Mission Statement - Ford Motor Company

Organization Name

Ford Motor Company

Slogan/Motto

Built for the road ahead.

Mission Statement

We are a global family with a proud heritage passionately committed to providing personal mobility for people around the world.

Description

The instigator of the manufacturing revolution of mass production assembly lines, the Ford Motor Company is one of the largest manufacturers of transportation vehicles, particularly cars and trucks. The cars they manufactured include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Aston Martin.

Address

1 American Rd. Dearborn, MI 48126-2798

Source :http://www.missionstatements.com/fortune_500_mission_statements.html#top

MyProductAdvisor.com with GM Takes Top Honors for Innovation

MyProductAdvisor.com today announced that, in collaboration with General Motors, it has won the 2008 EXPLOR competition sponsored by the American Marketing Association. EXPLOR is a prestigious award given for “the most innovative uses of technology in applications that advance market research.” MyProductAdvisor.com is the consumer facing web site for Market Insight Corporation.

GM's working with the best to stay on top of their game and the marketing world.

Source: http://www.emediawire.com/releases/myproductadvisor/market/prweb1400984.htm

GM presents $10,000 check to GPISD

GM is not totally out of the game. Their team's doing some event marketing, investing some $10,000.00 in a conservation and preservation project spearheaded by the Grand Prairie Independent School District to support the Global Rivers Environment Education Network (GREEN) program setup in six middle schools. The programs facilitator indicated that GM will not only be giving money, but will also be participating as mentors. Good marketing GM, maybe the kids parents will buy some of your cars :)

Source: http://grandprairiereporter.com/blog1/2008/09/general_motors_presents_10000_check_to_gpisd.html

GM's Mission

General Motors Mission Statement

"G.M. is a multinational corporation engaged in socially responsible operations, worldwide. It is dedicated to provide products and services of such quality that our customers will receive superior value while our employees and business partners will share in our success and our stock-holders will receive a sustained superior return on their investment."

Every organization needs to define its fundamental purpose, philosophy, and values. The mission statement clarifies the essence of an organization’s existence. It describes the needs an organization was created to fill and answers the basic question of why it exists.

Heated Car Seat Cushions Ad

Get Heated and Get Going In Comfort

Are you tired of waiting for the heat to kick in after you turn on your cars engine? We all can't afford that luxury car which comes with the built-in heated seats, so our solution, Heated Seat Cushions for those cold winter days. Get the heat in your seat by simply plugging into your 12volt cigarette lighter, press a button, and it heats up in seconds.

Our seats would look great on that new GM car you just bought or even that old jalopy you love so much. Whatever your preference, these seats are guaranteed to get the job done. Just choose from either the Hi/Lo temperature settings.

We can't predict the future, but we'll surely get you there all warmed up.

• Comes with free car charging unit.
  
• Safety auto shut off.
  

How Toyota became the most innovative car company in the world

On February 2007, the New York Times Magazine featured a great cover story on Toyota, which explained how the Japanese company has become the acknowledged leader in the global automobile industry.  At a time when Ford and GM are downsizing and rightsizing, the incredible Toyota engineering team continues to get things right. When we talk about productivity, efficiency and output, Toyota's team seems to be pulling up their sleeves and punching out the competition. Who holds the top spot in car sales?  Currently, the Toyota Camry and Corolla are the best-selling cars in America.  The article explains concepts like kaizen ("continuous improvement") and genchi genbutsu ("what customers want in a car or truck and how any current versions come up short"). Have some of the car companies become less customer oriented and lost focus on what's really important? The Asian carmakers have benefited from rising gas prices with rising sales in their smaller cars, as opposed to GM's and Ford's gas guzzlers. There goes the Hammers!!

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/magazine/18Toyota.t.html?ref=magazine

Chrysler gains on GM with electric car

General Motors' not the only car company thinking green.  Looks like Chrysler's is charging into the electric car market also.  They have come out with a trio of battery powered cars,  looking to put them for sale in North America  by 2010, at the same time that GM's Volt will be out.  This does not sound good for General Motors especially in a time when they need as little competition as possible. Chrysler has come out with three prototypes, drowning GM's one. Chrysler's Dodge sports car, which is completely electric and Jeep Wrangler and Chrysler minivan will have a recharging system similar to GM's Volt.  Compared to GM's Volt, the Dodge sports car looks really good.  Sorry GM, better luck next time.

