May 29 2009 24 mins
Focus
The word "focus" conjures a number of different reactions these days. For instance, some immediately hear the hit single of the 1970s while others visualize the action to the lens of a camera, and probably even more think of the compact car produced by Ford. But the interesting thing is when you hear "focus" used around Ford today, it may refer more to the company's concentration that it does the car. As the sole member of the former Big Three who has not taken any government money, it has been somewhat overshadowed by the tsunami of bad news that's been flooding the other two. But as the bankruptcies, resignations and negotiations have grabbed the headlines these past few months, the blue oval has been flying under the media's radar all the while winning awards, improving quality and regaining market share. Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, believes that it's thanks in big part to the company's "focus". On this week's Autoline, Mr. Fields talks about that focus as well as some of the new product it's releasing this year and the future of the company as a whole. Joining John on the panel is Jean Jennings from Automobile Magazine and Bryce Hoffman of The Detroit News.
The word "focus" conjures a number of different reactions these days. For instance, some immediately hear the hit single of the 1970s while others visualize the action to the lens of a camera, and probably even more think of the compact car produced by Ford. But the interesting thing is when you hear "focus" used around Ford today, it may refer more to the company's concentration that it does the car. As the sole member of the former Big Three who has not taken any government money, it has been somewhat overshadowed by the tsunami of bad news that's been flooding the other two. But as the bankruptcies, resignations and negotiations have grabbed the headlines these past few months, the blue oval has been flying under the media's radar all the while winning awards, improving quality and regaining market share. Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, believes that it's thanks in big part to the company's "focus". On this week's Autoline, Mr. Fields talks about that focus as well as some of the new product it's releasing this year and the future of the company as a whole. Joining John on the panel is Jean Jennings from Automobile Magazine and Bryce Hoffman of The Detroit News.