Will Ford continue the Family Plan into August?

[John Walker]

Do you know if Ford is panning on pushing the Family Plan into August? I have a feeling that they will just becuase its the slowest month for car sales. My wife is getting a sweet deal on a Freestyle, but we just want to do some more research before pulling the trigger.

 

[Deleted deleted]

Yep, the Big 3 automakers have dropped in 'blue light special' hell. It will take years before their sales recovery from this fiasco.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

As long as the rebates and low financing from Ford Credit hold a savvy buyer can end up paying the same with our without the Family Plan.

 

[Tom Schindler]

Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and the Korean Imports are all being sold "At employee cost" by local dealers.



Kia dealers, on the other hand, are going a different toute. Buy a Kia Minivan, get a Rio for free.



Sounds like they are feeling the squeeze too.





Tom

 

[Teddy GreeneII]

Y know what Im wondering guys is how will this effect them in the future. After reading the Conffesions of a car salesman article, its obvious how they view such a variety of demographics etc. Im thinking, if Im gonna buy another vehicle, Im gonna wait until someone does this again. not saying they will but now the usual, memorial day sales, end of model year sales etc, seem to have lost their punch to me as a consumer. I would think that after the success they've had with this, eventually somebody is going to do it again when the pinch is in. To iliminate that, i wonder if they all would have to agree somehow that nobody will do it again for 2-3 years. curious.

 

[Tom Schindler]

Teddy,



Whenever you need a deaal on a car, just ask someone here to sponsor you for X-Plan. Many automakers essentially cut some rebates, while other vehicles were left along, then offerent A-Plan prices. If the rebates would have been left the same without the Employee pricing, X-Plan would be within $500.00.



The Employee pricing was only for 2005 models. Theresa said, the dealers are the ones that made out with the Employee pricing. Many people went into the dealer looking for a cheap car. Once they were in the dealership, then not nonger needed a new car, the WANTED one. Once they foud out thier credit wasn't that good, they settled for a "New" to them, car. Also, people going into the dealershif for a 2005, many walk out with a 2006, because they had what they wanted.



Either way you look at it, you will still get a great deal.



X-Plan is nothing to scoff at. I am sure many members, including myself, is more then willing to sponsor you for an X-Plan deal.





Tom

 

[John Zuber]

I read an article on GM that said that pricing on the 06 models will be lower than the 05's--they called it "a new pricing strategy".

 

[Heather Rueckert]

I'm reading a letter from Ford that my father-in-law( Ford retiree) got in his mail this morning. The "Ford Family Plan is only available till August 1, 2005. They are temporarily suspending the Employee and Retiree Summer Sales Event cash award program. -Heather

 

[Alan Peters]

I know a couple of local Toyota and Honda Dealers will honar requests for "employee pricing". I read somewhere on the web the Big 3 market share has jumped, taking market share away from their japanese rivals. It maybe the Blue Light Speical, but most cars, trucks, SUV at a local dealer are moving them like hot cakes. I was at my local dealer yesterday and their just moving cars like crazy. They sold most f150, explorer, focus, ranger, and tarus stock on the lot plus ordered more basic models since thats what most customers are requesting.

 

[Alan Peters]

I'll add to that it this pricing game may work in the long run. I believe Ford is banking on a couple of things, first is quality. Their quality numbers are up showing much improvement. I know my ST is by far the best built ford I've owned. Second is relationship/Dealer. Ford is slowly repairing its dealer relations ie warrenty times and such. Third is commitment, most buyers feel comfortable with their purchase, they have a 50/50 chance of buying with in the same brand. It may abe a short term bomb, but it may ride itself out in the long run.

 

[Frank Marano]

GM is ending their employee pricing on Monday

 

[Rich Wavrik]

I think it will continue for at most until mid-August. By then it should have eaten up a lot of the excess inventory.