1967 - Ford Mustang on 2040-cars

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Ford idling Michigan Assembly Plant to trim Focus, C-Max supply

Ford will be putting the brakes on production at its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, MI, idling production during the weeks of October 28 and December 16. Ford is citing the first drop in US sales in 27 months, a 4.2-percent dip in September, as the impetus for trimming their supplies, according to Automotive News.
Ford's deft management of its supplies has been part of its success over the years, and seeing supplies of Focus and C-Max, the two vehicles built at MAP, rise from 58 and 108 days, respectively, to 71 and 122 days over the span of a month was apparently all that was need to justify the trimming. As AN points out, the rule of thumb for many automakers is to maintain a 60-day supply of vehicles.
"Ford has been focused on keeping their pricing in check. Their operating margin is in double digits. Nobody else is there and they're obviously very proud of that," Alan Baum, an auto analyst with Baum & Associates told AN. Keeping the supply chain operating smoothly and not increasing supplies too much is crucial to that healthy profit margin. After all, a large supply lowers prices ,which, in turn, cuts profit. So while this news might not be great for employees at MAP, who now have an extra two weeks of vacation time, it's far from a sign of problems in Dearborn. Quite the opposite, actually.

Help make Lego Icon Bronco a reality [UPDATE]

The Lego Ideas process is a pretty neat concept. The website allows anyone to propose a future kit, and if the project gathers 10,000 supporters within a certain amount of time, then the company investigates building it. The creator even gets a cut of the sales. We saw the operation at work last year with a very cool looking Corvette kit that hasn't hit the next stage quite yet. Now, another creator going by the username Legohero1966 has a fantastic looking replica of the Icon 4X4 Bronco hoping for support. The maker nails the boxy, brawny look of the Icon take on the classic Ford Bronco, and the Lego kit even gets the color pretty close. The miniature SUV also features a visible suspension, a removable top and, according to the description, a reel for the winch is hidden in the bumper. Underneath the body, this model even does a pretty good job of replicating the powertrain. As is expected by these kits, the hood, doors and hatch all open; on this one the spare tire carrier even moves out of the way, too. As of this writing, the Icon Bronco kit only has a little over 400 supporters, and that's a long way from the goal. If you like what you see, give the proposal a closer look on Lego Ideas. UPDATE: The original creator of the Icon Bronco kit, Paul Kim, has advised Autoblog that this Lego Ideas proposal was created without his consent, and he has reported the problem there. You can view more pictures of the Bronco and more of Kim's work, here. Featured Gallery Lego Icon 4X4 Bronco Proposal Design/Style Toys/Games Ford SUV Off-Road Vehicles Performance Classics Lego Ford Bronco icon icon 4x4 icon bronco lego ideas

Ford's Mulally now said to be in lead for Microsoft CEO job

There have been rumors that Ford CEO Alan Mulally could assume the top job over at Microsoft, whose CEO, Steve Ballmer, will retire within the year. Mulally hasn't come out and said that he's considering moving to Microsoft after (or before) his contract with Ford through 2014 ends, but sources in the know say he's the front-runner to become the tech giant's CEO and has opened up to the idea more in recent weeks, AllThingsD reports.
Mulally is no stranger to Washington, where Microsoft is located, having worked in the state for Seattle-based Boeing Commercial Airplanes as CEO years ago. He also recently was an adviser to Ballmer in an effort to realign the company's management structure to help it become more competitive in a fast-changing computer hardware and software market. And when Ford developed its Sync digital interface, it tapped Microsoft to provide the operating system, Microsoft Auto. Perhaps the least crucial connection - but nonetheless an important one - is that Mulally still owns a house in the Seattle area, and it's been said he wants to return there, according to AllThingsD.
A main challenge Microsoft's next CEO will face is how to manage the company's numerous, fractured operations and, eventually, streamline them. But even on this front, Mulally has experience; after all, it was he who ushered in an era of global Ford vehicles, after the automaker had become complacent developing and selling vehicles by region leading up to the economic recession of 2008-2009.