another brilliant decision

[4vxc]

Ford just don't seem to care at all for any existing or potential buyers/supporters

http://www.news.com.au/technology/in...-1227289445661

[2011G6E]

They stopped caring when they decided to price the Mustang at a base price that will ensure it sells in tiny numbers and eventually gets dropped from the lineup for slow sales, while management scratches their heads and wonders why...the public is well aware they're a low-twenties car in the states for the base models...

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

They stopped caring when they decided to price the Mustang at a base price that will ensure it sells in tiny numbers and eventually gets dropped from the lineup for slow sales, while management scratches their heads and wonders why...the public is well aware they're a low-twenties car in the states for the base models...

Ha,ha.

[chookaradley]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

They stopped caring when they decided to price the Mustang at a base price that will ensure it sells in tiny numbers and eventually gets dropped from the lineup for slow sales, while management scratches their heads and wonders why...the public is well aware they're a low-twenties car in the states for the base models...

Originally Posted by 351gtw

The question should be. What does Falcon do better than Captiva?

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

That applies only to new cars :-)

Firstly I'm pretty sure they will sell as many as they can get, at least initially.
Secondly you don't honestly expect the car to be high twenties considering the spec we get?. I thought sub 45k was pretty fair as a starter for the Ecoboost

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by 4vxc

Ford just don't seem to care at all for any existing or potential buyers/supporters

http://www.news.com.au/technology/in...-1227289445661

Makes sense to me.

[Eaturbo]

I think it's a bit harsh saying ford doesn't care. If they sent a car to every car club who was doing a show than they would go broke. It's like any business, you have a budget for advertising and also company guidelines and policies to follow. I think ford knows that supply is going to be limited and trying to promote the car too much would only be a waste of money. Maybe they should have showed some support but obviously they weren't able too and that's that. It's not the first time Ford has let down its supporters but I am sure Holden has been guilty of the same thing as well.

[4vxc]

thing is for those Mustang guys it's not a car show it's the 2015 Mustang Nationals
perfect place to show off the new Mustang
Its not like a new Camry coming to the market

[DFB FGXR6]

Another quality Ford bashing article by Mr Dowling

[ingles]

Seriously dude? Aussie Mustang nationals, iconic car and 50th anniversary,new model out which will be sold in Australia,Ford dont send even one vehicle there,and you think the biggest issue is the journalist who wrote the article?
You really dont think that Ford have been given a gold plated oppurtunity, and have completely shanked said oppurtunity? I , along with a few others by the sounds of it, reckon Ford have lost a golden marketing oppurtunity -AGAIN. Are they really that out of touch with their market....?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by ingles

Seriously dude? Aussie Mustang nationals, iconic car and 50th anniversary,new model out which will be sold in Australia,Ford dont send even one vehicle there,and you think the biggest issue is the journalist who wrote the article?
You really dont think that Ford have been given a gold plated oppurtunity, and have completely shanked said oppurtunity? I , along with a few others by the sounds of it, reckon Ford have lost a golden marketing oppurtunity -AGAIN. Are they really that out of touch with their market....?

I agree with what you are saying and yes it is another case of Ford failing to connect with its faithful buyers and potential new customers.

My comment was with regard to that journalist who take every single opportunity contribute to the decline of the Ford brand in the Australian market.

[cycle myth]

I'm not sure that putting a new Mustang on display would have made anyone there more aware about the car......

I don't think Ford have even started right hand drive production yet.

The article makes you question more about the motivations of the journalist and the organiser.....

[Express]

Mustang is a new launch (or maybe I should say a born again) product for the Australian market and some well managed product placement wouldn’t hurt.

Here a Mustang, there a Mustang, everywhere a Mustang to imprint it on the Aussie brain.

Regardless of the reason put forward for not publicly supporting what enthusiast’s regard as the biggest Mustang show of the year, it is much more than an opportunity lost, any first year student in the art of PR would have advised Ford such a decision could only for the most breed negative emotions towards management.

