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March 31st, 2009
08:36 AM ET
Ford still passing on taxpayer money
What do you think? How can Ford remain a viable company?
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I financed, both leasing and purchasing my last 3 cars through Ford Motor Credit. over 10 yrs. My last car/suv was a Mercury Mariner, for which I had a 3 yr. lease. I became ill and also was scammed and lost money all last summer, and got behind in my payments by about 2 1/2 months. They kept calling me to pay, but the night I was going to make a payment to catch up, a tow truck pulled up and took it, with no negotiating. The next day I called the repo co. and they wanted to charge me $1800 to pick it up. I couldn't pay that. I got sicker. My lease was up the next month and I had to move in one month. I scrambled to search high and low for a place, found one, borrowed $$ both to get out, to pay all the fees associated with moving, and then received no mail both from my landlord or post office for a couple of months. Between Sept. and Dec. the lease acct. had been taken to court and been ruled against me to the tune of $11,000, (including ONLY $1,000 in legal fees and court costs, I never received one piece of mail until they went into my ex's savings acct. (unbeknownst to him, my name was still attached. Of course like an idiot, I immediately paid him back) and extracted $2,000 per the judgement. Long story short, I fought to get back into court and state my case but I have remained ill, and I didn't want to go. On the eve of the appearance, law firm partner called me and we took it out of court. I was perfectly willing to pay the balance of my lease which was equal to what they had taken, and i agreed to negotiate with them for the remaining $7,000, which was pure whipped cream for Ford, as they had taken my 3 yr. volvo station wagon, as down-payment for lease, gotten almost 2 1/2 yrs of lease payments with 8% interest and late fees,AND they got car back to sell. They made money, big money. So those of you who think they are so great for not taking Federal money, re-consider WHY!!
I am driving a car I bought from the parents of a college student for $1200, a 1997 VW Jetta with 80,000 miles. I have put $2,000 in to it in the last 9 months, and I have 2 kids, 11 and 14, who play lacrosse and travel to games. I NEED A NEW CAR, OR GOOD USED CAR, AND FEEL IF FORD WANTS TO PLAY LIKE THE GOOD CO. THEY SHOULD TAKE THE $7,000 AND BUILD IT INTO A LOAN FOR A CAR, OR GIVE ME MY OLD CAR BACK!!! We loved our Mariner!! What do you all think? I am now diagnosed with a chronic disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and PTSS. Both are due to stress. No, Ford, you are not the only bad guy, but there is a great amount of stress that occurs when people who have always paid their bills and been hard-working taxpaying citizens, and then a major trauma occurs, they get ill, can't keep up, lose confidence, self-esteem and power. The banks should be cautious, but they should also work with auto co's. to help those of us who lost and have paid the price. What do you all think?
I have a Ford and a GM – I will sell my Goverment Motors – GM vehicle and purchase another Ford when the time comes. I like the products both companys make but have respect and loyalty for the company that didn't require a government bail out.
My next car will be a Ford, no doubt. Long Live Ford.
Dear Mason what a ranter you are!!
Buy Ford, that'sit.
