Ken
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Ken
Being the administrator here don't you agree that instead of the "big 3" and its competitors blowing millions on their PR introduction campaigns they should instead focus on getting the trucks out to the public as quickly as possible and use these saved monies to lower their respective truck prices? Advertising gets the word out so to speak but isn't this other tertiary stuff like playing “hide and seek” childish in nature? If ford is having a PR display for press only why not let everyone into it and let the facts speak for themselves? Heck, looks like Dodge is doing just that by releasing pics way before the Ram's launch date. Let the buyer determine what’s good and what isn’t, not the press. I think if I were heading up Ford I'd be looking over my shoulders at the competitions products instead of orchestrating some PR "show and tell" show.
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I'm not Ken but here's my answer.
Besides the fact Ford doesn't want the competition to know what they are up to with new models they have production dates set for these new models.
If they come out too soon with pictures or news about new models people will wait for the new model to come out to purchase one. That leaves the current model stuck on dealer lots or storage lots. The factory and it's workers won't need to produce the current model in large numbers. Making the factory unprofitable and it's workers laid off.
And besides all that if they didn't wait until January to debut them Who Would Come To Detroit for the auto show
Besides the fact Ford doesn't want the competition to know what they are up to with new models they have production dates set for these new models.
If they come out too soon with pictures or news about new models people will wait for the new model to come out to purchase one. That leaves the current model stuck on dealer lots or storage lots. The factory and it's workers won't need to produce the current model in large numbers. Making the factory unprofitable and it's workers laid off.
And besides all that if they didn't wait until January to debut them Who Would Come To Detroit for the auto show
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I see your point but WHY even have an F-150 08' line? Just step up the new model's research/production and get the new units and its respective new technology out on the lots for the consumer to buy?
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by ArtsBest
I see your point but WHY even have an F-150 08' line? Just step up the new model's research/production and get the new units and its respective new technology out on the lots for the consumer to buy?
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Its not so simple. In addition to the above...
Giving your competitors sneak previews of your products can be costly, very costly. You want to know how important every day of time is? When the 2004 F150 was shown for the first time at the Detroit Auto Show there were engineers at the reveal from Japanese auto-makers crawling over that thing with a fine tooth comb. Measuring, taking photos, etc. I can guarantee they were working on their follow-ups within a day. Every day can equate to millions of dollars.
As to plants, its extremely costly to retool a plant for a new model. It results in lots of down-time. That's why there was a 2004 "Heritage" Edition (and with the 1997 model, the F250 retained the old body style). Each plant was shut down in succession and retooled instead of all at one. When the retooling was done... no more "Heritage" edition.
Dodge is in a completely different situation from Ford. They aren't the market leader with the biggest market share. They have nothing to lose.
Giving your competitors sneak previews of your products can be costly, very costly. You want to know how important every day of time is? When the 2004 F150 was shown for the first time at the Detroit Auto Show there were engineers at the reveal from Japanese auto-makers crawling over that thing with a fine tooth comb. Measuring, taking photos, etc. I can guarantee they were working on their follow-ups within a day. Every day can equate to millions of dollars.
As to plants, its extremely costly to retool a plant for a new model. It results in lots of down-time. That's why there was a 2004 "Heritage" Edition (and with the 1997 model, the F250 retained the old body style). Each plant was shut down in succession and retooled instead of all at one. When the retooling was done... no more "Heritage" edition.
Dodge is in a completely different situation from Ford. They aren't the market leader with the biggest market share. They have nothing to lose.
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From: Enjoying the real world.
Originally Posted by ArtsBest
If ford is having a PR display for press only why not let everyone into it and let the facts speak for themselves?
It also seems that the Dodge truck photo may have been a major screw-up by someone at Dodge. It was on a Dodge owned site that wasn't (yet) supposed to be public. Someone found it, and the photo. The site has since been taken down. Can you say "oooppppssss!"
Last edited by FTE Ken; Dec 10, 2007 at 09:20 PM.
