Ford Australia; you're a disgrace

Lincolnlsv8 · 05-10-2013, 06:15 PM

Just been to the 4WD and caravan show at Sandown raceway and it was brilliant but very disappointed in Ford. If I wanted a Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Hyundi etc etc or even 2014 Dodge or Chevy trucks no problem but if you wanted to view Fords offerings either leave and go to a dealer or you could see a TJM modified Ranger, a V8 supercar mockup or a few Transits made into mobile homes. What goes on inside Ford Australia, their advertising of their vehicles is almost nonexistent and what is shown is second rate compared to other companies adverts and obviously they aren't into promoting their products at relevant events. To see (or in reality not see) Ford not even bothering was just so gut wrenching and what made it more so was the number of large van manufacturers that were only to willing to openly wish for the return of the F trucks due to the desires expressed to them by potential buyers of vans requiring vehicles with towing capacities of more than 4 or 5 tonnes.

Kayos · 05-10-2013, 06:30 PM

Why has Ford marketing become so disappointing?? **** me... thanks for the sad update..

Danny · 05-10-2013, 06:36 PM

You mean Ford didn't display their range of CARAVANS!!!!!???? PATHETIC FORD!!! DISGRACE!!!

EDManual · 05-10-2013, 08:07 PM

they are selling all the rangers they can get arent they? why waste money advertising for something they dont have?
Disgrace is much to harsher word...

jpblue1000 · 05-10-2013, 08:23 PM

Im willing to bet, despite opinion around here, that armed with previous experience of these sorts of shows that Ford doesnt sell or increase sales by attending, hence why the sales/marketing team spending very little on their presence. Tough times, spend your money efficiently. Just like the annual car shows, dying as they don't improve sales and cost too much

JP

SM1DY · 05-10-2013, 08:33 PM

That yawn I just did made me dizzy

BadMax · 05-10-2013, 08:35 PM

So you went to a caravan show to buy a car? Now that's novel. I might go to McDonalds to order a pizza...

STINKY NINJA · 05-10-2013, 08:53 PM

Doesnt maccas do fish and chips too

AndyXR6T · 05-10-2013, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STINKY NINJA

Doesnt maccas do fish and chips too

Fillet O'fish and chips

FGII-XR6 · 05-10-2013, 09:15 PM

Are you serious? the can't get enough rangers to fill orders as it is so you expect them to throw many at a show that won't increase the bottom line?
if you want a ranger go to a dealer lay your money down and wait till they can fill your order , don't expect it tomorrow.
Ford are trying to make a profit not to promote a vehicle they can't get enough of.
the disgrace is the selfish attitude of demanding people at these shows who mostly aren't buyers but expect the world as some kind of god given right

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lincolnlsv8

Just been to the 4WD and caravan show at Sandown raceway and it was brilliant but very disappointed in Ford. If I wanted a Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Hyundi etc etc or even 2014 Dodge or Chevy trucks no problem but if you wanted to view Fords offerings either leave and go to a dealer or you could see a TJM modified Ranger, a V8 supercar mockup or a few Transits made into mobile homes. What goes on inside Ford Australia, their advertising of their vehicles is almost nonexistent and what is shown is second rate compared to other companies adverts and obviously they aren't into promoting their products at relevant events. To see (or in reality not see) Ford not even bothering was just so gut wrenching and what made it more so was the number of large van manufacturers that were only to willing to openly wish for the return of the F trucks due to the desires expressed to them by potential buyers of vans requiring vehicles with towing capacities of more than 4 or 5 tonnes.

Dave_Obsession · 05-10-2013, 09:18 PM

dallasv8 · 05-10-2013, 09:27 PM

it comes back to the actual dealers in my opinion.its the dealers who need to get out there and show whats on offer.

Franco Cozzo · 05-10-2013, 09:27 PM

I was at Elmore Field Day on Wednesday and there was more current model Ford F series there from Melton Suzuki than there was Rangers.

They had all the brands who sell commercial vehicles there, Renault was there and even had a Megane RS and one ranger from Ford.

Out of curiosity did they have the new model Transit there? Because the current generation Transit is junk.

