VW overtakes Ford...
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
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From: Melbourne, Aus
VW overtakes Ford...
2nd to 4th in record time...
Volkswagen overtakes Ford in car sales in H1 | Markets | Markets News | Reuters
FRANKFURT, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Volkswagen (VOWG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) overtook Ford (F.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) in the first half of the year as the world's third-largest carmaker by vehicle sales, VW said in a statement on Thursday, in yet another sign of Detroit's waning influence.
"We are delighted that the Volkswagen Group has made it to the global automobile industry's top three for the first time," Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn said in a statement.
"This shows that we are on the right track with our ever-stronger international presence and, above all, our product programme. We will systematically push ahead with our growth course even in the present difficult market environment."
Volkswagen wholesales that include those to dealers rose 7.2 percent in the first half to 3.31 million vehicles, while Ford's wholesales were almost 3.22 million.
Ford's figure includes 125,000 units contributed by Jaguar and Land Rover until its sale to India's Tata Motors (TAMO.BO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) in early June.
Wholesale figures can often be more flattering, since carmakers have been known to push dealers to accept more vehicles than they can sell to customers.
Volkswagen usually bases its main monthly retail data on actual deliveries to customers, which in the first half rose by 5.8 percent to 3.27 million, suggesting dealer stocks rose on an absolute basis.
Ford does not publish deliveries figures, using only wholesales since they are the basis for their ultimate revenues that are booked under their quarterly income statement.
Although the figures underline the difficulties Ford is having in particular in the United States, the data is not entirely new, since both published results for the first half late in July. (Reporting by Christiaan Hetzner; editing by Sue Thomas)
"We are delighted that the Volkswagen Group has made it to the global automobile industry's top three for the first time," Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn said in a statement.
"This shows that we are on the right track with our ever-stronger international presence and, above all, our product programme. We will systematically push ahead with our growth course even in the present difficult market environment."
Volkswagen wholesales that include those to dealers rose 7.2 percent in the first half to 3.31 million vehicles, while Ford's wholesales were almost 3.22 million.
Ford's figure includes 125,000 units contributed by Jaguar and Land Rover until its sale to India's Tata Motors (TAMO.BO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) in early June.
Wholesale figures can often be more flattering, since carmakers have been known to push dealers to accept more vehicles than they can sell to customers.
Volkswagen usually bases its main monthly retail data on actual deliveries to customers, which in the first half rose by 5.8 percent to 3.27 million, suggesting dealer stocks rose on an absolute basis.
Ford does not publish deliveries figures, using only wholesales since they are the basis for their ultimate revenues that are booked under their quarterly income statement.
Although the figures underline the difficulties Ford is having in particular in the United States, the data is not entirely new, since both published results for the first half late in July. (Reporting by Christiaan Hetzner; editing by Sue Thomas)
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,378
Likes: 3
From: nebraska
Yeh its kind off sad thats happening. Ford is making great vehicles now an people buy something else. I guess people forget about how big Ford an GM have on the nations economy. If either one goes broke it will be catastrphic for the economy. If you think its bad now. If that happens it will be disasterous. My theory is buy american an save the country.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,077
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From: None of your business
They should have been doing this all along and they wouldn't be the new #4. It's going to take a long, long time for people to once again be confident in Ford or any other domestic after the crap they put out for so many years.
Mike
Mike
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,176
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From: Western Central NV
Ford screwed themselves. I bought several new Fords through the 1990s. But Ford Customer service ended me ever buying a NEW FORD AGAIN. When I had trouble with a dealer doing warranty work Ford turned a deaf ear. Never again. Ford Dealers are what is killing Ford & Ford won't change their policies towards dealers. So I don't feel one bit sorry for them.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
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From: Running Springs CA
This is worldwide and has nothing to do with the US market. VW sells hardly any cars here anymore. 1969 was their peak year. Please do not make this another thread about flag waving nationalism. That argument may "fly", so to speak, when Japan-bashing, but not in this case. Thanks.
What it does show is Ford's weakness in China and Latin America. VW is strong in those markets, Ford is strongest in Europe, ironically, VW group's home market.
Jim
What it does show is Ford's weakness in China and Latin America. VW is strong in those markets, Ford is strongest in Europe, ironically, VW group's home market.
Jim
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
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From: Pa
GM has a very strong hold on the auto market in China as well, however GM is hurting in US sales as are many other companies.
The vast majority of the Ford dealers in my area are just plain bad to deal with in both the sales and service ends. Can't really say what other brand dealers are like as I have little experience with them.
No doubt VWs small TDI engine in there vehicles is helping them with the high price of crude.
