It’s Ford time

Published:”Wednesday, November 14, 2007 LOS ANGELES - Ford Motor Co. is preparing for the risk that higher oil prices and a slowing U.S. economy crimp demand and will cut production as needed to avoid building costly inventories, senior executives said on Tuesday.

Previous Next View Large Ford Motor Company President and CEO Alan Mulally walks past a 2008 Ford Focus during a ceremony to launch the new Focus at the Ford Motor Wayne Stamping and Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan October 15, 2007.

Photograph by : Bill Pugliano/Getty Images ARTICLE TOOLS Printer friendly E-mail Font: * * * * Speaking to reporters in advance of the Los Angeles Auto Show, Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally said the economic concerns for Ford included tighter credit markets and a U.S. housing market that could remain weak for another year or two. “When you add that together, it’s a very concerning environment,” Mulally said.

But Mulally said Ford would be more disciplined than it has been in the past about cutting production if it sees sales slipping, including the pickup trucks and SUVs that represent the heart of the automaker’s current line-up. “The business environment has clearly gotten tougher,” he said.