GM Said to Study Shedding Saab, Saturn, Pontiac
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Closet American
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Serbian Steamer
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Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
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May I ask where you are even getting your information? How could you possibly know what a Mercury owner would do? Personally, I can't tell the difference between a Ford or a Mercury.
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Serbian Steamer
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I recently read a book about Edsel. And that book talked about Ford's position on the market and why GM was always outselling Ford. And the reason was Buick and Olds. Because no matter how good Fords were, there were people who wanted more, not just a better interior package, but also car that would represent upper class. Situation changed a little bit when Ford introduced Mercury in 1939, but GM still had a huge lead with Buick, Olds and Pontiac. Heck, even Chrysler had Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler.
Same this is happening now. People who are spending extra money on Mercury and Buick do not want to go back to Ford and Chevy even if Ford and Chevy are just as good as Mercury and Buick.
Same this is happening now. People who are spending extra money on Mercury and Buick do not want to go back to Ford and Chevy even if Ford and Chevy are just as good as Mercury and Buick.
Last edited by Zastava_101; Nov 30, 2008 at 10:05 AM.
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
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I recently read a book about Edsel. And that book talked about Ford's position on the market and why GM was always outselling Ford. And the reason was Buick and Olds. Because no matter how good Fords were, there were people who wanted more, not just a better interior package, but also car that would represent upper class. Situation changed a little bit when Ford introduced Mercury in 1939, but GM still had a huge lead with Buick, Olds and Pontiac. Heck, even Chrysler had Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler.
Same this is happening now. People who are spending extra money on Mercury and Buick do not want to go back to Ford and Chevy even if Ford and Chevy are just as good as Mercury and Buick.
Same this is happening now. People who are spending extra money on Mercury and Buick do not want to go back to Ford and Chevy even if Ford and Chevy are just as good as Mercury and Buick.
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Nice list, but it makes no sense. Have the Euro Focus a Ford, but not the Cabrio? WTH? That wouldn't work at all (example):
Salesperson: "Hello, how may I assist you today"?
Customer: "I would like to see the new Euro Focus you carry now?"
SP: "Be glad to, follow me (walking to row of Focuses)?"
Cus: "These are nice, but do you have the convertible?"
SP: "Sorry, but that is sold at Mercury dealers, I don't carry them?"
Cus: "Mercury dealers? Why did Ford do that? You sell the Focus, but not the converible version? Thats very odd?
SP: I know, tell me about it"
Cus: "Sorry to hear. That was the car I really wanted. I thank you for your time"?
LOST SALE!!
See what I mean? This won't be an isolated incident. It would happen ALL THE TIME!! Ford needs another convertible other than the Mustang, and this is it! And not every Ford dealer has a Mercury franchise. Around me, there are only 3 Mercury stores in a 25 mile radius.
Another thing, the C-Max as a Mercury? Remember the last time they had a minivan, the Monterey? Didn't sell a lick!! I'm telling you, you keep them AS Fords!! You have more dealers to sell them at, and hence more product can get out there for people to buy!
Salesperson: "Hello, how may I assist you today"?
Customer: "I would like to see the new Euro Focus you carry now?"
SP: "Be glad to, follow me (walking to row of Focuses)?"
Cus: "These are nice, but do you have the convertible?"
SP: "Sorry, but that is sold at Mercury dealers, I don't carry them?"
Cus: "Mercury dealers? Why did Ford do that? You sell the Focus, but not the converible version? Thats very odd?
SP: I know, tell me about it"
Cus: "Sorry to hear. That was the car I really wanted. I thank you for your time"?
LOST SALE!!
See what I mean? This won't be an isolated incident. It would happen ALL THE TIME!! Ford needs another convertible other than the Mustang, and this is it! And not every Ford dealer has a Mercury franchise. Around me, there are only 3 Mercury stores in a 25 mile radius.
Another thing, the C-Max as a Mercury? Remember the last time they had a minivan, the Monterey? Didn't sell a lick!! I'm telling you, you keep them AS Fords!! You have more dealers to sell them at, and hence more product can get out there for people to buy!
