Ford Responds To Economic Slowdown

Ford Motor Company(F) isn't just sitting around watching a slowing economy.CEO Alan Mulally says Ford has planned for a slowdown.It is reacting with a little bit less production.Although the Edge crossover vehicle has been a big hit,winning the JD Power and Associates "Most Appealing Midsize Multi-Activity Vehicle" designation,Ford will continue to make production adjustments.It is carrying out a strategic review of the Volvo brand to strengthen it,not sell it.Ford has lost a billion dollars in North America,but it is still aiming for profitibility in 2009.With the success of the new cars and utility vehicles,Ford should be able to stabilize in 2009.There is no reason for the automaker to seek a partner or cash infusion.This has been a year of honors for Ford.In late October,Consumer Guide Automotive recommended a number of Ford vehicles,including the Ford Fusion,Mercury Milan,Ford Taurus,Mercury Sable and Ford F-150.They ought to be strongly considered by customers for their price,features,fuel economy,reliablity,resale value and accommodations.One of the most popular features on Ford's 2008 line-up is the Sync voice recognition system,a collaboration with Microsoft(MSFT) that took eighteen months to develop.Walter Mossberg of The Wall Street Journal praised Sync for being a surprisingly reliable,very well done method for integrating digital devices,such as cell phones and MP3 players,into a car.Ford vehicles also garnered safety honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.Honorees included the Ford Taurus,Mercury Sable,Volvo C70,Ford Edge,Taurus X,Lincoln MKX and Volvo XC90.A University of Michigan customer satisfaction survey,conducted by its National Quality Research Center,gave Ford's Lincoln and Mercury brands an 86 out of 100.Ford is excited by the data.It shows that what they're doing is working,according to spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari.Ford shares traded down this morning,at 6.73.