Will Ford, Toyota team up?
Mulally, Cho meet to discuss cooperating on alternate fuel engines, manufacturing issues.
Bryce G. Hoffman and Christine Tierney / The Detroit News
New Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally has called himself "a disciple of the Toyota production system." Last week, he flew to Tokyo to meet with Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Fujio Cho to discuss ways the two companies could work together on advanced engine technologies and other issues.
A source familiar with the talks characterized them as "preliminary" and limited to possible collaborations between the automakers, downplaying speculation about a deeper alliance that swirled after news of the meeting broke in Japan.
In addition to discussing technologies such as hybrid-electric and hydrogen powertrains, the executives considered how the companies might work together on manufacturing and environmental issues.
"At this point, it's just a discussion," the source said.
Mulally was accompanied by Ford Americas President Mark Fields. Other top Toyota executives also participated in the discussion, held Wednesday. Mulally and Fields flew back to the United States the following day.
Ford did not officially confirm that the meeting had taken place. "We meet regularly with other automakers on a variety of topics of mutual interest," the company said in a statement late Tuesday.
In its own statement, Toyota said top managers meet with their counterparts at other automakers when opportunities arise. "As such, (Toyota Motor Corp.) Chairman Cho recently exchanged greetings with Ford CEO Alan Mulally," the company said.
At least one Wall Street analyst reacted cautiously. "If they were talking about a merger or an alliance, that would get everyone really excited," said Bradley Rubin at BNP Paribas. "But that's not going to happen."
Mulally has history with rival
Mulally is an avowed Toyota admirer who drove a Lexus until he was tapped to lead Ford in September. The former Boeing Co. executive looks to the Japanese automaker for inspiration.
"The Toyota production system is the finest production system in the world," he said in a recent interview with The Detroit News. "They're a magical machine. It's the machine that changed the world."
While at Boeing, Mulally became familiar with Toyota and visited the company's facilities in Japan. Ford and Toyota executives also have met regularly for years, according to sources in Dearborn, and possible collaborations have been discussed. While Ford has exchanged hybrid technology with Toyota, little else has come of these meetings.
The talks could progress now, however, because of Mulally's appreciation of the Toyota Production System, which focuses on eliminating inefficiencies and continuous improvement. At Boeing, Mulally introduced a version of the Toyota system.
Ford already collaborates with other automobile manufacturers. Its new six-speed automatic.
Mulally, Cho meet to discuss cooperating on alternate fuel engines, manufacturing issues.
Bryce G. Hoffman and Christine Tierney / The Detroit News
New Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally has called himself "a disciple of the Toyota production system." Last week, he flew to Tokyo to meet with Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Fujio Cho to discuss ways the two companies could work together on advanced engine technologies and other issues.
A source familiar with the talks characterized them as "preliminary" and limited to possible collaborations between the automakers, downplaying speculation about a deeper alliance that swirled after news of the meeting broke in Japan.
In addition to discussing technologies such as hybrid-electric and hydrogen powertrains, the executives considered how the companies might work together on manufacturing and environmental issues.
"At this point, it's just a discussion," the source said.
Mulally was accompanied by Ford Americas President Mark Fields. Other top Toyota executives also participated in the discussion, held Wednesday. Mulally and Fields flew back to the United States the following day.
Ford did not officially confirm that the meeting had taken place. "We meet regularly with other automakers on a variety of topics of mutual interest," the company said in a statement late Tuesday.
In its own statement, Toyota said top managers meet with their counterparts at other automakers when opportunities arise. "As such, (Toyota Motor Corp.) Chairman Cho recently exchanged greetings with Ford CEO Alan Mulally," the company said.
At least one Wall Street analyst reacted cautiously. "If they were talking about a merger or an alliance, that would get everyone really excited," said Bradley Rubin at BNP Paribas. "But that's not going to happen."
Mulally has history with rival
Mulally is an avowed Toyota admirer who drove a Lexus until he was tapped to lead Ford in September. The former Boeing Co. executive looks to the Japanese automaker for inspiration.
"The Toyota production system is the finest production system in the world," he said in a recent interview with The Detroit News. "They're a magical machine. It's the machine that changed the world."
While at Boeing, Mulally became familiar with Toyota and visited the company's facilities in Japan. Ford and Toyota executives also have met regularly for years, according to sources in Dearborn, and possible collaborations have been discussed. While Ford has exchanged hybrid technology with Toyota, little else has come of these meetings.
The talks could progress now, however, because of Mulally's appreciation of the Toyota Production System, which focuses on eliminating inefficiencies and continuous improvement. At Boeing, Mulally introduced a version of the Toyota system.
Ford already collaborates with other automobile manufacturers. Its new six-speed automatic.