FORD IS WINNING MORE NEW CUSTOMERS FROM COMPETING BRANDS, FUELING MARKET SHARE GAINS
New trade-in data show Ford is increasingly winning new customers from competing brands, a key reason the company has gained retail U.S. market share for 16 of the past 17 months
For the Ford brand, the rate of customers who traded in competitive brand vehicles rose 18 percent from 2005 to 2009. The conquest rate for Lincoln rose 61 percent, while Mercury saw a 12 percent increase
The Ford Fusion, Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids, as well as Ford Mustang and Lincoln MKX, attracted the highest number of buyers from competing brands.
The redesigned Ford Taurus showed the largest increase in attracting new buyers to the Ford brand from 2005 to 2009
Alan Mulally is Automobile Magazine's 2010 Man of the Year.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Because we did not take a bail out~ Because a man with vision and determination can make a difference~ But mostly because we put customer satisfaction, quality and safety first. Alan Mulally has been chosen as 2010 Man of the Year by one of the industry's most prestigious magazines, Automobile. Click his name to read the whole story.
Ford quality cant be beat by Honda or Toyota.(1) Quality, fuel efficiency, cutting edge technology and products built with a commitment to safety. That s what you find at your Ford of Ocala Dealership.
Every Ford vehicle passes as many as 30,000 virtual tests before a single car is produced. Fords commitment to deliver the best quality possible for its customers is unwavering, and the company is committed to pushing its quality levels even higher.
Fusion Hybrid is the most fuel efficient midsize sedan in America with best-in-class 41 miles per gallon in city driving.(2) Ford Escape Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the planet.(3)
Available radar technology can monitor traffic even in your blind spots. Available EcoBoost delivers the performance of a V8 with the fuel economy of a V6.(4) Available active park assist can parallel park your car in as little as 24 seconds. And with SYNC technology, you can voice activate your phone and MP3 player and get traffic information, driving directions, weather and news, all with simple voice commands.(5) Ford has even introduced adaptive cruise control to help maintain a preset distance between you and traffic ahead of you.
Ford has earned more NHTSA five star safety ratings than Honda, Toyota and Nissan combined.(6)
Ford has the most Top Safety Picks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
We invite you to come into our showroom today and drive one.
1Based on RDA Group’s GQRS surveys conducted 2/09 and 5/09 of 2009 Ford and competitive model owners at three months of ownership. 2EPA-estimated 41 city/36 hwy mpg. Actual mileage will vary. Midsize class per R. L. Polk & Co. 3Based on unadjusted city fuel economy from EPA (10/08) and VCA (5/08). EPA-estimated 34 city/31 hwy/32 combined mpg, FWD. Actual mileage will vary. Excludes vehicles built for Mazda. 4EPA-estimated 17 city/25 hwy mpg, Taurus SHO. 5Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control. Only use mobile phones and other devices, even with voice commands, when it is safe to do so. 6Star ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SaferCar.gov program (www.safercar.gov).
When we were approached by the Adult Education & Technical Training Center about a new automotive program we rolled up our sleeves and joined in. It was a win-win situation for us. It was an outstanding opportunity to show our community support, advertise our products and get trained technicians in return. Besides the financial sponsorship we have been active in their internship program to give students on the job training. We were very fortunate to find Brent Estes as our first service trainee. Rather than just throwing him into a basic technician program we immersed him in the Blue Oval Service certified program that sets Ford of Ocala apart from both other brands as well as other Ford dealers. This meant greeting guests, shadowing Service Advisors and being a porter while studying Service Technician certification programs. To supplement his computer training he assisted in performing preventive scheduled maintenance on vehicles. He could have stopped there and be a lube tech or a technician at any other dealership service department but Brent is a shining example of what the MTI can produce with our help. Upon graduation from the program he was hired full time as an automotive technician making more money than his peers. He has obtained major certification in five areas of service expertise with no signs of slowing down. And the Ford of Ocala values that run deep through all our employees was instilled in Brent as well. He is a member of the MTI Advisory Board and shares his knowledge and experience with the students. Because of Brent Estes and others like him, the Marion Technical Institute enjoys local and national success. Ford of Ocala is extremely proud of Brent Estes and our role in helping the youth of Marion County.
