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Automotive News & Views Is Ford's End Right Behind Chrysler's?
180 messages, Last post on Nov 08, 2007 at 7:04 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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Replying to: jd10013 (Jul 16, 2007 6:56 am) The Fords have a different class of stock than mere mortal shareholders, but I think they could still be at risk. |
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| Just what did you do for Ford when you worked for them? I sure hope it was not Consumer Relations or Brand Recognition. Did they fire you or something? Usually the only people I see that down talk a company so bad is some one who was let go. | |
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Of working "On the floor" for almost 2 years, also as an Internet Sales Manager. This was right after GM started the 0% campaign, which set this "Fire Sale" mentality into motion, as Ford couldn't wait to try to top them. So the car became the afterthought, and how much will the dealer give away in profit became the point of the sale. Plus the Exploder/Tombstone Tire controversy always helped you hold "gross".  Ford has been rocketing into the crapper ever since my departure, so, if they did fire me, it would've been the umpteenth poor decision they've made over the last decade.  They need me back, just to slow the bleeding! Not that I'd go, but a little groveling never hurt anybody.  DrFill
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Replying to: drfill (Sep 28, 2007 2:14 pm) The only dealers who did not do well during the 0% and Family Plan sales events were those who handled them improperly. We had record months during each event and our profits were strong. It was just a matter of playing the hand dealt to you and concentrating on the departments it strengthened, F&I and UC. It also allowed us to have record used car months the months following the events because of all the trades we took in. It looks to me as though you parted company with a dealer under less then favorable terms and are on a vendetta to bash FMC, allot of your info is less then accurate i.e, the 6 cyl engine, the Mustang going away, F-Series trucks loosing leadership, etc. As I have told other folks here at Edmonds, if Ford was riding the train to BK I doubt seriously my DP would be spending $15,000,000 right now in order to build one of the largest Ford Dealerships in our state. He would probably stay at our current location which has been a Ford Dealer for over 60 years and ride out this forthcoming Doom and Gloom forcast you have predicted. I will just you to my "I told you so" list when we become one of the most succesfull auto makers in the world again.
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But you don't have to work in Dearborn to be a Ford employee. People who work for a dealer are Ford Employees.\ The dealers AWLAYS make a killing, through used cars, trades, and financing. The only one's who really don't get paid are the salesmen. They are used as dispensable pawns in the game. The dealer was not the problem. As a matter of fact, the Floor Manager was one of the best people I've ever worked with, in or outside of the business. And he practically begged me to stay, which is rare for a rather average salesman (He was an ex-pro football player, and we'd talk football, ad nausium).  I know what the problem was, and it wasn't the dealer. Anyone who's seen Ford's track record over the last decade doesn't need a super-computer to figure that out.  DrFill
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Replying to: drfill (Sep 29, 2007 4:58 pm) Nope, you were pretty much a dealership employee. Big difference. Sounds to me like you didn't like working for your dealership,and that has colored your views. Some dealers take care of their salespeople,some don't. I know some Ford salespeople that are making a good living,even today. |
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Your reading comprehension needs some work. Maybe your in Dearborn, running the ship? that may explain some things. I guess Ford is a pretty small company, with a couple of buildings in Dearborn. Who knew they were such small potatoes?  Oh, and I never got a check with the Ford emblem on it either. No. Didn't happen. DrFill
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Replying to: drfill (Oct 01, 2007 9:46 am) You worked for a DEALER. A DEALER is an independent company that is franchised by Ford to sell its products. You are like the clerk at 7-11 saying he works for Anheuser-Busch because he sells beer. There is nothing wrong with working for a deaelr, I've done it for 16 yrs. But, I know enough not to claim that I work for the motor company.
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Replying to: joel0622 (Sep 29, 2007 7:38 am) I'm not in the doom and gloom forecast for Ford...yet. It's not looking too good and the hill is steep.. Like GM I think they finally "get it". They now understand you have to take care of your home market before expanding overseas. The products at home have to be as good as what you are selling overseas. Now the issue is do they have enough money to fund this turnaround? Are there products good enough to grab more market share in a declining new car market where the competition is not just Honda and Toyota but also Hyundai, GM, Mitsubishi, Nissan, etc.? Can they make a profit on a car (sounds dumb but they haven't demonstrated that since the 1990's Taurus yet)? Can they build a fuel efficient car that doesn't rely on 40% sales to fleet and rental? It should be fun. The good part about it is the consumer benefits from improved products. |
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Replying to: volvomax (Oct 01, 2007 10:10 am) Ford was on my checks. Ford was in the dealer's name. They are one and the same. I had to take Certification from Ford to work there! Corporate drug testing policy. I represent Ford and the dealer! I have two bosses! What part of that don't you understand? The dealer is not independent of Ford. Everything they do has to be approved by Corporate! This is easy stuff!  This was not 1099 work. Come on. Wake up!  DrFill
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Automotive News & Views Is Ford's End Right Behind Chrysler's?