**SSD-85** · 05-10-2013, 09:39 PM

I understand the point the OP is trying to make.

It wouldn't have been an expensive exercise for Ford to show off a Ranger towing a van or something at the show (even a local dealer could've done it with some backing).

Public perception of the brand for "todays lifestyles" is critical for Ford to help eliminate the stigma of the "We only make useless sedans" image that Joe public currently has.

wrongwaynorris · 05-10-2013, 09:40 PM

And if Ford announced they were pulling out of touring car racing due to all the mickey mouse shows that attend ( and let me tell you having had to attend quite a few of these over the years they are just that ) there would be a Huon Cry from all unsundry here .

wrongwaynorris · 05-10-2013, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forevermore

I understand the point the OP is trying to make.

It wouldn't have been an expensive exercise for Ford to show off a Ranger towing a van or something at the show (even a local dealer could've done it with some backing).

Public perception of the brand for "todays lifestyles" is critical for Ford to help eliminate the stigma of the "We only make useless sedans" image that Joe public currently has.

When they can sell every Ranger they can get their hands on twice I think somehow the message has got through that they do more than make " Useless Sedans "

**SSD-85** · 05-10-2013, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrongwaynorris

When they can sell every Ranger they can get their hands on twice I think somehow the message has got through that they do more than make " Useless Sedans "

If the aim is to be dominant in the market sector, then they should be knocking the Hilux off its perch.

So I don't think the message has gotten through just yet....

wrongwaynorris · 05-10-2013, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forevermore

If the aim is to be dominant in the market sector, then they should be knocking the Hilux off its perch.

So I don't think the message has gotten through just yet....

So BHP Billitons recent order of 2500 was a figment of my imagination was it . Toyotas been there for 40 years , your'e never going to knock them off their perch in 5 minutes nor are they going to roll over and lay down . It is also going to be impossible to knock Toyota off their perch if you cant even supply the current demand in a timely fashion . So they would be keeping their powder dry until they can back up their claims . Rule number one of marketing dont go to market screaming until you have something to scream about . Not that I think for one nano second a mickey mouse camping show is where they will be spending their marketing dollars anyway . Hardy the route to market domination .

**SSD-85** · 05-10-2013, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrongwaynorris

So BHP Billitons recent order of 2500 was a figment of my imagination was it . Toyotas been there for 40 years , your'e never going to knock them off their perch in 5 minutes nor are they going to roll over and lay down . It is also going to be impossible to knock Toyota off their perch if you cant even supply the current demand in a timely fashion . So they would be keeping their powder dry until they can back up their claims . Not that I think for one nano second a mickey mouse camping show is where they will be spending their marketing dollars anyway . Hardy the route to market domination .

The same could've been said for Ford & its Falcon as little as 15 years ago. And how the mighty have fallen.

Besides, if any business had the attitude of seeing a show where its product can be seen by people as being irrelevant, then that is hardly the route to market domination...

Road_Warrior · 05-10-2013, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forevermore

I understand the point the OP is trying to make.

It wouldn't have been an expensive exercise for Ford to show off a Ranger towing a van or something at the show (even a local dealer could've done it with some backing).

Public perception of the brand for "todays lifestyles" is critical for Ford to help eliminate the stigma of the "We only make useless sedans" image that Joe public currently has.

Spot on. Although calling it a "disgrace" is laughable.

But getting brand exposure at lifestyle shows can only be a good thing, especially at a caravan show, because what do you need to tow a caravan with? A tow vehicle, something which Ford has quite a few of in it's stable that do the job very well...

Incidentally, at a baby and parenting expo here about 2 years ago Ford had a little display inside, with the Territory and Mondeo wagon there. It allowed people to have a stickybeak without the pushy dealership BS and had quite a bit of interest I might add...

mcnews · 05-10-2013, 10:43 PM

The keyword in this is branding.... No matter if you can't buy one right now things like this are all about branding. And the failures here highlight why the Ford brand is in the shape it is right now. Branding is long term vision and brand building etc.

FGII-XR6 · 05-10-2013, 10:55 PM

It would be a bad PR exercise if they put the rangers on display and were selling them up but then have to say you can have one sometime next year if you are lucky. they are servicing the current market and the waiting list isn't shrinking so people know what they are and how good they are. the number one priority for Ford is trying to up supply levels not pandering to 30 000 whinging non buyers at a caravan show.

wrongwaynorris · 05-10-2013, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcnews

The keyword in this is branding.... No matter if you can't buy one right now things like this are all about branding. And the failures here highlight why the Ford brand is in the shape it is right now. Branding is long term vision and brand building etc.

Henry Ford invented mass produced motorcars that the general populace could afford for the first time ever . Ford Motor Company have been in continuous business for 110 years , are without any shadow of a doubt the most succesful automotive manufacturer in world motorsport , have held a world land speed record , 4 le Mans victories in a row , 176 Formula One victories , made the most succesful car in world motorsport history and are one of the top 5 recognisable brands in the world et al et al et al , I think somehow they may just have a modicum of exposure . Missing a few mickey mouse shows in a market that is 2% of their worldwide sales where they cant even capitalise on the exposure is hardly going to bring the whole house of cards down .

jstanovic · 05-10-2013, 10:57 PM

Do Maccas and Coke need to advertise? No.

Do they still spend shitloads on advertising? Yes.

Gotta keep the name out there in peoples faces so they don't forget.

wrongwaynorris · 05-10-2013, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstanovic

Do Maccas and Coke need to advertise? No.

Do they still spend shitloads on advertising? Yes.

Gotta keep the name out there in peoples faces so they don't forget.

No one is suggesting they stop ALL marketing activities just the pointless ones .

mcnews · 05-10-2013, 11:08 PM

The OP didn't think it was pointless....?

wrongwaynorris · 05-10-2013, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcnews

The OP didn't think it was pointless....?

And he went there today with the intention of buying a tow vehicle did he or was he like the other 30,000 people out of the 30,000 who went with zero intention of buying a vehicle based soley of a manufacturers presence at a caravan show .

Why don't MCN have a stand at every motorcycle themed show in Australia ?

Nikked · 05-10-2013, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lincolnlsv8

Just been to the 4WD and caravan show at Sandown raceway and it was brilliant but very disappointed in Ford. If I wanted a Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Hyundi etc etc or even 2014 Dodge or Chevy.

Where is the hate for all the other brands sold in Australia that weren't at the show?

Pathetic ford haters...

Express · 05-10-2013, 11:48 PM

Maybe some of the members who are involved in Marketing as a profession could chime in and give their take on this issue.

I’ve just spent 6 weeks in Canada and the USA and Ford are currently saturating television with ads all over North America.

I thought at one stage if I saw another ad for an F truck I’d scream.

They have 2 themes running at present.

No deposits, no interest loans for 60 months, no first month payments, trade-in bonuses, cash bonuses for taking on Ford finance and warranties that last until hell freezes over.

The other is family history of buying Ford cars and trucks.
Grandfathers, fathers, sons and daughters where actors (or I guess they’re actors) are telling you they’re on to their 20th Ford vehicle and they’d never consider buying anything but a Ford.

It’s a very different scenario over there.

Obviously they don’t need to advertise in that fashion here.

.

**PG2** · 06-10-2013, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Express

Maybe some of the members who are involved in Marketing as a profession could chime in and give their take on this issue.

.

It is generally the local dealer that will attend these type of shows.

I have actually represented Ford at these shows (and other similar expos for that matter).

To advertise at these type of shows is not cheap. It has been a few years since I have been to one but I remember as a dealer manager it put a big hole in my budget - that was even with a Ford subsidy. On top of the initial fee you also have to pay several people (normally sales people who are not happy being off the sales floor and missing out on potential sales) to set up and man the stand during the show. On top of that you have to have advertising material such as pamphlets to hand out which are at a great cost. This is not a problem in itself but it is a little frustrating when at the end of the day you walk out to the car park and you see a lot of your advertising material on the ground trodden on.

The problem with these types of shows is that there is no way of directly monitoring the success of them in terms of increasing sales.

Just remember that there is a lot of vehicle manufacturers (not just Ford) that want to pull out of the Sydney Motor Show and that is aimed at the motor industry.