PhillyD

Brand Names: Important, But Not Key to Investment Decisions

You guys must be young ... very young. I am 49 and I remember in the 70's and early 80's how the Japenese brands were considered cheap and not well put together. However, through tremendous improvements and great marketing (R&T, MT, and C&D have been a HUGE part of their success) have now turned the tables.

Through better products (which they now make) and some better marketing (they still suck) the American Brands can once again be considered desirable.

Around the world, if you didn't know, American Car Companies are considered desirable. Ford is HUGE in Europe (of course they sell a better looking car their) and GM sells more Buicks in China than they do in the U.S. (yes that's true.) We in America think it's it's passe to drive American and fawn over the Japenese cars (I know this - I've owned 5 new Honda's and Acuras.) I've now bought American in the past 11 years and have NOT been dissappointed. They are every bit as good as the Japense versions.

Now in JD Power the American Cars have finished 4 out of the top 12 spots. The Japense have 4. The Germans 2 and the South Koreans 2. It sounds like, to me, we're building the better product. Now for the Brands to catch up! It will happen.

The Ford Debt Disaster Continues

henje you say you will "never" buy a Ford product ... it's people like you who are our problem in the USA. JD Powers says that the new Ford products (the ones that compete with Camry and Corolla) are rated HIGHER than their Toyota counterparts! So the quality is there but you won't buy one? Loser ... "to blame, pure and simple."

BTW, I ownd two Expeditions (1997 models) and put over 250,000 on them and never had a problem. I've owned two new GM products over the past bunch of years ... put over 300,000 on them and not a problem. I've also owned 5 new Hondas/Acuras and put almost 300,000 on them with no problems. To say that the American cars were somehow inferior the the Japenese was a lie "pure and simple."

In fact, the 1997 Expedition and 2004 Tahoe are far superior to their Japenese competitors. Now it seems that the Malibu, Fusion/Millan, and Focus are rating higher than their competitors as well.

But you won't buy one ... "EVER!" Loser and we'll see how your kids grow up in the USA. In fact you're probably not even a citizen of the USA ... at least you don't sound like one.

Ford Shareholders Face High Potential for Pain

Management doesn't always have the final say when Unions hold them up at gunpoint AND judges/courts back their play!

That said, Ford cars have always been thought of as lesser in quality and I'm 49 years old from the North East. I moved to Michigan two years ago and cannot believe how the unionized mentality that management (or any leader) is always wrong and how dare he/she make any changes. "We've never done it that way before!" is the leading mantra of Detroit.

Companies have been destroyed and lives are being destroyed. Young families are fleeing Michigan in droves. Ford had better get their European cars here PRONTO (Mondeo, Verve) and had better become the LEADER is MPG PRONTO!

I believe that their new leadership team can do it and I've thrown a $15,000 flyer at it in the expectation that if the company is even around in 2012 that the stock will be at $25.00 minimum and climbing. I feel that this is the more likely scenario than bankrupcy. Why?

1- Ford family will not go bankrupt.
2- They are making a profit of close to $1 billion when North America is removed so worst case they can just cut out NA and get smaller and actually make money!
3- Their cars have improved in quality to the point that JD Power is ranking their New Car Quality ABOVE TOYOTA AND HONDA
4- Their new models are awesome and the hit at the International Car Shows. They've just got to get them out ... NOW!
5- My son is a HS intern for their Alternative Energy Dept working on the computer programs and my son is awesome!
6- I've got a good feel for these things in the past!!!

GM Calls the Top for Oil

For the people who are promoting "moving closer to the cities where the jobs are for shorter commutes" that sounds great but who can seel their homes in the burbs today at 50% reduced values to move into what was already more expensive housing that has increased about 3-5% in the past year. So your $400,000 house is now worth $300,000 (or less) and your city dwelling (smaller sized of course) was selling for $900,000 is now selling for $950,000. How do those numbers work?