| In the global automotive industry things are | | | | equity at one point but failed as they became |
| really heating up as the traditional players | | | | stale and irrelevant amongst their respective |
| fight for a top spot in the race for global | | | | competition. If Honda and Toyota can keep the |
| dominance. General Motors Corp., which has | | | | Accord and Camry nameplates going after more |
| been number one in terms of global auto sales | | | | than 2 decades, why has Ford had such a |
| for over 75 years, is fighting to keep that | | | | difficult time doing the same?The big news |
| title in the face of growing competition from | | | | isn't just at the top of the list. Riding |
| Toyota. Last year Toyota was trailing General | | | | high on a global sales increase of over 11% |
| Motors by only 261,805 units.Though it looks | | | | in 2005, Hyundai Automotive Group is in high |
| inevitable that Toyota will claim top spot, | | | | gear. The Korean automotive giant has moved |
| increased sales in China (GM is now #1 in | | | | into sixth spot behind DaimlerChrysler. Since |
| China beating former top dog Volkswagen) and | | | | 1999, Hyundai has passed established players |
| surging sales in India have buoyed global | | | | such as Honda, Fiat, Nissan, and Renault. |
| sales for the General despite declining sales | | | | Hyundai doesn't plan on getting too comfy in |
| in North America. General Motors boss Rick | | | | sixth spot as they've set their sights on |
| Wagoner recently stated "If we can keep | | | | being in the top five by the end of the |
| growing where the opportunities are to grow, | | | | decade.They've got their work cut out for |
| someone's going to have to hustle pretty hard | | | | them as fifth place DaimlerChrysler is |
| to catch up with us like that." That said, | | | | currently selling about 1 million more |
| according to the Wall Street Journal being #1 | | | | vehicles annually. But I wouldn't bet against |
| is no longer a top priority for Rick Wagoner | | | | Hyundai. In the last 10 years they've beaten |
| and General Motors.Ford Motor Company, once | | | | just about everyone's expectations.Volkswagen |
| #2 globally, is in third place with sales at | | | | is holding steady in fourth place with over |
| just over 6.2 million units. Strong sales in | | | | 5.2 million vehicles sold in 2005. 2006 and |
| Europe have offset a seemingly endless sales | | | | 2007 should see modest increases with the |
| decline of blue oval vehicles in North | | | | introduction of the next generation Golf (now |
| America. Once best sellers like the Ford | | | | known as the Rabbit) in North America and new |
| Focus and Ford Explorer now sit on dealer | | | | models such as the Volkswagen Eos.Although |
| lots as more innovative and fresh competition | | | | nothing is for certain in the auto industry, |
| lure away new buyers. Ford would be wise to | | | | one theme holds true. No car company has an |
| devise a more coherent product planning | | | | inherent right to the top spot. It has to be |
| strategy instead of letting great cars waste | | | | earned through great cars and trucks. In this |
| away without any clear vision.This is quite | | | | list the big winner is the consumer.Peter |
| evident when you look at the recently | | | | Johnson is the chief writer for and The |
| discontinued Ford Taurus and Lincoln LS, | | | | Owners Manual e-zine. |
| vehicles that carried substantial brand | | | | |