Negatoids Wrong Again

[FordBuyer]

FORD FOCUS GAINS SALES MOMENTUM AS YOUNGER BUYERS SEEK SYNC CONNECTIVITY, FUEL ECONOMY

 

 

 

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Ford Focus sales are gaining momentum, with three consecutive months of year-over-year retail sales volume increases. February sales are on track to trump February 2007 retail sales.

Ford’s strategy of simplifying the Focus vehicle line, along with offering affordable industry-first SYNC technology, is paying off.

Nearly 40 percent of the 2008 model year Focus units sold during the past three months included SYNC. SYNC-equipped Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles sell nearly twice as fast as those without.

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 28, 2008 – Young buyers hungry for new technology and strong fuel economy are driving higher retail sales of the new 2008 Ford Focus.

 

Focus’ retail sales have been up year-over-year for the past three months – and February retail sales also are tracking above year-ago levels. The small car’s sales were up 18 percent in November – the car’s first full month on the market – followed by a 9 percent increase in December and 33 percent in January.

 

“Younger buyers are very interested in technology like SYNC. In addition to strong sales, we’re seeing the average age of Focus customers coming down,” said Samuel De La Garza, Ford’s Focus Marketing manager. “These customers also seek style, fuel economy and a high level of quality, reliability and feature content – all of which Focus delivers in spades.”

 

J.D. Power sales data show that 32 percent of 2008 Focus year buyers are 16 to 35 years old. That’s up from 28 percent of 2007 Focus buyers.

 

“When you think about the significant small cars that have come into the market during the past few months alone, a 4 percentage point jump is meaningful,” said Ford Sales Analyst George Pipas. “This increase suggests that younger buyers are starting to believe that it’s cool to buy a Ford.”

 

Helping drive the trend: More Millennials who are becoming drivers – and vehicle buyers. Born between 1980 and 1995, approximately 70 million Millennials live in the U.S. Each day, more than 11,000 of these savvy consumers reach driving age, looking for stylish, fuel-efficient vehicles that feature the latest technology.

 

Ford is ready with a mix of accessible vehicles – including Focus – that feature industry-leading connectivity technology, improved fuel economy, an array of safety features and creature comforts such as ambient lighting.

 

Customers are noticing, De La Garza said.

 

“Not only are Focus customers getting younger on average, they’re also buying more feature content than they were even a year ago,” he said.

 

SYNC continues to be a customer favorite. Nearly 40 percent of 2008 Focus units sold since introduction have been equipped with SYNC. SYNC-equipped Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles sell nearly twice as fast as those without.

 

This industry-first technology offers unprecedented levels of connection, control, simplicity and personalization for electronic devices. A microphone inside the cabin allows consumers to use their mobile phones hands-free while operating a vehicle. SYNC is also the only automotive application that offers full hands-free, voice-activated command and control over portable media players and USB storage devices.

 

SYNC’s advanced capability allows consumers to access the songs, artists, genres, albums, play lists and more through voice commands. Powered by Microsoft and launched in the fall of 2007, the award-winning system is available in 12 vehicles from Ford, Lincoln and Mercury.

 

That’s good news, especially considering a study by the Consumer Electronics Association that shows consumers increasingly want information and entertainment devices to function inside vehicles; approximately one-fourth of the driving-age population plans to purchase these types of products this year.

In addition to SYNC, Ford’s color-configurable interior ambient lighting system also appears to be a hit with Focus buyers.

 

This mood-setting feature allows customers to change the light color inside the cup holders and in the front and rear foot wells. Vehicle occupants can choose from seven different colors – red, orange, blue, indigo, violet, green and yellow – simply by cycling through a dash-mounted switch.

 

“Customers today are smart,” De La Garza said. “They want – and deserve – cars like Focus that are fun to drive and offer great features that leave a smile on their faces, even long after they’re finished with their daily drives.”

[pcsario]

Focus sales were going uo before Frankenstein was released.

 

Escape is the #1 candidate to replace the CV as Ford's fleet queen.

 

It also failed --miserably-- to recover RETAIL sales/demand to the CR-V.

 

But yeah, apparently in some alternate reality, such poot performance is a GOOD thing. :rolleyes:

[goinbroke2]

Great news!

 

Doesn't matter though, mlm will still say it sucks for some other reason and fordlol will chime in with his stupid drivel, and on and on.

[NickF1011]

Focus sales were going uo before Frankenstein was released.

 

They were?

 

Oct 07 - up 13.3% (when the '08 first appeared)

Sep 07 - DOWN 30.2%

Aug 07 - DOWN 14.7%

Jul 07 - DOWN 10.7%

Jun 07 - up 20%

May 07 - up 4.3%

Apr 07 - DOWN 7.2%

Mar 07 - up 5.5%

Feb 07 - up 8.1%

Jan 07 - DOWN 35.5%

Dec 06 - up 23.0%

Nov 06 - up 14.8%

 

Looks like it was faltering quite a bit there before the new one came out. The Focus's performance compared to the Nov-Jan period last year is also far better.

 

Escape is the #1 candidate to replace the CV as Ford's fleet queen.

 

It also failed --miserably-- to recover RETAIL sales/demand to the CR-V.

 

But yeah, apparently in some alternate reality, such poot performance is a GOOD thing. :rolleyes:

 

Aren't retail sales on the Escape UP??

[FordBuyer]

After F-Series, Escape is Ford's number one selling truck, and Focus is Ford's number one selling car. Looks to me like Ford should make sure these two vehicles stay competitive. Still lament the fact that Ford ended Focus wagon and hatch, but not surprised it's still selling well if not better than previous one. And new Escape will be out in few months with new engine and drivetrain and will offer Sync. Both vehicles should be in 200,000 sales range by end of this year. If gas goes to $4/gallon, Focus and Escape will break 200,000 barrier easily.

[NickF1011]

After F-Series, Escape is Ford's number one selling truck, and Focus is Ford's number one selling car. Looks to me like Ford should make sure these two vehicles stay competitive. Still lament the fact that Ford ended Focus wagon and hatch, but not surprised it's still selling well if not better than previous one. And new Escape will be out in few months with new engine and drivetrain and will offer Sync. Both vehicles should be in 200,000 sales range by end of this year. If gas goes to $4/gallon, Focus and Escape will break 200,000 barrier easily.

 

Hatch (and possibly wagon) will return with the new Focus in about 24 months. It's holding its own though without em. I still much prefer the Mazda3 though.

[igor]

Focus sales were going uo before Frankenstein was released.

 

Escape is the #1 candidate to replace the CV as Ford's fleet queen.

 

It also failed --miserably-- to recover RETAIL sales/demand to the CR-V.

 

But yeah, apparently in some alternate reality, such poot performance is a GOOD thing. :rolleyes:

despite your baseless gibberish, the Escape retail sales were up last year as were the retail sales of the Taurus trio. And this is based on NUMBERS and STATEMENTS BY FORD - not assumptions like your "evidence"

 

sorry to disappoint.

 

Igor

[pcsario]

They were?

 

Yes, even based on your figures, the average is UP, with the majority of months reflecting a sales increase.

 

 

Aren't retail sales on the Escape UP??

 

Redesgined Escape I4, Escape V6, Escape Hybrid.

 

Vs.

 

1 CR-V - even after you add up sales for all versions of the Escape, it still failed to recover lost momentum/sales/customers/share away from Honda, just as ALL OF US said. Little retail improvement, fleet sales as high as ever. To keep saying the realists were "wrong" is just living in denial to justify a mediocre effort that continues to be fixed.

[pcsario]

NUMBERS and STATEMENTS BY FORD

 

Spinned like a true cheerleader.

 

So fleetcentral lied in those charts for the old and current Escape?

 

So a team of 3 Vs. 1, with a score of 0 by Ford so far, proves --somehow-- we were "wrong"? Is that what you're saying?

 

Nope, everything panned out exactly as we said. A minimum sales increase that would be as mediocre as the effort itself, and wouldn't change anything. Seems we were dead on. Escape continues to be as irrelevant now as it was then.

 

The customers rewarded Honda's superior effort in the field, just as we all said, funny how we were somehow "wrong", and everyone who kept deluding themselves into thinking the Escape would recover its top spot/retail strenght are nowhere to be found.

Edited February 29, 2008 by pcsario

[NickF1011]

Spinned like a true cheerleader.

 

So fleetcentral lied in those charts for the old and current Escape?

 

So a team of 3 Vs. 1, with a score of 0 by Ford so far, proves --somehow-- we were "wrong"? Is that what you're saying?

 

Nope, everything panned out exactly as we said. A minimum sales increase that would be as mediocre as the effort itself, and wouldn't change anything. Seems we were dead on. Escape continues to be as irrelevant now as it was then.

 

The customers rewarded Honda's superior effort in the field, just as we all said, funny how we were somehow "wrong", and everyone who kept deluding themselves into thinking the Escape would recover its top spot/retail strenght are nowhere to be found.

 

Could the Escape have been better? Definitely.

 

Does that make it irrelevant? I don't see how you could REMOTELY come to that conclusion. It's still one of the best-selling vehicles in the country.

[igor]

Spinned like a true cheerleader.

 

So fleetcentral lied in those charts for the old and current Escape?

 

So a team of 3 Vs. 1, with a score of 0 by Ford so far, proves --somehow-- we were "wrong"? Is that what you're saying?

 

Nope, everything panned out exactly as we said. A minimum sales increase that would be as mediocre as the effort itself, and wouldn't change anything. Seems we were dead on. Escape continues to be as irrelevant now as it was then.

 

The customers rewarded Honda's superior effort in the field, just as we all said, funny how we were somehow "wrong", and everyone who kept deluding themselves into thinking the Escape would recover its top spot/retail strenght are nowhere to be found.

when was the last time fleet central released their info ? Ford has been boasting about the Escape retail sales all year every month - and before you call me a cheerleader again - Ford CANNOT LIE IN RELEASES TO INVESTORS - that is a nice federal felony no matter how innocuous the information would be.

 

Igor

[mlhm5]

Focus sales were going uo before Frankenstein was released.

 

Escape is the #1 candidate to replace the CV as Ford's fleet queen.

 

It also failed --miserably-- to recover RETAIL sales/demand to the CR-V.

 

But yeah, apparently in some alternate reality, such poot performance is a GOOD thing. :rolleyes:

 

 

IMO, Ford has a real winner in the Escape hybrid, yet its marketing is non existant.

[P71_CrownVic]

I think the Focus is relying heavily on fleet sales.

 

And whether it sells or not, it looks like it would be in the same family as the Aztec.

Edited February 29, 2008 by P71_CrownVic

[NickF1011]

IMO, Ford has a real winner in the Escape hybrid, yet its marketing is non existant.

 

They sell as many as they can build already. Why market something you can't supply?

[pcsario]

when was the last time fleet central released their info ? Ford has been boasting about the Escape retail sales all year every month - and before you call me a cheerleader again - Ford CANNOT LIE IN RELEASES TO INVESTORS - that is a nice federal felony no matter how innocuous the information would be.

 

Igor

 

Escape's fleet performance is on par with that of the old model, so a big chunk of sales continue to come from fleets.

 

And you continue to miss the point, Ford press releases always talk as if their products had a monopoly on the marketplace.

 

Unless it's a press release for the F-Series, you shouldn't be throwing Ford press releases to prove how "good" a Ford is performing. So where's the press release stating they're cutting down fleet sales for the Escape?

 

Has Ford ever mentioned any of the above things about the Escape? Nope, it's always the rosy picture where the CR-V doesn't exist. No wonder people here continue to think it's such a huge success. Hyundai fanboys also think their products are doing great, Hyundai.com said so.

Edited February 29, 2008 by pcsario

[igor]

Escape's fleet performance is on par with that of the old model, so a big chunk of sales continue to come from fleets.

 

And you continue to miss the point, Ford press releases always talk as if their products had a monopoly on the marketplace.

 

Unless it's a press release for the F-Series, you shouldn't be throwing Ford press releases to prove how "good" a Ford is performing. So where's the press release stating they're cutting down fleet sales for the Escape?

 

Has Ford ever mentioned any of the above things about the Escape? Nope, it's always the rosy spin where the CR-V doesn't exist. No wonder people here continue to think it's such a huge success.

 

OMG - pull your head out of your ass finally - I am no cheerleader - if you notice i usually leave you alone with your blaberring and sometimes even agree (even if lately have not bee on here as much as I used to) - but this simple fact is

1) your data is this website: http://www.fleet-central.com/af/t_resource...?action=af_stat IT TALKS ABOUT 2006 MODEL YEAR For Christ's sake the production of 2009 models is slowly beginning- admit it YOU HAVE NO DATA!!

 

2) yes, Ford will always spin info, but when they say " The retail sales of the redesigned 2008 Ford Escape were 10% higher than a year ago" that is a FACT there is no room for spin or lie and that is what everyone else besides you has realized.

 

The same goes for the Focus - Ford CANNOT lie on this - they say the sales are ":tracking up" and the age of customers is going down and 40% have SYNC - those are FACTS without any room for spin .. I have no doubt on Monday someone will ask them "well so how did the Focus retail sales compare, now that you have the last weekend in" and George Pipas will have to respond.

