[bimmertl]

The April Consumer Reports is the annual auto issue. In this issue CR rated 23 vehicle manufacturers. The ratings were based upon the average road test scores for vehicles within that brand in addition to the average predicted reliability score for models within each brand based upon problems reported by subscribers in CR's annual auto survey.

The top rated brand with an overall score of 79 was Lexus. Tied for last place with a total of 50 points was Ford and Jeep.

[ilovetv]

I read this yesterday about Ford avoiding the bailout with the help of UAW making some concessions and forming alternate employment principles. It's one of the few times I've heard of unions admitting that they, not just the employer, need to make some concessions. It also illustrates how Ford reduced their labor costs to $58 per hour, $17 less per hour than in 2007, to avoid the fate the other companies met and compete with the competitors on cost.

"Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. today credited the UAW for helping to “save” the automaker and stood by the track record of Ford’s dealer network as Tesla Motors pushes its direct-sales model.

Ford said in a live interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that the UAW worked closely with his company to help avoid bankruptcy and a government bailout.

“When our times were darkest in the '07, '08, '09 time frame, the UAW helped our industry get back on its feet, helped Ford get back on its feet,” Ford said. “Ron Gettelfinger, the former president of the United Auto Workers, doesn't get enough credit for helping save Ford.”

"When we got into a really tough period, I sat down with Ron and I said, 'You have to help me save the Ford Motor Co.’”

Saving Ford meant union concessions, which included giving up vacation time, cost-of-living adjustments and Christmas bonuses. Overtime pay was altered to be paid after 40 hours, instead of an eight-hour day, and break time was cut a minute per hour.

The company negotiated with the UAW to implement a two-tier pay system to hire more entry-level workers and create retiree health care funds to be managed by a UAW trust fund. This allowed Ford to lower labor costs per employee to $58 per hour, or $17 less per hour than in 2007. Ford said those savings narrowed the labor cost gap with its foreign competitors to $8 per hour from $27 per hour....."

http://www.autonews.com/article/2014...it-for-helping

[JourneyOfLife]

I will never buy another GM vehicle. At one time GM cars were all I would buy.... but after quality problems in the 80s, I stopped buying them and started buying Japanese cars.

In the late 90s, I decided to "buy American" and bought another GM vehicle. We had quite a number of problems with it. That was the last GM vehicle for us.

I bought a Ford recently, and we own a Japanese car. If the Ford turns out to be a good car, I might buy another some day.

However... quality is one thing, deaths due to problems that were not addressed in a timely manner is something else!!!

I am wondering why NHTSA didn't jump on that problem sooner!

But, it is not NHTSA's fault. GM owns it!

IMO it is a corporate responsibility issue and an indication of how Senior Management at the company responded to the problem.

Really... does anyone see a reason to make excuses for them in that situation?

[rubicon]

Journey of Life : you are on my frequency. I have been paying close attention to the Justice Department's extortion against Toyota for which they never proved their case but extorted $1.8 billion from toyta. The only person killed was a lady in excess of age 65 whom experts believed simply had a pedal misapplication. in fact pedal is the likely culprit in all of the previous recalls alleging unsuspected acceleration and people age 65 and older are the prime drivers for pedal misapplication

Now comes government motors who lied for 10-12 years have had some 12-14 deaths and are on record for stating they knew back in 2005 that they had an ignition problems but felt that drivers would simply roll to the side of the road. government motors had control of at that time .

We are yet to hear the rest of the story but I do not believe the Justice Department will do much of anything, if at all

I have owner Honda Accords, Vans Acura cars and cross overs and the service has been great, warranties honored and maintenance seems to be all the require and I don't need to place a mat under the car to catch oil leaks

[Bonny]

I have owned Ford's all my life. Fairlane, Grand Torino, LTD, Pinto Wagon, Crown Vic, Van, Tempo, Mustang, Taurus, and we now own an Expedition and a Ford 500. Love my Fords !!

[Rango]

Originally Posted by villagerjack

Story 4 years old. I have owned fFord products all my life. Very satisfied to deal with this fine American company.

Yea, those Pinto's were great cars.