Ford exec: Japanese hogging hybrid parts - GreenHybrid

Eskrimast1 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-20-2005, 11:02 AM

Quote:

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."

http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/20/Auto...reut/index.htm

Quote:

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.

http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosins...A01-272872.htm

AshenGrey · #2 (**permalink**) 09-20-2005, 11:20 AM

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*!!

lars-ss · #3 (**permalink**) 09-20-2005, 11:32 AM

This is not new news. Ford is just sour grapes because they got into the Hybrid game too late.

Eskrimast1 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-20-2005, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lars-ss

This is not new news. Ford is just sour grapes because they got into the Hybrid game too late.

True. But this is the first time I've seen this story break into the mainstream news sources (CNN Money) versus the industry specific news (Detroit News, Blue Oval, AutoWeek).

Atomic Frog · #5 (**permalink**) 09-20-2005, 12:24 PM

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...

AshenGrey · #6 (**permalink**) 09-20-2005, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atomic Frog

Dear Ford,

Quote:

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!

Delta Flyer · #7 (**permalink**) 09-20-2005, 01:30 PM

While Japan Inc, has done stuff like that in the past, I lean toward the lame excuse theory.

EricGo · #8 (**permalink**) 09-20-2005, 01:47 PM

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.

tanstaafl14 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-20-2005, 06:04 PM

Someone please ask Senor Padilla if he'd like some cheese with his whine.

fernando_g · #10 (**permalink**) 09-21-2005, 01:10 PM

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.