I hope those of you who own a Ford understand that they were not built by just American hands yet the unions here get $78 per hour to perform almost next to nothing! It's no wonder they are heading for disaster. Fords were supposed to be American made like BMW is to Bavarian or Volvo is to the Sweed. They don't outsource the parts they use. This is why they can afford to stay in business because of the authenticity of the vehicle!!! You Ford buyers should send a message of a valid nature and ask them to return to making 100% American. Hold them responsible. In addition hold them to making affordable more fuel efficient vehicles and I don't mean just 40 mpg. They need to be around 100 to 180 mpg and this I know is possible... They just won't do it since they have breaks in parts made from oil and who other than the oil companies should take a bow? Yes even the great Ford, Chevy, Toyota, and need I say more? They all are in bed with the big oil gurus and this is the main reason we are not moving forward. But, this can be changed by consumers habits. Yes we have the upper hand. Don't buy and watch them magically come up with what we really and truly want to buy. You see if you want to create jobs then you must first bring the animals who vaporize them into the taming den! America wake up and uphold the constitution of the United States and let's all decide if we are for sale or if we truly have the American Spirit? Ford is a big boy and can take care of themselves. They don't need us to rush in and buy the crap they want to push out the door just to prove they are viable. Let them earn our business by delivering a dream vehicle in the form of today's economy. Remember, we will not see gas go below $2.00 and in fact it will be going upwards of $5 or 6 dollars this summer. You can count on that. The big oil also understand they will be cut short very soon and it's now time for them to collect while they can. As for GM and the rest following this payment plan thing, all Ford and these guys are doing is borrowing and you the consumer will pick up the bill at the end of the contract. Ask yourself where is Ford getting the money to make your payments for one full year??? You see even you don't know. Let me explain.: They get you in the front door to sign, then you drive off the lot, then you find out you have been furloughed or laid off, oh and then Ford makes your payment for one year, all of a sudden you have a job after the year and so you knocked off one year of payments? WAKE UP TO REALITY!!!This is not the way Ford or GM or any auto company does business or they would be out of business... People of this great land of opportunity understand that our earth won't wait for a clean car while they nickel and dime us. We need it now and it's time!
Yet another reason I have a 2009 Ford in my garage. My 5th new Ford I've owned.
NM Ford Man, you think I am being negative but I know what I am talking about. I do own a Ford and in fact 2 of them but that said it's not what I own. It's who I own and I am going to own myself before I put my dollars at risk into a struggling automaker. I want to buy American only but if they are built by Americans and not outsourced. Sir you of all people should stand and take pride in giving them ideas on how to make their future because as I see it and so do many of the educated class they will not succeed if they don't begin the process of building the automobile under the new era of high living costs and soaring fuel. Gas prices are going to be throught the roof beginning next month due to the new filters that must be in place. Do your research before cutting me down. I never said Ford was a bad product. It's just old and needs refreshing! If you understand this much then you will know what must be done in order to survive. Ford will not make it with the California increaasing taxes tomorrow to ten and a half percent and fuel prices digging deeper. Think this through! We need younger thinkers to take the driver's seat! ford can look anyway they want to but it's in the paperwork that print actual numbers. Chevy is done as I can tell. GM will lose this battle because they failed to look to future driving. The trend is set and people now think wars are in our future so we need to secure immediately our technologies or we are screwed!!!
Ford will survive, They are the only bright spot out of the American auto companies
I'm glad no matter what question she asked he had the same answer, you could have put an ipod there with his response and just hit play every time she asked him something.
Even with that being said go Ford for at least looking like you knwo how to run your business
Maybe they should enter into a partnership with APTERA since GM has decided to ignore that technology. A car like the Aptera could turn things around and give Ford a strong foothold in an area that the Japanese have dominated for decades. I want to buy a Ford, but the only thing I would be able to afford is the FOCUS.
i think Ford and G.M. has to go on their actions and Americans need to support them by purchasing their products.
BUT, under supervision of an administrator assigned by U.S Government.
If The States will give any financial support to those, then she also will has to have word on management by taking 51% of the shares in return, in order to prevent any new desister.
regards
Hey Cahndler, If you Honestly think that i was paid by ford to praise there vehicles then you are smokin some serious stuff sir. You need to drive one before you start bashing. You probably are a Chevy fan and are upset that people are not praising your brand. The proof is in the pudding when it come to Fords quality. You can search Consumer reports, Motor Trend, JD Power and you will find that Ford Is eqaul if not better then there foreign rivals. As i have stated above there technology is taking off at the right time. This is Good News for America, and you should be proud of FORD for standing up and going forward on there own. Quit being negative!!!!
Go Ford! I will be looking at a Ford the next car I buy! I am really impressed with their not taking money and being able to make their "own" decisions!
