hades
07-03-2008, 09:28 PM
I found this article in the internet while looking for some car stuff. I hope you'll also find it interesting.
"DETROIT -- How do you bring a new full-sized pickup to market with $4-a-gallon gas?
That's the challenge facing leaders of Ford Motor Co. as they launch the company's best-selling product -- the iconic F-150 -- as the market moves faster than ever away from large trucks toward affordable, fuel-efficient cars.
The automaker already has made some big decisions designed to bring Ford trucks back to their Built-Ford-Tough roots. Instead of kicking off the launch of the all-new 2009 F-150 with luxurious four-door models, Ford instead will launch the truck with the two-door models that always have been more popular among contractors, farmers and fleet customers.
What's more, Ford also plans to focus most of its future marketing efforts on customers who buy a truck for work instead of pleasure or everyday driving -- a big shift from the past when Ford was focused on selling Harley-Davidson-accessorized and King Ranch SuperCrew truck models, which come with four regular doors, as luxurious substitutes for cars.
"The core truck buyer is who we're going to focus on," said Mike Crowley, Ford's group marketing plans manager for trucks and SUVs. "Those who want a truck, and need a truck, will make compromises to buy it."
Of course, the F-150 won't be the only pickup vying for their attention. The Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Dodge Ram and Toyota Tundra also will be competing for the shrinking pool of truck buyers.
But with an all-new version of the F-150, Ford still says it has a winner, despite the tough market."
Read the rest of the article here (http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008807020316).
To get updates from the automotive industry, visit the Autopartswarehouse (http://autopartswarehouse.multiply.com) blog.
"DETROIT -- How do you bring a new full-sized pickup to market with $4-a-gallon gas?
That's the challenge facing leaders of Ford Motor Co. as they launch the company's best-selling product -- the iconic F-150 -- as the market moves faster than ever away from large trucks toward affordable, fuel-efficient cars.
The automaker already has made some big decisions designed to bring Ford trucks back to their Built-Ford-Tough roots. Instead of kicking off the launch of the all-new 2009 F-150 with luxurious four-door models, Ford instead will launch the truck with the two-door models that always have been more popular among contractors, farmers and fleet customers.
What's more, Ford also plans to focus most of its future marketing efforts on customers who buy a truck for work instead of pleasure or everyday driving -- a big shift from the past when Ford was focused on selling Harley-Davidson-accessorized and King Ranch SuperCrew truck models, which come with four regular doors, as luxurious substitutes for cars.
"The core truck buyer is who we're going to focus on," said Mike Crowley, Ford's group marketing plans manager for trucks and SUVs. "Those who want a truck, and need a truck, will make compromises to buy it."
Of course, the F-150 won't be the only pickup vying for their attention. The Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Dodge Ram and Toyota Tundra also will be competing for the shrinking pool of truck buyers.
But with an all-new version of the F-150, Ford still says it has a winner, despite the tough market."
Read the rest of the article here (http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008807020316).
To get updates from the automotive industry, visit the Autopartswarehouse (http://autopartswarehouse.multiply.com) blog.