Ford of Ocala is Your Answer to Why Ford, Why Now!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Even if you're not thinking about getting another vehicle You deserve to see what Ford of Ocala and Ford Motor Company has been doing while other companies have been losing sales and asking for bailouts. Like the Ants and the Grasshopper or Joseph and the Egyptians in the Bible, Ford had the vision to put a little aside for a rainy day while working to improve the vehicles Americans want and need in times like these. Ford quality now matches or exceeds foreign automakers in initial quality and safety. And there has never been a better time to buy from Ford of Ocala. So come visit, call us @ 1.800.292.3338, or click on www.fordofocala.com
106 years ago a company was founded on the premise that an automobile should be affordable to everyone. Today, that vision is as clear as ever. Because, while other automakers say no to leasing and no to financing, we are committed to helping you get behind the wheel of a brand-new car, truck, SUV or crossover. With Ford Credit, we offer outstanding personalized terms and options. For more information, go to fordvehicles.com. Ford is also committed to help make driving more affordable for everyone, with the all-new 2010 41-city mpg Ford Fusion Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in America It gets eight more miles per gallon in the city than Toyota Camry Hybrid. With the Built Ford Tough F-150. which delivers unsurpassed fuel economy in its class - 21 hwy mpg And with Escape Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient SUV on the planet.' We're proud that Ford offers 15 car, truck and SUV choices that get 25 mpg or better.' And, new from Ford, the EcoBoostTM V6 engine It is twin turbocharged with direct injection, so it delivers the power of a V8 with the efficiency of a V6: along with reduced emissions. More affordable. More enjoyable. Stay tuned for more innovations from the company that put America on wheels in the first place. We invite you to drive with us into a brighter future. EPA-estimated 41 city/36 hwy mpg. Actual mileage will vary. Midsize class per P. L. Polk & Cc. 'EPA-estimated 15 City./21 hwy mpg, F-150 SuperCrew 4x2 with SFE Package. Class is non-hybrid, full-size pickups under 8,500 lbs. GVWR. Based on unadjusted city fuel economy from EPA (10/08) and VCA (5/08). EPA-estimated 34 city/31 hwy mpg. FWD. Actual mileage Will vary. Excluding vehicles built for Mazda. 4 Based on EPA-estimated hwy mpg and powertrain combinations. 5 Coming fall 2009 on 2010 Ford Taurus SHO.
Ford brand's quality continues to improve faster than the overall industry; Ford brand remains statistically tied with top Japanese automakers
Ford brand's initial quality improved for the eighth consecutive year Ford F-150, Mustang, Edge and Mercury Sable were quality leaders in their respective vehicle segments
F-250/F-350 Super-Duty manufacturing plant, Kentucky Truck in Louisville, was awarded a Bronze Plant Quality Award
DEARBORN, Mich., June 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ford Motor Company (NYSE:
F - News) recorded another strong improvement in J.D. Power and Associates' 2009 Initial Quality Study, putting the Ford and Mercury brands in a statistical tie with the top Japanese brands. The Ford brand, which continues to outpace the overall industry's quality improvement, now has posted eight consecutive years of gains in the closely watched quality study based on consumer evaluations after the first three months of new-vehicle ownership. Overall, the Ford brand improved by 10 points over last year's study. "It is gratifying to see our commitment to quality paying off," said Bennie Fowler, Ford group vice president, Global Quality. "Ford has demonstrated consistent and continuous quality improvement. We're now tied with the best of the Japanese automakers and we won't be satisfied until Ford is the industry's global quality leader." Some of Ford's most popular nameplates received top honors for their respective segment, including Ford F-150, Mustang, Edge and Mercury Sable. J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from 80,930 new 2009 model-year vehicle owners after they have driven their new vehicles for three months. It measures problems per 100 vehicles and was based on November through February registrations. In April, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based RDA Group's Global Quality Research System (GQRS) showed that Ford has surpassed Honda and is in a statistical tie with Toyota in initial quality. That report, an analysis of "things gone wrong" in new vehicles as measured by customers, is commissioned quarterly by Ford. "The blue oval is becoming synonymous with high quality with customers," Fowler said. "We're not only dramatically reducing defects, we are delivering the long-term durability and the superior craftsmanship that today's customers demand."