Source:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/sep/24/6

GM Punting on Super Bowl

After losing to the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, the Detroit Lions are 0-3 and look to be a lock to miss the Super Bowl for the XLIIIth time.

General Motors, another dented Motor City icon, won’t be playing in the big game either come February.

The world’s largest automaker said today that it would take a pass on the world’s biggest advertising venue in yet another move aimed at saving money. GM, an "official sponsor" of the NFL and one of the big game’s biggest advertisers, said it would confine its promotional spending to the considerably less expensive -- and less viewed -- pre- and post-game shows.

Looks like GM's not trying to break any piggy banks this year. I guess they are doing whatever it takes to stay afloat.

General Motors, the "Heartbeat of America" for Better or Worst

"The Heartbeat of America" the ads for Chevrolet, General Motors' flagship brand of cars, used to boast. For better or worst, as the U.S. auto giant celebrates its 100th anniversary this month, the company's health has never seemed more tied to the country's economic health.
At a time when the U.S. economy is spluttering, the country's most venerable car brand seems to be running out of gas. Certainly if it's Americas Heartbeat, then it looks like we need to have the paramedics on speed dial, because there's signs of cardiac arrest.  But let's wait to see how America takes care of it's heart. 

Better Advertising Sells More Cars

How many times have you wondered why the guy down the street sells more cars than you? Your dealership sells the same makes and models as they do, your location is just as good, and your sales team is even better. So why are you outsold every month? Simple—your competition has better advertising.
Successful dealerships have successful advertising campaigns. They have effective advertisements, well placed spots, and profitable promotions. All of this costs money, however, and you must be willing to spend that money; or you will lose business to the dealership down the street.

Key Ford exec quits company

One of the key executives responsible for overseeing Ford Motor Co.'s global cost-cutting efforts has quit to become chief financial officer of an Ohio paper company.
David Prystash, a 24-year Ford veteran, submitted his resignation last week. He was the controller of Ford's global product development operations.
Prystash will be taking a job as CFO and senior vice president of NewPage Corp. of Miamisburg.

A Little GM Customer Service Humor...Haha

General Motors doesn't have a "help line" for people who don't know
how to drive, because people don't buy cars like they buy computers --
but imagine if they did....

Call No. 1

HELPLINE: "General Motors Helpline, how can I help you?"

CUSTOMER: "I got in my car and closed the door, and nothing happened!"

HELPLINE: "Did you put the key in the ignition slot and turn it?"

CUSTOMER: "What's an ignition?"

HELPLINE: "It's a starter motor that draws current from your battery and turns over the engine."

CUSTOMER: "Ignition? Motor? Battery? Engine? How come I have to know all of these technical terms just to use my car?"

Call No. 2

HELPLINE: "General Motors Helpline, how can I help you?"

CUSTOMER: "My car ran fine for a week, and now it won't go anywhere!"

HELPLINE: "Is the gas tank empty?"

CUSTOMER: "Huh? How do I know?"

HELPLINE: "There's a little gauge on the front panel, with a needle, and markings from 'E' to 'F.' Where is the needle pointing?"

CUSTOMER: "It's pointing to 'E.' What does that mean?"

HELPLINE: "It means that you have to visit a gasoline vendor, and purchase some more gasoline. You can install it yourself, or pay the vendor to install it for you."

CUSTOMER: "What!? I paid $$12,000 for this car! Now you tell me that I have to keep buying more components? I want a car that comes with everything built in!"

Call No. 3

HELPLINE: "General Motors Helpline, how can I help you?"

CUSTOMER: "Hi! I just bought my first car, and I chose your car because it has automatic transmission, cruise control, power steering, power brakes, and power door locks."

HELPLINE: "Thanks for buying our car. How can I help you?"

CUSTOMER: "How do I work it?"

HELPLINE: "Do you know how to drive?"

CUSTOMER: "Do I know how to what?"

HELPLINE: "Do you know how to drive?"

CUSTOMER: "I'm not a technical person! I just want to go places in my car!"

