Article

2008-07-25 Home Front Economy

Ford Has $8.7 Billion Loss, Shifts Away From Trucks

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Posted by Fred 2008-07-25 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11131 views ] Top

#1 No, that would require competent management and flexible workers, both of which are nonexistent at the Big Two.

Posted by gromky 2008-07-25 00:17|| 2008-07-25 00:17|| Front Page Top

#2 Whenever I drive my mid size Chevy past a 250, I ask myself: "does he really need that?"

Posted by McZoid 2008-07-25 02:06|| 2008-07-25 02:06|| Front Page Top

#3 Ford and GM are Zombie companies.

Posted by Bright Pebbles 2008-07-25 04:57|| 2008-07-25 04:57|| Front Page Top

#4 can't disagree with the variable fuel philosophy, but McZoid's mid-sized chevy won't move that bed set or ATV to the desert. There are some things a truck is necessary for, and the first of my friends that gives me shit for my 2004 F-150 4X4 will find it is no longer available to borrow to pick up that new BBQ at Lowes or help move their kid to a new apartment. I love my truck

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2008-07-25 08:07|| 2008-07-25 08:07|| Front Page Top

#5 Bumper sticker seen far more than once -

Yes, it's my truck. No, I will not help you move.

Posted by Procopius2k 2008-07-25 09:05|| 2008-07-25 09:05|| Front Page Top

#6 CNG/LNG doesn't need as much pollution control equipment.
$savings there.

Posted by 3dc 2008-07-25 09:26|| 2008-07-25 09:26|| Front Page Top

#7 will find it is no longer available to borrow to pick up that new BBQ at Lowes or help move their kid to a new apartment.

From my C20HD days.... "you don't know me but I sat behind you in the 4th grade, can I borrow you and your truck to help us move this weekend... pizza and beer?"

The pizza was always small, the bier Old Mill... still sometimes it worked.

Posted by .5MT 2008-07-25 10:01|| www.cybernations.net]">[www.cybernations.net] 2008-07-25 10:01|| Front Page Top

#8 are people still driving ATVs in the desert? Anyone whos doing that has no right to criticize your truck.

These days, if you want to pick up stuff or move someone, the rental prices on trucks and vans aint too bad, IIUC. Easier to find than a compact for rent.

Posted by liberalhawk 2008-07-25 10:04|| 2008-07-25 10:04|| Front Page Top

#9 If sombody makes a vehicle that will pull a horse trailer with 2 horses or a trailer with 200 bales of hay and still gets 30mpg I'll buy it. Until then I'll keep my Dodge 2500.

Posted by Fluting Black5987 2008-07-25 10:40|| 2008-07-25 10:40|| Front Page Top

#10 If they thought record gasoline prices would never ravage sales of large trucks and SUVs they deserve to go under. I can't blame them for selling these things as long as they could but they had to know this day was coming and they should have been prepared for it. Big trucks may come in handy if you have a big load to haul. But it doesn't make much sense these days to drive some big ass truck or SUV to work every day when the bed is empty.

Posted by Ebbang Uluque6305 2008-07-25 12:10|| 2008-07-25 12:10|| Front Page Top

#11 If Ford wants to return to profitability, it has to shift away from the UAW.

Posted by RWV 2008-07-25 13:06|| 2008-07-25 13:06|| Front Page Top

#12 If sombody makes a vehicle that will pull a horse trailer with 2 horses or a trailer with 200 bales of hay and still gets 30mpg I'll buy it. Until then I'll keep my Dodge 2500.

Is that you Deacon or... the devils spawn?

Posted by .5MT 2008-07-25 13:54|| www.cybernations.net]">[www.cybernations.net] 2008-07-25 13:54|| Front Page Top

#13 concur, Frank. My dodge ram 1500 quad cab 4x4 always seems to be in demand from some of my so called "eco-neighbors" out here. My enviro uncle asked me if I needed something that big - I said "No, but I can afford something this big". God Bless America.

Posted by Broadhead6 2008-07-25 15:04|| 2008-07-25 15:04|| Front Page Top

#14 Re big private trucks: let's not forget that any city and town has numerous contractors who will haul your stuff on short notice. They usually have a 3 hour minimum and charge $15-$20 per hour. I give them business.

Posted by Mad Eye Gromotle4458 2008-07-25 16:37|| 2008-07-25 16:37|| Front Page Top

#15 Mad Eye Gromotle44 - I have an SUV and a Grand Caravan for that.... little Saab doens't even fit my 6'4" 230lb body.
Neither will a prius.
Some of us just need big stuff.

Posted by 3dc 2008-07-25 20:28|| 2008-07-25 20:28|| Front Page Top

#16 good for you, Mad Eye. Your point is?

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2008-07-25 20:54|| 2008-07-25 20:54|| Front Page Top

#17 I see, probably that private ownership of trucks should be restricted?

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2008-07-25 20:55|| 2008-07-25 20:55|| Front Page Top

#18 Re big private trucks: let's not forget that any city and town has numerous contractors who will haul your stuff on short notice.

Yeah, cities and towns. But it's a little harder to find one out here in the Mojave.

Funny how it's the urban/suburban dwellers who want to ban big trucks and SUVs and force everyone to take mass transit.

This kinda reminds me about the fable of the fox and the stork. Problem is, we got we gotta hell of a lot more foxes than storks.

Posted by Pappy 2008-07-25 20:59|| 2008-07-25 20:59|| Front Page Top

#19 at 6'-2", 275, I doubt I fit in the parameters of our friend's "optimal" parameters. I would suggest he is a small man. In every measure of the phrasing. We do not share the same needs and his will be imposed over mine when he can enforce it. I hate pencilnecks.

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2008-07-25 21:11|| 2008-07-25 21:11|| Front Page Top

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