Communication from corporate - a shift in paradigm

[Gabbydad]

Many many posts about this Maverick pertain to the timing of the build. You see tons of information and speculation and rumor.
There are many people frustrated as a result.

Launching a brand new vehicle is not an exact science and moresoe with the challenges of materials shortages and logistics issues. Clearly the supply chain is stretched at best. (I do recognize this is an option as well.)

I think that Ford has an opportunity here to elevate the game by being more transparent. This isn’t a criticism, it’s a suggestion. I think that having their marketing staff publish weekly email newsletters would allow customers to appreciate all the moving parts involved here. Most folks, I believe can handle bad news better than no news. Being in the dark is when people tend to spin out of control.

I lead the sales effort for a manufacturer of disinfectant products and last year I created a protocol like this and the feedback was tremendous from my distributor client base. By understanding our challenges and having an idea of timing they were able to make adjustments as needed or keep their customers in the loop.

If Ford established, let’s say a Maverick bulletin and a Bronco version, etc, I think that the overwhelming % of customers would love it and it would foster more loyalty.

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[Rkbrumbelow]

Many many posts about this Maverick pertain to the timing of the build. You see tons of information and speculation and rumor.
There are many people frustrated as a result.

Launching a brand new vehicle is not an exact science and moresoe with the challenges of materials shortages and logistics issues. Clearly the supply chain is stretched at best. (I do recognize this is an option as well.)

I think that Ford has an opportunity here to elevate the game by being more transparent. This isn’t a criticism, it’s a suggestion. I think that having their marketing staff publish weekly email newsletters would allow customers to appreciate all the moving parts involved here. Most folks, I believe can handle bad news better than no news. Being in the dark is when people tend to spin out of control.

I lead the sales effort for a manufacturer of disinfectant products and last year I created a protocol like this and the feedback was tremendous from my distributor client base. By understanding our challenges and having an idea of timing they were able to make adjustments as needed or keep their customers in the loop.

If Ford established, let’s say a Maverick bulletin and a Bronco version, etc, I think that the overwhelming % of customers would love it and it would foster more loyalty.

The constraint is constraint, so much is dependent on JitD of components and that is vey unpredictable in the current clime

 

[Lappo424]

We need to remember too that this is step 9 of 10000 on ford's new goal of shifting to build to order.

It will only get better. Also I'm about to buy 600 of Ford shares because they are moving orders up. Also the new Mach e was released weeks early too

 

[mamboman777]

Many many posts about this Maverick pertain to the timing of the build. You see tons of information and speculation and rumor.
There are many people frustrated as a result.

Launching a brand new vehicle is not an exact science and moresoe with the challenges of materials shortages and logistics issues. Clearly the supply chain is stretched at best. (I do recognize this is an option as well.)

I think that Ford has an opportunity here to elevate the game by being more transparent. This isn’t a criticism, it’s a suggestion. I think that having their marketing staff publish weekly email newsletters would allow customers to appreciate all the moving parts involved here. Most folks, I believe can handle bad news better than no news. Being in the dark is when people tend to spin out of control.

I lead the sales effort for a manufacturer of disinfectant products and last year I created a protocol like this and the feedback was tremendous from my distributor client base. By understanding our challenges and having an idea of timing they were able to make adjustments as needed or keep their customers in the loop.

If Ford established, let’s say a Maverick bulletin and a Bronco version, etc, I think that the overwhelming % of customers would love it and it would foster more loyalty.

I agree. I think convincing the stock holders is the issue. I have 0 intimate knowledge of this, but I think, Ford corporate likes to put up the facade of "all is well, production is moving right along..." Even if there are problems. I could see the news "... Ford Maverick bulletin reports 2 month delay in production due to chip shortage. Owners are turning to Hyundai for a small truck as sales are cancelled. Ford stock is seeing a resultant decline."

Or... Only an email when they have our order and a VIN/build date when they have the parts.

I hate no news, too, but I think there's probably a good internal reason they're playing their cards close to their chest.

 

[Gabbydad]

I agree. I think convincing the stock holders is the issue. I have 0 intimate knowledge of this, but I think, Ford corporate likes to put up the facade of "all is well, production is moving right along..." Even if there are problems. I could see the news "... Ford Maverick bulletin reports 2 month delay in production due to chip shortage. Owners are turning to Hyundai for a small truck as sales are cancelled. Ford stock is seeing a resultant decline."

Or... Only an email when they have our order and a VIN/build date when they have the parts.

I hate no news, too, but I think there's probably a good internal reason they're playing their cards close to their chest.

That’s an excellent point. I suppose that official communication need not be super detailed. I dunno just brainstorming.

