw a few familiar heads in a Ford Fusion Hybrid, and so I popped down a gear on my four-speed, and made a raucous noise as I passed them.

I just dusted the CEO of my brand-of-choice.

That's cool. Almost as cool as Mulally's red, Ford-badged sweater vest.

Photo Credit: Wilson Rothman

Both of those moves, in the story they ran immediately before the "gut check" award, were credited to Alan Mulally. In fact, the knock against Mulally when he came in, and one humorously repeated by his colleagues, was he knew almost nothing about cars. What he did understand after his experience with Boeing was corporate restructuring in a depressed market. So why does Bill Ford, Jr. get credit? We don't mean to minimize his position as Chairman of Ford Motor Company, but crediting Bill Ford, Jr. with saving Ford is like blaming Chevy Chase when your Chevy Aveo breaks down.

Grand Rapids, Michigan attorney Michael Snapper received an unusual call from Ford CEO Alan Mulally, who phoned to thank him for choosing the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid over the Prius. Since when did gratitude become "Job One?"

Snapper had previously placed an order on a new Prius but once news and reviews of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid started coming out he had second thoughts. After researching the car and taking its Made in Hermosillo, Mexico America status into consideration, he changed his order and tossed their lot in with the new Fusion Hybrid.

News of the story somehow reached the ears of Alan Mulally, who left a message on Snapper's phone thanking him for his choice. Sure, with anemic sales, Mulally can spend the time to make phone calls to every Ford buyer, but if this reflects the kind of attitude at Ford in the future, the consumer market is going to be taking notice. Of course if that ends up happening, Mulally may not have time to call every buyer to thank them.

[WOOD TV]

[via Donny Miller]

Ford: Escape Hybrid SUV

Ford CEO Alan Mulally started this trend by first claiming that he'd drive to D.C and, not surprisingly, showed up in a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. It shows to Congress and the world how Ford, which is in a better financial position than the other two, is making fuel efficient cars people want to buy and already has good hybrid technology. Ford also showed up with a 2009 Ford Flex to, we assume, move staff around.

Chrysler: Aspen Hybrid SUV

Chrysler's Bob Nardelli also drove to Washington, D.C. in a hybrid SUV: the 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid. How does the Aspen Hybrid stack up against the Escape Hybrid? It gets worse gas mileage, it uses mediocre hybrid technology developed in conjunction with GM and is built into a car that's proven to be wildly unpopular.

But don't worry, they've already cancelled it — just four months after starting production. This not only demonstrates the company is unable to build attractive, efficient vehicles. It's another reminder parent company Cerberus is just waiting for Chrysler to get sold off to someone else.

He showed up to the hearing in a JEEP EV, a futuristic electric vehicle that will be a great halo vehicle for whichever company ends up owning Jeep.

General Motors: Chevrolet Volt Mule/Malibu Hybrid

General Motors' man at the helm Rick Wagoner drove to Washington, D.C. in a 2009 Chevy Malibu Hybrid but drove to the Senate hearing in a 2011 Chevy Volt test mule. There was also a Chevy Suburban and Cadillac CTS in the area, perhaps to shuttle executives around when not in front of the camera.

The fact that GM brought two different hybrid vehicles down shows the company is willing to work hard for the money, so hard for the money. The Volt prototype clearly demonstrates they're on the path to creating a mass production hybrid vehicle. The Malibu just shows they're not dumb enough to drive around Washington, D.C. in something unreliable.

The Entourage

Special thanks to STR8SIX for getting these live shots togther. His report below.

I made a short trip into downtown DC this afternoon. I was only able to spend about a half an hour snooping around the senate buildings. I found the Ford Flex and Escape hybrid from the Ford convoy. I also found an Aspen hybrid. Each of the vehicles had a driver sitting in it with the engine running. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate the Chevy Volt mule. One of the security officers said that GM was giving test drives in the Volt and did not know if it would reappear this afternoon. A dark red Cadillac CTS with the engine running was parked in front of the Ford vehicles. That may have been Wagoner's ride back to the hotel.

[Additional Photos From Win McNamee/Getty Images, Ford, Chrysler GM]

The focus of the Ford's plan to save its business is to green the automaker by offering a full family of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery powered electric vehicles. The attention-getting portion of their plan is the production of an electric commercial van, we're suspecting might be based on the Ford Transit Connect, for the U.S. market by 2010. This will be followed up by a battery-powered electric sedan in 2011.

