Ford Motor Company CEO Alan Mulally (at left), with Executive Chairman Bill Ford, COO Mark Fields, North America chief Joe Hinrichs, and product development chief Raj Nair at the 2015 F-150 unveiling in Detroit's Joe Louis Arena on January 13, 2014. All five Ford executives played a role in the carefully choreographed presentation. Photo credit: Ford Motor Company.
When an automaker like Ford (F -0.41%) introduces a product like the all-new 2015 F-150 pickup to the media, it doesn't just pull a sheet off the truck and say, "Here it is, guys!"
In fact, earlier this month, Ford took over Joe Louis Arena -- home of the Detroit Red Wings -- to unveil its new pickups with an elaborate, big-budget presentation that kicked off two days of media events at the North American International Auto Show.
We (The Motley Fool's John Rosevear and Rex Moore) were there when it happened, and we can tell you that it was a very impressive event. Not so much for the theatrics of the truck's unveiling -- although that was fun -- but because Ford managed to present a complete state of the company update in less than half an hour.
Several of Ford's top executives were there, and each made a brief presentation. After Executive Chairman Bill Ford set the stage, Ford's rock-star CEO Alan Mulally gave a comprehensive overview of Ford's global growth plans and strategy -- emphasizing the importance of small cars, as well as trucks, to Ford's global ambitions.
It's always worth listening when Mulally talks about Ford's plans. If you're a Ford shareholder or customer, take a couple of minutes to check out this excerpt from his presentation to the media and then scroll down to leave a comment with your thoughts.
