Latest News Updates From Keith Naughton

Business

Ford Sees $1 Billion Boon From One Truck Plant Transformation

Ford Motor Co. predicted an earnings boon from converting just one car plant to make trucks and also SUVs. And the automaker said that factory is just the first of many that will pump out more profit.

April 17, 2019
Business

Ford Executives Shift Roles With Mobility Chief Near Retirement

Ford Motor Co.’s two company presidents are shuffling roles — with one taking responsibility for the business of today, and the other the approach to tomorrow — as a third executive prepares to retire.

April 10, 2019
Business, Technology, Autonomous

Ford CEO Jim Hackett Tamps Down Expectations for First Autonomous Vehicles

Too much hype has built up about how soon self-driving cars will hit the road, but they will ultimately change the world, Ford Motor Co.’s CEO Jim Hackett said.

April 9, 2019
Business, Technology, Autonomous

Ford Plans $900 Million Bet on Michigan-Made Autos of Future

Ford Motor Co. plans to spend about $900 million and hire about 900 workers to build electric and self-driving vehicles in Michigan, while moving production of a small commercial van to Mexico from Europe.

March 20, 2019
Business, Technology, Logistics

Ford Boosts Output of Big SUVs for Second Time in Two Years

Ford Motor Co. is boosting production of its biggest, highly lucrative sport utility vehicles for the second time in two years at a U.S. factory already bursting at the seams.

March 19, 2019
Government, Business, Technology, Autonomous

71% of Americans Still Leery of Self-Driving Cars

There’s been virtually no increase in public acceptance of self-driving cars even as automakers and tech giants are pouring billions into driverless technology.

March 14, 2019
Business, Technology, Logistics

Ford Investing $1 Billion in High-Profit SUV Plants

Ford Motor Co. is investing $1 billion in two Chicago factories and hiring 500 workers to expand its ability to crank out high-profit sport utility vehicles, including its new Explorer.

February 8, 2019
Business, Technology, Autonomous

Ford, Walmart to Test Self-Driving Grocery Delivery Service

Ford Motor Co. is teaming with Walmart Inc., the world’s largest retailer, to lay the groundwork for a driverless grocery delivery service.

November 14, 2018
Business, Technology, Autonomous

Ford Aims to Be Major Player in Autonomous Technology

The autonomous technology gap between Ford Motor Co. and its rivals from Detroit and Silicon Valley can be measured in years. Yet even a company playing catch-up in the race to turn self-driving technology into high-margin businesses is drawing interest from outside investors, an indicator of just how much money is pouring in.

August 9, 2018
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Autonomous

Ford Refuses to Rush Into Robo-Taxis, Even After GM, Waymo Deals

General Motors Co. and Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo rocked the auto industry last week with self-driving deals that will have each deploying thousands of robo-taxis onto U.S. roads over the next 18 months. Ford Motor Co., meanwhile, will continue biding its time.

June 8, 2018