The vast majority of the Ford dealers in my area are just plain bad to deal with in both the sales and service ends. Can't really say what other brand dealers are like as I have little experience with them.
No doubt VWs small TDI engine in there vehicles is helping them with the high price of crude.
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Post Fiend
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The US is the world's largest car market, so I think American sales are very relevant, especially when it is concerning an American company.
I will echo some and say my experience with Ford dealerships have not been a pleasant one.
I would like to get a VW.
I will echo some and say my experience with Ford dealerships have not been a pleasant one.
I would like to get a VW.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,176
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From: Western Central NV
This is worldwide and has nothing to do with the US market. VW sells hardly any cars here anymore. 1969 was their peak year. Please do not make this another thread about flag waving nationalism. That argument may "fly", so to speak, when Japan-bashing, but not in this case. Thanks.
What it does show is Ford's weakness in China and Latin America. VW is strong in those markets, Ford is strongest in Europe, ironically, VW group's home market.
Jim
What it does show is Ford's weakness in China and Latin America. VW is strong in those markets, Ford is strongest in Europe, ironically, VW group's home market.
Jim
Your right, but having said that CORPORATE POLICIES follow worldwide also. I believe I said FORD refuses to change their policies.
Craig
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Western Central NV
Fords policies for grievances are as old as Ford. They date back to the days when Ford Dealers were INDEPENDENT DEALERS. Ford ended that in the 90s closing thousands of mom & pa dealerships. The closest Ford Dealers to me within 100 miles are 3 different Ford Dealers. The only one with a GOOD REPUTATION is 250 miles away. I've had dealings with the 3 closest. The nearest VW dealer is 100 miles away. I have a reputable Chevy Dealer 60 miles away. So lets see HOW BAD DO I WANT A NEW FORD? Not enough to drive 250 miles one way to buy it & get it serviced. I have heard this from people who live in the big cities also. How bad do I want to drive and extra half hour out of my way to buy & get service?
Craig
Craig
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
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From: Pa
I bought my truck from a family owned dealer. The origional owner's (retired) son is the manager and oversees the place. They are a fairly small dealership and they were superb to deal with. Of course I had to drive 40 minutes one way and pass about 3 other Ford dealers to get there. The larger the dealer the worse they are to deal with in my experience.
I highly doubt many other auto companies have many "Mom and Pop" dealers either. The big auto dealer names sell many makes of vehicle and buy out the smaller dealerships.
I highly doubt many other auto companies have many "Mom and Pop" dealers either. The big auto dealer names sell many makes of vehicle and buy out the smaller dealerships.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
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From: Running Springs CA
Today's US VW dealers also have horrible reputations for service. And it is $expensive$ too. VW/Audi has special lubricants that are almost impossible to find outside the dealer network and even then, the parts counter doesnt seem to know what to sell you.
I would like to get a new Jetta TDI, but dealing with VW is a pain. Now if Ford would import the 65mpg diesel Fiesta, I could give Ford the business and get the car I want. Wont happen, Im afraid.
Jim
I would like to get a new Jetta TDI, but dealing with VW is a pain. Now if Ford would import the 65mpg diesel Fiesta, I could give Ford the business and get the car I want. Wont happen, Im afraid.
Jim
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
A Ranger with a TDI would be nice. Problem I see with any new diesel here in the US is emmissions, too much crap thanks to the EPA. They will figure out how to reliably and cheaply meet EPA emmissions eventually however I forsee the EPA only clamping down more. Anybody hear about the new EPA regs on small engines in the near future?
I heard Ford is bringing the Fiesta to the US soon, but you can shure bet it ain't gonna be no diesel.
I heard Ford is bringing the Fiesta to the US soon, but you can shure bet it ain't gonna be no diesel.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 216
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From: South Africa
Ranger in Tdi
In europe and South Africa we have a TDCI Ranger 3.0l 4cyl good for 155 hp and 281 ft/lbs. Qiute a capable and well respected truck. Does any one know why US and lets say European etc market payloads vary so much? Think the US ranger is rated for about 1400lbs while here in South Africa and elsewhere they are rated for 2400 lbs or more as is all of the Jap and other Asian pickups. Sure you do not build em weaker so it must be regulations or such?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
In North America, all of them want to "upsell" customers to a bigger truck than they need (cars, too) because of bigger profits on bigger units. Laws and regulations really only have to do with availability of diesels in under-8500lb vehicles. Toyota used to sell a high-payload HiLux (Tacoma) pickup and chassis-cab in this market, but once they had a T-100, then Tundra to sell, those were discontinued.
Jim
Jim