Ford * Lincoln * GM

Not Just The Cars, But The Men [Edsel * Gerald * Abe]

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Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Edsel Ford & Deming

If Edsel Ford were running the show at Ford in the 1950's (which would have been quite possible because he died at 49 in 1943) the outcome of today's Ford would have been completely different.

First of all Edsel wanted cars that were modern in design, and accepted nothing second. He made sure of this with E.T. Gregorie. Second Edsel only wanted the finest materials in his cars. Third he was a planner with big ideas, and would only use the best ones.

There is something else though. When W. Edwards Deming came to Detroit to bring his dynamic quality issue and idea, he would not have been turned down or tuned out by Edsel. Edsel only wanted the best for his automobiles and Deming had a big solution. Look at what it has done for the Japanese and South Korean automobile industry.

Constant change and improvement weren't only the idea of Deming; Edsel Ford had the idea years earlier. Deming had the answer.

GM and Chrysler

GM could buy Chrysler and it would be much better off not. It simply would be doubling up all the models it sells now and it would be a calamity. Trying to fit in the different models Chrysler sells into the mix of brands and models GM sells now, would be like trying to fit two pounds of baloney into a one pound bag.

I don't think anyone else will buy it either. They'll have the same problem.

I read that it would behoove GM to grab all the dealerships that Chrysler now has, but that argument does not hold water. GM already has a vast network of dealerships. It would be overkill.

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Market Plan For Ford And GM

I already mentioned in a previous post that 100,000,000+ persons have been born after 1980. This is one of the biggest segments of the market that GM should have its grandest marketing plan of all. GM should inundate this segment with all marketing techniques known and unknown to man. It is imperative for the future of GM (and Fords) existence. Without it they can look to a very dire future.