ice-capades
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Posts posted by ice-capades
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Thanks for the link, however, isn't the price a bit too steep? No doubt they will sell, but I think it's too close to the GT500 pricewise. A start price of $32,000-$33,000 would have seemed right. Well, at least right for me!
Then again, what do I know?
I have to agree about the Shelby GT pricing. I doubt that the two dealerships I work for will be buying many Shelby GT's. Nearly $10,000 added to the cost of a Mustang GT for minimal performance improvements (319HP vs. 300HP) and a bit of cosmetic enhancements and the Shelby name and stripes seems a bit extreme in my opinion. The GT is just too close to the GT500 pricing. As such, I doubt that there will be many dealers able to sell Shelby GT's over MSRP. FYI... I am against selling vehicles over MSRP with the possible exception of the Ford GT or GT500 because of the limited availability and only if the additional markup is within reason.
Furthermore, Ford dealers have been notified that the Shelby conversion costs (~$7,400) will not be included in the vehicle invoice but will instead be billed on the dealer's Parts Statement. So when the Shelby conversion costs show up on the Parts Statement it's like a cash expense to the dealership as opposed to it being part of the vehicle cost that can go on floorplan. Ford Credit may or may not allow dealers to put the Shelby GT conversion fees on a separate finance line. FYI... the Parts Statement is the invoicing method that Ford uses to bill dealers for all supplies and services purchased from Ford... Internet fees (DealerConnection website hosting), FordDirect.com referral fees, Vehicle Locator fees, catalog/brochures, media materials, etc.
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Now here is a man who wants to blame the UAW for the lack of product people are willing to buy. We build the cars that the people in the salary ranks design. If you are looking for someone to blame start there and then proceed to the Dealer Network where they forget who you are the minute you pull out of their driveway. What you really need to know is that Ford, GM, and Chrysler combined send out 800,000 pension checks every month. Honda, Toyota, and Nissan send out 1,000 pension checks a month. The field won't be level until there plants have been open for 30 years and they start accumulating the same legacy costs of the big three. So if you want to blame someone look in the mirror there is plenty to go around.
I'm sorry to see that you misread my editorial above. If anything, I blame the Big 3 management more than anything. Because the Big 3 domestic manufacturers were making good profits annually, they were too quick to give in to the UAW contract demands for many years because they could afford to, feared the effects of a UAW strike and failed to think long term regarding the financial implications. The UAW leadership did what it was supposed to do in securing the best contract possible for its members. Obviously, the UAW succeeded.
It's obviously not good for the UAW to be losing plant jobs as lower membership means less income from the reduced membership ranks remaining to pay the union dues. Ford will incur the pension and buyout costs for many years but the reality is that the market has changed and Ford management is taking the difficult steps now to reduce its fixed operating expenses as one part of the plan to return the Company to profitability so that it can aggressively compete in the future.
There's a lot wrong with the current situation and a lot of blame to spread. Ford has nearly 4,400 dealers but has lost 40% market share over the past ten years but has publically said that it's looking to close only 600 dealers. I expect that west of the Mississippi the situation is less critical as there are generally fewer but much larger Ford stores in each market. In the East, there are generally far too many dealers. In the Northeast in particular there are far too many dealers. A lot of Northeast dealers went out of business when the economy was very bad 15+ years ago. The remaining dealers got stronger until Ford put new dealers into the vacated locations and now we're back to the same position. Ford dealers spending all their energy and resources competing with each other instead of the competition.
Forget the Blue Oval Certified situation. Ford needs to cut its dealers ranks by at least 30% and needs to weed out the dealers that can't meet a real customer satisfaction benchmark. In smaller markets, consolidate Ford stores with Lincoln-Mercury to strengthen those points until a decision is made on the future of the Lincoln-Mercury franchise.
Ford already builds a world class product, in most cases, but needs to address a number of issues. A new realistic UAW contract, reduced fixed salary staff, more modern vehicles introduced on an accelerated basis, import European produced vehicles for Ford or Lincoln-Mercury divisions, etc.
Again, although critical of Ford's mistakes, I want this post to be positive and contribute to what Ford can achieve in the future.
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My current ride (old reliable 1996 Sable) is at the end of the line. I've been anxiously waiting for the repowered 3.5L 500 to come out. What's the latest word on when it will be intriduced and when it will go on sale?
Members that post here may very well have better information on the future Five Hundred than I have access to. In great anticipation, I hope that they have good information because I really would like to see the Five Hundred develop into the market leading vehicle it has the potential to be.
