Because Ford's Big Problem Is Color Choice

It's just another example that one of the old-Big 3 is trying to convince itself that it found something to make sales soars.

Lately, Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge has been advertising intensively its Lifetime Powertrain Waranty as a revolution and "why would you want to buy anything else"? It's the same thing.

The reason why Toyota is where it is right now and that Honda is now far behind is that they have a limited line of good vehicles that meet people's need. Advertising it is a joke afterwards.

Too much choice = too complicated.

can people please start rooting for the american big 3. if they go under so does this country. you don't realize how these car companies have kept this country going. the profit from the sale of import cars, even if they are made here, go back across the water. wake up people

When was the last time you went to a dealership and asked to see the "French Silk" or "Merlot" "Fill in Brand Here". It just doesn't happen.

Maybe OEM's should spend a little more time & money talking to their customers (including those that didn't buy their brand) to understand what their real problems are. We spend so much money on "generic research" that gives them "most important purchase reasons" like "price or deal offered" or "vehicle's reliability".

Big-3 agencies are stuck in the "do creative that the client will approve" so they aren't threatened with loosing the business.

Get into your customer's head and build your brand on the things that really matter. We have focused too long on the "next 30 days" in this business.

Someone needs to stop the insanity and think about long term brand equity and customer loyalty. Hmmm..Lexus, Honda, Toyota. No wonder their kicking our butt! -An Insider-

Forget the advertising for a minute. Detroit needs some of those bright young people in Jonathon Feit's ageism story to become engineers and build better cars for the Big 3.

I have been hesitant to upgrade my Mazda Tribute (less expensive sibling of Ford's Escape) because they don't make the color (Blazing Copper Metallic) any more. I have no interest in a line of vehicles whose predominant color scheme is silver/pewter/charcoal/graphite/asphalt/gravel/dust/ashes--they're all gray to me. Thanks, Ford, for coloring the world, one hunk of metal at a time...

You gotta hand it to these guys. A sure-fire scheme to sell cars. Trucks, even. Without building them any better.

What's next? Patterns? And if this works, you already know what's coming next. Two-tone and tri-tone paint jobs. Welcome to 1958.

Will this result in cars being available in more colors overall? Or just new ones?

In the halcyon days of the 1970s, and even later, Fords were available in 15 or more body colors, and at least five interior colors.

Lately, however, we've been seeing six to eight (rather dull) body colors, and two to three interior colors (tan, grey, and maybe black).

One of the things that used to help Detroit compete was that their vehicles offered more pizazz on the showroom floor. But they've given that up in recent years. And when a Ford is just as dull-looking as a Honda, there's no reason to buy a Ford.

I have to agree with the previous comments, renaming a color and changing its hue isn't going to sell cars. When I think "Ford" I think big headlight, big parking lights (makes police cars easy to spot) and dull interiors. I know you're not supposed to consume alcohol before swimming, but it sounds like Ford just made a "merlot life preserver." Case in point, the Focus was cool in its debut in 2000, today its has new headlight, taillights and a less expensive / lower quality material (btw, I owned a 2000 Focus and recently drove a 2007)

People are just ready to jump on the bandwagon and attack the big 3 even though they haven't driven and American car in decades. Ford is trully producing a better product, but people are not always willing to give it a try.

I just got a Ford Fusion and LOVE IT! I was a bit skeptical at first. This is definitely not the old Ford. It drives like a luxury car. I will get another one and like the fact that I have more color choices.

And what MILEAGE does the colorful new Ford get?

"Ford Motor Company has more than a color problem"

Ford's problem is not in their colors. It's in the way they treat their customers. Take the 07 Shelby for instance. There are or should I say there were many loyal customers from the late 60's through the early 70's that were willing to line up for the chance to relive a bit of their past. Keeping in mind, many of them have acquired purchasing wisdom over the past three decades. Not saying a Shelby wouldn't be a good purchase; on the contrary, it would be at the manufacture's MSRP. The problem comes in with FORD raping its consumer base (formerly loyal customers now dropping like flies) by promoting their insane dealer mark up program. If they wanted to price the car at 40% more than the MSRP at least have the balls to do it out right. But instead they hide behind their dealer network and claim it's the dealers that are pursuing these increases.

In my last research it took about fifteen minutes to locate at least 100 of these over priced so called highly demanded toys and if that's not enough, they were all setting at dealerships collecting dust and costing revenues. In the mean time some of the dealers I have spoken to have now contacted me back with SPECIAL pricing, what a joke and if you're a ford fan its not very funny.

You people at FORD better get your heads out of the sand and look around. Nissan, Toyota and many others are now eating your breakfast, lunch and dinner. When will you ever learn?

Since my experience with the Shelby pricing and because of the details of my experience I have decided to open my mind and my eyes to other manufactures products. Something I would have NEVER considered prior to this experience.

Will it be Nissan's new toy or something else? The fact is, it WON'T be a FORD and it's has nothing to do with the color. Maybe you people making all the decisions will realize after you have run everyone away that you are NOT the only game in town or should I say the USA anymore.

B Mehsikomer
Minnesota