The New Ford Fusion gets 41 MPG combined. Thats where ford is going. The new Ford Taurus looks like a beautiful machine....There also bringing the popular Fiesta that europe currently has, and if you look at the latest reviews of the 2010 Mustang the Ford Looks like a better all aroud car VS. the new Cmaaro SS. I have to admit ford is on the right track to success.... Oh by the way GM is offering a plan that will pay up to 500 for 9 months and ford still has the advantage...
To: Share The work ethic, they have had enought time to come up with high mileage cars or electric. Your thinking is stale and destructive to our economy. We shouldn't have bailouts nor should we let the economy run out of gas! If you know what I mean? A lecture is not what is needed. Action is needed!!! Most bloggers on here are telling us how much they love the Ford they have! That's great and all but do you see a pattern of comments? They all read the same way and this has brought new light to the way I read what people are saying. All these comments which are positive about Ford obviously for most of them are coming from the "Hot Room" which Ford hires to blog. We can't trust anyone anymore. If they are honest about how great the Ford they own is then great but they should be more educated when it comes to structure. It would not be healthy to make payments. Where will they borrrow from? Ford will be taking bailout money from loans in the bailout just not in front of the public. Do the research. GM will fall like a man while China, Mexico, and Canada. So what is American anyway? Nothing is made in it's entirety here on U.S. soil.
I wonder how many chevy trucks I could buy with those luxury jets those CEO fly on every year,
I sure haven't sen or maybe I missed Chevy advertising a jet for sale,rcently
In reading the article one portion caught my eye. It was the part that stated that Ford would post the payments for anyone who purchases a Ford product and then becomes unemployed. This shows, to me, a company that cares about the consumer and has given me pause to rethink my brand of cars that I would buy. This is honesty and it is not something I have seen with either one of the two other companies.
steve you need to learn to spell,
our tax dollars should not be used to bail anyone out
go ford
Ford deserves some credit for attempting to survive without your tax dollars. Will they make it remains to be seen.
Legislating that American auto makers (or Toyota or Nissan or . . .) make certain high mileage cars 'right now' is naive and unrealistic. Can those cars be made over a period of time, yes. In the meantime American cars are better than they have ever been and getting better.
Believing that the gov't is going to dictate and deliver (now that's laughable) high mileage cars with broad appeal is equally naive and unrealistic. Market demand will drive innovation. Two things to consider: (1) in almost every instance the costs are higher and the quality lower when the gov't specifies and procures goods versus purchase in the open market and (2) there's not exactly burgeoning world demand for Volgas, Trabants, Yugos, etc.
If you want to let the American auto companies fail, let them fail. But, don't think gov't involvement will cure them. The only cure is cash, market demand and meeting the demands of the market.
A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
- Thomas Jefferson
last month i had the choice of putting in an order for a 2010 camaro ss or purchasing a ford gt500. given all that gm is going though and the uncertain future, i chose the ford and have not regretted it one bit. i don't support the government bailouts of private industry and am happy to see ford doing all they can to make it through these tough times without taxpayer subsidies. the banks, insurance companies, and other auto manufacturers should take a lesson from ford!
This gives me a new respect for Ford. Perhaps Ford management now "gets it." I've steered away from Ford after unsatisfactory ownership of a 1993 Ranger pickup, preferring GM products since then; HOWEVER, I would now try FORD again rather than buy a new Government Motors (GM) product.
I give Ford credit...my current car is a Ford and I will buy Ford cars in the future. All American's should support Ford they are the only company who isn't looking for a Federal "hand-out".
I've always been a Ford guy and always will be. I've got 2 Fords and a Honda and I'd rather drive my '87 F-150 than that brand new Fit. When the new Ford Fiesta comes out that Honda Fit might get traded off, if I can convince the other half.
these are all canned answer, half the time he doesn't respond to the questions asked. Mentioned every time:
ford didn't take tax money (we got it the first 3 times, thanks)
they are restructuring through decisive....(doesn't mean anything)
*insert gimmick sales pitch here*
Thaks for the 5 mintue ford commercial
Bravo Ford!!!
