Ford exec: Japanese hogging hybrid parts
#1
09-20-2005, 11:02 AM
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 174
Ford exec: Japanese hogging hybrid parts
DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. could be offering more hybrid vehicles if it weren't for the shortage of specialized components, partly due to the "predatory" approach taken by some Japanese automakers, Ford Chief Operating Officer Jim Padilla said Tuesday.
"It is a supply issue, and it's supply of several technologies," Padilla said at the Reuters Summit in Detroit. "The Japanese have shown a little bit of a predatory approach."
"It is a supply issue, and it's supply of several technologies," Padilla said at the Reuters Summit in Detroit. "The Japanese have shown a little bit of a predatory approach."
Proud to be the world's first automaker to roll out a hybrid sport utility vehicle, Ford Motor Co. nurses dreams of selling tens of thousands of fuel-efficient, gas-electric vehicles by offering hybrid sedans and more SUVs.
But Ford faces shortages of crucial parts from components manufacturers -- which are longtime suppliers, and in some cases affiliates, of Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co., the leaders in hybrids.
Ford suspects it may be getting squeezed out by its Japanese rivals. With the fall launch of the gas-electric Mercury Mariner, Ford is tripling its hybrid SUV lineup over three years. But its transmission supplier, Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd., can boost deliveries by only 20 percent, to 24,000 transmissions annually.
"Aisin, which is minority-controlled by Toyota, has interesting shareholders they have to answer to," said Mary Ann Wright, director of Ford's hybrid programs research and advanced engineering.
But Ford faces shortages of crucial parts from components manufacturers -- which are longtime suppliers, and in some cases affiliates, of Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co., the leaders in hybrids.
Ford suspects it may be getting squeezed out by its Japanese rivals. With the fall launch of the gas-electric Mercury Mariner, Ford is tripling its hybrid SUV lineup over three years. But its transmission supplier, Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd., can boost deliveries by only 20 percent, to 24,000 transmissions annually.
"Aisin, which is minority-controlled by Toyota, has interesting shareholders they have to answer to," said Mary Ann Wright, director of Ford's hybrid programs research and advanced engineering.
http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosins...A01-272872.htm
#2
09-20-2005, 11:20 AM
Re: Ford exec: Japanese hogging hybrid parts
Well... Ford could always seek a *domestic* battery/parts manufacturer...
But WAIT... the greedy American CEOs have sent almost EVERY manufactuing job the USA ever had down to Mexico or overseas so that the top 1% in the corporate structure can get billion-dollar bonuses while factory workers who used to get $12-$20/hour now get $5.85/hour at WalMart (and no benefits, of course! Gotta keep those prices low and the stock options high!)
Ford could start manufacturing their own components, but that would entail giving good-paying jobs to Americans, and no American megacorp wants to do *that*!!
But WAIT... the greedy American CEOs have sent almost EVERY manufactuing job the USA ever had down to Mexico or overseas so that the top 1% in the corporate structure can get billion-dollar bonuses while factory workers who used to get $12-$20/hour now get $5.85/hour at WalMart (and no benefits, of course! Gotta keep those prices low and the stock options high!)
Ford could start manufacturing their own components, but that would entail giving good-paying jobs to Americans, and no American megacorp wants to do *that*!!
#4
09-20-2005, 11:41 AM
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 174
Re: Ford exec: Japanese hogging hybrid parts
Originally Posted by lars-ss
This is not new news. Ford is just sour grapes because they got into the Hybrid game too late.
#5
09-20-2005, 12:24 PM
Re: Ford exec: Japanese hogging hybrid parts
Dear Ford,
So sorry you got in late to the hybrid game. Playing catch-up ain't fun, is it? Good luck on future hybrid endeavors, but don't be looking for sympathy or try to pass off lame excuses for you shortsightedness.
A jaded cynic,
John
P.S. - Toyota sends its regards...
So sorry you got in late to the hybrid game. Playing catch-up ain't fun, is it? Good luck on future hybrid endeavors, but don't be looking for sympathy or try to pass off lame excuses for you shortsightedness.
A jaded cynic,
John
P.S. - Toyota sends its regards...
#6
09-20-2005, 12:39 PM
Re: Ford exec: Japanese hogging hybrid parts
Originally Posted by Atomic Frog
Dear Ford,
Originally Posted by Atomic Frog
So sorry you got in late to the hybrid game. Playing catch-up ain't fun, is it? Good luck on future hybrid endeavors, but don't be looking for sympathy or try to pass off lame excuses for you shortsightedness.
A jaded cynic,
John
P.S. - Toyota sends its regards...
It could be worse... At least Ford isn't using BAS, hah hah!
#7
09-20-2005, 01:30 PM
It Might be True, But.....
While Japan Inc, has done stuff like that in the past, I lean toward the lame excuse theory.
Last edited by Delta Flyer; 09-20-2005 at 01:48 PM.
#8
09-20-2005, 01:47 PM
Re: Ford exec: Japanese hogging hybrid parts
Ford does not want to say "we do not know how to make a profitable hybrid", so instead spins the limited production as a Toyota market manipulation.
Someone should find out how many parts Ford *requested*, as opposed to the 20K that will be delivered.
There is also the minor detail of Toyota building some 250 - 500 THOUSAND hybrids next year, compared to the Ford pittance. Suppliers put their biggest customers first. You would think an American company schooled in the ways of capitalism since the Model T would know that.
Selective memory, political BS, market spin. What a company.
Someone should find out how many parts Ford *requested*, as opposed to the 20K that will be delivered.
There is also the minor detail of Toyota building some 250 - 500 THOUSAND hybrids next year, compared to the Ford pittance. Suppliers put their biggest customers first. You would think an American company schooled in the ways of capitalism since the Model T would know that.
Selective memory, political BS, market spin. What a company.
#9
09-20-2005, 06:04 PM
Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Deep in the heart of Florida
Posts: 351
Re: Ford exec: Japanese hogging hybrid parts
Someone please ask Senor Padilla if he'd like some cheese with his whine. 
#10
09-21-2005, 01:10 PM
If it is any consolation....
Ford is actually ahead of Chrysler and GM...they are even worse behind.
I remember GM execs sneering at Toyota, and their "money-losing hybrids". It may be true that, at the very begining, Toyota did lose money on the first Priuses.
And even those technological-savvy German companies, saw gas mileage as nothing but a fad. Horsepower and luxury, that is what counts.
But today, it is a totally different story.... with product truly in mass production, the costs are coming down fast... and besides Toyota has a slew of patents which are worth gold to anyone attempting to get into the hybrid game.
So the cost of those "money-losing hybrids" turned out to be an investment, and a very valuable one to boot.... pretty sharp people I say, those Toyota guys.
I remember GM execs sneering at Toyota, and their "money-losing hybrids". It may be true that, at the very begining, Toyota did lose money on the first Priuses.
And even those technological-savvy German companies, saw gas mileage as nothing but a fad. Horsepower and luxury, that is what counts.
But today, it is a totally different story.... with product truly in mass production, the costs are coming down fast... and besides Toyota has a slew of patents which are worth gold to anyone attempting to get into the hybrid game.
So the cost of those "money-losing hybrids" turned out to be an investment, and a very valuable one to boot.... pretty sharp people I say, those Toyota guys.
