Quote:
Originally Posted by MrIcky
As the saying goes, you make your own luck. I'm not some big Ford apologist, but at least they foresaw what was coming. I don't think anyone thought it would last this long though.
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It's 100% impossible that they thought this would happen. They were working on restructuring and revamping their lineup looonggg before fall of 2008. Like 2 years before. So unless they've got a crystal ball, it really was just luck caused by their other circumstances.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stovt001
Well if sales don't pick up, no one is going to be doing well. It won't just be Ford that is hurting. Yes it is true that normally in bankruptcy since they mortgaged their assets their creditors get them, but as we saw with Chrysler and GM the government will intervene. I can't imagine the current administration having a total change of heart and deciding to go hands off. There are two outcomes: the market recovers soon and Ford takes advantage of its government-free (relatively) position and to gain favor with consumers and market share and use that to pay back the loans, or the market doesn't recover and they end up with GM and Chrysler, just a few months behind. Nothing really too earth-shaking with either position. Obviously the former is preferable.
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Agreed. Although I honestly see the latter happening. I don't know how much cash they have but if this economic downturn lasts another year or so like it probably will, I'm pretty sure they'll run out. And when the economy does start looking up, cars will be towards the end of the list of things to buy for most people. The small stuff will be first and they'll work their way up to the big ticket items.