I guess it’s the old adage of why bother, the rusted ons will continue to support us no matter how we treat them.

When it comes to Ford’s marketing strategies I’m like Led Zeppelin, “it makes me wonder”.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by cycle myth

I'm not sure that putting a new Mustang on display would have made anyone there more aware about the car......

I don't think Ford have even started right hand drive production yet.

The article makes you question more about the motivations of the journalist and the organiser.....

By that logic, the global launch which included Australia was a waste of time and the media reporting it had other motivations for even bothering to mention it.

[BIONIC MAN]

The guy in the article said that a number of his mustang buddies have already put orders in for the new stang...
Ford is just waiting for next year ..and those guys can do the advertising with their new cars, and ford has to do nothing!

[MITCHAY]

You have one of if not the biggest Mustang markets in Australia. I thought it would be a given that Ford have sent the new one to the meet.

Nothing like being able to look and see in the flesh before putting down a deposit. I wouldn't throw down on a car without ever seeing it. If they got even one extra sale from that it would be way worth it.

[in_xcess]

Marketing 101 - when you have the market all in one place at one time (and you didn't spend any $ organizing it) you jump at the chance to show off your product.

"we'll be there in spirit..." omg is that for real? For so many drivers, Falcons, Mustangs etc. epitomize 'spirit' - pretty sure the word has even been used in past successful marketing campaigns for the brand... FoMoCo Australia need a serious lesson in marketing, communications, outreach and public relations. But they're not listening so back to the footy for me. Oh look, a Holden logo behind Nathan Buckley.

[JC]

If all the upset Ford mustang fans want to get rid of their mustangs, I'm sure there'd be plenty of people waiting to catch a bargain (you know, 'cos Ford are so evil and all that....)

[Raptor]

Ford and Marketing being used in the same sentence

You guys crack me up





.

[1TUFFUTE]

“Our global approach is that car clubs are self sustaining, in general we don’t have a regular role with the clubs,” said Mr Sherwood. “That’s no different to what we do anywhere in the world.”

I wonder if Toyota took its Gt86 to the Australia drift champs. Or Holden took the captiva to Aussie schools soccer champs. Maybe merc would love to be involved with v8supercars......ahhhhh they aernt. Anybody think about the difference between the Sydney launch spectacular and this mustang meet. I get that it's Australia's biggest mustang meet....but they have to draw the line somewhere!


What's so hard to understand about this? I get it. And what's with the club owner suggesting that ford thinks mustang enthusiasts can't afford a new mustang really?

Whole topic is lame at best, plus our good mate wrote it. Say no more!

[Express]

Holden takes their new Utes to the Deni Ute Muster to get them out amongst the faithful.

Mercedes isn’t interested in V8 Supercars nor are many of their customers, they do sponsor Fashion shows and have their cars at places like the F1 where their potential customers congregate.

Toyota are spearheading the 2016 commencement of the Toyota 86 Pro-Am Series where amateur drivers will compete against professionals and they also offer acknowledgement and support through their official Australian website to Beau Yates as he contests the Australian Drifting Grand Prix in an 86.

Not showing the new Mustang at the biggest gathering of Mustangs for the year is not important, accepting an invitation from the faithful is.

Plus it would have offered a peek to the car lovers in general that would have shown up for the day.

Spin it whichever way you like, it would have been a small hit to the marketing budget to make it happen and even if ford are looking to broaden their customer base outside of their traditional core supporters, it’s no reason to alienate them by giving the appearance they are not important to the company.

A lot is said about Ford’s poor customer connection and this type of non participation does nothing but reinforces that.

[zilo]

$50k ++ ??

I won't be buying one.

[XR Martin]

Would of cost bugger all to do. All they needed to do was to find a car trailer, a Ranger and an employee able to work the weekend.
Total cost to Ford would be overtime wages for the employee, motel room, and fuel.

Im sure the lunches and coffee at HQ cost more everyday.

[Falcon Coupe]

So we are knocking Ford for not paying to preach to the converted?

