I present to you exhibit A.
While the automaker finds itself in the midst of cost-cutting and a reorganization of its regional businesses, the North American launch of a key product didn't go as planned
www.thetruthaboutcars.com
As youāve read
here,
there, and everywhere, quality issues plaguing the 2020 Explorer saw thousands of new vehicles, including the modelās Lincoln Aviator platform mate, make a trip from Chicago Assembly to a makeshift repair shop at Michiganās Flat Rock Assembly, bypassing anxious dealers. According to reports, some dealers are carrying out their own repairs before making the vehicles available for sale. The botched launch saw third-quarter sales slump, though the automaker has since stated that supply is on the upswing.
āSimply put, we took on too much,ā said Fordās president of automotive, Joe Hinrichs, in a remark
reported by Automotive Newsā Michael Martinez. Hackett, speaking alongside Hinrichs on the earnings call, commented, āWe have higher expectations for our performance.ā
That said, both men felt the media gave the company an unfair shake, with Hinrichs calling reports of thousands of new Explorers and Aviators piling up outside Flat Rock āoverly dramatized.ā
āFlat Rock was not evidence of chaos, it was evidence of us making things right,ā he said. Hackett
claimed he wasnāt happy with the mediaās view āof the way weāve worked through this.ā
Weāll let you be the judge of whether Ford communicated its response to the issue in a proper and sufficient manner.
The last part there doesnt sit well with me. Bullshit Mr. CEO guy its evidence of YOU being a pisspoor CEO among other issues going on with Ford.