In order to offer this technology on such an accelerated timetable, Ford's plans call for a $14 billion investment in advanced technologies to improve fuel efficiency and the company is hoping to have $9 billion made available in bridge financing from Congress, though they hope to not have to use it.

To prove they mean business, Ford CEO Mulally suggested that he would take a salary of $1 a year if the company had to take a bridge loan from the government and that the company will sell its five corporate aircraft. Full details in the press release below.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY SUBMITS BUSINESS PLAN TO CONGRESS; PROFIT TARGET, ELECTRIC CAR STRATEGY AMONG NEW DETAILS

* Based on current business planning assumptions, Ford expects both its overall and its North American Automotive business pre-tax results to be breakeven or profitable in 2011

* Ford provided initial details of an accelerated vehicle electrification plan for a family of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles. The plan includes a Ford full battery electric vehicle (BEV) in a van-type vehicle for commercial fleet use in 2010 and a BEV sedan in 2011

* Ford’s plan calls for an investment of approximately $14 billion in the U.S. on advanced technologies and products to improve fuel efficiency during the next seven years

* Ford said it will sell its corporate aircraft as part of its overall cash improvement plan

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 2. 2008 – Ford Motor Company this morning submitted to Congress its comprehensive business plan, which details the company’s plan to return to profitability and outlines a request for potential access to a temporary bridge loan in case the current economic crisis worsens or there is a bankruptcy of a major competitor.

In the plan, Ford said the transformation of its North American automotive business will continue to accelerate through aggressive restructuring actions and the introduction of more high-quality, safe and fuel-efficient vehicles – including a broader range of hybrid-electric vehicles and the introduction of advanced plug-in hybrids and full electric vehicles.

Ford is asking for access to up to $9 billion in bridge financing, but reiterated that it hopes to complete its transformation without accessing the loan should Congress agree to make the funds available.

Despite the serious global economic downturn, Ford said it does not anticipate a liquidity crisis in 2009 – barring a bankruptcy by one of its domestic competitors or a more severe economic downturn that would further cripple automotive sales and create additional cash challenges.

“For Ford, government loans would serve as a critical backstop or safeguard against worsening conditions, as we drive transformational change in our company,” said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally, who will testify before Congress this week.

In the plan submitted to Congress, Ford reiterated that its One Ford transformation plan remains fully in place, anchored by four key priorities:

* Aggressively restructure to operate profitably at the current demand and changing model mix;
* Accelerate development of new products our customers want and value;
* Finance our plan and improve our balance sheet; and
* Work together effectively as one team, leveraging our global assets.

“Ford is committed to building a sustainable future for the benefit of all Americans,” Mulally said. “We believe Ford is on the right path to achieve this vision.

“We appreciate the valid concerns raised by Congress about the future viability of the industry,” he added. “We hope that our submission today helps instill confidence in Ford’s commitment to change, including our accountability and shared sacrifice during this difficult economic period.”

Ford’s submission to Congress included new details about Ford’s future plans and forecasts, including:

