Ford Re-Focusing Its Efforts On Small Cars
Wall Street Journal, Wednesday, May 6, 2009 11:03 AM
Ford today will detail plans to convert its Michigan truck plant into a facility that will produce the same Ford Focus small-car line that it builds in Europe and Asia, giving the company global economies of scale. It hopes to revive the car's reputation in the U.S., where it has not been successful, by producing a battery-powered model, its first all-electric passenger car, Matthew Dolan reports.
Ford initially aimed the Focus at young urban hipsters in the U.S. but the marketing alienated much of Ford's core customers. When the Focus arrived from Europe, early models were stripped of features to reduce its price, resulting in a less desirable vehicle. Models here sold for about $17,000 compared to about $30,000 in Europe.
Ford will need to raise the car's average price to generate a profit. CEO Alan Mulally says he's confident that the new models will allow it to price its cars higher as U.S. consumers come to view its small cars as being on par with competitors.
Read the whole story at Wall Street Journal »
Ford initially aimed the Focus at young urban hipsters in the U.S. but the marketing alienated much of Ford's core customers. When the Focus arrived from Europe, early models were stripped of features to reduce its price, resulting in a less desirable vehicle. Models here sold for about $17,000 compared to about $30,000 in Europe.
Ford will need to raise the car's average price to generate a profit. CEO Alan Mulally says he's confident that the new models will allow it to price its cars higher as U.S. consumers come to view its small cars as being on par with competitors.
Recent Around the Net In Brand Marketing Articles
-
One Million Moms Vs. Salad Dressing June 18, 9:31 a.m.
One Million Moms is in a tizzy because of a Kraft Zesty Italian dressing ad in ... -
Noodles & Company Sets IPO June 18, 9:31 a.m.
Noodles & Company, owned by Catterton Partners along with Canadian pension investment board Argentia Private Investments ... -
Heineken Shares Dad Jokes June 18, 9:31 a.m.
In honor of Father’s Day last Sunday, Heineken celebrated dads and and corny dad humor. The ... -
Lou Lou: Small Store Makes Good June 18, 9:31 a.m.
Washington , D.C., area Lou Lou started in a shoe-box sized space in D.C. Now it ... -
JCPenney Goes Back To Visible Staff June 18, 9:31 a.m.
JCP's "un-dress" code is a legacy of ousted Chief Executive Officer Ron Johnson, the former Apple ... -
Fiat Ponders Future Products June 18, 9:31 a.m.
Fiat is getting bigger with the new four-door 500L. Where next? The maker is hoping to ... -
Macy's 4th Celebration Includes Empire State Building June 17, 8:03 a.m.
The Empire State Building will be used in the 37th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks ... -
Superman Takes Off With Help Of Only One Game June 17, 8:03 a.m.
Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures’ "Man of Steel" has made $196.7 million globally and $125 million ... -
Apple Wants A Slice Of Telematics. Will Cars Assent? June 17, 8:03 a.m.
At its developers' conference last week, Apple said it plans to more seamlessly link its iOS7 ... -
Wendy's Rethinking Value Menu June 17, 8:03 a.m.
The 6,500-unit Wendy's chain tried "Right Price Right Size", but the menu is not attracting enough ...
Be the first to comment on "Ford Re-Focusing Its Efforts On Small Cars "
Leave a Comment