Ford admits North American woes

In an interview with Newsweek Ford Motor Co. CEO Bill Ford Jr. told Detroit Bureau Chief Keith Naughton he is fully aware that Ford is a company in crisis.
“We understand we’re in trouble in North America,” he told Naughton in the September 11 issue of Newsweek, which hit newsstands September 4.
“We understand that it requires extraordinary action and we are taking that,” he noted.
Part of Ford’s extraordinary action involves recruiting strong leadership- even if it means replacing himself, Ford Jr. told Naughton.
“I’m always looking to bring talent into this company. If I can find somebody … I’ll go get him. That is regardless of the position.”
He also stated: “You know, look, I’ve always said that titles are not important to me. This company has been part of my life since the day I was born and will be until the day I die. What’s important is getting this company headed in the right direction.”
Furthermore, Ford denied that ex-Treasury secretary Bob Rubin left the company’s board of directors because he did not support the company’s direction.
” … His [resignation] letter was very clear on that. He said, I think Ford and you are doing all the right things. Bob was very supportive and was a great director,” he said.
Ford also told Naughton he recognizes the morale at Ford is weak.
“There’s a lot of anxiety, and understandably so, until we let everyone know what the game plan is and where they fit into it. I also think, though, there’s a tremendous sense of resolve. For any employee who has been here 20 years, this is not uncharted waters. It’s a battle-tested employee group.”