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Ford CEO Alan Mulally on the debt-ceiling negotiations and how he believes new Ford leadership will help the company.
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For investors in the Ford Motor Co.
that stock hitting -- 52 week high last week and now Alan Mulally the CEO is looking to shift focus to the luxury Lincoln brand with a whole new vehicle at Jeff Flock -- who.
From the North American auto show.
Did try -- hey -- I'm.
Uncharacteristically.
Sitting down with Alan Mulally is taken a moment to just catch his breath after six years how many years is -- six years -- Six years of hell raising in Detroit.
I don't say it's come into it.
You know until you.
You're a when you started showed up with you know sport sport -- White you know white -- It's gray slacks blue blazer.
Take a look more can you see what he's wearing down her just take a walk.
Could she actually what you've got on come on now you give us a -- penetrated interview by fox stupid pig pen I'll.
This is where we soften -- up and and we ask you about the deaths and.
He's been so we suggested the you know -- my conservative attire I might wanna step up with a you know a couple of snazzy socks so.
Nicely done.
Now.
OK let's start with this report for President Obama -- -- -- a press conference talk about debt ceiling analysts are sick of all this foolishness in Washington or what.
We -- Jeff one on one hand like give to get resolved faster.
-- rather than later.
On the other hand I'm just so pleased that the debate has moved into the bigger issue that is how we live within our means how we gonna bring down the debt.
How -- you bring down the budget deficits.
-- we're gonna really do about the trade deficits so we can create an economy again.
That is growing for the good of all assess the most important thing I think -- -- -- -- what you're saying there if the Republicans need to shut down the government don't raise the debt limit until we get meaningful spending cuts is that what you're saying I think this is so important that we move to a comprehensive strategy to -- -- economic development in the United States.
That's the most important thing we do for all of us.
And would you if if you -- -- would you work -- Obama administration.
All I'm very I've been very pleased support the administration this administration the previous one.
Because that public private partnership especially for men -- -- -- United States especially with the trade rules around the world.
I've been very pleased to be asked -- be listened to be part of the solution I mean a real job.
Well I think the best thing that I that I can do -- I feel really good about this is serving border where.
There were clearly the heart and soul and work is done sir you've done it a -- -- -- just giving you really getting started -- we are.
It is a very important part of the United States economy.
This nearly 15% of our GDP.
And -- percent of all the research and development the United States is associated with manufacturing so.
I'm very pleased to -- -- you have just named a new chief operating officer you never had that before your -- you know you're the operator yourself.
How does it feel it's a great reporter question how does that feel.
Well you know -- they're really feels a great.
Because you know clearly one of the things that I've focused on is further developing the entire team afford worldwide.
And I'm so pleased with this latest step of asking mark to be the chief operating officer also John Hendricks has come back from Asia Pacific to take over the Americas.
Stephen -- -- them take over Africa as well as the Middle East and Europe.
And of course we have Dave shock these fantastic operator in Asia Pacific now he and maybe the biggest one.
Is Jim Farley who really knows luxury is not only not only leading sales -- -- service -- why but also Lincoln so.
You paint a more now Jamaican do double work.
I think he felt fully appreciate -- we appreciate him but I think this whole idea.
Not only give up in the team members individually but also them as a team is -- -- Ford really well speaking of paying people.
Dividends you just doubled it.
A lot of the Ford family like that Corsica -- but so all the stockholders -- -- say about your stuff.
Well Jeff by the guess again as a really important proof point about the when Ford planned because.
We also share and everybody that we were gonna reinstated dividend and -- -- plan was that we gave -- continue that dividend even during a recession.
Because that consistency of purpose that clarity was really get -- so not only do we reinstated last year.
But we just announced so we're going to be -- it.
Which means it shows you how we feel.
About our ability to generate free cash flow and grow the business over the long I was gonna say some people question is that a good way to spend your money you feel like you've got enough money to spend on new product is well absolutely and part of their capital allocation process says there's -- -- uses offense number one.
The new product development planned around the world.
Also everybody profitable growth for everyone including the shareholders and so.
We looked -- our liquidity we looked at our debt all the prior -- bringing down our debt and we think this they're really good time to increase the dividend.
Who's in charge of four by the way.
In charge of Ford -- who's in charge of -- well I think it starts with the board of directors and bill Ford with his able assistant Alan.
And you said you will be there at least -- Tony fourteen.
I did and I I think that.
That's a really good guidance that we still I believe in that because who want to further develop the team for the develop the strategy of have this balanced portfolio serving all markets around the world as well as -- a world class full family vehicles and so.
In a way we're just that you're really picking up the pace of implement -- when Ford plant.
I can not wait till the next time we talk and I see what your wearing on your on your feet.
At one shot deal -- the big change -- It is not a big change is -- forward mirrors the -- -- Mulally always great to see -- thanks very much.
Now to the president perhaps we but the next member of his cabinet.
-- about bought back that's pretty good Jeff.
Those are not just data and I -- and.