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Yeah, who ever put that pic on the website really screwed up, read what Motor Trend said about it. http://blogs.motortrend.com/6223080/...ite/index.html
At least now Ford doesn't have to worry about the Dodge giving them any competition.
At least now Ford doesn't have to worry about the Dodge giving them any competition.
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I think the new Ram looks better. I have nothing against the press but why should they get first "takes?" I don't have to read their summations either. I'll decide for myself what's right for me. Their stats sheets and related info is fine but this overload in data is too much. Too many people doing the same thing: writing about the same subject. My decisions are home based (by me) and no one else. I still think Ford should take off the veil for everyone to see. The sooner the better for them. Just my $.02 as always and I respect Ken and all other opinions on this subject.
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From: Enjoying the real world.
What I can say:
1. The new F150 looks great plus there some really cool new F150 features and incremental improvements on current features. Some of the features are new to the F150, some new to the industry as a whole. Some big surprises I don't think anyone is expecting. Sorry to be extremely vague but I am under NDA. I understand now why Ford wants to keep this under wraps until the show.
2. The roof did leak in the newly rennovated area. They had it taken care of during the day with buckets. By the time the reception was ready in the evening they had it fixed. Someone must have worked fast on the roof!
3. Ford's hospitality was second to none. They treated us first class. Lobster-tails on a stick at the seafood bar - yummy!
1. The new F150 looks great plus there some really cool new F150 features and incremental improvements on current features. Some of the features are new to the F150, some new to the industry as a whole. Some big surprises I don't think anyone is expecting. Sorry to be extremely vague but I am under NDA. I understand now why Ford wants to keep this under wraps until the show.
2. The roof did leak in the newly rennovated area. They had it taken care of during the day with buckets.
By the time the reception was ready in the evening they had it fixed. Someone must have worked fast on the roof!3. Ford's hospitality was second to none. They treated us first class. Lobster-tails on a stick at the seafood bar - yummy!
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From: Kzoo
Originally Posted by FTE Ken
What I can say:
1. The new F150 looks great plus there some really cool new F150 features and incremental improvements on current features. Some of the features are new to the F150, some new to the industry as a whole. Some big surprises I don't think anyone is expecting. Sorry to be extremely vague but I am under NDA. I understand now why Ford wants to keep this under wraps until the show.
2. The roof did leak in the newly rennovated area. They had it taken care of during the day with buckets. By the time the reception was ready in the evening they had it fixed. Someone must have worked fast on the roof!
3. Ford's hospitality was second to none. They treated us first class. Lobster-tails on a stick at the seafood bar - yummy!
1. The new F150 looks great plus there some really cool new F150 features and incremental improvements on current features. Some of the features are new to the F150, some new to the industry as a whole. Some big surprises I don't think anyone is expecting. Sorry to be extremely vague but I am under NDA. I understand now why Ford wants to keep this under wraps until the show.
2. The roof did leak in the newly rennovated area. They had it taken care of during the day with buckets.
By the time the reception was ready in the evening they had it fixed. Someone must have worked fast on the roof!3. Ford's hospitality was second to none. They treated us first class. Lobster-tails on a stick at the seafood bar - yummy!
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If you cant answer any of these questions Ken its ok I understand.
1. Did you get to see any of the "new motors" that are suppose to be in them? Any comments?
2. Did it have a 5 or 6spd tranny (just a yes or no will work).
3. Do you think it will be better than the current F150's in just about every way?
4. Will they be a better work vehicle (towing, payload, ect)?
A yes or no would be great on any question. Once again if you cant say its no biggy I understand. Just wanting to no what to expect of the new truck.
1. Did you get to see any of the "new motors" that are suppose to be in them? Any comments?
2. Did it have a 5 or 6spd tranny (just a yes or no will work).
3. Do you think it will be better than the current F150's in just about every way?
4. Will they be a better work vehicle (towing, payload, ect)?
A yes or no would be great on any question. Once again if you cant say its no biggy I understand. Just wanting to no what to expect of the new truck.