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Alan Mulally talks about Ford's successes at the Detroit Economic Club

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally addresses the Detroit Economic Club on Jan. 15, 2010.

by Garrett Godwin ggodwin82@yahoo.com

WATCH: Ford Motor Co. President and CEO Alan Mulally addresses the Detroit Economic Club WATCH: The Detroit News Reader's Choice Awards Presentation

DETROIT -- Friday was the first meeting of both the new year and the new decade for the Detroit Economic Club with guest speaker Alan Mulally at the Detroit Marriott Renassiance Center. Mulally, the CEO/President of the Ford Motor Company, jokingly states that he has brought his "report to the committee". "It feels like a board meeting," he continues to humor a sold-out crowd of an estimated 900 people.

The meeting started with the opening of the 2010 Readers' Choice Awards and the Automotive Hall of Fame's 2010 Distinguished Service Citations and 2009 Industry Leader Award.

The Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept won the Future Fantasy Award while the Chrysler Town and County took home honors for the Best Family Haulter. The Dodge Viper won the award for Best Curves and the Maybach 62 won the trophy for Plushest Interior and Most Luxurious. The Ford Focus won the Most Innovative award while the Ford Mustang won the Sexiest vehicle award. The Chevy Volt took home honors as the Most Earth Friendly vehicle and the Scion XB won the Grooviest vehicle award. The Ford F-150 Raptor won the Most Awesome Off-Road award and the Ford Fusion won the Best Value award.

Ford CEO Alan Mullally was named the Industry Leader of 2009 by the Automotive Hall of Fame. Distinguished Service Citation awards were given to BorgWarner Chairman and CEO Tim Manganello, Hyundai Motor America President and CEO John Krafcik, Delphi Corp. President and CEO Rodney O'Neal, Roush Racing CEO Jack Roush and Johnson Controls V.P. and Managing Director Mary Ann Wright.

For over 75 years, the Detroit Economic Club has been discussing forums of national and international forums such as the global economic recession and how it has severely affecting the automotive industry and the job market. "On the economy," Mulally said, "we are cautiously (or consciously) optimistic. The fact that we're still to move up ... it's an gradual improvement. We have the vehicles want."

The Q&A session with Mullaly includes the continuation to improve hybrids, but the number one focus is to improve the vehicles. "We believe, over time," he continues, "all of us will pay for energy. We're all moving to a different place on energy dependence. Our fundamental plan is to improve the ... combustional ... The key is to improve batteries. We got to make them smaller, faster ... What are going to do to generate electricty? We need to put the infrastructure in its plan."

Friday's DEC meeting took place hours before the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) Charity Preview and the public opening the next day.

"Every new vehicle that comes forward is best in their class," Mullaly relates to the Auto Show and this week's events that have coincided with it. "There's no reason to compete without the best in the world."

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Johnson Controls V.P. and Managing Director Mary Ann Wright receives a Distinguished Service Citation award from the Automotive Hall of Fame.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Ford CEO Alan Mullally was named the Industry Leader of 2009 by the Automotive Hall of Fame.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

An estimated 900 people attended the special meeting of the Detroit Economic Club.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Alan Mullally is all smiles after Ford took home four Detroit News Reader's Choice Awards.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

From left to right: U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Keith Crain of Crain Communications and BorgWarner Chairman and CEO Tim Manganello.

 

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This page was last updated on Sat, January 30, 2010 2:25 AM

 

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