 

Igor

Edited February 29, 2008 by igor

[igor]

I think the Focus is relying heavily on fleet sales.

 

And whether it sells or not, it looks like it would be in the same family as the Aztec.

which part of "higher retail sales" do you not understand

 

BTW: here is an offering of something you can bitch about: the whole segment of C-cars is growing, just like the segment of compact crossovers (Escape) - the fact that Ford's retail sales are growing in these segments is not news (they better be) - the news is whether Ford manages to keep up with the growth of the other players. For example, the Escape gained retail sales last year, but lost retail share, because the other guys added MORE retail sales than the Escape. Before Monday, we will not know how the Focus retail sales increase compared to the others, and thusly how the Focus' retail SHARE is doing.

 

Igor

Edited February 29, 2008 by igor

[P71_CrownVic]

which part of "higher retail sales" do you not understand

 

BTW: here is an offering of something you can bitch about: the whole segment of C-cars is growing, just like the segment of compact crossovers (Escape) - the fact that Ford's retail sales are growing in these segments is not news (they better be) - the news is whether Ford manages to keep up with the growth of the other players. For example, the Escape gained retail sales last year, but lost retail share, because the other guys added MORE retail sales than the Escape. Before Monday, we will not know how the Focus retail sales increase compared to the others, and thusly how the Focus' retail SHARE is doing.

 

Igor

 

There is always going to be room for the "cheap alternatives". It is good to see Ford taking advantage of that.

[Michael Reynolds]

There is always going to be room for the "cheap alternatives". It is good to see Ford taking advantage of that.

 

Yeah because a reasonably equipped Focus is so much cheaper than a Civic, Sentra or Corolla.

[NickF1011]

There is always going to be room for the "cheap alternatives". It is good to see Ford taking advantage of that.

 

The "cheap alternative" is going to be the Fiesta. As EVERYBODY knows, this is a stop-gap until the new one comes out, which will inevitably cost quite a bit more when it has the Fiesta to cover the bottom-of-the-barrel end of the market.

[pcsario]

I am no cheerleader

 

Well you've been doing a wonderful impersonation lately then, you're different than the Igor of old.

 

And who's saying they're lying? Dude read the friggin' thread first, Focus sales were going up on average before Franky showed up, so the trend was there already and Sync --not the refresh itself, certainly not the design-- seems to be the main reason behind those sales. Hell you could've titled that PR "Sync helps Focus line" and it would be 100% accurate.

 

Also, there's recent partial data available for fleet #'s, and despite RJ's best tries at spinning them, the Escape still was as high as ever Vs. the previous year at the same point. Use some common sense when reading press releases too. Ford issued one stating how retail volume is up... yet in said press release, they didn't say anyyhing about fleet volume going down.

 

Just a coincidence? Uh-huh...

 

I guess they just "forgot" to mention that if it was true, right?

Edited February 29, 2008 by pcsario

[igor]

once again ^^ Partial data for 2007 model year what does that have to do with ANYTHING in this thread - the Escape and FOcus were redesigned for 2008 model year

 

And the single point we are tying to make is "the much hated 08 models are selling well to retail customers" - at least that is the point I am trying to make - lowering fleet sales is a whole another question.

Igor

Edited February 29, 2008 by igor

[NickF1011]

Focus sales were going up on average before Franky showed up, so the trend was there already

 

Focus sales were down considerably the 3 full months prior to the '08 Focus launch in mid-October, which showed a 13% increase. Please. Did you completely miss the monthly sales gains/losses I posted?

[Michael Reynolds]

Well you've been doing a wonderful impersonation lately then.

 

And who's saying they're lying? Dude read the friggin' thread first, Focus sales were going up on average before Franky showed up, so the trend was there already and Sync --not the refresh itself, certainly not the design-- seems to be the main reason behind those sales. Hell you could've titled that PR "Sync helps Focus line" and it would be 100% accurate.

 

Where do you pull your statistics from? When it comes to drawing a conclusion, you really let your personal opinions get in the way all the time don't you?

 

Sync is great, but if the Focus was that much of an abortion I doubt people would be snatching them up. It's not like the Focus is the only car in its class to offer bluetooth and an aux. jack. They may not be as well integrated, but there are other alternatives.

[RichardJensen]

There is always going to be room for the "cheap alternatives". It is good to see Ford taking advantage of that.

Slow day at the Cottage Grove FD? Noticed a huge amount of posts from you... What are you, holed up in a back room somewhere instead of watching soaps with the rest of the guys?