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Ford Forecast Trails Estimates on SUVs, China; Shares Fall Bloomberg / July 24, 2019 Ford issued an annual profit forecast that disappointed investors as the automaker rolls out new sport utility vehicles and struggles to compete in China’s slumping car market. Adjusted earnings will range from $1.20 to $1.35 a share, Ford said Wednesday, below analysts’ average estimate for $1.39. The second-largest U.S. automaker also missed projections for second-quarter profit, and its shares slumped in after-hours trading. CEO Jim Hackett is leading an $11 billion overhaul aimed at reversing Ford’s fortunes by cutting thousands of jobs, reviving an aging line of SUVs and pickups and ditching slow-selling sedans. Ford is losing money and market share in China, where the car market is contracting for the first time in a generation. “The guidance was a disappointment, as Ford had previously signaled opportunity to improve in its most important regions -- North America, Europe, and China,” Dan Levy, an analyst for Credit Suisse, wrote in a note to investors. The second-quarter results are “a reminder that the path to improvement may be bumpy.” Ford shares dropped 5.7% to $9.74 in after-hours trading after earlier falling as low as $9.46. The shares haven’t closed below $10 since June 26. New versions of Ford’s Explorer and Escape SUVs debut this year, and it’s bringing back the Bronco off-roader in 2020. The company also just struck a deal with Volkswagen AG to jointly develop electric and self-driving cars. A drop-off in shipments of the Explorer -- which is just ramping up production -- contributed to lower earnings and shrinking margin last quarter in North America, where Ford generates the bulk of its profit. Ford lost $155 million before interest and taxes in China, with deliveries to dealers plunging 32% in the second quarter, as the company struggles with an aging product line. The carmaker has said it’s reducing inventory and trying to boost sales by introducing new or revamped models. “We are seeing discreet signs of stability in our business in China even as the economy and the vehicle market are under recent and persistent stress,” Hackett said on a call with analysts. “We’re actively working on the design and launch of new products that will help us grow.” Software Write-Off The automaker also suffered a $181 million loss in its investment in a firm called Pivotal Software Inc., which caused the company to fall short of analysts’ estimates, Chief Financial Officer Tim Stone said. Ford’s write-off of its entire stake in Pivotal, which the automaker acquired three years ago, is the latest misfire by Ford, which lost $65 million it invested in another “smart mobility” venture known as Chariot. Earlier this year, Hackett dismissed that as a learning opportunity. “This is a pivot for us, a bunch of things have been birthed from the Chariot experience,” he told reporters at the Detroit auto show in January.

Ford Trucks International / July 24, 2019 Smooth handling, even on the toughest roads, with the Ford Trucks Construction Series' Automated Manual Transmission (AMT)! #SharingTheLoad

Here's the truth why concrete pumpers are switching to Autocar trucks: “My guys have been in Macks forever, but they love the Autocars. They ride better, they turn better with a way-smaller turning radius, and the biggest thing is, they don’t have to be in the shop.” Read the latest review here: https://lnkd.in/eFey8Jc #AlwaysUp #MakeTheChange #AutocarConcrete #AutocarACX .

https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/31725-those-hayes-clipper-100-coes/?tab=comments#comment-191114

Autocar has quite a history down-under, in this case, in New Zealand. Our fan, Ed Mansell, sent in this unusual 1984 Autocar that Ed says is a "DC-64B". No doubt, it was factory engineered as a right-hand drive with plenty of other custom features as well. #AutocarDC #AlwaysUp .

A Steelcase HME Bullet. It doesn't get much better than that. .

They got “bit” by CAT when the construction equipment maker forced them to all build truck shops, at considerable investment, and then pulled the plug on trucks. This effort is an idea, an attempt to make use of their investment, and they all feel CAT dare not complain.

If Ford offered the Allison and Cummins ISB once more, F-650 and F-750 sales would double as large fleets and municipalities once more became customers. Bob, what is Avon Lake's medium-duty production capacity versus current production volume?

BBC / July 23, 2019 The US government is introducing a new fast-track deportation process that will bypass immigration courts. Under the new rules, migrants who cannot prove they have been in the US continuously for more than two years can be immediately deported. Until now, expedited deportations could only be applied to those detained near the border who had been in the US for less than two weeks. Rights groups say hundreds of thousands of people could be affected. [Non-American illegal immigrants have no "rights" in the U.S. under our Constitution] The American[?] Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) says it will challenge the policy in court. The new rule is expected to be implemented with immediate effect after it is published on Tuesday. Previously, only people detained within 100 miles (160km) of the border who had been in the US for less than two weeks could be deported quickly. Migrants who were found elsewhere, or who had been in the country for more than two weeks, would need to be processed through the courts and would be entitled to legal representation. But the new rules state that people can be deported regardless of where in the country they are when they are detained, and without allowing them access to a lawyer. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the new rules would allow it to pursue large numbers of illegal migrants more efficiently.

An Autocar hard at work. Thanks to Scott Pluta. Always Up - Autocar Trucks .

Ford Trucks International Press Release / July 22, 2019 Ford Trucks continues its partnership with the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team at the FIA WEC competition. 🏁 🏎️ #PoweredByFordTrucks #SharingTheLoad .

