Day 32: The Death of Roxy
Since we are in Roxy’s homeland, aka Ford Country, it only made sense to visit our pal Scott Monty and the rest of the crew at the Ford World Headquarters. While I plan on writing about the entire visit, I feel the need to first share with you the most disturbing moment of our trip to date. Keep in mind that this moment beats out Chris and my almost breakup, Dutch the Horny Dog, and the nose-breathing coffee house stalker.
Scene: Scott Monty’s Office, Ford World Headquarters, late morning. Scott is furiously hacking away at his Blackberry as Chris scans a nearby magazine.
Jaime: So, Scott… what happens to media fleet cars like Roxy after they’ve, you know, jumped the shark?
Scott: (completely serious) Well, typically after they’ve served their time, they are taken away and destroyed. (note: he actually used the word “destroyed.”)
Jaime: You don’t give them a makeover and resell them? Or at least turn them into rental cars?
Scott: Na, when they’re done, they’re done. It’s not like there’s a pound for media fleet cars. We usually dismantle them and reuse the parts.
Later, at the Ford Rouge Plant, I saw a map that laid out the locations of the various operations. My eyes zeroed in on one building that is simply called, “Tool & Die.” While someone might try to tell you that the Tool and Die building is where machinery can be fixed or altered, I’m here to say that they are flat out lying. Tool and Die is the place where media fleet cars go to be slaughtered and turned into automotive hot dogs.
It’s no secret that we love Roxy in a deeply personal way that is almost a little embarrassing. Okay, a lot embarrassing. So the idea of her not going to Media Fleet Heaven hurts my heart. I am working on a plot to save her from this fate, but I don’t know how to do it without doing something illegal or involving circus midgets. So I’ll have to keep thinking.
Tags: #forddrive, day 32 detroit road trip, detroit wedding road trip, ford rouge plant dearborn michigan, scott monty ford motor company
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Destroying the car isn’t exactly “Green”!
True- though Ford recycles 85% of their cars for parts. I think he meant that she was going to be gutted because she is not a full production car- meaning she still needs some finishes etc.
We can’t legally allow our media fleet to be used as a passenger car - they’re typically pre-production models that aren’t final versions of what we’re authorized to sell. We make use of the parts that are recyclable - as Jaime said, that’s about 85% of the car (far more than the amount of plastic bottles, aluminum or newsprint).
I know it’s sad for Roxy, but it means that more cars like Roxy can be made based on the usefulness of Roxy (and cars like her). Based on everything we’re seeing from Jaime & Chris, Roxy is doing more than her fair share of helping people learn about Ford.
Cool - didn’t realize Roxy was a pre-production model! Sweet looking car, btw… and this is coming from a die-hard Audi driver!
Scott- It was my understanding when I was researching for my article http://missmotormouth.com/2008/11/21/crushing-blows-ev1-is-behind-us-so-who-is-crushing-cars-now/ that parts were not allowed to be reused.
Can’t you “donate” the car to Chris & Jaime at the end? You’re not authorized to sell but what if you gave it away… or it disappeared.
85% is not 100%!
@Janet - it’s not that we can’t sell them; it’s that they’re not legally allowed to be on the road after they’ve served their purpose as media fleet vehicles. They aren’t in compliance with production specifications. We’ll see what kind of a deal we can reach with Jaime & Chris on another Ford.
@MissMotorMouth - I said “recycled,” not “reused.” This means if the metal portions are salvaged, they can be reconstituted and put into another mold - not that the actual pieces will be dismantled and then reassembled onto another car.