Founder and Partner: Bill Ford (and others)
"We are an independent venture capital firm focused on leveraging our experience and networks to help startups become lasting institutions."
Good or bad for FoMoCo?
15 replies (most recent on top)
It’s old money - Harvard&Yale types pooling $ to make more $. Just have a look at the founders - Ford, Cheever-of the Broadway Bank Cheevers, etc.
Well it has been around since 2009, how has FoMoCo faired?
Why would one think its existence is anything but loosely coupled to FoMoCo?
It is a money making venture for those involved.
The main question remains: is this venture capital business good or bad for FoMoCo?
Doug Field is a snake oil salesmen. Anyone touting him is a mo--n. Apple would not have let him get away if he were so great. They could outbid Ford for anyone they want.
The fact that they let him go shows two things. 1, he is overrated. 2, Ford gets everyone else's ex------t.
You have to ask yourself, do I follow someone holding speeches and making promises or do I follow someone who is actually producing something?
Why should I care about the stuff he says if none of it makes sense and nothing comes around either.
Doug Field or his wife seem to spend a lot of time on this board proclaiming hid genius.
To the previous post: your comment has not been thoroughly thought out. The newest members of Ford leadership have very impressive backgrounds coming into Ford. Doug Field for example. Have you listened to his plans for Model e? It will be exciting to watch the business evolve.
The telling part is the execs that CarCar has promoted/hired. Name one who really understands engineering and manufacturing cars/parts or understands ensuring a reliable supply raw materials / parts.
Worse yet is the utter lack of a bench at Ford. Name a LL5,LL4,LL3 who you would trust Ford’s future to.
Years ago I was told that the only reason Ford survives is the long term GSR8 and tech LL6 just kept doing their jobs and ignored the management LL6-LL1when they made foolish edicts.
And then you hear Moonbeam and CarCar saying we need to get rid of all the long term GSR8 and tech LL6 and replace with totally different talent. Once Moonbeam lamented not being able to quickly change directions due to entrenched ways of thinking.
There is some truth on both sides. There are some long-term cruisers unwilling to change. There are a goodly number of LL who are inept and do not listen to the true SMEs. Firmly believe that If Hackett would of moved at a higher speed, Ford would currently not exist.
Anytime Bill is in charge things go south. The Lions and let's not forget in the 2000's Billy was fired by his own family. He was forced to step aside for Alan.
Farley is a legend in his own mind. He is no car guy like an Iacocca or Lutz. More like a clown when it comes to automotive.
If only there could be a 'capital investment' in product build quality and testing. Ford 'saves a nickel' going cheap up-front, and then 'spends a dime' (or two) on warranty. I don't think we can 'break the cycle' because there are too many wealthy LL5+ careers at stake . . .
Why would any smart person do something silly like putting 'the quality in before the names goes on' and lose their job when they can instead show a power-point on how they ruthlessly cut costs, get promoted with a bonus, and then slide over to a new position ? The game remains the same for decades . . .
@icrr . . . It was all Spin ! :)
Fire Farley!
Bill, retire!
What happened to Spin?
Old news typical practice of Ford to funnel money to Ford family startups/ventures.
Perhaps Bill could help Ford Motor Co. become a “lasting institution,” by resigning and taking his woke ideas elsewhere.