Ford to pass GM as Number 1 in 2009

[TMN]

From: Ford set to pass GM in North America - Business Courier of Cincinnati:

After decades of playing second fiddle to General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. is likely to overtake GM to become North America’s top auto producer this year.

Ford, which operates a transmission plant in Sharonville, will rank first in 2009 with 1.9 million units, according to data from forecasting group IHS Global Insight, which released its North American light-vehicle production forecast this month.

GM, which has a parts and service facility in West Chester, is idling most of its plants over the next couple of months and will produce an estimated 1.7 million vehicles this year.

“With Chrysler in bankruptcy and GM likely on the verge of it while accelerating the already-announced termination of three brands, and adding a fourth brand (Pontiac) to its list, we think the stigma surrounding these occurrences will have a negative impact on sales at both companies in 2009,” the forecasting firm reported.

Chrysler LLC, the smallest of the Detroit 3, has stopped production during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will fall to No. 5 behind Honda and Toyota