John DeLorean

John Zachary DeLorean (January 6, 1925 – March 19, 2005) was an American engineer and executive in the U.S. automobile industry, and founder of the DeLorean Motor Company.

He was most well known for developing the Pontiac GTO muscle car, the DeLorean DMC-12 sports car, which was later featured in the movie Back to the Future, and his high profile 1982 arrest on charges of drug trafficking, in an apparent attempt to raise funds for his struggling company, which declared bankruptcy that same year. He successfully defended himself against these charges, showing that his alleged involvement was a result of entrapment by federal agents. 

DeLorean accepted a $16,000 salary offer with a bonus program, choosing to work at GM's Pontiac division as an assistant to chief engineer.  He was no longer a professional engineer. At the age of 40, he had broken the record for youngest division head at GM, and was determined to continue his string of successes. 

DeLorean left General Motors (GM) to form his own company, the De Lorean Motor Company (DMC).

McCain backs automaker loans in visit to General Motors Orion plant

Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, accompanied by his wife Cindy, makes a statement after visiting a General Motors assembly plant in Lake Orion. 

McCain made his strongest statement yet supporting a $25-billion federal loan package to help the auto industry and blasting Wall Street after a brief visit to the plant.

Looks like the politicians are paying attention to the failing economy. Anything for support you say? Maybe.  But I'm sure that GM's Chairman, Richard Wagoner is thinking other things.

New Electric Concept Car Unveiled at 2007 Detroit Auto Show

The car runs 40 miles on battery,then as the battery discharges the small motor charges the battery, the automobiles range can be up to 500 miles, the charging source on board can be a biomotor,fuel cell etc.
Perfect planning on this flex car and a good idea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkUYyWYv_n8

2010 Buick LaCrosse teaser image revealed

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse, which is very important for the brand, will be built on the completely new Epsilon II platform suitable to create both front and all-wheel drive cars. Although GM plans to share it among the 2009 Opel Insignia, 2010 Saab 9-5, 2011 Saturn Aura and2012 Chevy Malibu, the new LaCrosse will be the first to showcase the new architecture.

To the top-payed out there, GM may be heading fast into "brokeville", but at least they still dream big. At least they will be driving there in style.

A brief history of General Motors Corp.

As General Motors Corp. prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary, some key events in the giant automaker's history:
Sept. 16, 1908 - General Motors Company founded by William C. Durant.
1909 - GM sells 25,000 cars and trucks.
1910 - Durant brings the Buick, Olds, Pontiac, Cadillac, Champion ignition, AC spark plug and other companies into GM. Sales rise 60 percent, but earnings lag. Durant is ousted by bankers as company sinks into debt.
1911 - Electric self-starter first appears on a Cadillac.
1916 - GM incorporated as General Motors Corp. Durant, after founding company that builds Chevrolets, regains control.
1917-19 - GM shifts most truck production to war effort.
1920 - Durant resigns, later files personal bankruptcy and dies running bowling alleys.
1920s - GM creates product policy aiming Buick, Pontiac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Cadillac at five different groups of buyers.
1921 - GM accounts for 12 percent of U.S. car market.
1923 - Alfred P. Sloan named president and chief executive.
1925 - GM acquires Vauxhall Motors Ltd. of Great Britain.
1929 - GM acquires Adam Opel AG of Germany.
1937 - Violent sit-down strikes by GM hourly workers in Flint, Mich., shake company, lead to United Auto Workers representation.
1941 - GM market share grows to 41 percent.
1942 - Civilian auto production halted and plants turned to war effort.
1945-46 - Workers strike for 113 days.
1948 - First automobile fins unveiled, on a Cadillac.
1949 - After purchase of National City Lines of Los Angeles, GM accused of buying streetcar companies since 1920s and replacing them with bus systems. GM is convicted just once, of conspiracy in the Los Angeles case.
1953 - Air conditioning first offered, on a Cadillac.

