Everybody cares about not only quality and functionality, but they also want the power of choice, whether it's a small vehicle or a large vehicle.
I've been through geopolitical and economic cycles.
There is no reason that America can't compete in a global economy, and I love being one small proof point in that.
We're so interdependent, and what one country does is such an important part of what happens in the global economy.
I had a great life at Boeing. I'd been there for 37 years and contributed to all the Boeing airplanes as a designer: the 707, 727, 37, 47, 57, 67 and 'triple 7' and the 87.
It's just really important that we have boundaries and guidelines to operate. Our homes, the cars, everything is going to be on the Internet. And so what are the guidelines? What do we want?
I can remember the first time I tried to drive into the garage of the world headquarters of Ford in a Camry. It was almost like they wouldn't let me in. They said, 'Why do you want to do that?' I said, 'Because we are going to make the best cars in the world, and we need to know everything about the competitor's car.'
We've always loved the automobile, and we all love Henry Ford's original vision to open the highways to all mankind, the freedom and movement.
There is a great market for cars in the United States - as Honda and Toyota have proven.
Leadership is having a compelling vision, a comprehensive plan, relentless implementation, and talented people working together.
What I found over the years is the most important thing is for a team to come together over a compelling vision, a comprehensive strategy for achieving that vision, and then a relentless implementation plan.
When I arrived in Ford, a decision was made to sell many marquee brands. This was because 85 per cent of the sales were from Ford and Lincoln brands. We were clear that for the company's strong future, we needed to focus on the Ford brands.
With Sync technology, we're seamlessly connected to the Internet, hands-free, and able to focus on the road but also able to handle guidance and navigation and play your music.
I found a new love in Google. I'm a Googler now.
At the most fundamental level, it is an honor to serve - at whatever type or size of organization you are privileged to lead, whether it is a for-profit or nonprofit. It is an honor to serve. Starting from that foundation, it is important to have a compelling vision and a comprehensive plan.
The more senior your management position is, the more important it is to connect the organization or the project to the outside world. You know, how does this fit in with what we're doing? What is the real goal, the real mission?
Ford had a number of different strategies over the years that they thought obviously made sense at the time, just like all the different brands, and also the regional operations.
Ford is committed to building a sustainable future for the benefit of all Americans, and we believe Ford is on the right path to achieve this vision.
Where you really get in trouble is if the market is dropping and the economy's slowing down and you don't take action.
I really like working with talented people to do something for a lot of people around our world.