Perhaps said display models were booked in elsewhere. I'm not buying into another manufactured "news story" by Joshua Dowling.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

So we are knocking Ford for not paying to preach to the converted?
.

So looking after your client base is a cost best worth avoiding. I know there are many Ford dealers who agree with you.

Funny thing is, I see not investing in your customers and biggest word of mouth marketers as an actual problem.

[Ford17]

Sounds like a storm in a teacup, and people being a tad over-sensitive.

[Matty4]

Marketing and advertising of any product should be aimed at those who don't know about the product. Those guys and girls at the nationals would already know everything there is to know about it, and have looked at every available image of it online. What would Ford hope to achieve in that small market?

[devilcv8]

Originally Posted by Matty4

Marketing and advertising of any product should be aimed at those who don't know about the product. Those guys and girls at the nationals would already know everything there is to know about it, and have looked at every available image of it online. What would Ford hope to achieve in that small market?

Are you trying to say that everyone who goes to the nationals know all about the mustang? Fair enough then entrants, but what about the people that go to look at a bunch of nice old cars that are not mustang fans. They may not know about the new one.

[in_xcess]

Originally Posted by Matty4

Marketing and advertising of any product should be aimed at those who don't know about the product. Those guys and girls at the nationals would already know everything there is to know about it, and have looked at every available image of it online. What would Ford hope to achieve in that small market?

This logic would see Coke NEVER needing to advertise ever again.

Basic marketing is first about a basic brand strategy, followed by brand reinforcement resulting in an overall brand recognition (and then a residual effect is brand loyalty).

Apple have people camping out overnight awaiting the release of a new product... Why? Simply because they have established the brand and now beyond that have brand loyalty! Could you imagine if people camped out the night before the Mustangs release to be the first to test drive or whatever... seems ludicrous but it's possible - if Ford had a basic brand strategy, but they don't because they're too dumb to even take a Mustang to a club meet to get the hype going.

Most products that people get excited about are ***** but through effective marketing we attach ourselves to said product. We wear the logo across our chest - simply showing a new car at an event, giving kids the poster, selling tshirts and taking email addresses is core PR that then spills into media coverage and gets the hype going. You preach to the converted as the converted are your best advertising tool in return.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by in_xcess

This logic would see Coke NEVER needing to advertise ever again.

Basic marketing is first about a basic brand strategy, followed by brand reinforcement resulting in an overall brand recognition (and then a residual effect is brand loyalty).

Apple have people camping out overnight awaiting the release of a new product... Why? Simply because they have established the brand and now beyond that have brand loyalty! Could you imagine if people camped out the night before the Mustangs release to be the first to test drive or whatever... seems ludicrous but it's possible - if Ford had a basic brand strategy, but they don't because they're too dumb to even take a Mustang to a club meet to get the hype going.

Most products that people get excited about are ***** but through effective marketing we attach ourselves to said product. We wear the logo across our chest - simply showing a new car at an event, giving kids the poster, selling tshirts and taking email addresses is core PR that then spills into media coverage and gets the hype going. You preach to the converted as the converted are your best advertising tool in return.

Really good comment, especially the last paragraph. For example, the Sandman launch was near us so took young one along - he got a free poster, free sticker, got to sit in the cars, see new and old Sandmans; I got to do same and talk to organisers/staff and give my feedback on the concept. It seemed family friendly which I suppose is their target market. Young one is a huge Mustang fan too, and goes nuts every time a recent Mustang is seen on the road, asking "Is that the new one?" To be able to see one at a show (and get a poster!) would be pretty special in anyone's formative years. Other than that, there's this palpable sense of excitement that Mustang is coming - that took 50 years of production to form, some incredible halo cars, losing their way and coming back to greatness - that PR just can't buy. Why not stoke the fire along as you go?

There will certainly be other opportunities to show the new car.

[CyberWasp]

OK OK give me a few dollars for fuel and I will drive the Mustang to the event for Ford, free of charge, and even return it later......well maybe.