1954 - GM's U.S. market share reaches 54 percent. Company makes 50 millionth car.
1955 - GM introduces Chevrolet V-8 engine.
1956 - Sloan retires as chairman.
1960 - Reacting to invasion of small European cars, GM introduces Chevrolet Corvair. Car later attacked by Ralph Nader, who wrote book "Unsafe at Any Speed" that led to congressional auto safety hearings.
1979 - GM's U.S. employment peaks at 618,365, making it the largest private employer in the country. Worldwide employment is 853,000. Decade features sales decline, recession, Arab oil embargo and gains by Japanese automakers.
1980 - Roger B. Smith named chairman. GM loses more than $750 million as car and truck sales plunge 26 percent.
1981 - GM consolidates truck, bus and van operations. Auto workers bash Japanese cars with sledge hammers. Company earns $333.4 million on $62.7 billion in revenue.
1983 - GM and Toyota Motor Corp. of Japan form joint venture to build cars at a GM-owned plant in Fremont, Calif. Smith announces Saturn project to fight Japanese cars. GM makes $3.7 billion.
1984 - GM overhauls North American organization; acquires Electronic Data Systems Corp., owned by Texas billionaire H. Ross Perot, for $2.5 billion. Earnings rise to $4.5 billion on revenue of $84.9 billion.
1985 - Company forms new Saturn Corp. subsidiary. GM acquires Hughes Aircraft Co. for $5 billion. GM makes $4 billion.
1986 - GM announces plans to close 11 U.S. plants. Employment grows to 877,000 as earnings fall to $3.9 billion. After infighting, Perot resigns from board and gets $700 million in severance. 1987 - GM and UAW reach contract prohibiting closure of a plant unless its product sales fall. Earnings rise to $3.6 billion.
1988 - Earnings rise to $4.6 billion and revenue hits $123.6 billion. Employment drops to 766,000.
1989 - GM complies with federal regulations and equips about 15 percent of fleet with driver's air bags, blames devices for boosting car prices. Profits fall to $4.2 billion.
1990 - GM and Saab-Scania AB of Sweden form joint venture to make cars in Europe. Smith retires as chairman, succeeded by President Robert Stempel. GM launches Saturn, takes $2.1 billion charge for four plant closings, and profits fall to $102 million as auto sales plummet.
1991 - Company loses industry record $4.45 billion. Stempel announces GM will close 21 plants over the next few years and eliminate 9,000 salaried and 15,000 hourly jobs in 1992, in addition to layoffs at shuttered plants.
1992 - Board strips some of Stempel's authority. Stempel later resigns, saying rumors about his future compromised his ability to lead. Jack Smith gets title of chief executive officer and outside director John Smale is named chairman.
1996 - GM spins off Electronic Data Systems as a separate company.
1997 - GM sells defense electronics business of Hughes Electronics to Raytheon and merges Hughes' auto parts business with Delphi Automotive Systems (now Delphi Corp.).
1998 - Strikes at two Michigan parts plants shut down almost all North American production. 1999 - Delphi is spun off as a separate company. GM purchases rights to the Hummer brand from AM General. 2000 - President Rick Wagoner replaces Smith as CEO. GM cuts 10 percent of white-collar employment.
2002 - GM spends $251 million on 42 percent stake in South Korea's bankrupt Daewoo Motor and names it GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. Stake later increased to 51 percent.
2003 - GM sells defense unit to General Dynamics Corp. for $1.1 billion and sells 20 percent stake in Hughes Electronics to News Corp. for $3.1 billion.
2004 - Last model year for Oldsmobile.
2006 - About 47,600 GM and Delphi hourly workers take buyout or early retirement offers. GM investor Kirk Kerkorian suggests alliance with Nissan and Renault, which GM's board examines and rejects; Kerkorian sells much of his stake. GM sells 51 percent stake in GMAC Financial Services to group led by Cerberus Capital Management LP for $14 billion.
2007 - GM loses $38.7 billion, including $39 billion third-quarter charge for unused tax credits. It's the largest annual loss in auto industry history. GM reaches historic contract with United Auto Workers that shifts billions in retiree health care expenses to union-administered trust. Company agrees to pay $33.7 billion into trust. Contract also lets company to pay some new hires $14 per hour. U.S. market share is 23.7 percent. GM sells Allison Transmission to The Carlyle Group and Onex Corp. for $5.6 billion. 2008 - Gas prices hit $4 per gallon and truck sales plummet. GM announces plan to close four pickup and sport utility vehicle factories, plans to shed 8,350 jobs. GM announces new small car, plans for $15 billion in savings, with $10 billion in cost-cutting and $5 billion from asset sales and borrowing. Hummer brand put up for sale. Worldwide employment stands at about 266,000.

