Soooo......
The 2013, huh?
Think there will be a 2014?
There is a big article in the wall street journal this morning regarding how Ford is making a big push to lower fuel cost in the new model due in 2014. The plan is to shave 700Lbs by going to aluminum in the following areas, LCA and Steering Knuckle (Hope its forged not cast...), Hood and front fenders, Entire Bed, Cab. Frame will stay Steel.
It goes on the talk about the manufacturing challenges as the dyes have to deeper and molding process slower, and how they have to wipe the molds down in between each press to minimize scarring from debris. This has never been done before on such a high volume production vehicle.
So this likely means that there will be a delay in any release of a 2014 Raptor, but I have to believe it will come back as an early 2015 model, lighter and meaner. Just my guess.
---------- Post added at 01:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:05 PM ----------
I'm not wanting to throw this thread any further out and would like to say sorry for that. I do agree in some aspects of what you say but the company's are now making billions again with the same union?labor is 6percent of a autos cost.i disagree that the union broke any company by draining that last 6percent. Now the union does protect every one even those who do not deserve it and that is in my view what gives them a bad name even on the plant floor itself.at the end of every contract is a phrase still and always that says management has the right. Still to many deals being made behind doors. Now I'm done.
Interesting article:
The True Price Of Auto Labor Costs - CBS News on the subject
According to the UAW it is 10% and to my point, its the benefits that kills us
March 2009, "The Associated Press reported that, for example, the average United Auto Workers member makes $29.78 per hour at GM, while Toyota pays its workers (most of whom are non-union) about $30 per hour. However, when total benefits (including pensions and health care for workers, retirees and their spouses) is factored in, GM's total hourly labor costs is about $69, while Toyota's is about $48."
So to look at this another way, the benefits push the cost of labor up 137% in the USA vs 60% in Japan. My business covers the benefits and the employer portion of taxes for 25%! and we pay 100% of health, dental, vision, retirement etc. Its the entitlements that the unions have negotiated that is one of the driving forces for older industries to become insolvent.
I too apologize for going off thread topic, but this was worth sayin.
