...Ford Motor Company Case Study Introduction and Background The world-renowned automobile organization, Ford Motor Company, located in Dearborn, Michigan, has recently taken on a new CEO. This CEO has changed many things drastically in a short amount of time, including many positive things but also has implemented a few negative changes. Even with the drastic changes, the company still lost billions of dollars in the first three years under the new CEO’s reign, though the third year saw fewer losses than the second year. The CEO must deal with and must overcome many issues, internally as well as externally, to help the company get back on its feet and begin making profit again. Facts The new CEO has been employed at Ford for three years now, and is known for taking Boeing Airlines from suffering huge losses to making huge profits. Ford Motor Company took him on as a means to turn around losses and provide the company with new guidance. The company certainly took on a new direction, with one of the first acts being to bring back the Ford Taurus into the line and dropping truck and SUV production by forty percent. However not all changes were positive, as 46,000 jobs were cut. This decision was made to attempt to consolidate the company’s expenses as the company borrowed $23 billion but has already spent almost $15 billion of it, with no way of paying it back anytime soon. Issues The company is not only suffering considerable losses financially, but is dealing...
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...organization’s performance. The way a leader runs an organization is the determining factor of whether or not it succeeds. Many companies have failed due to poor leadership. Leadership is more them management. Effective leadership is a personal role that requires the blending of motivational, strategic and management skills to align focus, energy and drive while creating a culture that encourages individual thinking and attainment. Everyone does not possess the abilities to be a successful leader. The role leadership can have a significant impact on an organization’s performance. The role of leadership sets the tone for the organization and has a trickle-down effect. For example, the organization I work for has been through its share of leaders. Every time the leader changes, it is immediately noticed in the actions of the management team. The management team typically adjusts their management style to that of the new leader. As a result, the entire organization is affected. 2. Discuss Mulally’s leadership style at Ford Motor Company and provide examples of how his actions fit this style. Mulally’s leadership style at the Ford Motor Company is participative. He encourages the employees to participate, but retain the final say over the decision-making process. Employees feel engaged in the process and are more motivated and creative. Based on the case study, Mulally feels that communication is essential. For example, Mulally states, “Everyone has to know the plan, its...
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...Ford Motor Company Pinto Case Karen Nollet, Alonso Miller, Michael Morra, Pamela Tenori MGT/216 Abstract In 1971, Ford Motor Company (FMC), on the advice of then vice-president Lee Iacocca, introduced the first subcompact vehicle, the Ford Pinto. After production, Ford discovered a defect in the design on the fuel system; the gas tank was placed in the rear of the vehicle. This error could cause the vehicle to explode on low speed rear end collisions. Ford conducted a risk/analysis to determine whether to recall the vehicles or leave the situation as is and suffer the consequences as they arise. After concluding that the vehicles could be modified for $11 per vehicle, Ford decided not to recall the vehicles. Based on their risk/analysis the cost to recall the vehicles sold would be $137 million, Ford determined that it would be more profitable to leave the vehicles as is and pay out costs in lawsuits because this figure adjusted to $49.5 million, substantially lower than the cost to recall the product. Ethics and morals would appear to be ignored for profit and gain. Ford Motor Company Pinto Case Ford Motor Company Mission Statement (1996), “We are a global family with a proud heritage passionately...
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...The Case of the Ford Pinto By James Abstract Product harm crisis can be defined as a sudden break in a product’s life cycle (Siomkos, G.J and Kurzbard. J. 1994). In 1971 the Ford Motor Company created a product harm crisis with the introduction of the Ford Pinto. The Ford Pinto is known to be one of the most dangerous vehicles ever produced in automotive history due to several serious design flaws. This paper will identify the factors that contributed to the product harm crisis, compare and contrast the findings of various studies on a product harm crisis and finally synthesis the research findings and provide a post mortem recommendation to the Ford Motor Company on how the Ford Pinto product crisis should have been handled. The Case of the Ford Pinto In 1968 the Ford Motor Company decided to market a vehicle that was small, inexpensive and would appeal to all car buyers. The Vice President of Ford Motor Company at the time was Lee Iacocca. Mr. Iacocca approved the plan for the Ford Pinto based on the parameters of the car weighing 2000 pounds and costing $2,000.00 dollars (Danley J. 2005). By placing these parameters on the car’s designers, they were limited from the beginning and ended up with a failed product. The key factors that contributed to the product crisis included the Ford Pinto being rushed to production in twenty five months, the timeframe to production causing designers and producers of the car to cut corners and finally...
