3. FORD’S CURRENT STRATEGY
In order to meet the future consumers’ trend forecasted by the automotive industry, Ford wants to reposition itself and its business model regarding as how to better satisfy consumer needs, which is to produce smaller economic cars that the US middle-class customers value. Therefore, it seeks to take a new direction and to bring a revolution to the automobile industry, and to revive its glory years. A number of vehicle programs have been changed, delayed or even dropped throughout 2007. Ford officials believe that the shifts are aimed to get the right products to the market faster, with the emphasis on reducing costs and accelerating product development.

3.1 TOWARDS MORE ECONOMIC VEHICLES
Ford’s current business strategy is to make new mobility solutions that are fuel-efficient and environmental-friendly, and at an affordable cost to consumers. By monitoring the US market, Ford has detected a change in consumers’ purchasing behavior: the fact that the sales of trucks & minivans constantly fell since 2004 (the “peak” year), while small cars sales have been growing since the same year. This is a clear indication that the trucks in the US is in its declining stage, whereas smaller cars are favored in consumers’ eye. The ever-rising fuel price is another incentive for future car owners in buying more economical, thus smaller cars. Therefore, Ford’s vision of its short-term to medium-term strategy is that the firm will be able to bring affordable mobility solutions to millions of US citizens. By year 2020, Ford will be able to fully implement their zero-emission vehicle technology, by taking advantage of the rapid advancements (see Figure 1).
Ford has its focus on high-efficiency models because the US public is increasingly aware and concerned about the climate issues, and the fact that the US government has passed stricter energy