Good lord is Ford stupid
05-21-2007, 10:12 AM
#32
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[QUOTE=BPUKiller,May 20 2007, 10:56 PM] Euro cars fetch a higher price so bring them here wont be the answer unless you want a $35K Focus.
05-21-2007, 10:16 AM
#33
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Originally Posted by rockville,May 21 2007, 10:35 AM
The new Mondeo is quite nice. I don't see it as a rip off of anything though it could be seen as taking ideas that have been used before (which car doesn't).
I also like the Edge, but its priced to high. In that price range I prefer the CX7/9 or the RDX. Bring the base price down $3k and I would like it a lot more. Its definately nice looking.
05-21-2007, 10:40 AM
#34
Originally Posted by GT_2003,May 20 2007, 06:38 PM
because they don't make squat on them? Seriously, who said Ford had to do EVERYTHING like some other company? Why don't you buy Honda or Toyota if you like their cars better? Nobody really cares. Detroit makes far more money on their trucks than they will ever make on their low-end cars, and that's the way they like it.
How many Toyotas can the market support? If everyone made a Toyota there would not be enough buyers to go around, and everyone would suffer. If you actually look at the market, not very many companies intentionally challenge the exact same niche. It just doesn't make any sense to compete for the same dollars with the same product. You always want to be putting a product on the market that has distinguishing features, be it power, space, price, or whatever. This isn't just restricted to cars and trucks. There is absolutely no point in going into business if all you aspire to is selling copies of your competitors for the same money.
I may not be "top-level management material," but I'm not the one suggesting Ford compete in a market where they don't stand to make any money. All the resources that they would need to devote to manufacturing and development for the low-margin small car segment would not return the kind of money that they need right now. I fail to see how someone can think that is a good idea - it reeks of ignorance. As far as Ford not making a decent family sedan, who else makes a full size RWD V8 sedan that starts at $25K? It sure as hell isn't Honda or Toyota.
How many Toyotas can the market support? If everyone made a Toyota there would not be enough buyers to go around, and everyone would suffer. If you actually look at the market, not very many companies intentionally challenge the exact same niche. It just doesn't make any sense to compete for the same dollars with the same product. You always want to be putting a product on the market that has distinguishing features, be it power, space, price, or whatever. This isn't just restricted to cars and trucks. There is absolutely no point in going into business if all you aspire to is selling copies of your competitors for the same money.
I may not be "top-level management material," but I'm not the one suggesting Ford compete in a market where they don't stand to make any money. All the resources that they would need to devote to manufacturing and development for the low-margin small car segment would not return the kind of money that they need right now. I fail to see how someone can think that is a good idea - it reeks of ignorance. As far as Ford not making a decent family sedan, who else makes a full size RWD V8 sedan that starts at $25K? It sure as hell isn't Honda or Toyota.
05-21-2007, 11:07 AM
#35
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ford's been selling cheap, junk in the U.S for years. why not? that is what the US market wants. cheap cars.
They can not do the same in europe. That is why they have a europe division. they know their junk will not sell there. Europe cars have there styling, handling, quality, etc.
different market, different cars. however, is funny how the europe fords are better. they car build good cars that can complete.
They can not do the same in europe. That is why they have a europe division. they know their junk will not sell there. Europe cars have there styling, handling, quality, etc.
different market, different cars. however, is funny how the europe fords are better. they car build good cars that can complete.
05-21-2007, 12:05 PM
#37
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Originally Posted by tenaciousFD,May 21 2007, 01:45 PM
The brochure touts things like "chrome trim for an upscale feel" and "horizontal style taillights".
God thats awsome. I am selling my S2000, I want upscale feel and my damn tail lights are too vertical.
05-21-2007, 12:08 PM
#38
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Originally Posted by vader1,May 21 2007, 10:12 AM
GT 2003, here is how I would counter your position:
Honda/Toyota = Making money, expanding.
Ford= Losing billions, swirling down the toilet bowl.
You say they don't need to go after the niches that Honda and Toyota do, but they are not "niches" they are bread and butter. The Escort used to be a top seller back in the 80's. Ford lost that battle with the Japanese. The Taurus was THE family car. Ford now lost that battle too. Lincoln was a near luxury brand leader, now its practically nothing compared to the Lexus, Infinity, Acura. Minivans are a mainstay of the american family. Ford gave up. Nobody is asking them to win every battle, but fighting back a little would be a good start. They surrender quicker than the French.
Honda/Toyota = Making money, expanding.
Ford= Losing billions, swirling down the toilet bowl.
You say they don't need to go after the niches that Honda and Toyota do, but they are not "niches" they are bread and butter. The Escort used to be a top seller back in the 80's. Ford lost that battle with the Japanese. The Taurus was THE family car. Ford now lost that battle too. Lincoln was a near luxury brand leader, now its practically nothing compared to the Lexus, Infinity, Acura. Minivans are a mainstay of the american family. Ford gave up. Nobody is asking them to win every battle, but fighting back a little would be a good start. They surrender quicker than the French.
Some of you conveniently fail to take into consideration the real reasons behind the problems of the Big Three. It was never a problem with sales. They sell fine. It's making enough money to offset the legacy labor costs. This has been discussed so many times I can't believe it needs to be stated again every time. Marketing a compact hatch in the US isn't going to do anything to alleviate their issues. It would only exacerbate them.
Again, I may not be "top-level management material" in your eyes, but I'm not the one suggesting a way out of financial trouble is spending huge sums of money on low-margin products. It's quite the other way in my mind. Wrap your head around the concept that what works for company A does not always work for company B, and emulating your competitors' products is not the way to maximize sales.
05-21-2007, 12:13 PM
#39
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by GT_2003,May 21 2007, 02:08 PM
Please use your upper-management skills to explain how spending more money on low-margin vehicles generates larger profits than the high-margin vehicles like trucks.
05-21-2007, 01:00 PM
#40
Originally Posted by GT_2003,May 21 2007, 12:08 PM
Marketing a compact hatch in the US isn't going to do anything to alleviate their issues. It would only exacerbate them.