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...attribute strategy to individual achievement, achievement from a company, a country or at the very least a non – financial institute to achieve strategic success. Ford Motor Company has in recent times lost its market share to emerging Asian companies such as Honda, Toyota, Hyundai and Nissan. As a new landscape of economic might surfaces, new car stereotypes are emerging. Finding a place in these segments is proving difficult for Ford Motors and hence need to change its strategies. Hyper-competition combined with tough economic times has pushed Ford to the edge of insolvency. This paper examines the issues that plague the company while using published models to make analysis on how and why the problems occur to better understand their potential impact on the company’s sustainable competitive advantage. Recommendations will seek to give strategic solutions to address the issues identified earlier. This research isn’t structured upon models to identify, analyze and solve issues but rather looks at the core of the problems within Ford Motors and provides models to analyze and solve the issues. TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents INTRODUCTION 1 SECTION 1: STRATEGIC ISSUES AT FORD 2 Underlying Issues at Ford Motor 2 1. Financial 3 2. Competition 4 SECTION 2: STRATEGIC MODELS AND FRAMEWORK SUITABLE FOR ISSUES IDENTIFIED 6 2.1. Competitor Analysis 6 2.1.1 Porter’s 5 Forces Analysis 7 2.1.2 SWOT ANALYSIS 11 2.2 Financial...
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...merits of a profit-driven economic system. They do not quarrel over the importance of profits. But they do quarrel over whether or not business firms have obligations beyond making profits. A consumer may be a pet owner who feeds and provides care for a beloved animal, a doting grandparent who buys toys and clothes for the grandkids, an individual who wears contact lenses or hearing aids, a patient who buys prescription medications, or vehicle owner. Should a consumer have certain expectations from the suppliers and producers of the products that he buys? Can we trust corporations that they will not produce what will jeopardize the human life? Was Ford to be blame in the pinto case? Must we wait for the characters like “Erin Brokovich” to fight on behalf of the helpless consumers? Who is to be blamed for the McDonald’s hot coffee case-the producer, the consumer or the regulators? Almost thirty years has passed since the Pinto accidents and what followed from it. We still don’t know how “safe” a...
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...com/advance!/strategic-alignment/strategic-alignment-business-cases/the-rise-of-toyota.aspx Bunkley, N. (2016). Ford won’t blindly chase market share. Automotive News, 90(6708), 0032. Edwards, J. (2012). Mastering Strategic Management ( 1st Canadian Edition ed.). Retrieved 04 01, 2016, from https://opentextbc.ca/strategicmanagement/chapter/types-of-international-strategies/ Funaru, M. (n.d.). Toyota’s business strategies in international markets. Braşov: University of Braşov. Retrieved 04 01, 2016, from http://feaa.ucv.ro/annals/v3_2010/0038v3-004.pdf Gillis, C. (2015, September 13). What’s it really like in the driver’s seat of a driverless car? Mclean’s. Retrieved from http://www.macleans.ca Henry, J. (2015, August 30). One Ford, Part Two; Tweaking The Master Plan. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com Hitt, M., Ireland, R. & Hoskisson, R. (2015). Strategic management : competitiveness & globalization : concepts & cases. Stamford, Conn: Cengage Learning. Negi, R. (2013, 03 27). Toyota: Analysis of Vision Statement, Corporate Level Strategies & SWOT. Retrieved 04 02, 2016, from Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/rohannegi/toyota-analysis-of-vision-statement-corporate-level-strategies-swot NYSE. (2016). Financials for Ford Motor Company. Retrieved March 28, 2016 from http://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE%3AF&fstype=ii&ei=n0f5VrjeEojUigKop5rADg NYSE. (2016). Historical prices for Ford Motor Company. Retrieved March 28, 2016 from http://www.google.com/finance/historical...
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...Case 10: Ford’s Pinto Fires: The Retrospective view of Ford’s Recall Coordinator Ford motor company, North America’s subcompact automobile company; design Pinto in 1971 in order to compete with fuel efficient Volkswagen and Japanese imports. Pinto’s major design flaw- a fuel tank prone to rupturing with moderate speed rear-end collisions- surfaced not too long after the Pinto’s entrance to the market. In April 1974, the Center for Auto Safety Administration (NHTSA) to recall Ford Pintos due to the fuel tank design defects. As a result of tests performed of NHTSA, as well as the extraordinary amount of publicity generated by the problem, Ford Motor Company agreed to recall Ford Pintos. Dennis A. Gioia was the field recall coordinator at Ford Motor Company as the Pinto fuel tank defect began unfolding. Gioia responsibilities include the operational coordination of all the current recall campaigns, tracking incoming information to identify developing problems, and reviewing field reports of alleged components failures that led to accidents. Business Ethics: In the Ford Pinto Case, what moral issues does the Pinto case raise? what is the dollar value of the human life.Business Ethics: In the Ford Pinto Case, what moralissues does the Pinto case raise? that a car that explodes when hit in the rear can be used to deliver mailBusiness Ethics: In theFord Pinto Case, what moral issues does the Pinto case raise?That businesses should not be putting a value on human life and disregard...
