THE U.S. AUTO INDUSTRY BAILOUT

Report: Mulally will accept $1 salary in bid for U.S. aid

DETROIT -- Ford Motor CEO Alan Mulally will agree to cut his annual salary to $1 as part of Ford's bid to win congressional support of federal aid to automakers, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Ford also will accelerate the introduction of new hybrid and electric vehicles, the Journal said.

The pledges will be part of the automaker's proposal due to be delivered to Congress tomorrow, the deadline for the Detroit 3's requests to win a piece of $25 billion in emergency loans.

U.S. lawmakers criticized high pay packages for auto CEOs in congressional hearings about the federal aid two weeks ago. When asked then whether he would work for $1, Mulally said: "I think I'm OK where I am."

Mulally, who joined Ford from Boeing Co. two years ago, had previously told Automotive News that the automaker would consider executive compensation limits in return for the loans.

Citing an interview today with Mulally, the Journal said that Ford plans to launch a battery-powered commercial van and compact sedan by 2011. A plug-in electric vehicle that can be powered by a standard outlet is scheduled to be on the market in 2012, Mulally told the newspaper.

Ford officials did not return several phone calls seeking confirmation of the report.

Ford also is willing to press for more concessions from the UAW, the Journal said, citing a person familiar with Ford's plans.

Bloomberg News said late today that UAW leaders representing Ford, General Motors and Chrysler LLC will meet Wednesday in Detroit to discuss concessions the automakers may advocate in pursuit of the federal loans.

Two representatives from each UAW local will attend the emergency meeting, Bloomberg reported. They will be asked to reopen the union's 2007 labor contract with the Detroit automakers.

GM wants to change payment plans for a UAW retiree health care fund, Bloomberg said, citing people familiar with GM's plans. GM also wants to halt pay for workers when its production plants are closed, the news organization said.



Ford CEO Alan Mulally


RELATED STORIES
   • GM, Ford to ground air fleets
   • Ford's Mulally will drive to Washington in an Escape Hybrid
   • Chicago's stake in Detroit
   • Ford says it might sell Volvo
   • Senate panel moves hearing to Thursday


MORE STORIES ABOUT FORD
  • Kerkorian's Tracinda has sold ...
December 30
  • Exec: Ford of Europe will outp...
December 22
  • Did you hear the one about For...
December 18
  • Turkey's Ford Otosan halts out...
December 18
  • Bill Ford: U.S. energy policy ...
December 17

TODAY'S HEADLINES
  • Report: UK December car sales seen down around 20%
  • Turkish 2008 car sales fall 14.4%
  • U.S. union: GM, Chrysler may not need additional federal funds
  • Analysts: U.S. sales may pick up by summer
  • Schaeffler's Continental stake drops to 15.2%



 

 

Unlimited access
to our website
news and data
Plus you'll get the
print edition of
Automotive News
Europe
delivered to your
home or office
every week
 
By taking advantage of this online offer, you'll get an entire year's subscription for only € 99! (*€ 99 rate is for delivery in Europe, outside Europe rate is $164.)
*Name:
*Email:
*Company:
*Address:
*City: *State: 
*ZIP/Postal:
*Country: