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Originally Posted by uranium_death
I prefer to be realistic and realise that while Ford doesn't produce the greatest car in the world, bang-for-buck, it is an excellent vehicle....at least for the Falcon/G-Series.
But unfortunately, the reality of high petrol prices has turned people off large cars although they offer greater performance (probably irrelevant to many people) and safety than most other cars on the market.
So while you can improve the dealer network, improve advertising etc., it is a battle that may already be decided long before the first shot is fired.
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Understand where you are coming from with that, but these days Ford actually has a pretty strong and competitive range, so the loss of Falcon as a big seller, does not mean it has to be bad - provided everything else is equal.
Thats the problem, a dealer network that still thinks and acts like it is 1969 and they are "one of three choices you have mate", means they are basically heading the way of Nissan Australia.
The mystery is not how to fix Ford as many people have pointed here some very constructive and often mentioned points on what can be done.
The real mystery is why, year after year, Ford Australia fail to do what inevitably has to be done if they are to survive in Australia. It's not like they have a plan B that will work. Clinging on in hope that the next big thing will finally sell in anything more then average figures and usually well below average figures as time and the gloss goes off a once new car design, isn't exactly cutting it for them.
The FG is great. Hold off two years and they will practically give you one. It won't be just because of fuel prices either - thats just making the situation worse. Ford was on a slippery slope before it became fashionable for Ford to claim selling less cars was their goal (thanks Tom) or petrol was to blame for everything.
It's get their stuff together time or get out of town. No fixing an ad is going to do. Productivity improvements and decontenting cars can only squeeze so many extra dollars of profit out of a shrinking market.
A team of legal eagles who tear up employment and franshise contracts when the need is there - followed up by a highly motivated team to turn the brand image and experience around and set performance, quality and customer experience standards that are enforcable might.
Honestly what else can they do, if they hope to survive and grow in Australia.
The new President says if I sit in a FG and drive it, I will buy it. No. I want more then that. The people who give Ford a miss and buy other brands like Mazda, Toyota, VW and Subaru etc want and expect more then that.
Fords job is to start delivering what customers and potential customers want.
Daniel