Ford Flexes Back

The U.S. auto industry that was once vital to the U.S. economy is now fragile. Companies that were American icons are now struggling to survive. Among them is The Ford Motor Company that introduced affordable transportation to the common family and the world. Is that legacy about to become a distant memory or can Ford survive the turbulence of change? FORD FLEXES BACK is a story about a team who fi gured out how to build the perfect vehicle but doing so before a single vehicle was actually built. Ford veteran Kenneth Wentland describes how this team applied digital computing technology to achieve unprecedented product development precision with the creation of the Ford Flex. Breakthrough results like this do not just happen by chance, but rather by driving change from the bottom of the organization. Wentland describes a framework for developing high performing teams and driving change within the working level to accomplish great feats. However, the success of just one vehicle won't bring fortune to Ford. Challenges such as foreign competition, costs, and fuel economy continue to change the landscape of the U.S. auto industry. How did Ford get into trouble? Will Ford continue to survive? Wentland provides a fresh perspective on how Ford has been maneuvering through the obstacles in an effort to reclaim leadership in the U.S. auto industry.