Ford 2002 Annual Report Download - page 9

Chairman’s Message
7
of building up to nine different models from three
vehicle platforms. It will set world-class standards
for efficient and environmentally friendly
manufacturing processes.
At the end of the year we will begin producing
the industry’s first no-compromise SUV with a
full hybrid-electric powertrain. The Ford Escape
Hybrid is designed to be the cleanest and most
fuel-efficient SUV in the world, achieving between
35 and 40 miles per gallon in city driving with no
trade-offs in acceleration or cargo capacity. In
addition to the Escape Hybrid, we also plan to
begin selling a fuel cell-powered version of the
Ford Focus in limited volumes for commercial
applications next year.
In total, we will introduce more than 65 new Ford,
Lincoln and Mercury products in North America
during the next five years. And we’re on track to
deliver 45 new products in five years in Europe.
Our premium brands will introduce 35 new models
globally in the next five years. And Mazda will intro-
duce eight new products in Japan, seven in North
America and four in Europe in the next two years.
We’re taking advantage of the massive changeover
needed for this huge wave of new products to bring
all of our manufacturing systems up to new levels
of quality, efficiency and flexibility.
By mid-decade, half of our North American and
all of our European assembly plants will have fully
flexible body shops. Our plants around the world
will be lean, flexible and cost-efficient. We also are
working to share platforms and components across
vehicle lines in areas where the customer won’t
notice or mind, which enables us to improve
quality and lower costs.
The bottom line for us is that this transformation will
cut waste and improve quality and efficiency. It will
allow our plants to change the mix of products as
the market dictates and convert to new products
with minimal investment and changeover losses.
To guide our decisions and actions globally as
we move forward with our product-led recovery
we have adopted a set of Business Principles for
our next 100 years. These principles reflect the
values of our past and the hopes of our future —
where we’ve been and where we want to go. They
set high standards for economic, environmental
and social performance. We will use them to guide
our actions so that we continue to earn the trust
and respect of our investors, customers, employ-
ees, business partners and society.
Our Business Principles start with a commitment
to creating value for our shareholders over the long
term. We intend to deliver on that commitment.
As we observe our 100th anniversary, our goal is to
have an even greater impact on people’s lives in the
next 100 years. We’re going to build great products,
a strong business and a better world.
William Clay Ford, Jr.
Chairman and CEO
March 13, 2003
The company’s senior management team at a financial analyst
meeting in January 2003. (From left) Carl Reichardt, Jim Padilla,
David Thursfield, Bill Ford, Nick Scheele and Allan Gilmour.