Engagement and Community

In 2006, the Pulse survey was changed to incorporate new dimensions. While there was no change to the number or content of the existing 55 core questions asked on Pulse, they were realigned into eight revised dimensions. These changes were made because the revised dimensions are better focused on current business priorities and can provide a framework for more focused feedback and action planning. In addition, the revised Employee Satisfaction Index can be benchmarked externally; none of the prior 13 dimensions could be benchmarked outside the Company.

Overall dealer attitude is measured by the National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) Dealer Attitude Survey. Scores are for the summer and winter respectively of the year noted.

Approximately 54 percent of dealers provided feedback through the Summer 2009 NADA survey process, which showed notable improvement in many areas – including some of the highest ratings ever from Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers. With respect to our Ford dealers, we saw positive changes in every overall score.

These employee numbers do not include dealer personnel; 2009 employee numbers have been adjusted to reflect the new accounting standard on the deconsolidation of many of our variable interest entities.

From 2003 to 2007, purchases from non-minority, women-owned businesses were included within total purchases from all minority suppliers. Beginning in 2008, we provided separate data for women-owned businesses, which accounted in part for the reduced amount of purchases in 2008.

The decrease in spending for minority- and women-owned suppliers in 2009 was due to a variety of factors, including: overall deterioration in sales volume, particularly in trucks and SUVs where diverse suppliers were concentrated; year-over-year declines in Ford North America overall purchases, reflected in the spending with diverse suppliers; supply base consolidation; inability of minority- and women-owned suppliers to maintain and secure lines of credit from lenders; and a supplier overdependence in the automotive business that led to failures of minority-owned businesses during the economic downturn.

From 2003 to 2007, purchases from non-minority, women-owned businesses were included within total purchases from all minority suppliers. In 2008, we began breaking out separate data for purchases from non-minority, women-owned businesses.

The decrease in spending for minority- and women-owned suppliers in 2009 was due to a variety of factors, including: overall deterioration in sales volume, particularly in trucks and SUVs where diverse suppliers were concentrated; year-over-year declines in Ford North America overall purchases, reflected in the spending with diverse suppliers; supply base consolidation; inability of minority- and women-owned suppliers to maintain and secure lines of credit from lenders; and a supplier overdependence in the automotive business that led to failures of minority-owned businesses during the economic downturn.

To align with the 2003–2007 reported data, 2008 data has been modified to reflect the Total Company. Previously, 2008 data reported Ford Automotive data only.

The total amount is less than in previous years, reflecting the challenging business conditions that affected the Company's core automotive business in 2009.

The Ford Volunteer Corps was founded in 2005, and 2006 is the first year data are available. However, volunteerism and community service have long been a part of Ford's culture, and these efforts were formalized in 1997 with the creation of the 16-hour Community Service Program.