 

[Lappo424]

The constraint is constraint, so much is dependent on JitD of components and that is vey unpredictable in the current clime

Will you please stop using the shortage as an excuse for them... This is old news now. They need to be better on communicating and scheduling.

 

[Gabbydad]

We need to remember too that this is step 9 of 10000 on ford's new goal of shifting to build to order.

It will only get better. Also I'm about to buy 600 of Ford shares because they are moving orders up. Also the new Mach e was released weeks early too

Growing up I always gravitated towards GM stuff. But for the last couple of decades, Ford just seems to be on the ball to a better degree and much more competitive on the world stage.

 

[Gabbydad]

Will you please stop using the shortage as an excuse for them... This is old news now. They need to be better on communicating and scheduling.

That’s where I’m at. Just allow me to manage my expectations with a bit clearer message. Again it’s more of an enhancement. Not a whine. In my mind I’ll see my truck in January/February given my mid-August order date.

 

[Lappo424]

That’s where I’m at. Just allow me to manage my expectations with a bit clearer message. Again it’s more of an enhancement. Not a whine. In my mind I’ll see my truck in January/February given my mid-August order date.

I'm expecting mine around Halloween.

If I get it before you we can meet up and you can check it out

 

[pxpaulx]

I think we are in a lot better shape than many other vehicle manufacturers. I think it is fair to compare our experience with Santa Cruz buyers.

They were given a day 1 reservation process as well, but that has turned out to be nothing more than a maybe placeholder and first right to refuse a build of something that might just maybe be sort of like what you were looking for that happens to be coming to our lot, oh and market adjustment you know how that goes! (...intentionally rambling). You can't even build a vehicle properly on their site yet, let alone go and custom order something with your exact build requirements.

My point about the above is that comparatively speaking Ford is being about as transparent as a large multi-national corporation can be with us. We can pick our build, contact a dealer, have it placed, get updates about the build (process isn't perfect...I never received my scheduling order depsite being scheduled and confirmed by Granger...retail order), and later on the actual build, ship, ready status will all be provide.

The problem is always management and money. Anything short of all things are going perfectly have negative perceptions. Look at the hardtop issues with the Bronco - I'm not sure a consumer can really ask anything more in terms of proper communication and resolution from a large company - that to me invites future business, just putting the truth out there, and taking the right steps to resolve the issue.

 

[Gabbydad]

I'm expecting mine around Halloween.

If I get it before you we can meet up and you can check it out

I will gladly buy you a frosty beverage of your choice for the privilege!

 

[r100gs91]

I think that a newsletter type of info share would be great.

My biggest pet peeve is Ford's heavy promoting a 40 mpg target, and now getting the Hybrid is an availability issue. I am not impressed is an understatement. All I can say is that this Truck is going to have to be VERY impressive on the test drive for me to go through with the purchase. Also minimal dealer BS is required.

 

[Red Ryder]

As a shareholder and a consumer, I would have rather seen fewer product releases that were more successfully executed.

Constraints notwithstanding, getting a model or two out with the limited resources available looks healthier than pumping expectations with flashy ad campaigns only to make people wait longer than expected (remains to be seen with Maverick, but certainly so with both Bronco lines).

Perception is reality. Most restaurants reduced their menu selections during Covid to maintain quality with fewer options. Ford decides to launch a salvo of new vehicles, change their sales strategy (build to order), all during this supply crisis.

That can be enough to shake the confidence of a shareholder and customer. At least this one.

 

[r100gs91]

As a shareholder and a consumer, I would have rather seen fewer product releases that were more successfully executed.

Constraints notwithstanding, getting a model or two out with the limited resources available looks healthier than pumping expectations with flashy ad campaigns only to make people wait longer than expected (remains to be seen with Maverick, but certainly so with both Bronco lines).

Perception is reality. Most restaurants reduced their menu selections during Covid to maintain quality with fewer options. Ford decides to launch a salvo of new vehicles, change their sales strategy (build to order), all during this supply crisis.

That can be enough to shake the confidence of a shareholder and customer. At least this one.

I bought 100 shares of Ford about 45 days ago. A few days later I kept reading about Bronco delays, QC issues, and then Maverick delay issues on over a dozen items for the truck. I decided to sell the stock I bought on Jim Cramer's recommendation at $14.40 got out at $14.20 . Since then it is down about 10%. I think lots of shareholders lost confidence, considering it was a momentum stock lately.

 

[Portcqb]

I'm expecting mine around Halloween.

If I get it before you we can meet up and you can check it out

Did you get an early September build date to expect it for Halloween?

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