Why General Motors and Ford Should Not Be Allowed to Fail

Here's 2 reasons why GM and Ford in particular deserve the support of the American car-buying public, and why the failure of either one or both would cause severe damage to our economy.

Reason #1: You simply cannot take billions of dollars out of the U.S. economy without there being a negative fallout that will affect every American. General Motors and Ford top the list in terms of spending on research & development in America, spending over $12 billion annually. In third place is Microsoft. Last year, GM spent $4.75 billion supporting their retirees and $2.1 billion in advertising (fourth highest in the U.S.)Gannett Co., publisher of the USA Today and other major newspapers, just announced on August 14, 2008, it was eliminating 1,000 jobs, partly due to falling ad revenue, reinforcing the notion that if the revenue pockets at GM dry up, so do other pockets of the economy.

Reason #2: GM and Ford combined have nearly 100 major plants in the United States. Toyota, Honda and Nissan each have eight. Ford and GM both get at least 80 percent of their parts from American factories, while Toyota, Honda, and Nissan get only 45-55 percent of their parts from here. German-owned Volkswagen, which gets only three percent of their parts from America, just agreed to build their first U.S. plant only after getting a record-setting $500 million in tax giveaways, courtesy of your tax dollars, to employ 2,000 people.

GM to Axe Detroit Auto Show Style Event

The recent belt tightening at GM kicked off last month with massive cuts to costs attributed to salaries (that means people losing jobs). Then GM started to make cuts to its non-car promotions with a slash of the Nascar Budget. With things getting tight over at the Renaissance Center, this monstrous soiree has now fallen to the chopping block. When will the carnage end?

Tiger Woods Stars in Buick Web Movie

Following in the footsteps of BMW, Buick aired a five minute webmercial featuring Tiger Woods that doubled Buick's site traffic to 700,000 in five days. In the spot, Woods walks up to a group of golfers and challenges them to a closest to the pin contest asking, "How ’bout we play for a Buick Rainer?"

You can see the commercial by clicking from Buick's homepage. It's actually quite a cute spot. Two contestants actually beat him and win a Buick. Great riff on reality TV model. Also, smartly promoted on their TV commercial.

China, via Buick, improves General Motors Sales

The Chinese are extending an unlikely helping hand to our domestic automakers as the country's booming auto market is snatching up gas guzzlers with wanton abandon. China is now the single largest market for General Motors' Buick brand, with local design teams are now designing a new range of models that will be sold in the U.S.

Ford, General Motors to cut Spain staff

Ford and General Motors are both set to cut jobs at their plants in Spain, where demand for cars has plummeted in a slowing economy. Ford will cut 1,300 workers out of 7,000 at its Almussafes plants in the Valencia region and General Motors will cut 600 at its Figueruelas plant in Zaragoza. Spanish new car sales tumbled by 41 percent in August compared to the same month last year as the slowdown bit, according to industry data. Separately, Volkswagen will cut production.

GM in Tonawanda

As General Motors marks its 100th anniversary, the Tonawanda Engine Plant is celebrating 70 years of business. Tonawanda Engine Plant Manager Steve Finch indicated that times were a lot different 70 years ago, and this factory was built at that time, and it saw some very interesting things.
At one point, the plant was converted to make warplane engines. And, they continue to transform operations with the changing times. As the country turns to more fuel-efficient vehicles, GM is adjusting.

GM conflict risks 40 percent of vehicle production

Venezuelan assembly plant has been halted for eight weeks and production has dropped by 96.6 percent
If problems continue, General Motors has not ruled out the possibility of closing operations in Venezuela. Since July 27, a group of workers, members of the pro-government trade union Vencedores Socialistas has blocked the access to the facilities of the plant located in the city of Valencia, in central Carabobo state. These protests have led to a complete shutdown of operations at the assembly plant. In August, the labor conflict has resulted in a dramatic drop of 96.6 percent in GM's vehicles production. The car manufacturer sold 80 percent vehicles less, compared with August 2007. This performance led to a 60.5 percent monthly drop, which is the worst fall in the car industry over the past five years.

