Ford Shakes Its Upper Management Tree

The Ford Motor Company continues to embrace change, an ongoing process that seems to have gained steam ever since Alan Mulally flew away from Boeing to take over the automaker’s reigns in 2006.

Before then Bill Ford was in charge, an executive with a friendly face but not known as someone possessing the business acumen needed to ensure that Ford would survive its second century. Bill’s role as executive chairman today is mostly benign, officiating over ribbon-cutting events while reassuring Ford family faithful that their investment remains on solid ground.

Asset Sale

With Alan in charge, he did the unthinkable by hocking all of the company’s assets in order to gain access to tens of billions of dollars of cash, money needed to transform the automaker from a weak national contender to a manufacturer of exciting and high quality passenger vehicles. That move kept Ford out of bankruptcy and away from the same hand guiding the restructuring of General Motors and Chrysler.

Following Ford’s May announcement that Mercury would be closed down in the fourth quarter of this year and that Lincoln would soon benefit from as many as seven new or vastly updated models over the next four years, Ford signaled that it would continue to make whatever changes are necessary to keep the momentum going.

Volvo Deal

On Wednesday, Ford announced three executive changes each of which will take place once Ford closes on its deal to sell Volvo to China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Limited before the third quarter ends. Those changes are:

John Fleming, 58, Ford executive vice president currently serving dual roles as Chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe and head of Global Manufacturing and Labor affairs, will lead the company’s Global Manufacturing & Labor Affairs operations.

Stephen Odell, 55, currently CEO of Volvo Cars, is appointed a Ford group vice president and succeeds Fleming as chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe.

Stuart Rowley, 43, chief financial officer of Volvo, becomes chief financial officer, Ford of Europe.

In addition, Jim Farley, 48, will take an expanded role as Ford’s global leader for marketing, sales and service around the world. Currently, Farley is Ford group vice president, Global Marketing and Canada, Mexico and South America operation.

One Ford

Ford says it is reorganizing its operations in Canada, Mexico and South America. On August 1, Eduardo Serrano, 50, who is currently president and CEO of Ford of Mexico, will become executive director, Latin America, with responsibility for the company’s operations in Mexico and South America. Serrano and Ford of Canada president David Mondragon will report to Mark Fields, Ford executive vice president and president of the Americas.

Related to the announcement Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally commented, “These moves allow us to strengthen our global team as we accelerate our One Ford plan and continue to profitably grow serving our customers around the world.”

Source: Ford Motor Company

Flex Fueled: The Current Crop

E85 capable vehicles available today.

There is a segment of American drivers who are interested in buying a car capable of running on a strong blend of ethanol and straight gasoline. For them, utilizing a home grown fuel is better than feeding the foreign oil habit, their personal declaration that American energy independence is possible.

Ethanol Ready

All cars built today are able to run on E10 fuel — 10 percent ethanol, 90 percent gasoline; but few can run on E85 fuel — 85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline.

That’s because certain corrosion prevention measures need to be taken to protect the fuel line and gas tank. When in place, placarding in the area of the fuel tank and a notation in the owner’s manual signifies that fueling with E85 is an option.

Oil Dependency

E85 enthusiasts love the fuel for a few other reasons including enjoying a slight boost in performance, low prices where widely available and the support it offers farmers who grow the corn which comprises the fuel. But, there is a loss of fuel efficiency, somewhere between 20-30 percent which makes E85 unattractive for many. And, the fuel is hard to find in areas where corn is not king, diminishing the attraction of E85 further.

For the 2010 model year, a number of vehicles are E85 capable. Let’s take a look at the run down:

Chevrolet — Select Malibus with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission or 3.5-liter V-6 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. HHR FWD or Panel FWD with the 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet Impala equipped with a 3.5-liter or 3.9-liter six-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Various Silverado, Avalanche, Tahoe, Express and Suburban models. Lots of Chevrolets! Indeed, Chevrolet claims to have produced 2.5 million FFVs to date.

Ford – Front- and all-wheel-drive Fusion with 3.0L V-6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.  Ford Escape in 2WD or 4WD with 3.0L V-6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Select F-150 and Expedition models.

Chrysler — Sebring hard top sedan and convertible with 2.7-liter V-6 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Town & County minivan with 3.3-liter V-6 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.

Dodge — Avenger with 2.7-liter V-6 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Grand Caravan minivan with 3.3-liter V-6 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. 2WD and 4WD Dakota and Ram pickup trucks outfitted with a 4.7-liter V-8 engine and paired with a five-speed automatic transmission.

Other GM — Buick Lucerne equipped with a 3.9-liter V-6 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Numerous GMC models paralleling offerings made by Chevrolet trucks. Various Cadillac Escalade models.

Other Ford — Select Mercury Milan, Mariner and Grand Marquis models. Lincoln Town Car and Navigator.

Foreign Manufacturers — Nissan, Toyota, Mazda and Mercedes models.

FFV vehicles were offered as far back as the early 1990s and new models are being added or existing models subtracted depending on model year. Check with the manufacturer to find out affected models or visit the Environmental Protection Agency list for more information.

Active Park Assist Is Phenomenal!

I am not someone who embraces all of the technological gadgets that are coming on the market today particularly pertaining to stuff added to our cars. I like to drive a car without it driving me although I must confess that cars are much more technologically sophisticated than they were just ten years ago.

Self Parking

One bit of technology I have decided is useful for some driver is self parking technology. I believe it was Toyota who rolled this feature out in 2009 with one or more Lexus models, allowing drivers to effectively take their hands off of the wheel and let their Lexus do the parking for them.

I think this technology is particularly useful for anyone who has had surgery, including women who have had a mastectomy and no longer have much strength left in their shoulders to turn their heads around, swing the steering wheel and attempt to park their car.

Dearborn Driver

Last week, when I visited Ford’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, I had the opportunity to test drive a number of vehicles on the track. There were also several models sitting on the side of the road, parked in a line. I quickly realized that this was Ford’s demonstration for their new Active Park Assist technology, something I’ve seen on Lincoln TV ads over the past few weeks.

With just 15 minutes left before I was to jump on a shuttle taking me to the airport for my flight home, I decided to check out what Active Park Assist was all about. I’m glad that I did.

Simple Process

So how does the technology work? Very easily, actually. What’s more, Ford says that their technology works on a hill while Toyota’s does not. That’s important because I can think of a number of places where cars need to be parked on an incline and where Active Park Assist would come in handy.

APA uses a three step process to get the job done. Firstly, the driver activates the system by the press of a button located on the center console. That button activates ultrasonic sensors that measure and identify a parking space. If the space is too short, you won’t be guided into position, but even if it is shorter than one you might try to handle, you may still be squeezed in: Ford says that APA can handle spaces that are 20 percent tighter.

Secondly, APA prompts the driver to accept parking assistance. Once that happens, the steering system takes over and puts the car in the space. You’ll still operate the gas pedal and brake; you will also shift the transmission into reverse and back into drive before the car is parked.

Thirdly, you’ll receive a visual or audible cue to let you know if other vehicles or objects are in the way. If a problem arises, you can grab hold of the steering wheel to take over. In any case you’re in charge even if your vehicle actively assists you in this endeavor.

Optionally Available

APA is optional equipment on select Ford, Mercury and Lincoln brand models. I was laughing as the Escape took over the steering and was surprised at just how well APA parked the car.

Yes, I may not seek this technology out personally, but having it available can certainly make a positive difference for any driver.

Source: Ford Motor Company

See Also — Ford Showcases Its Technical Prowess