Ford Dropped to 4th Place in Market Share Last Month

The New York Times ^ | December 2, 2006 | Nick Bunkley

[Zakeet]

DETROIT, Dec. 1 — Sales by the Ford Motor Company declined even more last month than its management had expected.

The company fell into fourth place in November for the first time in its history, behind Toyota Motor of Japan and the German-American automaker DaimlerChrysler, figures released Friday show.

Ford sold 10 percent fewer vehicles than it did a year ago, sending its market share in the United States down to 14.8 percent from 16.9 percent last November, according to Ward’s AutoInfoBank.

By contrast, Toyota’s sales increased 16 percent, giving it a market share of 16.5 percent, while DaimlerChrysler, which includes the Chrysler Group and Mercedes-Benz, sold 5 percent more vehicles to earn a share of 15.6 percent. General Motors is the largest automaker, with a share of 24.6 percent.

Ford’s numbers were particularly disappointing because they were being compared with last November, one of the worst months in company history, when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita cut demand for trucks as gas prices spiked.

[BW2221]

"Point well taken. Ford is violating my belief that support of perversion of same sex marriage is wrong.
Therefore I buy another american made car (Camry). Made in Kentucky."

If you look closely, you'll find that most auto manufacturers, including Toyota, have caved in to the PC-based gay rights movement. Toyota is a sponsor of the SF gay pride parade. It just runs its money through the local dealers. The Japanese are smart that way. Dozens, if not hundreds, of Germans were executed for war crimes, but Tojo was the only Japanese to be hanged.

[PGalt]

Bring back Phil Martens and Matt DeMars.

[Joe Boucher]

Can you say UNIONS?

[Joe Boucher]

Good post and I agree whole heartedly as it seems do a lot of other Americans.

Seems Ford decided not to try to make the best vehicles possible. Ford instead decided to make vehicles cheaper to try to increase their bottom line. They are junk and it shows by the way folks just aren't buying them. Paying for high union crap and poor quality.
Throw in support for the lesbian and gay agenda and to hell with them.

[cbkaty]

From Walmart to Ford....my advice is to simply stick to your core business and stay out of politics and causes....

Technology, Quality and Value are both required to compete in the marketplace...it ain't rocket science or brain surgery....!

[NY.SS-Bar9]

hits like Caliber

You forgot the /sarcasm tag - honestly, that thing is the ugliest POS since the Aztec. Poor gas mileage (±23 MPG) and crappy fit and finish will lead to huge discounts to move them off the lots.

Bad move Dieter.

[BW2221]

"Can you say UNIONS?"

The interesting thing is that the Asian nameplates have unions in their native lands and non-union plants in the U.S. The Detroit Three have union plants in the u.S. and mainly non-union plants abroad. Both have learned from previous mistakes.

The Korean auto union makes the UAW look like the Cub Scouts.

[Joe Boucher]

Yeah but the Korean won (its currency) is about 1/5th the value of the dollar.

You are right though that it is fun to watch korean cops line up against union thugs and pelt each other.
Also to import anything into korea there is enormous import taxes whereas we let them sell any and all their crap here with little duties.
They are going nuts to try to stop a free trade deal with us from going through.Guess they are afraid they just can't compete especially with our farmers.

[BW2221]

Fortunately for Chrysler, auto buyers don't share your views on Caliber. Dealers have a 49 day inventory, which places it in the same range as the most popular Toyota and Honda models. It is generally viewed as a success by industry experts.

I was in Cleveland last week on business and during lunch the conversation turned to cars. My clients were telling me about this cool new car one of their coworkers just bought and assumed it was a Toyota. When we got back to their office, they discovered it was a Caliber. They couldn't believe it was the Neon replacement.

[BW2221]

The same holds true for trying to import a vehicle into Japan. Every imported vehicle must undergo a complete government inspection, which takes time and adds a fee to the cost of the vehicle.

The thing most of the FR free traders forget is that free trade is pretty much a one-way street (into the U.S.).

[Joe Boucher]

Japan like China is polluting themselves into early death. Been there and the place is like a cesspool. Green slime and pollution in streams in and around Tokyo.
And if you tried to drive an American car around the place many roads are too narrow to accomodate them much like Europe.

