Time for Ford to Step Down?

[skool]

Hey folks, read the article http://www.frontstretch.com/jmeyer/7158/

Give us your 2 cents worth AND...Check out Kevin Kennedy's response to the article as well. His letter is included in it entirety below. Mr. Kennedy is the Public Affairs manager of Ford Racing Technology



Jeff - just got done reading your column:  Is It Time For Ford To Step Down?
 
I appreciate you quoting Dan Davis and myself in the column, but I also have to disagree with the basic premise of the piece.
 
No one at Ford is saying our NASCAR program is the key to getting Ford turned around.  If only it was that easy.
 
But what Dan, and I, have said is that Ford research ... done every year the past nine years ... shows that Ford's participation in racing, and NASCAR in particular, has been a good investment for the company in terms of marketing the Ford brand.  I think it's unlikely any other car company has such extensive research.
 
Couple quick notes:
 
-    56 percent of the Ford owner base classify themselves as race fans - that's a huge number
-    Our market share is 46 percent higher among race fans than non-race fans
-    Purchase consideration for Ford products (you won't buy a Ford unless you at least consider it) is 72 percent higher among race fans than non-race fans.
 
It's those kinds of numbers, and serious sales tracking among race fans who attend Ford-related events, that are the reason that Ford supports racing.  It's a business after all, and racing is one of the most cost-effective marketing programs the company has.
 
Again, it's not the be-all and end-all to Ford's problems in the marketplace.  But it IS an effective marketing tool today, and everyone to the top of the house at Ford, understands the numbers.
 
Although I may disagree with your column this week, I do appreciate your enthusiasm and support for the sport.
 
Best wishes, Kevin
 
 
 
Kevin Kennedy
Ford Racing Technology Public Affairs Manager
Executive Vice President
PCGCampbell
Dearborn, MI

[falcon325]

Good response there, Kevin.

[HUDSON HORNET]

First
On
Race
Day

 

[ChromeHorn]

Found
On
Roadside
Dead

 

[HUDSON HORNET]

  Not M Y  Ford!!!
I hope 

Found
On
Roadside
Dead

 

[ChromeHorn]

  Mine either 

[PuglieseVT]

Ford does three things perfectly:

Trucks
Mustang, GT, Shelby GT, Shelby GT500
GT Sportscar (now discontinued) 

If they actually had a marketing department that you know, marketed properly, they wouldn't have to give away Fusions, F-150s, and the Ford 500.........which is now going to be rebaged as a Taurus. Which begs the question, why did they git rid of the most recognized car name in the first place?

Also Ford, please feel free to install a telescoping steering wheel in my Mustang anytime you feel up to it. You put one in the retal Fusion I had four months ago, but not your 300hp musclecar.

Thanks,

Vito