General Motors Officially Reveals the 2011 Chevrolet Volt

Car manufacturer General Motors has officially revealed the much anticipated 2011 Chevrolet Volt, which will appear in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Other than spy shots from the production of the movie, no other images of this car model has been seen beyond the concept stage. These images provide a clear look at the type of car one will see in the sequel, whether indeed the Volt is a Transformer or a civilian car.

GM to invest $290 million in Ontario

General Motors of Canada is investing $290 million in the depressed Ontario cities of St. Catharines and Oshawa.
The company will get major tax breaks for penalties it faces for not meeting production commitments made under earlier Government aid packages.
About $245 million will go to the power transmission plant at St. Catharines. Oshawa will get $40 million for an environmental research upgrade.

GM forms new entity to augment sales in India

US carmaker General Motors said it has created a separate entity for its sales and distribution activities in India as a part of restructuring and realignment of the company's corporate structure.
The formation of the new entity, General Motors (India) Marketing Pvt Ltd, comes close on the heels of the US car major stepping up its investment in India with plans to pump in 200 million dollars at Talegaon in Maharashtra, to set up a powertrain facility.
The move would help GM improve planning, inventory management, transport management, timely delivery and maximise cost synergies, he added. The restructuring exercise would also involve transfer of some employees, who were engaged in sales, marketing and distribution activities, to the new company.
GM India is expanding its sales points to 145 and service outlets to 160 by the end of this year.

Rick Wagoner, CEO of General Motors, Interview with Charlie Rose of PBS

As stated very clearly on the “About” section of this web site, part of the purpose of www.mychevyexperience.com is to help Americans understand the critical importance of American owned vehicle manufacturing to the gross national product of the United States and health of the United States’ economy. I am trying to think of other countries that are disloyal to their own industries, but still economically vibrant. I know it isn’t the clearest picture, but I think it would be great if people had a better understanding of how their wallet choices impacted not only our economy, but supported other economies.
Remember that every individual has the opportunity to make a difference in our economy. Housing bust, market crash, lower wages …. each person can improve our economic condition by supporting our American economy through the purchase of American manufactured vehicles! Show your loyalty to America by considering purchasing (even if just a test drive) your next vehicle from an American owned manufacturer such as Chevrolet.

Chrysler, Ford and GM Try To Pull A Fannie

From the Wall Street Journal:
Ford, along with General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC, are hoping to persuade the U.S. government to provide as much as $50 billion in low-cost loans as slumping sales in the U.S. market eat into profitability. A bill signed into law last year authorized loans of as much as $25 billion to help car makers and suppliers retool plants to produce new, highly fuel-efficient vehicles. This doesn’t say much about their ability to withstand political pressure and it sure doesn’t say much about their ability to learn anything from the Fannie and Freddie debacle. Do you think they could stand up to the pressure that will eventually come from Fannie and Freddie’s enablers to revert to the old model?
“The Detroit Three got into their current quandary by making decades of bad decisions, with some help from the United Auto Workers union. Yet despite the current crisis, General Motors is still paying dividends to shareholders, the car companies are paying bonuses to executives, and the private-equity billionaires at Cerberus who bought Chrysler are trying to reap enormous rewards from their risky investment. Meanwhile the UAW’s Jobs Bank — which pays laid-off workers for doing nothing — remains in place.

It’s hard to say whether the U.S. market has hit bottom

Despite signs of steadier U.S. auto sales in August, it remains uncertain whether industrywide sales in the largest vehicle market have hit bottom, and conditions next year are unlikely to improve.
The sharp decline in U.S. auto sales this year, prompted in part by record gasoline prices, caught Toyota and other major automakers by surprise.
Toyota, which has overtaken General Motors Corp as the world’s largest automaker and Ford Motor Co as No. 2 in the U.S. market, has seen its U.S. sales drop 8 percent through August.
The overall market was down 11 percent through August.
Overall, US sales fell 15.5 per cent compared with August of last year, but rose 10 per cent from July’s dismal figures, according to Autodata Corp.
But the increase over July buoyed most automakers, with sales executives saying that lower fuel prices were starting to ease consumers’ minds. They also reported the market shifting a little bit back towards trucks and sport utility vehicles, driven by incentives and lower gas prices.