From the beginning, the 500 has been dogged by complaints of poor styling and under performance. I agree on both counts. Unless Ford makes major changes in the 500's appearance and even optional performance, the 500 will never be more than a marginal replacement for other vehicles.
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Now that the buy out packages window is closed, members want to know when they can leave. Well your going to leave when the company (ford not the UAW) says so. You people that want to leave and can not leave just yet think this is the UAW's fualt? Think again...If you can not wait until Ford Motor Co. not the UAW, tells you to leave then just quit now. Walk out have a nice life. The company will release you when they get good and f***ing ready and there is nothing you, the President of the US, me, your wife, the UAW Int, Local UAW CAN DO ABOUT IT. SO JUST DO YOUR JOB AND WHEN THE TIME COMES TO LEAVE FORD WILL TELL YOU TO LEAVE........Have a nice life quitters because when your are gone we will be having a :party2: : :beerchug:
How unfortunate that you're calling those that chose, repeat chose, to accept Ford's buyout offer quitters. Every Ford employee that was offered a severence package had the ability to review the offer made to them and decide for themselves what action was in their own best interest. To those of us that may work for Ford, its' dealers or loyal Ford vehicle owners, their years of service are greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, both the times and market situations have changed and changes must be made in order for the Company and its' Dealers to not just survive but thrive in the years ahead.
I'll give credit to Alan Mulally and my benefit of doubt for taking the necessary steps to make the Company more efficient now, when waiting and studying the issue longer would only cost all a lot more money and do more damage in the long run.
Looking back, you must realize that the UAW members have enjoyed substantial salary and benefits that the Company too easily agreed to for many, many years and for which its' now paying dearly for in terms of retirement benefits that have contributed greatly to the cost differential of domestic versus import vehicles manufacturers. It's not just Ford's fault but all of the "Big 3" that so easily gave in to the UAW demands over the past 30+ years. And now Ford and the rest are paying dearly as the imports continue to increase market share.
The Company has taken the proactive step of offering buyout/early severence packages to encourage UAW and other employees to leave the Company. As such, the Company will initially take on enormous expenses now in order to reduce its' operating expenses in the future. Would it have been better to forgo offering the severence packages and instead just start closing plants? Oh no, they can't do that because of the UAW contracts that require a certain closing notice, salary guarantees, etc.
I want to finish this on a positive note of expressing my appreciation again, for all those UAW workers that have accepted buyout offers, for their contribution over the years. It's not your fault that Ford, GM & Chrysler so easily accepted the UAW demands for so many years instead of the risk of long term strike induced plant shut downs, etc. I'm not blaming the UAW leadership for doing their job in negotiating contracts either but instead blaming the previous management at all involved now... GM, Ford & Chrysler for creating the problem that they all now face.
Reducing the employee roster within Ford and the UAW staffed positions is a major but necessary first step in turning the current situation around. Ford's lost 40% of its market share in the past ten years. Now it needs to reduce its' dealer body by a similar amount to ensure that only the most appropriate dealers survive. That means getting rid of the dealers that don't meet up to the highest standards of customer satisfaction and getting rid of the weakest dealers in markets that have too many dealers.
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I purchased a 2005 Mustang convertible on 03/10/06 from Sunshine Ford in Newburgh NY. This has been the biggest mistake that I have ever made when purchasing any type of vehicle. I was told by the salesperson that it was their last one and I could get a really good deal. I should have been suspicious when she had to go to the service area to get the car. What also made me slightly suspicious was the missing sticker price and a very slight mildew odor. I was told by the sales person that the window had been left open and the sticker had been damaged and a "litte" water had gotten in the car. I was told also that they had used a part to repair another vehicle and hadn't yet returned it to the lot. I ended up buying the car (mistake #1).
Over the next couple of months I kept smelling a very slight mildew smell combined with the smell of new leather. I found out what was really wrong with the car the first time I left it out in a heavy rain over the weekend. I opened the car door and smelled a very strong mildew smell and found 3" of water on the passenger side of the car. The car would not start, the radio would not work except in park and neutral and the instrument panel informed me that I should "check charging system". I eventually got the car started and took it to another Ford dealership that was closer to my house as I didn't trust the car to make a 28 mi trip (mistake #2).
I was told that I would have to wait to get a new carpet before they could fix the leak. In the week I waited for the carpet, mold was growing on the carpet and up the firewall. After about a week of waiting the carpet came in. I was informed by the dealership that I had a 3" unsealed area between the dash and firewall. This gap was a manufacturing defect that I know now has become an issue with a number of Mustangs. They replaced the carpet and claimed that the repair was complete.