Come on in this weekend for the best deals! Call 1.800.292.3338 or click here. View our new and pre-owned inventory @ www.fordocala.net or www.fordofocala.com today!
Ford surpasses Honda in initial quality and remains in a statistical tie at the top with Toyota. Ford’s initial vehicle quality improved 5 percent over last year. Ford customer satisfaction continues to improve and is equal to Toyota and Honda. Ford has five segment leaders: Ford Mustang, Taurus, Taurus X and Ranger, and Mercury Milan.Ford Motor Company, continuing its rapid quality improvement, surpassed Honda in initial vehicle quality for the first time and reached new levels of customer satisfaction with vehicle quality, a new survey shows.
Ford is also statistically tied with Toyota at the top of the industry when it comes to initial vehicle quality, according to the 2009 U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS) survey conducted quarterly for Ford by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
“This is truly a significant accomplishment for us,” said Bennie Fowler, Ford group vice president, Global Quality. “Honda and Toyota have claimed bragging rights for years, but now we are seeing our hard work pay off. It’s evident in study after study.”
The latest GQRS survey measured 2009 model year vehicle initial quality in two categories: the number of “things gone wrong,” and customer satisfaction with vehicle quality in the first three months of ownership.In the first quarter of 2009, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles saw things gone wrong fall by 5 percent to 1,228 per 1,000 vehicles, significantly better than Honda’s 1,422 things gone wrong per 1,000 vehicles and statistically equal to Toyota’s 1,150.
In addition, the survey shows that Ford Lincoln Mercury improved two percentage points to 79 percent in customer satisfaction with vehicle quality, which puts Ford’s domestic brands in a tie with Toyota and Honda for industry leadership.“Ford’s commitment to quality is really paying off as they continue to rival Honda and Toyota on both initial quality and customer satisfaction with the quality,” said Donald Pietrowski, president, RDA Group.
The following models led their respective segments in the survey:
Ford Mustang – initial quality and customer satisfaction for sports cars
Ford Taurus – initial quality for large cars
Ford Taurus X – initial quality for crossover utilities
Mercury Milan – initial quality for midsize cars
Ford Ranger – initial quality for compact pickups
The new 2009 Ford F-150 recorded quality levels that equate to less than one problem per vehicle, as did the Taurus, Taurus X, Fusion, Milan, and Edge.
“We are energized by the continuous improvement we are seeing on both initial vehicle quality and customer satisfaction,” said Fowler. “This survey validates the hard work and dedication to quality from Ford employees, suppliers and dealers. We will keep the momentum going as we strive to become the clear global quality leader.”
The GQRS study is conducted on a quarterly basis with scores assessed from survey responses collected from owners of vehicles purchased within specific short-term time frames.
New vehicle owners are asked to report any defects or issues as well as rate their satisfaction with vehicle quality on a scale of 1 to 10 across an array of vehicle systems and features.
