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:''For the 2014 book by American Republican Congressman Paul Ryan, see The Way Forward: Renewing the American Idea.'' Ford Motor Company's restructuring plan, made public in 2006, is known as The Way Forward. Ford is attempting to reduce fixed capital costs while maintaining a special focus on cars and car-based crossover vehicles. Over time, it hopes to make more of its product line profitable instead of relying on a limited portion of the products for profit. Making good profits across the product line requires that the company reduce the costs of development and production, while introducing new products that connect with consumers. In the latter half of 2005, Chairman Bill Ford asked newly appointed Ford Americas Division President Mark Fields to develop a plan to return the company to profitability. Fields previewed the Plan, dubbed "The Way Forward", at the December 7, 2005 board meeting of the company; and it was unveiled to the public on January 23, 2006. The plan was revised on September 15, 2006 to accelerate plant closings. "(The Way Forward )" includes (resizing the company ) to match current market realities, dropping some unprofitable and inefficient models, consolidating production lines, and shutting down seven vehicle assembly plants and seven parts factories. Among these are St. Louis Assembly (near St. Louis), Atlanta Assembly (near Atlanta), Batavia Transmission (Batavia, Ohio), Windsor Casting (Windsor, Ontario, Canada), and Wixom Assembly (Wixom, Michigan). Up to 30,000 hourly and salaried jobs (28% of the total workforce) in North America over the next six years are expected to be eliminated, which is comparable to similar cutbacks previously announced at General Motors. These cutbacks are consistent with Ford's roughly 25% decline in U.S. automotive market share since the mid-late 1990s. New cars were developed faster using the new Global Product Development System (GPDS). This brings Ford's cycle time closer to its Japanese rivals. Ford's realignment also included the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary, Hertz Rent-a-Car to a private equity group for $15 billion in cash and debt acquisition. The sale was completed on December 22, 2005. A joint venture with Mahindra and Mahindra Limited of India ended with the sale of Ford's 15 percent stake in 2005. Ford had announced a projected return to profitability sometime after 2010, but they returned earlier than expected during the year 2009. ()< Ford also announces that it will have every vehicle in the Ford and Lincoln line up on its 9 new global platforms cutting costs by a big amount. A new style for all Ford and Lincoln vehicles is introduced and Ford wants "An unmistakable Ford or Lincoln look". == Plant closings == Ford reportedly plans to close 14 manufacturing plants by 2012 including 7 that assemble cars. Short-term results (by 2008) will reduce Ford's assembly capacity by 26%. The first closures were announced on January 23, 2006.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Ford Fights Back )〕 Ford announced on April 13, 2006 that two more plants would close as well.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Ford's Twin Cities and Norfolk Assembly Plants Will Be Idled As Way Forward Plan Moves Ahead )〕 The plan was accelerated with a mid-September announcement which accelerated the closure of the Norfolk plant and added the Essex engine and Maumee stamping plants to the list.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Ford Overhauls Way Forward Plan )〕 Ford has kept the Essex Engine plant open to produce the 5.0 V8. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Way Forward」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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