Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : American Automobile Industry: Can it survive? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: robert b furman who wrote (97)	12/1/2006 1:58:48 PM
From: Sam Citron	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 431

Vlnc I like and have followed the Chief on. U long VLNC? What do you think of 'the Chief'? Any opinion of other battery, fuel cell players, e.g., ALTI, BLDP, ENER? Ford doesn't have the Asian footprint for long term deflation in product Deflation can also come through cost control and tech change. Beating Toyota will naturally be much harder than beating Airbus, but he has no other choice since it's a battle for survival. Up until now, most automakers have been reluctant to delve into EVs, PHEVs, and other alternate fuel vehicles out of fear the market was too nichey for their huge scale production processes. These processes are largely obselete and need to be redesigned for greater flexibility and reduced retooling costs. It wont be easy but it has to be done. Mullally must break the union or reduce it. Indeed. And he wont be able to do it by himself. Must act in concert w/ GM, DCX. If job bank stranglehold is not broken in next year's UAW negotiations, all bets are off. An interesting fact about TM success is 25% of their products sold in the US are NOT made in the US. Thus the margin and relentless market share gain. I assume they tweak their production processes at home in Japan before setting up factory as close to the potential market as possible. Hence their new TX Tundra factory that will produce a truck in 57 minutes v. their avg factory which takes 23 hours per vehicle. I don't know if F will be able to beat this, but they may not have to if they can be more flexible. Maybe they will just let people build their own cars on the internet, then make them and deliver them to their door, doing away with the dealerships entirely. <g> [sorry, Bob] This is the future and I don't think has the money to make the shift. Well, they are looking for $18B right now, and they are betting the farm. The easy money has already been made on GM. Now it's F's turn! Sam