Less than a week later the carpet was again soaked and the radio would only work in park and neutral. The smell of mildew was getting worse. I was told by the repairing dealership that they couldn't smell anything. This same scenario has been repeated multiple times now. At least once I have been accused of dumping water into my car by a service technician. After one "repair" attempt I took the car to the car wash less than an hour later. This turned out to be a mistake as 20ft from the car wash exit the radio again would not work.
I returned the vehicle to Sunshine Ford and inquired as to how this car could have been on their lot and never leaked. I was told they never had a problem with it. I find that hard to believe considering the amount of water I had in the car. (I think I know why the car was being stored in the service bay instead of on the lot now.) I was told by the Service Manager and the General Manager at Sunshine that since I had taken the car to another dealership that the leak and mildew smell in the car was no longer their problem and it wasn't their fault that the other dealership hadn't fixed it properly. I was then requested to get my car off the property as any repairs from then on would have to be handled by the other dealership.
I called Ford Customer Care (what should be called "you're a Ford customer and we don't care") and explained what had been going on between the 2 dealerships and that my car had water leaking over the smart ECU for over a year. (Ford considers it to be ok if a car leaks for over a year I guess.) I requested a replacement vehicle. I was told by FCC that it was denied and "we just don't give cars away". Followed by the obligitory "Is there anything else we can do for you today ?" My case was turned over to the Northeast District Customer Care Service Representative (I have to get this job as they are never at their desk and rarely if ever return phone calls). I again was told that they "just don't give cars away" and told that if I have any other concerns I shouldn't hesitate to call. I have called over and over, I only get the voice mail. That and when they claim they will call me before 5 pm on a certain day I am only left a message and my phone never rings. I immediately call back and no one is ever there to answer the phone. These people have voice mail tag down to an art.
I have become so frustrated with this water soaked, mold contaminated foul smelling mess that I no longer drive it. I have made 5 attempts to trade it in and take the loss. Three Ford dealerships and 2 Chrysler dealerships will not take the car as the smell indicates that there was severe water damage. The repairing dealership still claims that there is no mildew smell in the car. Though they were happy to offer me a new one, if I would take a huge loss on the car as they would have to wholesale it out because of the mildew smell. Yet they are the ones that tell me there isn't a mildew smell. I am now the owner of the fastest depreciating vehicle in the world.
My 2005 Mustang Convertible has gone from a $29,000 car to $0 in a matter of 7 mos. I can't sell it (yes I tried and the person that almost bought it couldn't take the smell) and I can't trade it in. As for Ford ... they couldn't care less.
All states have Lemon Laws that cover defective vehicles such as yours. All the service records and any other documentation you have can be used to substantiate your case. Immediately contact your Attorney General's office, Department of Consumer Affairs and others and make sure that you document everything. There have indeed been cases where a vehicle with substantial defects has been replaced.
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This was posted by the President of Shelby:
Ford Division finally released a statement to dealers yesterday including the information and order codes for the Shelby GT! Included were the Shelby GT Information Packet, Shelby GT Owner's Guide Supplement, Amendment to the New Vehicle Limited Warranty Form. Also... allocation, invoicing, distribution, shipping, delivery, service and warranty procedures.
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As for a complete redesign, from what we are hearing in the plant, Ford is investing over $1 Billion into a new Super Duty for the 2010 model year, so they apparently have no plans to give the competition a chance to even catch up.
As someone that's managed the new vehicle inventory for a Ford store in CT for twenty years, I'll look forward to an all-new Super Duty line! Ford's touting the 2008 F-250+ models as all new but they look like last year's model with an F-150 style interior. Big deal!
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I got bored. I have seen a few custom 05 f350s with six doors so how bout a 2009 F250
Nice job but nothing that you'll ever see produced by Ford as something like this is easily produced by a number of the limousine conversion companies that have gone through the appropriate Ford certification process.
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So when is the MKX finally going to hit the dealerships? Is there a definitive release date yet since they postponed the initial delivery?
I'm taking delivery of an MKZ in two weeks (or less) and I need to know soon.
FYI... I passed a new MKZ on the road in Connecticut the other day. Yes, the badge on the back said MKZ!
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While it's great that the Shelby GT enthusiasts are excited about the information provided here on the forums, there are a few matters that should be noted.
Ford Motor Company has not yet released any official information to the dealers about the upcoming Shelby GT model. There's no Shelby GT Order Guide or Shelby GT Price List available at this time and no dealers have been informed yet about production volume or allocation.
