Ford came out with the bad news that it will be laying off some 30,000 factory workers over the next four or five years. Much of which will occur sooner than later. Many are wondering what in the World is going on? Ford has only lost 5% in market share to Toyota and Honda in the United States. Are we missing something or are the problems much deeper than appear on the surface?

Are we repeating the Deming Years here? Didn't anyone see this coming? The writing was on the wall. Super efficient robotic factories, run away under funded pensions, fuel prices high when the companies top profitable cars are luxury SUVs and Ford cut out plans in 2002 to move forward with hydrogen hybrids and cancelled 2 Hybrid Electrics? Even Ford Jr. knew there would be issues and the Japanese spent major R and D a few years ago when the Yen was tracking low against the dollar and they had some record profits. Seems like the wri

Of course Ford is not alone in the US Auto Maker problems. General Motors is not looking like a bright shiny star either. Announcing nearly the same number of layoffs over the next 4-5 years. This trend will devastate many of those markets and regions where those manufacturing facilities are. Think on this in 2006.