Boeing has announced they will step-up the production of the Dreamliner, despite the possible dangers of the lithium-ion battery.
According to USA Today, the company said, "problems with the lithium-ion batteries on the plane haven't changed their plans to step up production of the sophisticated jetliner."
It is this move that casts Boeing as a company that doesn't caring about the issue at hand, but CEO Jim McNerney doesn't see it that way.
"The company is working with investigators at the National Transportation Safety Board, their Japanese counterparts and the Federal Aviation Administration to find the problem that caused battery fires on two planes earlier this month. McNerney said Boeing experts and investigators are working around the clock. We will get to the bottom of this and in so doing, we will restore confidence in the 787 and Boeing," McNerney said during a conference call, according to USA Today.
Fearful of what he would say if pushed, McNerney declined to answer a question about what the company would do, if investigators find that the battery and/or electrical system needs to be replaced.
It is clear that Boeing hasn't lost their faith in the battery.
"Nothing we've learned has told us yet that we have made the wrong choice on the battery technology. We feel good about the battery technology and its fit for the airplane," McNerney adamantly declared, according to USA Today.
Adding, "There has been no incident that we are aware of where our battery has been replaced due to any kind of safety concerns," said McNerney, who calls the rate of Dreamliner replacements "slightly higher" than expected, according to USA Today.
Financially, Boeing, according to Chief Financial Officer, Gary Smith, "The investigation hasn't yet affected the company's finances significantly."
According to The Associated Press, "In Boeing's fourth quarter earnings report, the company said it earned $1.28 per share vs. Wall Street estimates of $1.19 a share on revenues of $22.4 billion. Excluding pension-related costs, Boeing's profits were up 9% in the fourth quarter vs. the same period a year ago. Revenues hit a record $81.7 billion for the year.
"Strong fourth-quarter operating performance capped a year of significant growth and solid execution, driving higher earnings and cash flow for our company," said, McNerney, according to USA Today.
Shares of Chicago-based Boeing Co. rose 88 cents to $74.53 in morning trading. They've dropped about 4 percent since the battery fire on the plane in Boston, according to The Associated Press
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