Ford investing $50 million in Chicago to build hybrids Michael Martinez, Automotive News / July 22, 2019 Ford is investing $50 million and converting 450 temporary union workers to full-time at its Chicago Assembly Plant as it converts a nearby modification center to handle final assembly of the electrified versions of its Explorer and Aviator crossovers. The move, which takes effect in the fourth quarter, allows Ford to free the main line at Chicago Assembly for gasoline versions of both vehicles. The 200,000-square-foot modification center, about a mile from Chicago Assembly, previously handled the automaker's Police Interceptors. That work will move to another building. The temporary workers being converted to full-time will come from the Chicago Assembly Plant and the Chicago Stamping Plant, and Ford plans to hire more workers to replace them. Joe Hinrichs, Ford's president of automotive, told Automotive News Monday the move will allow the automaker to make up some production lost to the new models' launch curve and could lead to increased production in 2020. The announcement comes a week after handshakes with the UAW to open what's expected to be tense negotiations over jobs, investment and wages. Ford has surpassed the $900 million it agreed to invest in Chicago Assembly as part of its 2015 contract. One particular area of concern: use of temporary workers. The union wants more guarantees that those workers can reach full-time status. "When we work together we can find creative solutions," Hinrichs said. "And this is a really creative solution." Ford got the idea, Hinrichs said, after building some preproduction models of the Explorer and Aviator at the center. Bodies will be shipped from the main assembly plant to the center, where they will go through final assembly. The products will then be shipped back to the assembly plant's customer acceptance line for a final check. The Explorer and Aviator share a new rear-wheel-drive platform. The Explorer will come with a hybrid option while the Aviator will get a plug-in hybrid model, called the Aviator Grand Touring.

Ford's sales of medium trucks surge after production relocation to U.S. Michael Martinez, Automotive News / July 22, 2019 DETROIT — A 2015 move by Ford to shift production of its biggest trucks to Ohio from Mexico and stop buying their powertrains from outside suppliers has opened a new profit pipeline for hundreds of dealers and helped sales reach their highest level in more than 20 years. Combined sales of the F-650 and F-750 rose 83 percent in the first half of the year, according to Ford. The company said it had gained nearly 5 percentage points of share through April in the Class 6 and 7 chassis- cab segment. With almost 20 percent of the Class 6 and 7 chassis-cab market, the automaker now trails only truck manufacturers International and Freightliner. The medium-duty trucks, commonly used by construction and utility companies, make the F-150 and even some Super Duty models look puny by comparison. But the number of Ford dealerships that have made room on their lots to sell the high-margin behemoths has risen 25 percent this year. About 500 dealers now service them, up from roughly 100 in 2015. "It's been a big help to our bottom line," said Jeff McKee, general sales manager of Friendly Ford in Geneva, N.Y. The store started selling and servicing the medium trucks last year after a facilities upgrade. He said it was a "natural progression" from selling Super Duty pickups and wishes the dealership had signed on sooner. Sales of the trucks have been supplementing the higher-volume, more consumer-oriented end of the F-series lineup, becoming a vital growth area for dealers in a post-peak market as sales of personal vehicles slow. Ford, which has dominated the U.S. commercial vehicle market since the Reagan administration, achieved its best second-quarter medium-duty truck sales since 1997. "It's such a positive story in terms of volume and revenue," says Kevin Koester, Ford's commercial truck brand manager. "The trucks that are coming to take care of things and keep society running are our bread and butter. We have to be invested in these vehicles." Ford, which plans to freshen its medium trucks for the 2021 model year, credits the 2015 production shift for their recent success. Years before President Donald Trump began pushing for more U.S. manufacturing, Ford moved assembly of the F-650 and F-750 from Mexico to Avon Lake, Ohio. ‘Big bright spot' It also replaced their Cummins engine and Allison transmissions with Ford-built powertrains. Aside from earning Ford some made-in-America brownie points with the UAW and politicians, the shorter transportation times from Ohio made it easier for retailers to stock the vehicles. "In the past, you needed special certification to work on them," Koester said. "By bringing that all in-house, it opened our doors to a lot of dealers. For us, that benefit has been very clear and very positive." Koester said the growing network of dealerships selling and servicing the F-650 and F-750 stretches across the U.S. It includes Galpin Ford in North Hills, Calif. Galpin Ford last year hired a dedicated commercial fleet director to oversee its commercial business and plans to open a standalone facility to sell and service such vehicles in 2020. Its investment already is paying off. Galpin sold nine medium trucks in all of last year. In the first half of 2019, it has sold 18. "It's been a big bright spot," says Sean Butts, Galpin's commercial fleet director. Butts said Galpin makes, on average, a $4,000 to $5,000 profit on each truck — six to eight times the contribution of a base model Fusion or EcoSport. The dealership has tried to anticipate its customers' needs and has emphasized stocking ready-to-go studio trucks, used on Hollywood movie sets. Customers can buy the trucks, new or used, or rent them as needed. The trucks are built on F-650 chassis and outfitted with box bodies, lifts, electrical equipment and other items. They cost about $130,000 fully outfitted. Personalized call center Butts also has put dump trucks and studio trucks on the dealership's lot to help draw eyeballs. At least three buyers have said they came in because of those displays, he said. "It's about listening to customers," Butts said. "We're competing with Freightliner and some other makes, but frankly, the customers in the L.A. market have been gravitating to F-650." Ford has tried to make selling and servicing the vehicles as painless as possible. Because dealerships no longer need additional certification to work on the powertrains, they can order parts through the standard Ford catalog. There's also a personalized call center to help salespeople configure a truck to meet a customer's needs. Ford offers dealerships access to trained service specialists who can answer questions and ensure their service centers have the necessary tools to work on the trucks. The automaker said not much is needed except special lifts that can handle the vehicles' weight. Butts said medium-truck sales can trickle down through the rest of the showroom. "If an owner-operator really likes it, it's going to steer him and his family to buying some personal vehicles as well," he said. "It's a big staple for us."

