The sign outside the Ford Motor Co. Kentucky Truck Plant in the morning hours on Oct. 14 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo: Michael Swensen/Getty ImagesIn his first public remarks since the strike, the great grandson of company founder Henry Ford said the unprecedented UAW work stoppage that began Sept. 15 has put the automaker at a crossroads.
"Choosing the right path isn't just about Ford's future and our ability to compete. This is about the future of the American automobile industry," he said.Ford spoke to reporters at the visitors center at the historic Rouge manufacturing complex, the site of one of the"The UAW leaders have called us the enemy in these negotiations.
"This should not be Ford vs. the UAW. It should be Ford and the UAW vs. Toyota, Honda, Tesla, and all the Chinese companies that want to enter our home market," he said. "Toyota, Honda, Tesla and the others are loving this strike because they know the longer it goes on, the better it is for them," he added. "They will win and all of us will lose."About 34,000 UAW members — 24% of members employed by Detroit automakers — have walked out at six assembly plants and 38 parts distribution facilities run by General Motors, Ford and Stellantis.
It's not clear that Ford's end run around UAW negotiators at the bargaining table will change anything.Share on linkedin