"C. E. White" <cewhite3@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:13l7riv6l5kkdde@corp.supernews.com...
> Ford car production ain't what it used to be
>
> Automotive News
> December 3, 2007 - 12:01 am ET
>
> Fifty-seven years ago, Ford Motor Co. passed Chrysler Corp. to become the
> No. 2 producer of cars in North America behind General Motors. Ford held
> that position from 1950 through 2006, but this year things have changed.
> Ford has slipped from second place in car output to fourth place.
>
> From January through October of this year, Ford built 711,889 cars at six
> plants in North America. That's down from 998,989 cars in seven plants
> through the first 10 months of 2006.
>
> It's been a tough decade for Ford cars. Consider the first 10 months of
> 2000. During that stretch, Ford produced about 1.5 million cars in North
> America.
>
> Ford loses its place
> North American car production, excluding light trucks. Ford has slipped
> two places since last year.
> Jan.-Oct. 07 Jan.-Oct. 06 % change
> 1. General Motors** 1,403,701 1,657,582 -15.3%
> 2. Toyota Motor Corp. 835,332 799,996 4.40%
> 3. Honda Motor Co. 722,918 705,168 2.50%
> 4. Ford Motor Co. 711,889 998,989 -28.7%
> 5. Nissan Motor Co. 697,748 578,853 20.50%
> 6. Chrysler LLC 659,316 678,582 -2.8%
>
> The dropoff this year was mainly caused by the demise of the old Taurus -
> representing a decline of 174,124 units in 2007 from 2006. But other Ford
> cars are down, too. Focus production is off 34,697 units; Mustang, 28,947;
> Fusion, 15,923; and the new Taurus/Five Hundred, 11,104.
>
> Toyota Motor Corp. is the new No. 2 in 2007, and Honda Motor Co. also
> passed Ford. Nissan Motor Co. is close on Ford's heels.
>
> Nissan has had the biggest gain this year in North American car output,
> rising from 578,853 through October 2006 to 697,748 in the first 10 months
> of this year - and passing Chrysler LLC in the process. Ramping up Versa
> production in Aguascalientes, Mexico, is the main reason.
>
> Where does Ford rank in total light-vehicle production - if you include
> all those F-150s it builds, as well as other Ford and Lincoln trucks and
> SUVs? Still a solid No. 2 behind GM.
I have had good service from my Ford vehicles
1/2 ton trucks 1952, 1957, 1971
a 1956 T Bird
a 1992 E250 van
a 1967 Bronco.
But when I wanted a 4WD SUV to do some rough 4 wheeling Ford did not meet my
specifications.
So I bought a Nissan product. A Infinity 2001 QX4. Great machine. Handles
deep rivers and steep stair step rocky terrain. My favorite. Smooth
clearance under side. No hanging items to catch on rocks.