Ford says it is convinced the US market can reach unit sales of 14m this year as the economy continues to improve.
The US automaker’s CEO Alan Mulally made the comments to just-auto at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit against a slew of positive economic indicators.
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Unemployment – that had remained stubbornly high – is starting to fall while it equally appears new jobs are being created as pent-up demand for cars is finally starting to be released following the slump of 2008.
“We see a certain improvement in the economy in the US – probably 2%-3%,” Mulally told just-auto. With that, we think the auto industry [could do] 13.5m-14m units.”
With 2012 being a Presidential election year in the US, the country is gearing up for a frantic round of politicking that has already seen Republican caucuses in Iowa, while various Senators, particularly in the automotive heartland of Michigan, are turning up the heat to ensure the industry receivers a fair playing field, citing China for apparent domestic protectionist measures.
“The most important thing politicians are taking care of is the economy to create an environment to help the auto industry,” said Mulally. “The industry is an indicator of the economy – it is 10%-12%.”
Ford has attached great importance to the fact it did not ask for assistance from the US taxpayer in the way that General Motors for example, benefited by its massive State subsidy that is now slowly being paid back.
