ice-capades Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 (edited) Bill Brown Ford trails behind Florida dealership for world title of 'No. 1 Ford dealer' https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/ford/2020/12/22/bill-brown-ford-dealership-world/4005302001/ Edited December 22, 2020 by ice-capades Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 I've bought vehicles from Bill Brown and they do a lot of fleet sales. However, Mullinax Ford near Orlando is in a league of its own as far as size, inventory, as it's so big you need a golf cart just to peruse its property. Don't know its sales, but inventory is endless. Biggest dealership I've ever seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 6 hours ago, ice-capades said: Bill Brown Ford trails behind Florida dealership for world title of 'No. 1 Ford dealer' https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/ford/2020/12/22/bill-brown-ford-dealership-world/4005302001/ no more Galpin?.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 59 minutes ago, FordBuyer said: I've bought vehicles from Bill Brown and they do a lot of fleet sales. However, Mullinax Ford near Orlando is in a league of its own as far as size, inventory, as it's so big you need a golf cart just to peruse its property. Don't know its sales, but inventory is endless. Biggest dealership I've ever seen. Bill Brown is actually one of the smaller dealers around here in terms of sheer size of their lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 I'm in the northern suburbs of Orlando (Seminole County) and "Mullinax Ford" constantly touts itself as being #1 Ford dealer in FL. It's in Apopka, which I can't really explain other than, its not a "Well to do" city but I figure they are on the fringe of metropolitan Orlando, and rural Lake County and other nearby areas. I''ve been there a few times for friends, and if it's TRUCKS that's where to go, but can't say I've had direct interactions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 17 minutes ago, ANTAUS said: I'm in the northern suburbs of Orlando (Seminole County) and "Mullinax Ford" constantly touts itself as being #1 Ford dealer in FL. It's in Apopka, which I can't really explain other than, its not a "Well to do" city but I figure they are on the fringe of metropolitan Orlando, and rural Lake County and other nearby areas. I''ve been there a few times for friends, and if it's TRUCKS that's where to go, but can't say I've had direct interactions. I've been there.many times on the way to Altamonte Springs and they have many hundreds of every Ford vehicle, but yes they do big time truck fleet sales. The sales guy there said they are major seller to utility companies in area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rperez817 Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 2 hours ago, FordBuyer said: Mullinax Ford near Orlando is in a league of its own as far as size, inventory, as it's so big you need a golf cart just to peruse its property. Don't know its sales, but inventory is endless. Biggest dealership I've ever seen. Wow, the location in Apopka as ANTAUS mentioned in huge indeed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 27 minutes ago, rperez817 said: Wow, the location in Apopka as ANTAUS mentioned in huge indeed! Over 2,000 vehicles. Lots of Ford retirees in general area. And Mullinax has other locations. This is their big one. I believe over 4,000 vehicles at all their locations. A real maga dealer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 What is their annual sales? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 I would imagine Bill Brown outsells Mullinax because Metro Detroit is much bigger, home of Ford, and Metro Detroit buys more domestic autos than most places. But Mullinax is bigger and has room for more inventory which is filled up. Central Florida is definitely not Ford territory excepting FSeries. Around here, mostly Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, Lexus, and Honda. I like owning a new Escape because you don't see yourself coming and going. Ditto when I owned a Crosstrek. Rav 4's are like NYC taxi cabs here. Or like Taurus in Detroit back in the 90's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 2 hours ago, FordBuyer said: I would imagine Bill Brown outsells Mullinax because Metro Detroit is much bigger, home of Ford, and Metro Detroit buys more domestic autos than most places. But Mullinax is bigger and has room for more inventory which is filled up. Central Florida is definitely not Ford territory excepting FSeries. Around here, mostly Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, Lexus, and Honda. I like owning a new Escape because you don't see yourself coming and going. Ditto when I owned a Crosstrek. Rav 4's are like NYC taxi cabs here. Or like Taurus in Detroit back in the 90's. It's crazy Bill Brown does as well as they do. They don't have a very big lot, they don't spend a ton of money on advertising, and they’re not in a terribly convenient location. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rperez817 Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 47 minutes ago, fuzzymoomoo said: It's crazy Bill Brown does as well as they do. They don't have a very big lot, they don't spend a ton of money on advertising, and they’re not in a terribly convenient location. It looks like Bill Brown Ford has a very good reputation for customer service. They also do business with a lot of Ford employees, suppliers, family members, and retirees. Those are the most loyal, "sheeple" type customers out there, and with A/X/Z plan, they'll get the same price no matter which dealership from which they buy their Ford car or truck. So might as well choose a dealership that's known for treating its customers and its community well. Bill Brown Ford does just that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 For years (1988-97?) Santa Monica Ford in California was the highest volume Ford dealer. If you went by the place you would never know it. Most every Ford Hertz bought was through that dealership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 1 hour ago, fuzzymoomoo said: It's crazy Bill Brown does as well as they do. They don't have a very big lot, they don't spend a ton of money on advertising, and they’re not in a terribly convenient location. There are s lot of Ford employees living in Livonia, Northville, Plymouth, Plymouth Township, Northville Township, Canton, and Canton Township. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard1 Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 16 hours ago, FordBuyer said: I would imagine Bill Brown outsells Mullinax because Metro Detroit is much bigger, home of Ford, and Metro Detroit buys more domestic autos than most places. All true statements, but there must be a couple DOZEN Ford dealers in the Metro Detroit area. I can think of 4 or 5 within a 30 minute drive. I live less than a mile from Bill Brown Ford but I bought my last car from Village Ford a much smaller dealer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard1 Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 13 hours ago, rperez817 said: It looks like Bill Brown Ford has a very good reputation for customer service. I gave my neighbor (a widow) X-Plan. Bill Brown DELIVERED her new car (her only requirement was model and color), brought all the paperwork to her house where she signed it and drove her trade in away ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ice-capades Posted December 24, 2020 Author Share Posted December 24, 2020 1 hour ago, theoldwizard1 said: I gave my neighbor (a widow) X-Plan. Bill Brown DELIVERED her new car (her only requirement was model and color), brought all the paperwork to her house where she signed it and drove her trade in away ! Bill Brown Ford didn't do anything different than most dealerships are doing. The Covid-19 situation has changed the business model for dealership operations and Ford has an incentive program in place that pays dealerships for remote sales. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 1 hour ago, theoldwizard1 said: I gave my neighbor (a widow) X-Plan. Bill Brown DELIVERED her new car (her only requirement was model and color), brought all the paperwork to her house where she signed it and drove her trade in away ! My new dealer (Szott out in Holly) does that too. It's super convenient. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinaw Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 Haven't bought a vehicle downstate in years, but Pat Milliken Ford in Redford, is where I went. My salesman did a ton of AXZ plan sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 2 hours ago, theoldwizard1 said: All true statements, but there must be a couple DOZEN Ford dealers in the Metro Detroit area. I can think of 4 or 5 within a 30 minute drive. I live less than a mile from Bill Brown Ford but I bought my last car from Village Ford a much smaller dealer. I got my Ford from Bill Brown and had it serviced at Blackwell Ford in Plymouth for convenience. I still remember the "prepped" area behind Bill Brown showroom where the sold vehicles were parked. During peak times there would be at least 50 new vehicles going out of there everyday...many of them with tag numbers on the stickers. Bill Brown also bought the old Terrace Theater down Plymouth Rd. and used the theater as a used vehicle showroom and the lot for preowned, certified used Ford vehicles. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 1 hour ago, ice-capades said: Bill Brown Ford didn't do anything different than most dealerships are doing. The Covid-19 situation has changed the business model for dealership operations and Ford has an incentive program in place that pays dealerships for remote sales. Yep, Key Scales Ford out of Leesburg, FL delivered our new Escape to our house and went through the vehicle with us. Even gave us some gifts for purchasing from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 16 hours ago, rperez817 said: It looks like Bill Brown Ford has a very good reputation for customer service. They also do business with a lot of Ford employees, suppliers, family members, and retirees. Those are the most loyal, "sheeple" type customers out there, and with A/X/Z plan, they'll get the same price no matter which dealership from which they buy their Ford car or truck. So might as well choose a dealership that's known for treating its customers and its community well. Bill Brown Ford does just that. They have great sales crew that have been there for decades. Still remember mine who sent me notes regularly for years. Now the porters there are a different story. Once saw a porter RIP off the side of a new Ford driving it into service area and acted like nothing happened. Saw a lot of cringe worthy driving by porters there as most days its super busy there. No excuse for that recklessness though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 Well if "commercial vehicles" mean that much to Jim Farley, his two biggest volume dealers have not received that message-at least judging by their respective websites and what they have for "commercial" inventory. They haven't even included F-600 as a listed vehicle. Guess they are slow in updating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotRunrGuy Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 40 minutes ago, Bob Rosadini said: Well if "commercial vehicles" mean that much to Jim Farley, his two biggest volume dealers have not received that message-at least judging by their respective websites and what they have for "commercial" inventory. They haven't even included F-600 as a listed vehicle. Guess they are slow in updating. Jeez Bob, don't you think that most commercial buyers want to deal with a dealership that "speaks" work trucks and up-fitting, not necessarily a dealership that sells the most SUV's? HRG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 1 hour ago, HotRunrGuy said: Jeez Bob, don't you think that most commercial buyers want to deal with a dealership that "speaks" work trucks and up-fitting, not necessarily a dealership that sells the most SUV's? HRG Oh agree 100%-just being my usual cynical self? when it comes to Ford commercial truck marketing. But I did expect to see some commercial presence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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