Better quality is translating into fewer trips to the car dealership for warranty repairs and that leads to happier customers. The latest J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Customer Service Index (CSI) study shows a historic low across the industry in the proportion of customers bringing their vehicles to the dealer for repair work versus maintenance, as well as an increase in overall satisfaction.For example, 51% of Ford service customers were in for maintenance work back in 2005 and 49% were in for repair work. In 2008, the maintenance rate jumped to 66% and the repairs dropped to 34%. The company’s ongoing efforts to increase quality can be pinpointed as one reason for the trend.“This is further proof that Ford’s quality processes are working,” says Bennie Fowler, group vice president, Quality. “We’re launching with quality – right out of the factory – and that leads to long-term durability for our customers.”The CSI study – which explores satisfaction with dealer maintenance and repair services – ranked Lincoln and Mercury fifth and sixth, respectively, while Ford brand improved at a greater rate than the industry average.
Our plan is actually quite simple: to build the best vehicles on the road today and make them affordable for millions. We are accomplishing this by:
Aggressively restructuring to operate profitably at the current demand and changing model mix
Accelerating development of new products our customers want and value
Financing our plan and improving our balance sheet
Working together effectively as one team
When do we plan to do this?It's already under way.During the past three years, we have switched to a lineup that includes many new cars and crossovers. They've been proven to match the quality of the imports,* along with enhanced safety, better fuel mileage, and innovative technology.You'll be glad to know Ford has been making great progress ... we're sure you will agree. Ford Motor Company, Honda Motors and Toyota Motors quality ratings are in a dead heat.* Our cars, trucks and SUVs deliver fuel economy that's competitive with that of all other automakers.** Fifteen 2009 Ford Motor Company vehicles are rated Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), more than those of any other automaker. Our factories and the vehicles they produce have pioneered environmentally friendly techniques.
STUDY: FORD RANKED AS INDUSTRY LEADER FOR QUALITY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF TECHNOLOGY PATENTS
Leading patent analyst ranks Ford above all other automakers for the quality and significance of its technology patents.
The 2010 Fusion and Fusion Hybrid – America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan – sets new standard for technology innovation with 119 U.S. patents and patent applications
DEARBORN, Jan. 28, 2009 – A new study by the world’s leading patent analyst, The Patent Board™, found that Ford Motor Company outperformed all other automakers in the quality and significance of its technology patents. “Ford’s patented technologies are closer to the cutting edge than its competitors,” says Christine Wren, director of business development for The Patent Board, which tracks and analyzes patents across 17 industries globally. Technological innovation is a core value at Ford as the company drives for leadership in quality, safety, fuel efficiency and in-car connectivity. For example, the 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid, which is America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan, have 119 patents, a record for Ford. The Patent Board recently issued its Top 10 Innovators in Automotive & Transportation Patent Scorecard™ for the fourth quarter of 2008, which ranks Ford above all other automakers in Research Intensity™ and Industry Impact™. Ford’s Research Intensity score, which is more than twice that of the industry average, indicates the extent to which its portfolio includes patents with strong scientific support.
Similarly, The Patent Board’s Industry Impact score measures the broader significance and impact of a company’s patent portfolio across the industry. This indicator analyzes how other patents build on Ford’s innovation by looking at patent-to-patent citations. “Ford’s overall patent portfolio plays a significant role in serving as a foundation for other technology innovation as shown by receiving 20 percent more citations than the average portfolio in this industry,” Wren says. For the Fusion Hybrid, for example, teams of research scientists and engineers developed Ford-exclusive technologies that helped the vehicle achieve a certified 41 mpg in the city, 8 mpg better than the Toyota Camry hybrid. “Ford is using technology to remake our lineup with the green, high-tech vehicles customers want,” says Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “The Fusion Hybrid team set the bar high – to develop America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan – and that’s what they delivered.” Patents on the Fusion Hybrid pertain to technologies such as Ford’s new-generation hybrid powertrain and SmartGaugeTM with EcoGuide digital instrument cluster that helps coach drivers to achieve better fuel efficiency. “We focus on getting high-quality patents that have the best breakthrough potential for the company,” says Bill Coughlin, president and CEO of Ford Global Technologies. Specific Fusion and Fusion Hybrid patents include:
Hybrid technology – The Fusion Hybrid’s powertrain system combines the best attributes of the gasoline engine and electric battery-driven motors to deliver the optimal experience for the customer in terms of driving performance and fuel economy. The overall system upgrade allows the hybrid to operate up to 47 mph in pure electric mode, approximately twice as fast as some competitors. The city driving range on a single tank of gas is expected to be more than 700 miles.
SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide – This unique instrument cluster helps coach Fusion Hybrid drivers on how to optimize performance of their vehicle for maximum fuel efficiency. It features two, high-resolution, full-color liquid crystal display (LCD) screens on either side of the analog speedometer that can be configured to show different levels of information, including fuel and battery power levels, average and instant mpg report.
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™) with Cross Traffic Alert – Ford’s new Cross Traffic Alert feature will help warn drivers of impending traffic while backing out by using radars to pick up moving objects within a 65-foot range from either side of the vehicle. Two warnings are given: an indicator lights up in the corresponding outside mirror and an audible alert is sounded. The feature works in conjunction with Ford’s radar-based Blind Spot Information System, utilizing this system’s two multiple beam radar modules, which are packaged in the rear quarter panels – one per side. The radar identifies when a vehicle enters the defined blind spot zone and illuminates an indicator light on the corresponding sideview mirror providing a warning that a vehicle is approaching.
EasyFuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler System – This industry-exclusive feature eliminates the need to touch dirty gas caps and helps to reduce evaporative emissions that create smog. When fueling is completed and the fuel pump nozzle is removed, the system automatically seals shut.
Patenting is a global activity at Ford, with experts in the United States, Europe, India and China sharing common processes and reporting through Ford Global Technologies, LLC, a wholly owned Ford subsidiary responsible for managing Ford’s intellectual property worldwide. # # #
I don't have the numbers in front of me but Ford's quality of build continues to improve year after year and several models now rank highest in initial quality over foreign and domestic competitors. If you haven't been in a Ford lately, I invite you to come down to Ford of Ocala for a test drive. I guarantee you will be more than pleasantly surprised! 352.732.4800
Today, everyone associated with Ford should take pride in the quality of the cars and trucks we build that resulted in the latest headlines on Consumer Reports Annual Car Reliability Survey. Among those headlines: Ford Reliability Gains on Honda, Toyota, from Bloomberg News, and Ford Builds Most Reliable American Cars, from The Detroit News. The results from Consumer Reports further validate the quality story we at Ford have been telling for some time. Our efforts to design, build and launch with quality are paying off. As David Champion, director of Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, noted, This has been a systematic, structural change within Ford. That structural change shows in the dedicated work by teams in manufacturing, product development, purchasing, marketing, sales and quality using disciplined, standardized processes to deliver significant quality gains. Despite the challenges of the current automotive climate, our teams have remained focused on the goal, to become the highest quality automotive manufacturer. We are well on our way to achieving that goal. A total of 44 FLM vehicles / configurations earned average or better reliability ratings compared to 41 FLM vehicles / configurations in last years survey. Some highlights from the Consumer Reports auto issue, which features the Ford Fusion on the cover with the caption, Ford Fusion, top rating in Reliability. * Ford was singled out as on par with the Japanese automakers and the best of the domestics. The magazine writes: Fords three nameplates Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury lead the domestic automakers and continue to pull away from the rest of Detroit. * Almost all Ford products now carry average or better than average reliability ratings. The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan continue to rank among the most reliable family cars. The freshened Ford Focus sedan rated above average, with the magazine citing a vast improvement. The Ford F150 2WD versions with V6 and V8 are rated better than average. The 2009 model has not yet been tested. We all should be pleased with the survey results, but not surprised. We have set a high standard for ourselves and our customers and we are making progress every day to deliver on that standard.
FORD IS WINNING MORE NEW CUSTOMERS FROM COMPETING BRANDS, FUELING MARKET SHARE GAINS 
