Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Autoline on Autoblog
FORD'S AMBITIOUS MAKE-OVER

It could be the most dramatic retooling effort since the early days of World War II, when Detroit earned its nick name as the Arsenal of Democracy. Word leaked out yesterday that Ford is calling its plant managers and top union leaders to the company's headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan to debrief them on an ambitious plan to revamp its manufacturing plants. Ford wants a crash program to change over many of its truck plants to produce fuel-efficient passenger cars.

The urgency conveyed by this development (the company will not yet officially confirm it) is due to the surge in gasoline and diesel prices that have decimated truck sales. Never has there been seen such a dramatic shift in customer demand in such a short period of time. Last month sales for the Detroit Three absolutely collapsed, and when sales are tallied for this month, the carnage is going to be worse.

Realizing that any delay could permanently cripple the company, Ford's CEO Alan Mullaly decided to embark on a bold effort to achieve a rapid change over. Hence, the unprecedented call to bring all the plant managers and top union reps together for an emergency meeting.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers. Follow the jump to continue reading this week's editorial.Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

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