The Return of the Ford Blue Oval

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Bravo Zulu, Ford!!! And you did it using ZERO tax dollars!!!



:banana::haveabeer::supercool:

The Return of the Ford Blue Oval



Cole Quinnell,

5/22/2012



In 2006, Ford put it all on the line. We began the Ford turnaround plan by mortgaging nearly all of our assets and borrowed $23.5 billion from our banks a giant home improvement loan, as Ford CEO Alan Mulally likes to call it. This allowed us to pour that money into research and development so we could make world class cars that people want and value. Youre seeing the results of that success now with the global Fiesta and Focus, the all-new Ford Explorer, the fuel efficient and technologically capable new Ford Escape and the stunning new Ford Fusion, due out later this year. Our commitment to the role of technology in our vehicles is apparent, from our award-winning SYNC system that allows you to control some features of your car hands-free, to our fuel efficient and powerful EcoBoost engines that give you better fuel efficiency with more power, to cool and helpful features like Active Park Assist, Hands-free Liftgate, and more.



Along with our factories and equipment, one of the assets we mortgaged was our none other than our iconic logo the blue oval. The blue oval has long been associated with Ford and as a brand logo, its recognized worldwide. The script in the middle of the oval was taken from the original script created in 1912 and has been part of the Ford heritage for a century. And since Ford returned to profitability beginning in 2009, we have been paying down our debt against that loan.



But because our credit had been below investment grade since 2005, the banks would not return those assets to us including the blue oval until at least three credit rating firms granted Ford investment grade status. Last month, Fitchs was the second to restore Ford to that level.



Today, we received notice that Moodys Investors Service has lifted the Ford credit rating to investment grade. The blue oval is back.



We are so proud of todays decision by Moodys and the resulting release of all collateral particularly the Ford Blue Oval, said Alan Mulally, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ford Motor Company. This is an important milestone and further proof that, by staying laser-focused on our One Ford plan, the Ford team can deliver great products, build a strong business and contribute to a better world even through the most challenging external environment.



There is an enormous psychological impact on Ford and all of our employees; it means our plan is working and that the difficult turnaround weve faced is being appreciated by the market. But more than that, having investment grade credit means we can continue to go further in our plan:



Have more certain and lower cost access to liquidity from banks and investors without having to pledge our assets as security

Invest in new products and plants, thereby creating jobs

Fund pensions for our workers and dividends for our stockholders

Finance customers vehicle purchases at lower, more competitive rates



From the top office in World Headquarters to every office and assembly plant around the world, you can bet that Ford employees are celebrating, And wed love for you to join in the festivities by telling us your story in how you achieved a similar milestone in your life, or how Ford has positively impacted your life. Or just send us a photo of you with the iconic blue oval, whether its on a t-shirt, your car, or at the dealership where you bought your Ford. Tell us through the Your Stories section of Ford Social.



Click here for a historic look at the Ford logo throughout history.



Join us as we celebrate, and as Ford continues to work hard to Go Further!

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