Ford Implementation Plan - one Ford Plan

Ford Motor Company has been steadily, strategically, and carefully entering the world market. Ever since the company launched its ONE Ford plan, which, was created to restructure business operate profitability at current demand and change model mix, accelerate development of new products customers want and value, finance plans, balance sheet, work together effectively as one team to leverage global resources has allowed the company to reach the objectives. The implementation of this plan has resulted in major transformations for the company both domestic and globally. Currently Ford Motor has been doing well in countries where Toyota and Honda dominated; take their 2010 success in China, where Ford's auto sales reached more than 18 million. This great achievement has put Ford Motor in good standing and set precedent for future success in the world market; especially during a time in which Europe and Japan are heavily investing to expand sales and production in the Chinese market. Nonetheless, entering in this market is not a simple task, contrary, it is one that comes with numerous challenges. Ford Motor has to continuously keep in mind that the global marketplace is constantly faced with different challenges that affect the overall management and operations. Pressures on both the internal and external conditions such as the unstable world, economy fluctuations, the work force, the customers, and even the management itself risk the success of the company. Nonetheless, it can be controlled by implementing effective strategies and always being prepared to deal with potential risks (Ford, 2011).

What should Ford Motor do to continue to succeed and expand globally? In order for Ford Motor to continue to grow globally it has to focus on developing truly global vehicles that have common platforms, designs elements, technologies, and materials all across the global markets. Without this approach Ford Motor will have difficulty delivering high quality, innovative, and desirable vehicles quickly and effectively. Ford Motor has addressed this issue, it has globally integrated the product development, manufacturing, purchasing and marketing efforts. The ONE Ford strategy is present in its assembly plants and it plays a huge role in all aspects of the company's structure. In terms of manufacturing Ford was undergoing challenges, because of a large supplier base. However, that got resolved when Ford partnered with international suppliers, rather than relying on one regional supplier, which, has been cost effective and it has established consistent contracts.

The company has been entering the global market in areas where the demand for small, fuel efficient cars is high; such as India. Recently, Ford integrated a manufacturing facility in Chennai, India to begin production of the new Ford Figo for that country's vast small car market, using environmentally friendlier processes like the thrice-wet, high solids paint application (Ford, 2011). It is evident that Ford has fully implemented the ONE Ford global product development system to deliver global platforms and customer focused programs rapidly and efficiently across multiple markets. In addition, to this Ford has also reshaped its global marketing organization in order to create a more consistent connection with customers worldwide, while better leveraging the company's global assets and capabilities. In 2010, Jim Farley was nominated as Ford's global leader for marketing, sales, and services around the world. This was implemented to establish accountability and build relationships in different countries.

The changes do not end there the company has made all around improvements by also advancing their technology. In 2010 the company expanded its brand equity and awareness tracking system to cover 45 global markets and increase from 25 the previous year. This system, which tracks consumer familiarity and favorable opinion of the brand as well as consideration, shopping and purchase intention, allows Ford to assess key elements of how consumers perceive the brand across the global market. The technology upgrades have had positive financial outcomes for the company; because it has implemented digitally based virtual market research technology throughout global markets. This technology will allow Ford to test vehicles concept in markets across the globe without shipping physical prototypes from one market to another. This is a huge reduction in costs; implementation of this has eliminated the shipping cost. Furthermore, these global market research processes will enable Ford to develop strictly global vehicles that appeal to consumers across the national and regional border (Ford, 2011).

Ford Motor also has seen an increase in global integration of the operations by applying key restructuring efforts in 2007-2008, right after the major automotive industry crash. At that time, Ford reorganized senior leaders in the product development and purchasing organizations to assign global responsibility for key vehicle segment and major purchasing functions Ford has also globally integrated its regional research and product development organization. Additionally, Ford has increased the global integration of its Quality Operating System.

In 2008, for example, the company completed the global implementation of a standardized quality system that replaced former regional systems. By requiring standardized processes and implementation everywhere it operates, it can continue to expand its world-class quality. Through its global product strategy and a single global management team, Ford has been leveraging its assets, implementing best practices and a systematic approach to quality, and utilizing common components for the advantage of scale. The new integrated approach can be seen in the new Fiesta, it is the first of this generation of global cars under the ONE Ford plan. Selling one high-volume version of this vehicle helps Ford reduce defects and improve overall craftsmanship. In North America, Europe and Asia, Ford will launch its all-new C-cars in 2011 that will compare very favorably to competitive models with respect to attributes such as wind noise, steering feel, ride and handling, braking response, door closing sensation, performance feel, and seat comfort (Ford, 2011).

Furthermore, Ford is continuing the global implementation of EcoBoost, its new fuel-efficient engine technology. This technology has done extremely well in the United States since it was launched in 2009. In 2010, it was implemented in Europe and results were good. In 2011, the all new Focus will also offer the EcoBoost technology; however, the company will not stop there it plans to continue to migrate the EcoBoost technology

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