[Andy'smom]

I have a 2001 Ford Escape - made in Tennessee. Are they still made there? It's been a decent car, but I'm going to be replacing it soon and I don't plan on buying another Ford.

[Alia]

How do you square your: "The thing most of the FR free traders forget is that free trade is pretty much a one-way street (into the U.S.)." alongside PAR35's very true:

"Just to clarify, when you say 'buy American', do you mean GMs built in Australia, and Fords built in Canada with Mexican parts. Or do you mean Toyotas built in the US with engines and transmissions built in the states?"

As Democrats made it more and more punitive for American businesses to remain in business in the US, Free Trade, as you scorn, became a practical matter.

It doesn't matter that cars using parts manufactured elsewhere are purchased here -- those purchasing dollars benefit the US Economy at all levels.

We purchase parts elsewhere for products top-finished here and sold here in the US, who buys these and in what pocket do these dollars go -- predominantly into US pockets.

[varon]

It is interesting to me that people yell buy American when discussing Walmart and other stores, but when discussing cars, there is no push to buy American. Interesting but not all consumers fault. If only American cars could be built better than I do believe that Americans would become patriotic and buy American.

With car prices in the range of home prices years ago, available financing extending beyond 5 years in some instances and wages stagnating, the government should create a FAA (Federal Automobile Administration) similar to FHA for housing. This would make NEW cars affordable for an increased number of Americans and increase US car company sales by making the FAA loans available only on US auto maker cars. (/tongue in cheek)

[BW2221]

Try importing a Dodge or Chevy into Japan or Korea. You wouldn't believe the red tape and added cost.

In their wildest dreams, the Dems couldn't come up with protectionist laws that match the Japanese or Koreans.

If you look at the hierarchy of any Japanese or Korean U.S. subsidiary, you'll see a certain level of management above which, it's all Japanese or Korean. Japanese car companies buy components primarily from other Japanese companies with U.S. operations.

I know it's considered "good form" on FR to love big oil and Wal-Mart and hate the Detroit Three. I try to fight that urge.

[BW2221]

The biggest problems the Japanese face is they have one of the lowest birth rates in the world.

[Racer1]

A lot of people are quick to blame Unions, which has some truth to it but just a little. The fact is if corporate America would quit fleecing American workers and America there would be no need for unions. Fords problems go much deeper than blaming the unions. No leadership, no new ideas, slow response to changing conditions. They are still trying to milk the gas hog SUV's and Pickup trucks. This is why Toyota, and Honda are kicking there butts. They advertise some of there gas economy cars at 30 mph and that just isn't good enough. They just don't get it. I own all Fords, because they have served me well. I have a Ford Escort that gets 36mpg non highway mileage. Guess what they don't make them anymore. Think that was the unions idea to quit making them. Unions have their problems too, but people see that the CEO's get undeserving multimillion dollar salaries and want there fair share and who could blame them. They have hopes and dreams too. Their is plenty of blame to go around with corporate shouldering the bulk of it.

[Hydroshock]

Exactly, the biggest problem with Ford is the leadership at Ford.

[BW2221]

I agree. I am an independent consultant in automotive marketing.

One of the biggest advantages the imports have is far superior marketing. The Detroit Three (particular Chrysler and Ford) give their ad agencies entirely too much power. The ad agencies recommend what's most profitable for them (TV and magazine advertising, which has lost much of its effectiveness).

Toyota, on the other hand, will have increased its event marketing budget by 600% from 2005 to 2007. They have vehicles where people can see and touch them.

The quality gap between the Detroit Three and the imports really has narrowed in recent years. But, there no way they can convince you of that when they bombard you with ads on Fox NFL Sunday this afternoon.

[SMM48]

I don't care how many Toyotas are made in the USA. Toyota is NOT an American car company. Their goal is to crush the entire US auto industry and become number #1. Toyota has a "perception" of quality but how many of you know of the numerous and massive recalls of this past year? The MSM treats the US auto industry the same way they treat conservatives. And, just like DemocRATs, Toyota et al get a pass while GM, Ford, Chrysler are nothing but crap and should be avoided at all costs.