While the Ford CONCEPS Vehicle Ordering System will accept a Shelby GT order with the information provided via Amy, until Ford releases the official Shelby GT Order Guide to its dealers, vehicles are being ordered without full knowledge of option availability and/or compatibility.
And while the enthusiasts are excited to have the information provided by Amy, it does a disservice to the Ford dealer body which can only deal with Ford Motor Company. We have to order vehicles directly through Ford utilizing the materials, processes, information, specifications and allocation provided by Ford.
I really don't have a problem with Shelby or Amy making the information available. My problem is with Ford in not providing the necessary information to its dealers on a timely basis.
It's no secret that Ford and its dealers are struggling to turn things around. Ford has a lot of work to do to improve its relationships with the dealer body and realize that the dealers are its first customers! Ford dealers are working hard to put the customer first and deliver real customer satisfaction. I'm confident that Alan Mulally, Ford's new CEO, will turn things around and create a stronger and more profitable company and dealer body that will be the envy off all others.
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This was posted by the President of Shelby:
While it's great that the Shelby GT enthusiasts are excited about the information provided here on the forums, there are a few matters that should be noted.
Ford Motor Company has not yet released any official information to the dealers about the upcoming Shelby GT model. There's no Shelby GT Order Guide or Shelby GT Price List available at this time and no dealers have been informed yet about production volume or allocation.
While the Ford CONCEPS Vehicle Ordering System will accept a Shelby GT order with the information provided via Amy, until Ford releases the official Shelby GT Order Guide to its dealers, vehicles are being ordered without full knowledge of option availability and/or compatibility.
And while the enthusiasts are excited to have the information provided by Amy, it does a disservice to the Ford dealer body which can only deal with Ford Motor Company. We have to order vehicles directly through Ford utilizing the materials, processes, information, specifications and allocation provided by Ford.
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I saw the movie on Saturday... I must say that both my girl-friend and I thought the Mondeo looked nice, but was waaaaaaay too European looking for the US. She like the rear of the car and my Fusion's front end better.
What got me going the most was the hot XJ Super V8 Portfolio
Ford dealers in the USA need more product and need it ASAP to fill product gaps in order to compete with the imports... Toyota, Honda & Hyundai. I'm hoping that Ford's new CEO is seriously looking at the potential of importing some of the great European products as soon as possible.
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So wait, let me get this straight, the uglier the better they sell?!
the first Navi was UGLY compared to the first gen Escalade, the second Escalade was UGLY compared to the second Navigator, and now we will see if the pattern works on the Navigator cuz it's really FUGLY.
There are more important issues for the Lincoln Division to address besides the issue of chrome or body color grille treatments for the new Navigator. Lincoln Division needs a long term product development plan that produces vehicles that are unique to Lincoln but with a common design theme that will be distinctive for Lincoln vehicles and provide the retail market with a disctinctive Lincoln alternative to Cadillac and others.
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orderd my 2007 on oct 14 nothing yet and i did not know that nav was ok to orderd i had to help the dealer order it california special what is the order #for nav.
i dont have a vin yet seems to be a hold even though its a big dealerMustang GT's with the California Special option include 18" Polished Aluminum Wheels which are a controlled commodity with reduced availability. The 18" wheels have always been a short supply commodity so it's not a new issue. The availability is usually around 15-18% or lower of GT orders meaning that percentage availability of GT schedulking over the allocation period. The allocation period is usually a month except for November/December which was a two month allocation period.
The larger dealers still have to earn allocation the same as every other dealer. If they have a number of retail GT's in the Unscheduled Order Bank ahead of yours you may have to wait a bit. FYI... there was no vehicle scheduling done this week and the plants will be closed again over the Christmas/New Year's holidays.
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I believe the option code is 58 n.
The DVD Navigation System Order Code is 58X.
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This is sort of an amalgamation of the previous Torino with 70 Torino GT side sculpturing, a 71 Mach1 roof (the aerodynamics of the concave Torino roof wasn't good) and a few ideas of my own. Not as easy as you might think!
BTW the idea is a stretched 05-07 Mustang chassis
Congrat's! One of the best concepts I've seen in quite some time. Love the body lines and especially the grill treatment!
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Per Ford's Dealer News Bulletin (November 3, 2006)
The Unscheduled Order Bank for Job #2/Job #3 orders does not open until the 11/9 - 11/15 time frame. Job #2 & Job #3 orders cannot be entered into the Unscheduled Order Bank until the order banks are open.