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...THE FORD PINTO CASE: THE VALUATION OF LIFE AS IT APPLIES TO THE NEGLIGENCE-EFFICIENCY ARGUMENT Christopher Leggett Law & Valuation Professor Palmiter Spring, 1999 Abstract Text of Paper Abstract The cases involving the explosion of Ford Pinto's due to a defective fuel system design led to the debate of many issues, most centering around the use by Ford of a cost-benefit analysis and the ethics surrounding its decision not to upgrade the fuel system based on this analysis. ISSUE Should a risk/benefit analysis be used in situations where a defect in design or manufacturing could lead to death or seriously bodily harm, such as in the Ford Pinto situation? RULE There are arguments both for and against such an analysis. It is an economically efficient method which has been accepted by courts for numerous years, however, juries may not always agree, so companies should take this into account. ANALYSIS Although Ford had access to a new design which would decrease the possibility of the Ford Pinto from exploding, the company chose not to implement the design, which would have cost $11 per car, even though it had done an analysis showing that the new design would result in 180 less deaths. The company defended itself on the grounds that it used the accepted risk/benefit analysis to determine if the monetary costs of making the change were greater than the societal benefit. Based on the numbers Ford used, the cost would have been $137 million versus the $49.5 million...
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...Ford Pinto: A Study of Ethics In the 1960s Ford Motor Company, under pressure from stakeholders and the pressures involved in competing with the foreign vehicle market set out to manufacture a vehicle that was smaller, lighter and less expensive than the competition’s product. This vehicle was designed and moved into production within 2 years, much quicker than the 3 ½ year company norm and is still the shortest vehicle production planning schedule in history. The result: The Ford Pinto. While the Pinto was in the design phase it was decided that the fuel tank would be placed under the rear fender instead of over the rear axel to allow for more trunk room in the car. This design however, was quite flawed. The Pinto being smaller than the other American made cars was not built using the same frame design; a design that was manufactured to prevent the fuel tank from exploding upon a rear impact collision. Upon testing a serious defect was found with the placement of the fuel tank. It was determined that if the Pinto was involved in a rear end collision the fuel tank may rupture and burst into flames causing serious injury or death to the passengers. Team A will be examining the ethical dilemmas involved in the case and the solutions that we would recommend today and the solutions that would have been ethically appropriate in 1971. Lee Iacocca was the president of Ford Motor Company in 1971 and was the directive authority behind the creation of the Ford Pinto. He wanted a...
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...Ford vs Dell Executive Summary FORDs current method of controlling all aspects of the manufacturing is outdated and is limiting the corporation’s annual results. In order to stay competitive and become efficient again, FORD needs to re-evaluate their current supply chain and implement key portions of DELLs vertically integrated supply chain model. A proper implementation will increase information flow between suppliers, departments and dealers resulting in a reduction of redundant inventory and focus towards just in time inventory. All of these factors will further drive up the already US industry leading profit margin per vehicle. In order to accomplish these goals FORD needs to refocus the Purchasing department’s responsibilities, consolidate and develop suppliers that deliver finished high level components and increase the information flow across all points of the supply chain. These steps will help to introduce a more pull-based system. Contents Issue identification 1 Environmental and root cause analysis 2 Alternatives/Options 3 Recommendations 4 Implementation 5 Monitor & Control 6 Issue identification • Current order to delivery (OTD) is more than 60 days. • Management of large supplier network. • Utilization of IT is lacking. • Purchasing isn’t integrated into Product development. • Independent dealership network has resulted in FORDs loss of control over customer service experiences. This network also...
