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well at least they had the money in the bank to cover the check so that they did'nt have to go to the goverment like your boy's did. i think your boy's went begging twice.:)

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Now, that was relevant. LOL!

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So where exactly did Ford get their money?

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Hate for this thread to get off track but since no one else is going to answer.

Ford borrowed $23.5 billion from a bank to restructure in 2006. They put up the Mustang(R), F150(R) and even the Ford blue oval(R) for collateral. In this restructuring event they liquidated many assests that were not a part of the core company. Getting rid of such items as Ford Field in Michigan, Shares of Mazda, Jaguar, Aston martin and consolidated some vehicles platforms. Ford has repayed the loan and has their debt ratings upgraded to investment-grade. They now have their collateral back.

Ford did go to washington not to ask for bailout money but to ask to have available a loan if it was needed in the future. There is no doubt that the auto industry was hit hard in the Econonomical downturn that took place and all were struggling.

They focused on becoming a global car company while focusing on its brand.(instead of trying to run multiple companies in different parts of the world differently). They focused intensly on safety and quality and set there sites on regaining market share and brand reconignition. (They brought back familiar names such as Taurus). They also stopped relying on economies of scale to be profatable.

This is just a small part of everything that Alan Mulally(came to Ford in 06 from boeing) and the managment team did with the company to make it into what it has become today.

And now back to the original program...
When will the rules be set in stone?
Still wondering what the difference is between the V10s?

Looking forward to seeing the showdown. I'll be there but will have just picked up the BIW the week before so I won't be racing in it unfortunately. Indy is always a great time!

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Ford used gubbamint guarantees to get their loans. They funneled it through their own financial services so in effect thy took gubbamint money and "loaned" it to themselves to stay afloat.

They were smart enough to do it a couple years before the bottom dropped out is all.

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Ford got their loans from Bank of America(IIRC) with underwriting allowing the collateral to be released once the investment grade was acheived. It is correct Ford used loans such as the fuel/green and etc that were based on the interest rate that was standard. (3-4%) Others car companies and individuals take part in the government garrunteed interest rate(houseing for example). Tesla, and Nissian also took these loans. Unfortunitaly for GM and Chrysler they were denied their application for these intiatives due to not being finiacially "Stable".

Some would classify trading higher interest debt for lower interest debt as a wise strategy. Like putting higher interest credit cards onto lower ones to help pay off quicker or gain leverage/cashflow. I personally am anti-debt all the way. I would like to see everyone to become debt free.

Its interesting to hear everyone thats pro Ford-GM-Chrysler. Everyone can make valid points.(Granted some can not hold an intellegant conversation with others).

Sorry Andy's Dad for getting the thread off track.
What are the weights that the Challengers can get down to? I'm happy to see more heads up for a 1/4 mile. I'm not a fan of 1/8 mile stuff but will try to make it to an ADRL race simply because of the heads-up between the cars. Keep us posted when the rules are official for indy! Very cool none the less!

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Thanks for posting. I love all three brands and am glad they have all survived their financial problems. I am really happy that each has managed to field a "factory" car.

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The burning question in MY mind would be, "When is Ma Mopar going to release a twin turbo V-10 Challenger (or the same engine in the new, smaller, lighter Barracuda) and put an end to this B.S. for all time???"

I, for one, am getting tired of waiting... LOL!

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I love "intellegant" conversations. Why should we worry about weight breaks when it was not even considered when they dumped these cars on Stock?

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X 2!!!