I recently had to purchase a new car (no choose, old one died) I choose Ford and have not regretted it!
Go Go Ford!!! I will not buy a car from a U.S. Goverment car Manufacture! Their new small cars are mead in China
I am really hoping that the Ford Fiesta Econetic model sold in Europe will be sold here. Diesel fueled ,65 MPG. Some say more! Ford plans to bring a Fiest here soon, but will it be the Econetic? Please, Ford, Please!!! We already have the Fusion and the Escort. Let us have the Econetic!!!
I THINK THAT FORD IS FULL OF SMOKE!!!!!!!
I am on my 4th Ford Mustang which is a 2005 Saleen Supercharged. I love it and I would not buy another sports car, but an American Muscle Car. I am looking for a new truck and it will probably be a Ford which is a step down from the 2002 Cadillac Escalade that I own. I would love to buy GM, but the reliability has not been that good with the new Escalades and GM has the nerve to charge almost $60,000 for it!
Actually tigger, noone that i know in my family or anyone i know works for FORD and or any ford dealers etc....
with AIG, BOA, GM, Chrysler and the rest with there hands out, it is refreshing to see a company stick with there plan and say "No Thanks"
No one should be taking government money for a failed business. If a company cannot make it they should be done. Why are we as taxpayers allowing this to happen? Why does the government get to choose who is worthy of staying in business and who has to go? How long does government support go on? I am proud to see Ford stand up and take care of its own. It is what every business owner and company should be doing...at least in a capitalist society. I have never owned a Ford yet but would definately look to one in the future on this whole issue alone. Thank you Ford for doing it the American way!
Ford's gotta be somewhat giddy over the fed's intervention with GM and Chrysler, 'cause who's gonna say, "Oh boy, the gov't's shaking up GM so now I can go buy me a Chevy!" ?
After decades of GM loyalty my family moved to Ford influenced vehicles (Ford, Mazda, KIA) based on product quality and affordability; we got tired of GM forcing us keep Mr. Goodwrench in business...I'm sure there are many, many folks like us who have came to that conclusion. GM has been producing inferior quality vehicles for years and it's finally caught up to them–don't know if it's the engineering or manufacturing to blame, but I don't see myself buying a GM product until people are just raving about their vehicles durability and low cost of ownership.
I am so proud of Ford and that my dollars have gone to them all these years. I am mis 50's and have been buying Fords since my first car, a florescent green Festiva-all I could afford at the time. At one time I had a Honda Civic and a Ford Ranger that I bought the same year, and although I loved the Civic, the Ranger was around longer and had fewer repair problems. I will always have a Ranger, they last and I need a light truck ( can get almost 30 mi/gal hypodriving), but I really look forward to a small efficient hybrid from Ford that I will purchase as soon as they have one.
My boyfriend lost his job in August and asked Ford to re-negotiate his truck loan to lower the payments so that he could keep the vehicle. They refused and are repossessing the three year-old truck. Apparently their restructuring is for the benefit of stockholders and new car buyers....without any regard for lifetime Ford vehicle owners who have hit hard times. He's so upset as he truly loved this truck. Ford...go suck your own tailpipes!
Wow, I am seeing so much positive Ford buyers on this blog. IT must mean they work for them or have someone in the family that does! I don't blame you for nepotism. Just face the reality that the days of old Ford are gone!!! The United States can't afford to let the auto industry take control anymore! We have the upper hand now!
He opens every statement with "Well, " and only answers half of the questions, none directly. Yawn.
Ford CEO is trying to demonstrate his working with unions! What he really is doing is preparing the union for his regulation and they will not see better days ahead! I am a flight attendant based in Minneapolis,MN and as I have seen unions try and work with companies, I have also seen the side where they work while in bed with companies! Where do we put the foot down and get to the real question? Will Ford or any of these automakers build a car with high mpg or electric? Probably not until the future of the company is at stake.........I am not buying until they build that car period. I like all American made cars that are made in Mexico. How funny is that? They get cheap labor and still can't build the electric vehicle!!!!!!!!!!! Where is all that money going? When will we see our dollars back in our pockets? Don't be a coward and buy from any of the dealers. They know what they are doing and it sucks for us.
