In what could only be defined as an act of God urging the automaker to stop calling itself a mobility company, gusting winds ripped the 20-foot Ford logo off the company’s Dearborn headquarters.
How do I know that it was willful cosmic intervention and not simply dumb luck? Because a day earlier, Ford Motor Co. released another implausible mobility solution called “Autolivery” as if it were actively working on the technology.
Autolivery is a delivery service where an autonomous van drives a package to your home within hours and then releases a drone that carries it the rest of the way. Ford showcased the concept at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, along with the TriCiti and patently ridiculous Carr-E urban transportation devices. It’s my belief the universe finally had enough of Ford’s mobility marketing nonsense and removed the sign as a warning.
I photographed Ford HQ for work this morning after their logo blew off in the wind pic.twitter.com/Nud9gFhasM
— Mason Christensen (@mkrauszc) March 2, 2017
The last time the iconic sign came down was when Former CEO Jacques Nasser decided usher in the new millennia and replace it with cursive script. Nasser’s removal of the Blue Oval and over-diversification of the company crippled the its ability to function. Despite Bill Ford Jr.’s best efforts to clean up the mess, you cannot put the toothpaste back in the tube.
Thankfully, Ford returned the emblem to its rightful place in 2003. But like a mummy’s curse, the evil could not be satiated until blood was spilt and Ford fell further into disarray and destitution.
It wasn’t until recently that Ford turned things around and became profitable again, which makes you wonder why it’s tempting fate with so much of this mobility malarkey. It isn’t that Ford shouldn’t be spending billions on autonomous R&D or state-of-the-art automotive technology — it should be. The problem is that it’s becoming disingenuous with how it’s presenting itself.
Distractions like the gimmicky Carr-E are flummoxing and hoisting it up as an incredible mobility solution that “goes where cars can’t” is a ridiculous claim for one of the world’s oldest automakers to make. Is this the best a mobility company can offer? While the industry certainly needs to evolve with society, it does feel a little like Ford is getting distracted with promoting hypothetical mega-cities and drone delivery services that other companies are surely better equipped to handle.
At any rate, Ford spokesman Mike Moran told the The Detroit News earlier today that they are working to replace the missing sign soon as possible. I just hope it isn’t too late and the curse hasn’t returned.
[Image: Ford Motor Company]
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0DweYkWEAATlOW.jpg
Corporations are getting weird. I assume the sun will explode soon.
Well corporations are people after all, and people are weird. So nothing new here…
I have an idea that I wish and hope more people request. I want companies to go back to making vehicles with steel,big,roomy,standard trans,without all the bells and whistles. I believe a large segment of us exists. Its time to demand what we want.Not what the GOV AKA EPA wants!
Make Accidents Great Again!
Yeah because the plastic cars of today which explode at 30mph hits are wonderful!
They don’t sell.
Thats BS! Those nissan hardbodies with standard trans sold like hotcakes. They were in great demand and I got news for ya.They still are! Some of you all need to get out more!
Must have been in a purple haze during the 70’s and 80’s.
So a “poverty spec” car? As pointed out they don’t sell and the automakers blame it on the transmission
Sound good to me. As I may have said before, my idea of the ideal new car would be a Studebaker Scotsman.
Wish all you want, but the segment is not as large as you think it is.
People want large and roomy, sure. Those people buy SUVs. People want cheap without the bells and whistles, buy used. Nobody cares about what metal is in the car as long as it’s safe. And sure as fuck nobody wants standard transmission except in a sports car.
Just accept that you have niche tastes and try to figure out a way to get those tastes satisfied. Lying to yourself that other people secretly want something they have proven for decades not to, isn’t gonna do you any favors.
calling it a “standard” transmission in 2017 is hilariously clueless.
How is this in any way related to the Ford logo blowing off? Do you have any sort of data or figures to back up your belief?
Also, the vehicle you’ve just described is a Ram 2500 Tradesman.
” I want companies to go back to making vehicles with steel,big,roomy,standard trans,without all the bells and whistles.”
so basically you want all of the car companies to go out of business.
” I believe a large segment of us exists.”
A lot of people believed the Bowling Green Massacre was a real thing too.
Judging by the comments! I think we have a bunch of know nothing greenies.Notr actual car enthusiasts! Keep swallowing the BS hype!
“I think we have a bunch of know nothing greenies.”
I haven’t noticed any others of my kind.
You’re making me feel unspecial :-(
You should not drink and post.
I surmise you’re new here, or someone that was previously banned; in either event, cool it.
-Moderator
If we ever do the TTAC commentary awards, I’d like to nominate this one for worst thread.
A Kia emblem would fit inside that oval quite nicely.
http://www.countrycars.com.au/centralwest/support/4482/image/Ford_Kia_logo_small.jpg
http://apps.vinmanager.com/CarDashboard/DealerImages/Dealer%204785%20Images/ford%20v%20kia%20logo.jpg
“A Kia emblem would fit inside that oval quite nicely.”
So would Mason Christensen, horizontally.
1) no, the aspect ratios are different,
2) why the hell would Ford put a KIA logo up there anyway?
what an odd comment.
I really hope the Autonomous Car movement goes the way of the Super Sonic Jet movement. In the late 50s to early 60s everyone thought the future of flight was Super Sonic and it was not to be. Super Sonic jets were too loud and gulped too much fuel…yet every Pan Am pilot hired in the early sixties were told they would be SST Pilots. It was a forgone conclusion until it wasn’t. I am hoping Baruth is right about Autonomous Driving Tech still being a ways off.
My ultimate wish would be for Super Sonic Flight to be a reality and Autonomous cars to be banned. People need jobs. I would much rather have a human deliver my packages than a drone. I hope people make drone hunting a sport. That’ll show em’!!
“I hope people make drone hunting a sport.”
I’ve been telling everybody “hang onto Grandpa’s 10-gauge”.
Autonomous driving driving within our lifetimes is going to end up being a slightly better cruise control.
And I don’t see a problem with that. I like cruise control. I’d like a car that parks itself.
You just want to put all the drone builders out of work!
Are you sure God isn’t angry about dropping the manual?
BEST POST in recent memory
I still laughing, Thanks Matt
I shall share.
Is THAT the best you can do? Not even a photo of the sign without the acrylic plastic?
the signs are fabric.
Isn’t it just Ford trying to keep up with Sprinter & drone?
It’s a signal that means “Your cars’ design cycles should be measured in epochs”.