2007 Models: F-150, Expedition, Explorer, Sport Trac, Fusion, Focus & MUSTANG
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Just to clarify my posting above regarding the December scheduling for the DVD Navigation System... vehicle orders Submitted to the Plant/Scheduled during December allocation weeks will be scheduled for Job #2 production starting in January.
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Does anyone have a link to the new order guide? I went to the dealer today and they played dumb on the availibility. I think they're just trying to get me to buy something off the lot (none with nav).
I'd also be interested in invoice and retail pricing on it so I can make an offer. I'd like to show up Monday with a print out of the options I'm interested in and the price I want to pay (including nav).
Thanks for any help
john
Here's the revised 2007 Mustang Order Guide dated November 1, 2006. JOB #2 pricing is not available for the DVD Navigation system system. Option shows as a "Material Hold" until December scheduling.
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Thanks for the info. It is starting to make more sense. The first ramp i saw was in the 90's, it might have been 98.. It now says arrived at ramp # 41, which is probably in NJ.. The thing that really through me was when I spoke directly with ford yesterday, the rep told me her info did not even show if it was made and shipped yet.
Ramp #41 is in Newark, NJ so the vehicle should arrive at the dealership within 3 business days.
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got the folowing info from someone on here( thank you)for a fusion
2007 Fusion VIN #3FAHP07137R157471
Receipt Date: 9/28/2006
Serialize Date: 9/29/2006
Segment Date: 9/29/2006
Sequence Date: 10/9/2006
Blend Date: 10/13/2006
Produced Date: 10/23/2006
Gate Release Date: 10/23/2006
Ship Date: 10/24/2006
Arrival Date:
Sold Date:
I tracked it through ge fleet and got a " Delivered to Ramp" on 10/29/2006. GE fleet tracking system now says shipped on 10/29 VIA rail again. IS there more then one " Ramp" this car would move through on the way to new jersey ? I assumed that when it said delivered to "ramp", it was on my doorstep and was on a truck to dealer,but it's back on a train???
update: I just called ford customer relations, and was told that her information does not show it as shipped yet. How can that be ?
Considering that the Fusions are built in Mexico, there's no way that the vehicle will be shipped to NJ without going through what's known as a "mixing ramp" where it will be transferred to a different rail car headed to your dealer's final ramp destination. The "Delivered to Ramp" notification you received should also include a Ramp number. For example, my Daily Status Reports for the CT dealership I handle shows the majority of my vehicles going to Ramp 98 in Ohio (Mixing Ramp) before being transferred to a different rail car headed to Ramp 46 in Selkirk, NY. At Selkirk the vehicles are loaded onto carriers for delivery to the dealership.
Hope this helps a bit.
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Anyone know when the Mustang might be getting a factory Nav system?
The DVD Navigation System is now available for order on V-6 Premium & GT Premium models as shown in the new/updated 2007 Mustang Order Guide that was released yesterday. Note that the Navigation System is not available with the Shaker 1000 Audio System.
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This is a great article about how Ford's new CEO works and should be very encouraging to the Ford dealers. A "take charge" guy that's not afraid to make decisions and expects to be held accountable, yet focused on the end consumer of Ford's products and at the same time taking a realistic approach to the situation and dealing honestly with the media so that the facts are straight and accurate!
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Interesting discussion of competing warranties from various manufacturers. I'll start off by stating that the biggest mistake a company can make is in misidentifying who its' competition is. Unfortunately, Ford Division continues to think that its' competition is GM/Chevrolet. The reality is that, at least east of the Mississippi where there are far too many dealers, Ford dealers are mostly competing with themselves. In the overall market though, the primary competition is from the volume manufacturers Toyota, Honda & Hyundai.
Regarding the warranty issue, most customers don't read the fine print as to what's covered by the powertrain warranty portion. At least in the multiple markets that I've dealt with for the past 20+ years... just talk to anyone that owns a late model Hyundai. After they're done telling you how much they love their Hyundai and before you can say a word, they're telling you that it has a 10 year warranty. Forget the details in warranty coverage, the point is that the general perception in the market is that Hyundai has the best warranty. Ford's change to a 5 year warranty just continues to be second rate in terms of the buyers' perceptions. Anything less than a 10 year warranty from Ford will continue to be considered second rate. Ford needs to lead the market and be competitive with the real competitors in the market instead of continuing to playing catch up with others. Perception has a very strong influence on the brands that buyers will consider today and tomorrow.
LAST '07 PRODUCTION?
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