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... Contents The Ford Motor Company. 4 Ford Marketing Stratgies and Tatics. 4 Ford @ Social Media. 5 CRM at Ford Motor Company. 6 Assesment on Ford’s CRM and eCRM Strategies 9 Recommendations 11 Bibliography 12 www.ford.com The Ford Motor Company. Ford Motor Company is well established multinational automaker with a legacy of over more than 100 years. The company sells automobiles and commercial vehicles under the Ford brand and luxury cars under the brand Lincoln. Ford is also distinguished as one of the “Big 3” North American automotive manufacturers and is an industry leader on a global scale. They are North America’s 2nd largest automotive manufacturer in the 5th largest automotive market in the world. It was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. Henry Ford's first attempt at a car company under his own name was the Henry Ford Company on November 3, 1901, which became the Cadillac Motor Company on August 22, 1902, after Ford left with the rights to his name. The Ford Motor Company was launched in a converted factory in 1903 with $28,000 in cash from twelve investors, most notably John and Horace Dodge. Ford’s first international plant was built in Walkersville (now Windsor), Ontario, right across the Detroit River from Ford’s existing facilities. The company was a separate organization with its own set of shareholders. It was created to sell vehicles...
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...assignment represents 40% of the total marks for this subject. Students are required to write a 2,000 word essay based on the case study. Case study Ford Motor Company is one of the greatest automobile manufacturers of all time. They started under Henry Ford in Detroit, Michigan. Ford had a skill for craftsmanship when he built an experimental car in 1896. It was a twin cylinder engine with potential of 20 mph. In 1899 he left his job in order to organize the Detroit Automobile Company. Ford's first production was in 1903, the Model A, with an under the floor engine selling for $850. In the first season it sold 1,708 cars. After World War II production slowed down until the entrance of the 1949 line. At this time power units were new along with the automatic transmission in 1950. Great automobiles were manufactured in the coming years. The sporty Ford Thunderbird was introduced with 5.1 litres and capabilities of 113 mph. In 1958 it became a convertible with five seats and a strengthened structure. Major restyling occurred in the late 1950's with such automobiles as the Falcon, a compact car, with the help of General Motors and Chrysler. BM001-4-0-OSE INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT During the 1960's competition increased and Ford had to become innovative in order to remain one of the top manufacturers. They put their minds together to create the Ford Mustang in 1964, a compact semi GT with four seats, at a price of $2480. The automobile had a 4.7 litre V8 engine...
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...Raju Sharma COMPARING AND ANALYZING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT DECISION Case Study of Automotive Industry Business Economics and Tourism 2012 1 VAASAN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES Bachelor of Business Administration ABSTRACT Author Title Raju Sharma Comparing and Analyzing Financial Statements to Make an Investment Decision: Case Study of Automotive Industry. Year 2012 Language English Pages 72 + 5 Appendices Name of Supervisor Jukka Paldanius The purpose of the thesis was to evaluate and compare the financial statements of different companies to rate their performances. The emphasis was to be able to choose among several companies the best one to invest in. The aim of the study was met by comparing the risk of different companies, their rate of return, future trends and their strengths and weaknesses. In the theoretical section of the thesis different factors affecting the capital market were discussed, with the focus being on the risks of an investment. Basic financial statements and ratios were discussed briefly. Next cross sectional and time series techniques to compare the financial statements and ratios were revealed. Most of the information from the theories was later on used in the empirical part of the thesis. In the empirical study, initially the financial statements of different companies were taken to compute the ratios, risk, average return, to make trends and common size statements. Then a quantitative interpretation...
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...Pinto Case Study Ford Motor Company launched the Pinto in August of 1970. This car was intended to compete with Volkswagen in the small car market. A tragic accident happen on August 10, 1978 in which three girls were killed. Two of the girls were sisters and the third was their cousin. The 1973 Ford Pinto was traveling on a highway when their car was struck from behind. The car burst into flames and all three teenagers were burned to death. Elkhart County prosecutor, Michael A. Cosentino took his case to the Elkhart County grand jury charging criminal homicide charges against Ford Motor Company. The trial was the first of its kind. The question was “Did Ford knowingly and recklessly choose to profit over safety in the design and placement of the Pinto’s gas tank?” (1) Cosentino was a part-time prosecutor with a $20,000 budget, some consultants working gratis and a task force of fired-up law school volunteers. (2) Ford had a former Watergate prosecutor with a million dollars to spend and legal team of 80 and all Ford’s resources at their disposal. Prosecutor Cosentino was driven by the fact that big companies are rarely phased by paying damage rewards and at that point criminal law should step in. Cosentino has to prove that Ford intentionally put a design out that was very dangerous. That Ford had the knowledge of the faulty design and recklessly chose profit over safety. Ford maintained that the Ford Pinto met the current safety standards for rear end crashes. Many...
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