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I recently read a book about Edsel. And that book talked about Ford's position on the market and why GM was always outselling Ford. And the reason was Buick and Olds. Because no matter how good Fords were, there were people who wanted more, not just a better interior package, but also car that would represent upper class. Situation changed a little bit when Ford introduced Mercury in 1939, but GM still had a huge lead with Buick, Olds and Pontiac. Heck, even Chrysler had Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler.
Same this is happening now. People who are spending extra money on Mercury and Buick do not want to go back to Ford and Chevy even if Ford and Chevy are just as good as Mercury and Buick.
Same this is happening now. People who are spending extra money on Mercury and Buick do not want to go back to Ford and Chevy even if Ford and Chevy are just as good as Mercury and Buick.
This has been part of the Big 3's problem all along: living in the past.
Mercury cannot justify its existence with brand-engineered vehicles that offer nothing more than a few added trim pieces and a different nose.
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Z, thats so rediculous to say that. Your buying a FORD rebadged as a Mercury!! Its not like its a totally different car, made by a different manufacturer! I've been in the Milan and a Fusion and there is NO difference to me. Same with the Mariner vs the Escape!
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Serbian Steamer
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That's like saying that Audi A3 shouldn't exist because its basically a VW Golf. Same thing with VW Phaeton and Audi A8.
In that case, why does Scion even exist? They're nothing more than Japanese Toyotas and their sales are really low even though they have a very low price.
In that case, why does Scion even exist? They're nothing more than Japanese Toyotas and their sales are really low even though they have a very low price.
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That's like saying that Audi A3 shouldn't exist because its basically a VW Golf. Same thing with VW Phaeton and Audi A8.
In that case, why does Scion even exist? They're nothing more than Japanese Toyotas and their sales are really low even though they have a very low price.
In that case, why does Scion even exist? They're nothing more than Japanese Toyotas and their sales are really low even though they have a very low price.
First of all the Audi A3 is quite different than the VW Golf - I've looked closely at both.
The Phaeton was a total flop in North America, precisely because it WAS so much like the A8...and too expensive. Why not just buy the A8 - which is what most people did.
And I can't think of a single Scion that looks like anything in the Toyota lineup.
Last edited by Hollywood_North GT; Nov 30, 2008 at 07:48 PM.
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Apples to oranges, man.
First of all the Audi A3 is quite different than the VW Golf - I've looked closely at both.
The Phaeton was a total flop in North America, precisely because it WAS so much like the A8...and too expensive. Why not just buy the A8 - which is what most people did.
And I can't think of a single Scion that looks like anything in the Toyota lineup.
First of all the Audi A3 is quite different than the VW Golf - I've looked closely at both.
The Phaeton was a total flop in North America, precisely because it WAS so much like the A8...and too expensive. Why not just buy the A8 - which is what most people did.
And I can't think of a single Scion that looks like anything in the Toyota lineup.
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I think his point is that the Scions are just Toyotas in Japan or Europe, and few whine about them being badged Scions over here. Which is where my post was coming from: instead of rebadging cars already available here as Fords with the waterfall grill and more options, offer Fords that we normally wouldn't here as Mercs. I don't mean cars Ford NA should be embracing, like Mondeo or Fiesta, I mean cars that likely won't put up huge numbers but could succeed as niche vehicles such as the Cabriolet, or the B-car people movers. If Ford tries to run with both the Ka and Fiesta here it probably won't work, the market isn't there yet to sustain both at similar price points on the same lot. But if Ford has the Fiesta as the mass-market offering and Merc has the Ka as a premium/limited availability city-car, both might turn out winners.
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Could it be that people bough A8 simply because it was Audi?
xB is Toyota Urban Cruiser (Europe) and Toyota bB (Asia) and xD is Toyota ist (Japan).
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Killing Mercury is a no brainer. If Ford still had Jaguar in their lineup, it would be an interesting scenario to kill Lincoln as well and keep Jag as the luxury division. Jaguar's lineup is much stronger to compete with MB, BMW, Audi, and Lexus.