Ford to source $1bn in parts from China in 2004

[UpInArms]

http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1069493676025

Ford plans to source about $1bn in automotive components from China next year - later than originally planned - as part of ongoing efforts to buy such items from "low cost" countries in Asia and elsewhere.

Ford said last year that it aimed to have sourced $1bn in parts from such countries, including China, by the end of this year.

However Bill Ford, chairman and chief executive, told a media briefing that the company would "hit that amount" in China next year.

Unlike General Motors and Volkswagen, the European carmaker, Ford has been slow to establish a substantial manufacturing presence in China, where vehicle sales have grown by about 40 per cent this year.

<snip>

He said: "Even though the infrastructure penalty in terms of shipping costs is a little bit versus on the coast, wage rates are significantly lower in western China and the government has been extremely helpful in terms of infrastructure."

He said he could see the company exporting from China "at some point".

...more...

I do believe that I am going to be violently ill :puke:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

1. A modest proposal

Why don't you guys (don't look at me, I live in Brazil and have a heavy accent) start calling up RW AM talkshows and fume about American business "selling itself to the Commies"? Look like the average dittohead all the time, see if they take THIS ball and run with it. Be especially venomous towards Wal-Mart, in addition to Ford and any other you might come up with who does heavy business with China.

You may throw in some silly Clinton smear to look more credible, but make it silly, like "All these corps are in league with the Clintons, who are all Chinese spies".

So, does this idea have merit? Get back to me with a private message if you actually pull it off.

[cthrumatrix]

2. it's a combinatio of health care costs and the need to make $$

to float the stock and the market.

We are at a point in this country if we don't keep the market up...we are sunk.

In that light..all is for the corporation and the people get screwed

[Ernesto]

3. Brand loyalty?????

I bought Levi jeans for half a century & then they break my heart. Now this! WTF? I think the "golden years" are history, folks. Almost feel like going on over to Walmart to drown my misery......NOT!