Unfortunately, everyone has an agenda, virtually every government in the world, which overrides "getting along".

Much of it is childish. Mature adults should be able to sort out their differences better.

https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29540-hendricksons/ https://www.overdriveonline.com/david-hosteters-1988-hendrickson-vt100/

Cummins has much to learn about making a good sales marketing video.

Cummins Press Release / July 18, 2019 . . .

With all of their money, why can't Saudi Arabia lead the Arab League in taking care of their own neighborhood? I vote against the US being the Middle East's policeman. We can no longer afford it, and we have our own problems.

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia’s King Salman approved hosting U.S. forces in the country to boost regional security and stability, the state news agency (SPA) reported on Friday. The U.S. Defense Department confirmed the move in a statement, saying it would deploy troops and resources to Saudi Arabia to “provide an additional deterrent” in the face of “emergent, credible threats.” The action comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran in the Gulf that have impacted global oil markets.

The second half of 2019, and likely next year, are going to be rough.

Truck News / July 19, 2019 BLOOMINGTON, Indiana – Preliminary U.S. trailer orders for June fell to the lowest level since September 2009 to 5,500 units, freight transportation forecaster FTR reported. It said the orders were down 53% month-over-month, and 70% year-over-year. Dry van orders were weak and cancellations high, as fleets adjusted orders previously placed according to their second-half needs. Refrigerated vans followed a similar pattern and flatbed orders remained feeble. Van production stayed fairly stable at high rates, while there is continued softening in the flatbed market. Sales are expected to moderate sometime in the second half of the year, as supply catches up with demand. Trailer orders for the past 12 months now total 343,000 units. “Only a couple OEMs have started taking orders for 2020 and fleets did not respond much to this move in June,” said Don Ake, vice-president of commercial vehicles at FTR. “It would appear that the market is returning to normal ordering cycles, with fleets evaluating their next year requirements during the summer and then starting to place those orders around October.”

Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ) / July 19, 2019 A group of seven Caterpillar dealerships have formed the RIG360 independent truck service centers network, designed to provide an all-makes approach to truck parts and service. The network initially will consist of 65 locations with 450 service bays across 12 states, with potential for other Cat dealers to join. The RIG360 network has a “90-Minute Promise,” which states it will make an initial diagnosis of a truck’s condition, troubleshoot the issue, and deliver a verdict within 90 minutes. Within an additional 90 minutes customers will receive an initial estimate on cost and time to repair. “These dealers liked the on-highway business and wanted to stay in it,” says Ed Cullen, strategic consultant. “They had the facilities, the people and the training, and they also recognized there’s a lot of power in working together.” Cat announced it would exit the on-highway diesel engine business in 2008 and had short-lived foray into vocational trucks, which ended in 2016. Initial RIG360 participating Cat dealers are Cleveland Brothers Equipment, Foley Equipment, MacAllister Machinery/Michigan Cat, Ohio Cat, Thompson Machinery, Thompson Tractor and Yancey Bros. Other Cat dealers will probably join the network as the initiative progresses, Cullen says. Caterpillar itself has no affiliation with or investment in this venture. “In doing our research, we found that folks can bring a truck into a repair facility and it will sit there,” Cullen says. “So we decided to make a commitment that if someone comes into a shop we’ll give an initial diagnosis so they can make an informed decision about what to do next. They’ll know where they stand within the first 90 minutes.” Cullen says RIG360 also offers truck owners necessary service capacity. “With all the vertical integration that’s happened in the trucking industry, there’s been a strain on the truck manufacturer’s dealer networks. We’ve got the bays and we’ve got the technicians, so that really positions us well to be able to turn trucks around more quickly.” Each dealer has its own identity in the network, such as Cleveland Brothers RIG360 Truck Centers and Foley RIG360. “We are excited to help form and launch the new RIG360 network and bring even more truck parts and service capabilities to our customers,” says Jon Robinson, vice president of Foley Equipment and RIG360 board chair, in a release announcing Foley’s participation in the network. “Combined with our HDA Truck Pride launch last year, we have expanded our ability to serve all makes and models from radiator to rim, whether that is in Kansas, Missouri or beyond.” .