10 Questions Round 3: Bill Ford

[dbk]

If you missed the first two, we had "Ten Questions With"

Ford GT Chief Designer Camilo Pardo

And

Ford GT Program Manager Jamal Hameedi

For Round 3, let's get a round of questions for current Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company and fellow (white/blue) Ford GT owner William Clay Ford, Jr. Bill Ford is also former Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and President of Ford Motor Company. He is also the great-grandson of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford.



He announced production plans for the Ford GT as CEO in February of 2002. Simply put, without him to say "GO", the Ford GT would have never happened. As you probably already know, he gave the go ahead for the program with the catch that three production ready representations had to be completed for the company's centennial celebration, just 15 months from scratch.

So please, what questions do you have for Bill Ford? After a suitable amount are gathered, I will pass questions on a get some answers. :cheers

 

[Fubar]

Given the GT40s history, I understand why Ferrari's 360 was a benchmark. Did you enjoy any behind-the-scene banter with the boys in Modena?

Follow up: can you think of any good trivia to share about the original Ford/Ferrari saga?

 

[soroush]

will ford build another GT, or a car like it(GR)?

let say in the next 10 years!!

 

[2112]

Does Ford feel the development and production of a Halo car was a benefit to the company's prestige and reputation? If so, Did anyone make an effort to quantify said benefit?

:usa

 

[fjpikul]

Wow, need to put on the thinking cap for this one. How about:

Mr. Ford, are you pleased and have you followed the progress of a now 5 year old Ford halo vehicle? How often do you get to drive your own GT?

 

[BlackICE]

Does Ford feel the development and production of a Halo car was a benefit to the company's prestige and reputation? If so, Did anyone make an effort to quantify said benefit?

:usa

Yep, Ford is the only US car company that didn't need a government bailout!

 

[Blue Moose]

......Mr. Ford, are you pleased and have you followed the progress of a now 5 year old Ford halo vehicle?

To add to the Doctor's question, What does it mean to Ford Motor Company and Bill Ford to have built the only American automobile that 8 years after announcing production plans and 4 years after production has ended, the Ford GT still graces the covers of magazines, setting new world land speed records, winning races around the globe and still commanding resale prices above MSRP?

Now THATS a Halo car!


Oh, and BTW, it's 114:ack in Phoenix Az. this week and it is no matter for the Ford Gt. This Supercar drives beautifully and with ice cold a/c. The GT is rock solid! Simply incredible. Thank you for building this car:thumbsup

 

[Juan Cooldude]

Mr Ford, why does the aluminum thingy around my door keep falling off?

 

[HHGT]

Can you please elaborate on how Ford internally selects car designers that are hired to design performance vehicles and how do they differ from their European performance car designer counterpart? The Ford GT gets its looks from the GT40 DNA and the current Mustang is a modern interpretation of the 60's Mustang when American designs reigned supreme. We already know that Ford builds amazingly profitable and reliable automobiles, but I have always wondered why more Ford's are not esthetically designed as say Pininfarina.

 

[GTJack]

Invite him to the Rally...perhaps ask him if any of his GT's guages have failed. Would be curious what SVT products are in the pipeline for consideration. Have they considered bringing back the Lightning?

 

[dbk]

I will this year. His schedule goes pretty far out and he's constantly engaged in something, but there's no harm in asking.

I can answer the Lightning question for you. There will be no new Lightning now or in the foreseeable future. The current truck would require an engine more powerful than the Ford GT engine just to get ever with the old Lightning, and you'd end up with a relentless gas guzzler. Other than that, from a business perspective, the Lightning was not a success for SVT. Fast street trucks made for good magazine comparisons and internet banter but just never made a solid financial case. On the contrary, the Raptor has proved to be a tremendous financial success, so you'll probably see that continue for a while. Jamal and I have had this conversation many times over the years, especially during the dark days when SVT seemed destined for the scrap heap.

 

[GTJack]

I will this year. His schedule goes pretty far out and he's constantly engaged in something, but there's no harm in asking.

I can answer the Lightning question for you. There will be no new Lightning now or in the foreseeable future. The current truck would require an engine more powerful than the Ford GT engine just to get ever with the old Lightning, and you'd end up with a relentless gas guzzler. Other than that, from a business perspective, the Lightning was not a success for SVT. Fast street trucks made for good magazine comparisons and internet banter but just never made a solid financial case. On the contrary, the Raptor has proved to be a tremendous financial success, so you'll probably see that continue for a while. Jamal and I have had this conversation many times over the years, especially during the dark days when SVT seemed destined for the scrap heap.

Dave

Thanks for the quick responses.

 

[GTdrummer]

"Mr. Ford, if you are at liberty to say, how many GTs stayed within the Ford family. Also, where would you rate the GT in your personal collection of Fords?" "Are you surprised that just after 4 or 5 years such collectable authorities as "Sports Car Market" magazine rate the 05-06 GT an A rating.? "

If all else fails--"Mr. Ford, do you have any idea why after 5 years, so many GTs end up in Arkansas???"

 

[BlackICE]

If all else fails--"Mr. Ford, do you have any idea why after 5 years, so many GTs end up in Arkansas???"

They don't end up in Arkansas, but I think more than half of the production has passed through the state.

 

[HHGT]

Where is Arkansas :wink

 

[Cobrar]

You know, I probably have a million questions, both GT and Ford business related, but I would just want to say thanks for:

1) Taking the risk and building the GT
2) Taking a different path from GM & Chrysler ~ giving full consideration of share and stakeholders in a difficult restructuring
3) Having both the courage and foresight to hire Alan Mulally
4) Giving back to your community

Last, a request. One day i'd still like to get my GT signed by you. I'll trade for lunch at Eagle Tavern.

 

[AtomicGT]

I would like to thank him for having the insight and desire to recreate this racing legend! Grazie Mille, Bill !

Oh, one question Mr. Ford..... When is FMC going to produce the Shelby GR-1. Have been waiting years for that race car!

 

[Fubar]

Oh, one question Mr. Ford..... When is FMC going to produce the Shelby GR-1. Have been waiting years for that race car!

+1

One day i'd still like to get my GT signed by you.

+1 on that too. Any opportunity to get my car signed by the chief badass at Ford and a direct descendant of THE DEUCE would be awesome.

 

[KJD]

First THANK YOU Mr. Ford for being bold and brave and building the Ford GT. It's a monster, it's a timeless classic, it's a testament to Ford's heritage and capability.

For those of us with all black no stripe cars: Is it true that the completely stripeless car was originally not going to be offered, but a very wealthy computer company founder really wanted an all black car sans stripes?

 

[Apollo]

Yep, Ford is the only US car company that didn't need a government bailout!

Ford is doing fantastic without Government bailout money, but does Bill feel Ford is being unfairly affected because GM has been given so much that they really do not have to be accountable for - has GM been given an unfair advantage?