* Based on current business planning assumptions – including U.S. industry sales for 2009, 2010 and 2011 of 12.5 million units, 14.5 million units and 15.5 million units, respectively – Ford expects both its overall and its North American automotive business pre-tax results to be breakeven or profitable in 2011, excluding any special items.
* As part of a continuing focus on building the Ford brand, the company said it is exploring strategic options for Volvo Car Corporation, including the possible sale of the Sweden-based premium automaker. The strategic review is in line with a broad range of actions Ford is taking to strengthen its balance sheet and ensure it has the resources to fund its plan. Since 2007, Ford has sold Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and the majority of its stake in Mazda.
* Ford’s plan calls for an investment of approximately $14 billion in the U.S. on advanced technologies and products to improve fuel efficiency during the next seven years.
* Half of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury light-duty nameplates by 2010 will qualify as “Advanced Technology Vehicles” under the U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act – increasing to 75 percent in 2011 and more than 90 percent in 2014. Ford said it has included these projects in its application to the Department of Energy for loans under that Act and hopes to receive $5 billion in direct loans by 2011 to support Ford’s investment in advanced technologies and products.
* From its largest light duty trucks to its smallest cars, Ford will improve the fuel economy of its fleet an average of 14 percent for 2009 models, 26 percent for 2012 models and 36 percent for 2015 models – compared with the fuel economy of its 2005 fleet. Overall, Ford expects to achieve cumulative gasoline fuel savings from advanced technology vehicles of 16 billion gallons from 2005 to 2015.
* Next month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Ford will discuss in detail the company’s accelerated vehicle electrification plan, which includes bringing to market by 2012 a family of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles. The work will include partnering with battery and powertrain systems suppliers to deliver a full battery electric vehicle (BEV) in a van-type vehicle for commercial fleet use in 2010 and a BEV sedan in 2011. Ford said it will develop these vehicles in a manner that enables it to reduce costs and ultimately make BEVs more affordable for consumers.
* The 2007 UAW-Ford negotiations resulted in significant progress being made in reducing the company’s total labor cost. Given the present economic crisis and its impact upon the automotive industry, however, Ford is presently engaged in discussions with the UAW with the objective to further reduce its cost structure and eliminate the remaining labor cost gap that exists between Ford and the transplants.
* As previously was announced, Ford plans two additional plant closures this quarter and four additional plant closures between 2009 and 2011. The company also has announced its intent to close or sell what will be four remaining ACH plants. The company said it will continue to aggressively match manufacturing capacity to real demand.
* Ford will continue to work to reduce its dealer and supplier base to increase efficiency and promote mutual profitability. By year end, Ford estimates it will have 3,790 U.S. dealers, a reduction of 606 dealers overall – or 14 percent from year-end 2005 – including a reduction of 16 percent in large markets. In addition, Ford has been able to reduce the number of production suppliers eligible for major sourcing from 3,400 in 2004 to approximately 1,600 today, a reduction of 53 percent. Ford eventually plans to further reduce the number of suppliers eligible for major sourcing to 750.
* Ford also confirmed today that it has decided to sell its five corporate aircraft. In addition, Ford CEO Mulally announced that, should Ford need to access funds from a potential government bridge loan, he would work for a salary of $1 a year – as a sign of his confidence in the company’s transformation plan and future.

Ford also reiterated that it is canceling all bonuses to be paid in 2009 for all management employees worldwide and foregoing bonuses for all employees in North America. The company also will not pay merit increases for North America salaried employees in 2009.

Ford said it is moving fully ahead with plans it announced this summer to leverage the company’s global product strengths and bring more smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles to the U.S. The plan includes delivering best-in-class or among the best fuel economy with every new vehicle introduced. Ford also is introducing industry-leading, fuel-saving EcoBoost engines and doubling the number and volume of hybrid vehicles.

This product acceleration will result in a balanced product portfolio with a complete family of small, medium and large cars, utilities and trucks. Ford said it is increasing its investment in cars and crossovers from approximately 60 percent in 2007 to 80 percent of its total product investment in 2010.

“Ford has a comprehensive transformation plan that will ensure our future viability – as evidenced by our profitability in the first quarter of 2008,” Mulally said. “While we clearly still have much more work to do, I am more convinced than ever that we have the right plan that will create a viable Ford going forward and position us for profitable growth.”

[Source: Ford]

For example, when we heard Casey Wilson as NY Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Clueless) explaining to the auto chiefs Congress mandated 200 MPG cars and in doing so they've "done their part." The joke on cluelessly ineffective CAFE over-reaching was met with absolute silence. Contrast that with a moment later when Hammond, as Nardelli, responds to the question "What is Chrysler doing to make more fuel efficient cars?" with "I don't know." The joke's greeted with massive laughter. Here's a tip for GM, Ford and Chrysler — when you become a bigger punchline than Congress, you know you've done a piss-poor job at message management. Just sayin'... [SNL via Crooks and Liars]

When the management of these automakers start acting like they’re in crisis, then perhaps we’ll believe them. They’ve come to Congress not to rescue their companies but to salvage their lifestyles. This is an industry that desperately needs bankruptcy and collapse to put an end to unrealistic labor deals and obnoxious executive behavior. The American taxpayer doesn’t have any business subsidizing this failure."

You know you've got a problem not even a Rick Wagoner-penned op-ed in the WSJ will solve. What GM, Ford and Chrysler need to do is start getting the PR people in charge of fixing their image problem ASAP. If the PR people were already running the show, fire them and bring in new ones who understand the importance of a strong public image right now. Then sell the planes — despite there probably being a rational reason for them — fix your image and get back to the task at hand. You know, saving your company. [Hot Air]