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#1 (permalink) |
Super Moderator
Location: 18,000+ posts on TFP #1,2,3,4 and 5,but I'm not counting!
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Internal Ford memo.....June 2,2010
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 12:46 PM
To: The Ford Team Subject: Announcement of Important Lincoln and Mercury News Today marks another important milestone in our company’s transformation as we solidify plans to further grow our Ford brand while accelerating Lincoln. As noted in the attached press release, today we are announcing plans to introduce seven new or significantly upgraded Lincoln vehicles in the next four years, including our first-ever C-segment vehicle. We also are announcing that we will end production of Mercury vehicles in the fourth quarter of this year. While Mercury served us well in the past, it now is time to fully devote our resources and attention to growing Lincoln – just as we have been doing so successfully with the Ford brand. We are meeting today with our dealers, the news media and other key stakeholders to ensure everyone understands our plan. It is equally important that each of us becomes familiar with the details of this announcement. More details will be shared in a News to Know special edition you will receive shortly, as well as on @Ford Online. Thank you for your continued hard work and support. - Mark ford to EXPAND LINCOLN LINEUP and BRAND EMPHASIS; mercury PRODUCTION ENDS in fourth quarter of 2010 Ford is expanding its Lincoln lineup with seven all-new or significantly refreshed vehicles in the next four years – including its first-ever C-segment vehicle Lincoln’s plan accelerates with more investment and attention on standout product design, class-leading technology and powertrains delivering top performance and fuel efficiency Lincoln product development, marketing, sales and service resources expanding as the brand competes with Cadillac and Lexus in the marketplace Ford will end production of Mercury vehicles in the fourth quarter of this year to fully devote its financial, product development, production and marketing, sales and service resources toward further growing its core Ford brand while enhancing Lincoln Existing Mercury owners to receive continued access to parts and service support at Ford and Lincoln dealers; current Mercury vehicle warranties and Extended Service Plans will be honored; special offers available on new Mercury vehicles through the summer Affected dealers to receive specialized support during the transition, as the company continues its transformation to a more profitable dealer network DEARBORN, Mich., June 2, 2010 – Ford Motor Company will expand and enhance its Lincoln brand lineup with seven all-new or significantly refreshed vehicles in the next four years as part of an aggressive growth plan focused on standout product design, class-leading technology and new powertrains – all aimed at competing with Cadillac and Lexus in North America. Ford also will end production of Mercury vehicles in the fourth quarter of this year to fully devote its financial, product development, production and marketing, sales and service resources toward further growing its core Ford brand while enhancing the Lincoln brand. “We have made tremendous progress on profitably growing the Ford brand during the past few years. Now, it is time to do the same for Lincoln,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “The new Lincoln vehicles will transform luxury for North American premium customers through an unexpected blend of responsive driving enjoyment and warm, inviting comfort. We will also offer our customers a world-class retail experience through a vibrant retail network.” Lincoln’s hallmarks will be refined, modern design, the most fuel-efficient premium powertrains and industry-leading technology that create a unique driver experience both in the cabin and on the road. “Profitably growing Lincoln in North America is an important part of our One Ford plan,” said Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO. “Our Ford brand is gaining momentum and winning customers around the world. Now, we are going to use the same laser focus to further strengthen Lincoln and deliver even more products luxury customers really want and value.” Foundation Set The future of Lincoln is building from a strong base that includes the all-new flagship MKS large sedan, the all-new MKT seven-passenger crossover and a significantly refreshed MKZ mid-size sedan – all now in showrooms. The hybrid version of the MKZ will reach showrooms later this year and is expected to be the most fuel efficient premium sedan on the market. Lincoln’s product actions continue later this year with the debut of the significantly refreshed 2011 MKX crossover, the first vehicle to feature MyLincoln Touch driver connect technology. This will be followed by another six all-new or significantly refreshed vehicles within four years developed with Lincoln’s DNA of standout design, precise and confident driving experience, class-leading technology and powertrains delivering top performance and fuel efficiency. Lincoln will be led by expanded product development and marketing, sales and service teams to support the brand’s growth plan and ensure it has a strong cadence of distinct products that are well positioned in the market. Plans for Lincoln include: Lincoln’s first-ever C-segment vehicle New Lincoln-exclusive powertrains, including an all-new V-6 engine and advanced fuel-efficient transmissions EcoBoost engines available in all Lincolns – from the Navigator full-size SUV to the new C-segment Lincoln Fuel economy leadership with each new vehicle – leading to Lincoln emerging as the most fuel-efficient luxury lineup on the market More useful technology and features than any other competitor – with a special focus on comfort and convenience. New advanced features include: fully retractable glass roofs; adaptive computer-controlled suspensions; electronic, push-button gear-selectors; active noise control; and exclusive MyLincoln Touch driver connect technology “Lincoln vehicles will reward drivers with smooth, effortless power complemented by agile handling and responsive steering,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president, Global Product Development. “The cabin is a sanctuary with segment-leading quietness, genuine materials and intuitive, useful technology.” Lincoln has started gaining traction with customers, as evidenced by market share gains during the past five years. Lincoln’s share of the retail U.S. luxury vehicle market has grown from 4.5 percent in 2005 to 6.3 percent through the first quarter of 2010. In addition, Lincoln’s reputation with consumers has risen, with favorable opinion and purchase consideration reaching its highest level in the past five years. Lincoln’s long-term durability was second only to Porsche’s in the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Survey. Mercury Mercury originally was created as a premium offering to Ford and was an important source of incremental sales. However, the continued strength of the Ford brand – particularly during the past three years – has accelerated the migration from Mercury to Ford for many customers. Today, Mercury’s customer profile, pricing and margins are almost identical to