I am happy to see FORD continue to please and be able to operate on there own without sticking there hands out saying GIVE-ME.
but that is easy for me to because i have been a FORD driving/buying man since i started driving 26 years ago. Right now in my driveway i have 5 FORDS. a 1994 Taurus, a 1995 Ford Probe GT, a 2002 Taurus, a 1999 Ranger and a 2008 Fusion.
GO FORD!
Okay so Ford wants our business and pretty bad right? So I am going to tell you my thoughts on this new make your payments plan Ford has for you. This will only work if you are let go due to downsizing or cuts. Why would Ford make your payments? It dawned on me that the answer to that question is simple. payments will be made but you will not keep your car. They will have fine print on the contract which you should read! I have seen this type of strategy before and it does not work for the consumer. Ford is just trying to push old vehicles out so they can stay afloat longer with old way thinking! Don't run out and buy just because of this payment scam! You must know how the world works first and that is every man and woman for themselves! No one gives money for nothing in return! You will learn this as you continue to make the same caveman mistakes. I hope this was helpful because there is no other way to put it that "you are being ripped off again"! Ford must build for it's future and this they must learn from us and our buying habits! Yes I do believe we will change the aut industry forever because students coming out of college are figuring this out!!! Why do you think they are not buying? They know pressure like unions do to companies are a threat! Americans are the largest union in the WORLD!!! Let's unify!
just another reason that i'm proud to own a ford. 🙂
AS FORD CEO has shown,as well as the unions, the company/management & unions CAN work together IF BOTH are willing to take equal cuts to survive,
I worked for an airline 12 yrs (yes unionized) & part of our employment was we gave up 3.5% of our salary to help the company out ,(Eastern) fine everyone got along 1/2 decently,then FRANK Borman decideds he want to turn hard nose & THREATENED to sell/giv the company to FRANK LORENZO-who just happened to be his brother n law, well Lorenzo wanted to cut our salary in 1/2, & cut benefits, (we all low what a union buster he was & always will be) well we stood up & said NO, yea a great airline went crashing down into the ground, but eventually THE US HOV'T found out what the rest of the airline already knew, that FRANK Lorenzo was an evil person when it came to runing n airline & was hopeing to become KING of the airline industry,look at howmany different airline he destroyed & peoples lives he ruined,
FORD HAS SHOWN union & management can work together, Chevrolet & Crysler, you might want to listen to what FORD is saying & doing with they're employees,or your going to end up like eastern airlines did
I do believe Ford has a great product but is dreaming if they think I will fall for the scam of buying just because they will make payments for one year. This is old thinking and will be a nightmare when it really comes to being let go from a job. What about being wronfully terminated? No one is thinking of that! Ford will not make payments based on being fired. Read the fine print first! Let's get real and put pressure on them building the same great product with 100 mpg or greater and or an electric vehicle that goes more than 100 miles on a charge. We can't keep letting them creep up mpg when the government tells them to. They will drag their feet in the ground until they are forced to and the only way is to not buy from them till they feel the pressure of having to create and not just create but bring it to market as affordable! This I'm sure they are hoping to avoid! Ford has their groupies and well there are not enough of them to stay afloat. So let's see if they will deliver a product really worth buying. Don't you want your life back when it was the days you could shop? I know I do! So I will only buy when it makes sense and Ford has not come up with anything yet and this will be the fall of Ford Motors unless they rethink the car!!!
