Mulally: I hope that a car czar does not get into product strategy

Posted: Jan 14, 2009

Speaking at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, FoMoCo CEO Alan Mulally praised the incoming President-elect Barack Obama, but said that whoever is appointed “car czar” should not interfere with the automaker’s product plans.

“My god, I hope that a car czar does not get into the product strategy of the companies,” Mulally said during a dinner with journalists. “The product strategy has to be led by the companies.”

Mulally said that he’s very encouraged that Obama understands the challenges that face the auto industry and the U.S. economy, reports Automotive News.

Executives at Ford alsosaid that they are hopeful that Obama will put together a broad national energy policy that keeps consumer behavior in line with social interest on energy use.

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Tags: Alan Mulally

zermatt

Alan must not have been paying attention during the hearings in Washington.

The Democratic Congress has said that they want the U.S. automakers to change their product mix to reflect a Green agenda. If you take money from the Government, get ready to have Pelosi and Reid dictate what cars you will produce, what the technology will be and what the pricing will be.

The U.S. automakers will still have the option to select colors.

The government is just trying to save Ford GM & Chrysler money on market research.

The alternative is not to take the money, work through Chapter 11 and remain free.