Ford, but Mercury’s incremental sales have been declining. The majority of current Mercury sales are to fleet buyers and customers purchasing through employee, retiree and friends and family discounts, which Ford anticipates largely can be satisfied by Ford brand vehicles. Of Ford Motor Company’s 16 percent market share in the U.S., Mercury accounts for 0.8 percentage points, a level that has been flat or declining for the past several years. That contrasts with the Ford brand, which has increased market share by 2.2 percentage points so far this year on the strength of new products and improved quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value. Ford’s strengthening financial position – including the return to profitability and positive cash flow – allows the company to absorb short-term costs associated with the discontinuation of Mercury and to consolidate future product investments into Lincoln. Today, there are no stand-alone Mercury dealerships in North America. Ford is working closely with dealers to maintain properly located stand-alone Lincoln or Ford-Lincoln dealers, which will offer dealers and the company the greatest opportunity for long-term profitable growth. New operational standards developed with the company’s dealers will facilitate a Lincoln customer experience that exceeds the expectations of North American luxury customers. Personal Attention Ford will work closely with Mercury dealers and customers during the transition, including providing existing Mercury owners with continued access to parts and service support at Ford and Lincoln dealers and by honoring current warranties, including Ford’s Extended Service Plans. “We are 100 percent committed to supporting Mercury owners through Ford and Lincoln dealerships and working hard to keep them as valued customers in the future,” Fields said. “At the same time, we will work closely with our dealers to phase out Mercury franchises and continue to build a healthy, growing Lincoln with strong new products and a profitable dealer network that delivers a world-class customer experience.” Mercury owners will receive additional details in the coming days explaining the transition and assuring them that Ford and its dealers will continue to provide all necessary parts and service support for Mercury products. Ford has notified Mercury dealers of the decision and provided details of a financial package that includes payment in exchange for resigning the franchise. Ford today also informed dealers of special offers on new Mercury vehicles that will be available through the summer to support the sell down of current Mercury inventory and remaining Mercury vehicle production. “We are taking decisive action and moving into the future with the right plan to deliver profitable growth for all stakeholders,” Fields said. “These moves position us to continue building momentum through strong brands, great products and an unwavering focus on the customer.”
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"Life goes on,within you,and...with out you !" xoxoxoo |
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#4 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: Pats country
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[QUOTE=FuglyStick;2794694]Where will we go to find a mafia hitman's car now?
![]() Same company... ![]()
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"Religion is the one area of our discourse in which it is considered noble to pretend to be certain about things no human being could possibly be certain about" --Sam Harris |
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#7 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: Fort Worth, TX
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It's about time... GM/Chrystler need to do more of this.
Too much internal competition for the exact same car built by the exact same people. Have one great cheap, one great mid, and one great luxury car and be done with it. Same with trucks and commercial vehicles.
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"Smite the rocks with the rod of knowledge, and fountains of unstinted wealth will gush forth." - Ashbel Smith as he laid the first cornerstone of the University of Texas |
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#8 (permalink) |
Riding the Ocean Spray
Location: S.E. PA in U Sofa
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I'm not sure I agree with the "marketing" theory that seems to be at play here. They are going to offer Fords with various options anyway, so is it too hard to put a "Mercury" label on a somehwat upscaled/trimmed Ford? No. IMO this adds some differentiation to the product line so if a customer wants to spend a few extra bucks for a shiney strip or fancy hubcap, let them have the option.
The problem with Mercury (and Pontiac, etc) is/was that the marketing geniuses decided they had to have a completely different factory, assembly line, and dealer network and that's way too costly....but absolutely not necessary IMO. |
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#9 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: The Danforth
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Mercury was upscale to Ford? I thought it was the other way.
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You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey And I never saw someone say that before You held my hand and we walked home the long way You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I |
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#11 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: The Danforth
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dang! well, now I have to look at those tinny Montegos and Milans in a whole different light....
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You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey And I never saw someone say that before You held my hand and we walked home the long way You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I |
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#12 (permalink) |
The Reforms
Location: Rarely, if ever, here or there, but always in transition
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Didin't this already happen a year or two back?
Oh, right. Is Buick still in business? because that motor moniker is becoming the new method of meaning a vehicular dinosaur (and by "new", I mean new to me, which is usually something within the past twenty years of existence and usage and appearance within our culture).
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As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves. —Mohandas K. Gandhi |
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#14 (permalink) |
Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side
Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.
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how can you not drool over this? ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR Convertible...one of the most gorgeous cars ever made. ![]()
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He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin... |
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Tags |
ford, internal, memojune |
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