Why would they want money from a Democratic Congress and Whitehouse who are looking to control and dictate to companies? Give out bonuses and in an effort to save face, lambast them and try to make a public humiliation for what they allowed... And the Dems were crying about the Republicans over steeping their boundries... and these guys don't show any sign of stopping. I was wrong, they don't want socialism... they are going right for Karl Marx
I think Mr. Field's is living in a fantasy world. He is saying basically to buy a product that is still on the lot and still at old mpg standards. Of course they will pay the bill because in the long run if you go default they still win in BK court due to insurance. They are finacially covered when it comes to outside credit companies. The Ford Motor credit is the worst credit company to deal with. If they sucker you into this deal then you deserve the treatment they will most definately give you.
In order for the Ford Company to be viable is to create a vehicle that is electric or 150 mpg standard right now!!! ?High cost oil and gas prices are still the root of evil for consumers. Ford is just doing what GM tried to do with the $2.99 per gallon for 3 years incentive. Don't be fooled! This is how they do it by telling you they will pay for one year which comes out to be the same. I give it to them for trying but we are way too smart for this game. At least I am and hopefully you will be too! Think about those suckers stuck with the $2.99 per gallon for the last 6 months! Boy did they lose big time! I hope the government understands this ahead of time and changes the rules in the game because we will all lose if they aren't forced to deliver their promise theyre making. Remember Ford tried stealing the windshield wiper timing device and criminal thoughts are still lurking in the dark.
America needs to say enough is enough and draw the line in the sand right now!!! Make us proud to be American again by sending a message loud and clear to automakers and capitol hill once and for all!
Ford just earned my respect. It already had my husband's respect due to the quality of his Ford F-150 truck. Our previously vehicles were GM, Nissan and Toyotas and we were generally satisfied with all of them. Now, however, I have my eye on a new Ford Edge. Keep it up Ford. GM and Chrysler are heading down the road of a nationalized automobile industry, and we know how that turns out. Russia did not exactly churn out dependable or safe vehicles. Ford's independence, combined with afforadable well built vehicles will put them on top.
I have always own a Ford or Lincoln always trusted it my car the 2000 Sable gave me great mileage even in the highest of gas prices better than my friends Toyota Solara. Now I own a MKX and it is worth every penny. I wil never buy and other car. Ford bulit in America- Stong Tuff.
Hurrah for FORD!!My next car will be a Ford for sure!
OJ
We bought FORD because they are not "government owned". Ford does have good products. We also bought our daughter a Ford.
Ford Motor Co. keep up your hard work. We are proud of you.
If they keep doing the rioght thing – the only american car I will buy will be a FORD. THe rest of the companies seam to be taking all of our hard earned money for themselves.
I already own 2 Fords (06 Mustang and 08 Focus) and will continue to buy Ford until they turn into Government Motors...sorry General Motors.
Where does it state that a President can fire a CEO I thought that was up to the shareholders of that Corporation to do that the only place I have heard that was in a Goverment controled State like the one In South Americia why didn't he fire Sen Dodd I would think thats about the same standard I could be wrong!
GO FORD! I need a new car and will be going to Ford to get one based on this and I also think they are quality cars.
I will absolutely support Ford–I don't want to buy from a "government owned" automobile company-This country needs to support the companies who are toughing it out–not gettting hand-outs that will mean the government is going to "own them".
I definately think Americans should consider this when purchasing vehicles going forward. In true American spirit, Ford has continued to innovate and operate as a private enterprise and has proven that when properly managed, doesn't need to be bailed out by taxpayers. The other large companies...well, we are in a capitalist system. They should've been and always should be allowed to fail when mismanaged. Stronger companies and a stronger economy as a whole emerge from this 'natural selection' process. In any case, going forward, it's Ford for me when purchasing new vehicles!
I have to give the guy from Ford some credit. No matter how negative CNN Kiran wanted to be, he just kept going.
Buy the america car FORD
No playoff there for Oklahoma Sooner will never play for the BCS ,oklahoma is alway at the top even if they loose a game
I give them "kudos" for NOT needing tax payer money. People should take that into consideration on their next vehicle purchase. I sure am!