ford down 21% september sales
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Running Springs CA
These news reports need to clearly break out retail vs fleet sales. That makes a big difference in the auto industry. I'm glad Ford has stopped dumping excess capacity into rental fleets. All that does is kill resale value of your brand and ultimately retail sales and leases, which depend on high residuals to get the payment low. Chrysler is still in the most trouble because of that. Something like 2/3 of Sebrings go to fleets. Of course GM has the Malibu/G6 "rental queens".
Jim
Jim
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Hewitt, Minnesota
Originally Posted by 62_Galaxie_500
So what exactly would you like to see for options?
I'm just curious is all...
I'm just curious is all...
And should I decide that I want A/C or 4X4 or whatever, I should be able to do so without having to buy a whole bunch of other crap. This "package" deal is worse then cable TV.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 231
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From: Merrill, WI
Originally Posted by Old Rust Bucket
I don't want to see ANY options. That is why they call it "base"
And should I decide that I want A/C or 4X4 or whatever, I should be able to do so without having to buy a whole bunch of other crap. This "package" deal is worse then cable TV.
And should I decide that I want A/C or 4X4 or whatever, I should be able to do so without having to buy a whole bunch of other crap. This "package" deal is worse then cable TV.
I should have worded my question better.
So I take it you would like to see a rubber floor instead of carpet and maybe a bench seat? Too bad you're not a fleet customer, the police package Expeditions and Explorers have rubber floors.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 482
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From: Colorado
Ok her is 2 cents worth, 27K for a new ranger extended cab 4x4, I agree a base model would help, until then when it comes time for a new ranger I will buy a 3 year old truck with 50K miles for $15,000 or so.
Base model- AC, cruse and manual trans and manual hubs, NO power windows, no power locks, no poer seats no butt warmers or coolers. I want a TRUCK
Base model- AC, cruse and manual trans and manual hubs, NO power windows, no power locks, no poer seats no butt warmers or coolers. I want a TRUCK
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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From what I gather, the F-100 will replace the sport-trac and the ranger and will be a mid size to compete against the colorodo, dakota, taco and so on.
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decadent and depraved
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,703
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From: Right Behind You
Originally Posted by rellik74
Base model- AC, cruse and manual trans and manual hubs, NO power windows, no power locks, no poer seats no butt warmers or coolers. I want a TRUCK
Tim
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,511
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by Old Rust Bucket
Actauly... If Ford just started out with a a BASE Model truck then added each option ONE AT A TIME then everyone would be happy.
The imports started and perfected the packages. At one time several years ago, a dealer could stock every Honda Accord available with 18 cars. There were 3 different levels of equipment and each were available in three colors and straight drive or automatic. All AC units were dealer installed.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Running Springs CA
And hopefully the "imports" will prove that it is possible to go the other way and get exactly what you want. The Scion brand is built on that business model. I hope they succeed with it. Base vehicles come out of the main factory all the same and options are added, to customer order, at a regional center. You get it in a few days, not weeks like a traditional special order, and the dealer cannot play games with dealer-installed options.
It makes no sense to me that before computer inventory tracking, ordering and production control it was easier to build many more variations than it is today. In the 1960's, how many different exterior and interior color combinations, and how many different engines and transmissions could you get in a Galaxie, for example? Yes, dealers still stocked "popular" combinations for immediate delivery, but you could order anything you wanted.
Jim
It makes no sense to me that before computer inventory tracking, ordering and production control it was easier to build many more variations than it is today. In the 1960's, how many different exterior and interior color combinations, and how many different engines and transmissions could you get in a Galaxie, for example? Yes, dealers still stocked "popular" combinations for immediate delivery, but you could order anything you wanted.
Jim
decadent and depraved
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Right Behind You
Originally Posted by jimandmandy
It makes no sense to me that before computer inventory tracking, ordering and production control it was easier to build many more variations than it is today.
Jim
Tim
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,511
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by jimandmandy
And hopefully the "imports" will prove that it is possible to go the other way and get exactly what you want. The Scion brand is built on that business model. I hope they succeed with it. Base vehicles come out of the main factory all the same and options are added, to customer order, at a regional center.
Jim
Jim
Last edited by osbornk; Oct 5, 2007 at 12:46 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
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From: Running Springs CA
Chevrolet passenger car production peaked in 1965. I dont know about Ford or Plymouth, but I imagine it is a similar story. Cars cost a lot more now and last, on average, a lot longer so the production numbers have actually dropped. Oops, Plymouth is zero now. Import brands also dilute the big 2.5's numbers today compared with the 1960's when only VW's were sold in any significant numbers, and that was still relatively small.
In 1965 my father had a choice of something like 15 exterior colors, five interior colors, vinyl or cloth in three trim levels, seven body styles, four transmissions and six engines plus an array of optional equipment. And that was for the full-size Chevy alone, not counting Corvair, Chevy II, Chevelle and Corvette.
Jim
In 1965 my father had a choice of something like 15 exterior colors, five interior colors, vinyl or cloth in three trim levels, seven body styles, four transmissions and six engines plus an array of optional equipment. And that was for the full-size Chevy alone, not counting Corvair, Chevy II, Chevelle and Corvette.
Jim