Do we matter to Ford?

[Scott]

On the back of the thread about little or no input from Ford to these forums I thought I would start this thread to discuss Private New Car Sales and whether or not you think Ford has an interest in our business.

My perception is that AFF has close to 40,000 members with a distinct interest in the product and the vast majority of those are passionate and loyal supporters of the brand.

It was suggested in that thread that "we are a very little cog in a big wheel" being private buyers and due to that fact, "Ford don't give a flying about us".

Is that true? Is that what Ford think? Is that what AFF'ers think?

So, instead of bogging the other thread down I have started this thread to discuss the role of private buyers in the new car game, AFF's significance (or insignificance) to Ford and to find facts about how other brands interact with their loyal followers in an effort to sure up some fans and the flow on of more private sales.

I've got a bag full of opinions on this but I don't want to start the thread off with my bias so post away and tell us what you think.

ps - This is not a thread for unloading personal gripes, it is here to discuss our place in the FoMoCo machine, its future and its past.