I cannot believe Ford actually dropped the rebates after posting such a big loss last quarter. We are getting ready to pull the trigger and thought maybe we would see a little more rebates being new month new quarter and they dropped $500. I want to see Ford stay around but this is getting frustrating. I have owned (3) F-150 FX4s and the wife always has a Ford but I don't even get $1000 rebate because I don't drive something else. The dealers say they are not looking to sell volume but make money on what they do sell so there is absolutely no loyalty to those of us that have helped Ford from completely drowning. Rant over.

 

So giving bigger and bigger rebates works? Ask Dodge. I would rather pay more for a quality vehicle and have it maintain it's value. Ask Lexus.

 

I completely agree, if the vehicles held value. Did you trade in for your 09'?

 

The ONLY way to sell units in the past was via BIG rebates. Now the "Big 3" are trying to deal with this from the other end, the production-side of the equation. In that, LOWER rebates due to lower supply by shutting down these plants. (production cutbacks are not over at Ford as it halted production at assembly plants in Kansas City and Chicago for the next three weeks. The Kansas City plant is one of two that make its F-150 pickup, Ford's best-selling vehicle.)

Will it work? Probably, because Chrysler is about to leave this whole scene for good. Which means LESS competition.

 

I just spoke with a salesman at my local ford dealership. He told me up to $3000 cash back and thats all. I am stumped.

 

Went from $5500 for an XLT screw with sync, chrome, and tow to $3K for all screw's here. That went up for all screw's but the XLT with sync, chrome, and tow.

 

well i guess i lucked out and got mine early and got the 3500 rebate and another 500 for somethin else i can't remmber

 

On one hand since I'm thinking about getting a new F150 I don't like them holding the prices up, and getting rid of some of the rebates. I want a deal!!!

OTOH its good that Ford is doing this. Its impossible to sell anything at a loss, they have to make a profit. If they can hold there own with GM in such trouble they may come out of this very strong.

This is what's killing GM, no one thinks a GM vehical is worth sticker, they want them for $10k off sticker. While Toyota and Honda can hold sticker all day long.

Any rebate is good, go ask Toyota or Honda for one, they don't deal. When we bought my moms Rav4 they were like you can pay sticker or someone else will. Honda was the same way, they don't deal because they don't have to.

When it comes down to it an extra rebate or lack of one won't make the difference for me, since I keep my vehicals for a very long time its all a wash. A couple grand difference spread over 10-15 years doesn't really matter much.

 

Canadian rebates went up from $6,000 to $8,000

 

Honda and Toyota's other advantage is the number of dealers. Half as many Toyota dealers in the US as their are Ford dealers. They can hold firm and the customer has fewer options.

I still wouldn't want a Tundra though!!

 

I did have a trade, a 06 IS 350. I actually got more for my trade then I owed on the car. Do I expect that from a Ford; no, but it would be nice. Ford built a quality vehicle with the 09 F150, I feel it's the best truck available right now. If they match supply with demand, they should not have to give them away and hopefully they will hold thier value, so to speak. I can hope, can't I?

 

We can all hope that the value on the new trucks stays high but historically it won't. Once we get smacked with another round of $4.00 per gallon gas, people will be bailing out of thier newly purchased trucks and looking for Hybrids.

I was really miffed at how fast the value on our Expy tanked. It has literally been the most reliable and enjoyable vehicle that I've ever owned. Ford hit a homer with this one and it's virtually worthless.

I will not pay top dollar for a new F-series just to watch it's bottom fall out in two years. If need be, I'll keep what I have and buy a new Ford when it is absolutely necessary.

Tim

 

You my friend, are smart.

 

Flatery will get you anythjing my good man! Believe me, I'm far from smart and definately not educated but I'm tired of anyone and everyone trying full gross us on every sale.

I don't know what the cost of goods and materials are on a new truck and I know it's expensive. With that said, I still think they are too damned high. The cost of these materials are spread out over hundreds of thousands of trucks. Now I'm ranting, sorry.

The rebates need to stay high and the dealers need to stop acting like they are providing a "much needed" service.

In 2010 there will be tons of used '09's available with low miles. Buying a used truck doesn't benefit FMC one bit.

Tim

 

I think that the quality and style of the trucks has gotten so good that they really do need the quantity of sales they are used to to keep these trucks as nice as they are. Like you say the less they sell the less that cost is spread across each truck for R&D. I would hate to think how much a 09 f150 would cost if it was a one off and i would also hate to think how much they would cost if they were a limited run of 100k. If they don't get these sales back to what they used to be i can see our trucks going back to basics, extremely simple, cheap to produce models. They pulled the Mark LT for this exact reason. Far to expensive to produce and no where near enough sales.